9 Meaning who have never seen gallants in gay apparel.--Ed.

"In faith," said Nomerfide, in a loud voice, "you may say what you
like, but I would rather be thrown into the river than lie with a Grey
Friar.''

"So you can swim well?" said Oisille, laughing.

Nomerfide took this question in bad part, for she thought that she
was esteemed by Oisille less highly than she desired. Accordingly she
answered in anger--

"There are some who have refused more agreeable men than Grey Friars
without blowing a trumpet about it."

Oisille laughed to see her so wrathful, and said to her--

"Still less do they beat a drum about what they have done and granted."

"I see," said Geburon, "that Nomerfide wishes to speak. I therefore give
her my vote that she may relieve her heart in telling us some excellent
story."

"What has just been said," replied Nomerfide, "touches me so little
that it affords me neither pleasure nor pain. However, since I have your
vote, I pray you listen to me whilst I show that, although one woman
used cunning for a good purpose, others have been crafty for evil's
sake. Since we have sworn to tell the truth I will not hide it, for just
as the boatwoman's virtue brings no honour to other women unless
they follow her example, so the vice of another cannot disgrace her.
Wherefore, listen."

[Illustration: 102.jpg Tailpiece]

[Illustration: 103a.jpg The Wife's Ruse to secure the Escape of her
Lover]

[The Wife's Ruse to secure the Escape of her Lover]

[Illustration: 103.jpg Page Image]

_TALE VI_.

_An old one-eyed valet in the service of the Duke of Alencon
being advised that his wife was in love with a young man,
desired to know the truth, and feigned to go away into the
country for a few days. He returned, however, so suddenly
that his wife, on whom he was keeping watch, perceived how
matters stood, and whilst thinking to deceive her, he was
himself deceived_.

There was in the service of Charles, last Duke of Alencon, an old valet
who had lost an eye, and who was married to a wife much younger than
himself. Now, since his master and mistress liked him as well as any man
of his condition that was in their service, he was not able to visit his
wife as often as he could have wished. Owing to this she so far forgot
her honour and conscience as to fall in love with a young man, and the
affair being at last noised abroad, the husband heard of it. He could