of the Grey Friars' monastery, St Francis
being their patron.--B. J.

It chanced that they did not find the confessor aforesaid nor any other
that they knew, and, while waiting to see whether the father would
come, they were pleased to hear high mass, which was just beginning. And
whilst the young wife was giving close heed to the divine service and
its mystery, she was stricken with astonishment on seeing the Priest
turn himself about to pronounce the _Dominus vobiscum_, for it seemed
to her that it was her husband or else his very fellow. She uttered,
however, not a word, but waited till he should turn round again, when,
looking still more carefully at him, she had no doubt that it was indeed
he. Then she twitched her mother, who was deep in contemplation, and
said--

"Alas! madam, what is it that I see?"

"What is it?" said her mother.

"That is my husband," she replied, "who is singing mass, or else 'tis
one as like him as can be."

"I pray you, my daughter," replied the mother, who had not carefully
observed him, "do not take such a thought into your head. It is
impossible that men who are so holy should have practised such deceit.
You would sin grievously against God if you believed such a thing."

Nevertheless the mother did not cease looking at him, and when it came
to the _Ite missa est_ she indeed perceived that no two sons of the same
mother were ever so much alike. Yet she was so simple that she would
fain have said, "O God, save me from believing what I see." Since her
daughter was concerned in the matter, however, she would not suffer it
to remain in uncertainty, and resolved to learn the truth.

When evening was come, and the husband (who had perceived nothing of
them) was about to return, the mother said to her daughter--

"We shall now, if you are willing, find out the truth concerning your
husband. When he is in bed I will go to him, and then, while he is not
thinking, you will pluck off his coif from behind, and we shall see
whether he be tonsured like the Friar who said mass."

As it was proposed, so was it done. As soon as the wicked husband was in
bed, the old lady came and took both his hands as though in sport--her
daughter took off his coif, and there he was with his fine tonsure. At
this both mother and daughter were as greatly astonished as might be,
and forthwith they called their servants to seize him and bind him fast
till the morning, nor did any of his excuses or fine spee