"'Tis but a sorry ease," said Oisille, "that is founded upon sin and
that ends in shame and chastisement."

"That is true, madam," said Ennasuite, "but many persons reap pain
and sorrow by living righteously, and lacking wit enough to procure
themselves in all their lives as much pleasure as these two."

"It is nevertheless my opinion," said Oisille, "that there can be no
perfect pleasure unless the conscience be at rest."

"Nay," said Simontault, "the Italian maintains that the greater the sin
the greater the pleasure." (7)

7 This may be a reference to Boccaccio or Castiglione, but
the expression is of a proverbial character in many
languages.--Ed.

"In very truth," said Oisille, "he who invented such a saying must be
the devil himself. Let us therefore say no more of him, but see to whom
Saffredent will give his vote."

"To whom?" said he. "Only Parlamente now remains; but if there were a
hundred others, she should still receive my vote, as being the one from
whom we shall certainly learn something."

"Well, since I am to end the day," said Parlamente, "and since I
promised yesterday to tell you why Rolandine's father built the castle
in which he kept her so long a prisoner, I will now relate it to you."

[Illustration: 094.jpg Tailpiece]

[Illustration: 095a.jpg The Count of Jossebelin murdering his Sister's Husband]

[The Count of Jossebelin murdering his Sister's Husband]

[Illustration: 095.jpg Page Image]

_TALE XL_.

_The sister of the Count of Jossebelin, after marrying
unknown to her brother a gentleman whom he caused to be put
to death (albeit except for his lowlier rank he had often
desired him for his brother-in-law) did, with great patience
and austerity of life, spend the remainder of her days in a
hermitage_. (1)

This lord, who was the father of Rolandine and was called the Count of
Jossebelin, had several sisters, some of whom were married to wealthy
husbands, others becoming nuns, whilst one, who was beyond comparison
fairer than all the rest, dwelt unwedded in his house. (2)

1 The events here narrated would have occurred in or about
1479.--L.

2 The so-called Count of Jossebelin is John II., Viscount
de Rohan, previously referred to in Tale XXI. He was the son
of Alan IX., Vicount of Rohan, by his second wife, Mary of
Lorraine. Alan, by a first marriage with Margaret of
Brittany, had thre