ot believe a lie."

"Yet it seems to me," said Simontault, "that a simple person is more
readily deceived than another."

"Yes," said Longarine, "if you deem foolishness to be the same thing as
simplicity."

"I affirm," replied Simontault, "that a good, gentle and simple woman is
more readily deceived than one who is wily and wicked."

"I think," said Nomerfide, "that you must know of one overflowing with
such goodness, and so I give you my vote that you may tell us of her."

"Since you have guessed so well," said Simontault, "I will indeed tell
you of her, but you must promise not to weep. Those who declare, ladies,
that your craftiness surpasses that of men would find it hard to bring
forward such an instance as I am now about to relate, wherein I propose
to show you not only the exceeding craftiness of a husband, but also the
simplicity and goodness of his wife."

[Illustration: 162.jpg Tailpiece]

[Illustration: 163a.jpg The Lovers returning from their Meeting in the Garden]

[The Lovers returning from their Meeting in the Garden]

[Illustration: 163.jpg Page Image]

_TALE XLIV. (B)_.

_Concerning the subtlety of two lovers in the enjoyment of
their love, and the happy issue of the latter_. (1)

1 This is the tale given by Gruget in his edition of the
_Heptameron_, in lieu of the preceding one.--Ed.

In the city of Paris there lived two citizens of middling condition, of
whom one had a profession, while the other was a silk mercer. These two
were very old friends and constant companions, and so it happened that
the son of the former, a young man, very presentable in good company,
and called James, used often by his father's favour to visit the
mercer's house. This, however, he did for the sake of the mercer's
beautiful daughter named Frances, whom he loved; and so well did James
contrive matters with her, that he came to know her to be no less loving
than loved.

Whilst matters were in this state, however, a camp was formed in
Provence in view of withstanding the descent of Charles of Austria, (2)
and James, being called upon the list, was obliged to betake himself to
the army. At the very beginning of the campaign his father passed from
life into death, the tidings whereof brought him double sorrow, on the
one part for the loss of his father, and on the other for the difficulty
he should have on his return in seeing his sweetheart as often as he had
hoped.

2