," said the nun; "she alone must know my secret."

Then the Duchess told her that she might speak freely, since she had
indeed found her whom she sought. Forthwith the poor woman threw herself
at her feet, and, after she had wept, related what you have heard
concerning her hapless fortune. The Duchess consoled her so well, that
whilst she took not from her everlasting repentance for her sin, she
put from her mind the journeying to Rome, and then sent her back to her
priory with letters to the Bishop of the place to have that shameful
monk turned away.

"I have this story from the Duchess herself, and from it you may see,
ladies, that Nomerfide's prescription is not good for all, since these
persons fell into lewdness even while touching and laying out the dead."

"'Twas a device," said Hircan, "that methinks no man ever used before,
to talk of death and engage in the deeds of life."

"'Tis no deed of life," said Oisille, "to sin, for it is well known that
sin begets death."

"You may be sure," said Saffredent, "that these poor folk gave no
thought to any such theology; but just as the daughters of Lot made
their father drunk so that the human race might be preserved, so these
persons wished to repair what death had spoiled, and to replace the dead
body by a new one. I therefore can see no harm in the matter except the
tears of the poor nun, who was always weeping and always returning to
the cause of her tears."

"I have known many of the same kind," said Hircan, "who wept for their
sins and laughed at their pleasures both together."

"I think I know whom you mean," said Parlamente, "and their laughter has
lasted so great a while that 'twere time the tears should begin."

"Hush!" said Hircan. "The tragedy that has begun with laughter is not
ended yet."

"To change the subject," said Parlamente, "it seems to me that Dagoucin
departed from our purpose. We were to tell only merry tales, and his was
very piteous."

"You said," replied Dagoucin, "that you would only tell of follies, and
I think that herein I have not been lacking. But, that we may hear a
more pleasant story, I give my vote to Nomerfide, in the hope that she
will make amends for my error."

"I have indeed," she answered, "a story ready which is worthy to follow
yours; for it speaks of monks and death. So I pray you give good heed."

_Here end the Tales and Novels of the late Queen of Navarre, that is,
all that can be recovered of them_.

[Ill