evil, the joy and the sadness of her
husband, and serve and obey him as the Church does Jesus Christ."

2 "They are like unto children sitting in the market-place,
and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto
you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye
have not wept."--_St. Luke_ vii. 32.--M.

"Then, ladies," said Parlamente, "our husbands should be to us what
Christ is to the Church."

"So are we," said Saffredent, "and, if it were possible, something more;
for Christ died but once for His Church, whereas we die daily for our
wives."

"Die!" said Longarine. "Methinks that you and the others here present
are now worth more crowns than you were worth pence before you were
wed."

"And I know why," said Saffredent; "it is because our worth is often
tried. Still our shoulders are sensible of having worn the cuirass so
long."

"If," said Ennasuite, "you had been obliged to wear harness for a month
and lie on the hard ground, you would greatly long to regain the bed of
your excellent wife, and wear the cuirass of which you now complain.
But it is said that everything can be endured except ease, and that
none know what rest is until they have lost it. This foolish woman, who
laughed when her husband was merry, was fond of taking her rest under
any circumstances."

"I am sure," said Longarine, "that she loved her rest better than her
husband, since she took nothing that he did to heart."

"She did take to heart," said Parlamente, "those things which might have
been hurtful to his conscience and his health, but she would not dwell
upon trifles."

"When you speak of conscience," said Simontault "you make me laugh. 'Tis
a thing to which I would have no woman give heed."

"It would be a good thing," said Nomerfide, "if you had a wife like one
who, after her husband's death, proved that she loved her money better
than her conscience."

"I pray you," said Saffredent, "tell us that tale. I give you my vote."

"I had not intended," said Nomcrfide, "to relate so short a story, but,
since it is suited to the occasion, I will do so."

[Illustration: 042.jpg Tailpiece]

[Illustration: 043a.jpg The Servant selling the Horse with the Cat]

[The Servant selling the Horse with the Cat]

[Illustration: 043.jpg Page Image]

_TALE LV_.

_A merchant's widow, whilst carrying out her husband's will,
interpreted its purport to the advantage of herself and he