support of an example. If, therefore, you know of
one, I give you my place that you may tell it to us. I do not say that
we are bound to believe you on your mere word, but it will assuredly not
make our ears tingle to hear you speak ill of us, since we know what is
the truth."

"Well, since it is for me to speak," said Dagoucin, "'tis I who will
tell you the tale."

[Illustration: 070.jpg Tailpiece]

[Illustration: 071a. The Gentleman Mocked by the Ladies When Returning From The False
Tryst]

[The Gentleman Mocked by the Ladies When Returning From The False Tryst]

[Illustration: 071.jpg Page Image]

_TALE LVIII._

_A gentleman, through putting too much trust in the
truthfulness of a lady whom he had offended by forsaking her
for others just when she was most in love with him, was, by
a false tryst, deceived by her, and bemocked by the whole
Court_.

At the Court of King Francis the First there was a lady (1) of excellent
wit, who, by her grace, virtue and pleasantness of speech, had won the
hearts of several lovers. With these she right well knew how to pass
the time, but without hurt to her honour, conversing with them in such
pleasant fashion that they knew not what to think, for those who were
the most confident were reduced to despair, whilst those that despaired
the most became hopeful. Nevertheless, while fooling most of them, she
could not help greatly loving one whom she called her cousin, a name
which furnished a pretext for closer fellowship.

1 M. de Lincy surmises that Margaret is referring to
herself both here and in the following tale, which concerns
the same lady. His only reason for the supposition, however,
is that the lady's views on certain love matters are akin to
those which the Queen herself professed.--Ed.

However, as there is nothing in this world of firm continuance, their
friendship often turned to anger and then was renewed in stronger sort
than ever, so that the whole Court could not but be aware of it.

One day the lady, both to let it be seen that she was wholly void
of passion, and to vex him, for love of whom she had endured much
annoyance, showed him a fairer countenance than ever she had done
before. Thereupon the gentleman, who lacked boldness neither in love nor
in war, began hotly to press the suit that he many a time previously had
addressed to her.

She, pretending to be wholly vanquished by pity, promised