sent, he will
speak in a different fashion."

"He will do as he pleases," said Parlamente, "but for my content I wish
to believe that he always speaks in this way. At all events, the example
he has brought forward will be profitable to those who believe that
spiritual love is not dangerous. In my opinion it is more so than any
other."

"Yet," said Oisille, "it seems to me that to love a worthy, virtuous and
God-fearing man is in nowise a matter for scorn, and that one cannot but
be the better for it."

"Madam," said Parlamente, "I pray you believe that no one can be more
simple or more easily deceived than a woman who has never loved. For in
itself love is a passion that seizes upon the heart before one is aware
of it, and so pleasing a passion is it that, if it can make use of
virtue as a cloak, it will scarcely be recognised before some mischief
has come of it."

"What mischief," asked Oisille, "can come of loving a worthy man?"

"Madam," said Parlamente, "there are a good many men that are esteemed
worthy, but to be worthy in respect of the ladies, and to be careful for
their honour and conscience--not one such man as that could, I think, be
found in these days. Those who think otherwise, and put their trust in
men, find at last that they have been deceived, and, having begun such
intimacy with obedience to God, will often end it with obedience to the
devil. I have known many who, under pretext of speaking about God, began
an intimacy from which they could not withdraw when at last they wished
to do so, being held in subjection by this semblance of virtue. A
vicious love perishes of its own nature, and cannot continue in a good
heart, but virtuous love has bonds of silk so fine that one is caught in
them before they are seen."

"According to you," said Ennasuite, "no woman should ever love a man;
but your law is too harsh a one to last."

"I know that," said Parlamente, "but none the less must I desire that
every one were as content with her own husband as I am with mine."

Ennasuite, who felt that these words touched her, changed colour and
said--

"You ought to believe every one the same at heart as yourself, unless,
indeed, you think yourself more perfect than all others."

"Well," said Parlamente, "to avoid dispute, let us see to whom Hircan
will give his vote."

"I give it," Hircan replied, "to Ennasuite, in order to make amends to
her for what my wife has said."

"Then, since it is my turn," sai