k," said Nomerfide, "that every one is like you, who would use
one slander for the patching of another; but there is danger lest the
patch impair what it patches and the foundation be so overladen that
all be destroyed. However, if you think that the subtlety, of which all
believe you to be fully possessed, is greater than that found in women,
I yield place to you to tell the seventh story; and, if you bring
yourself forward as the hero, I doubt not that we shall hear wickedness
enough."

"I am not here," replied Hircan, "to make myself out worse than I am;
there are some who do that rather more than is to my liking."

So saying he looked at his wife, who quickly said--

"Do not fear to tell the truth on my account. I can more easily bear
to hear you relate your crafty tricks than to see them played before my
eyes, though none of them could lessen the love I bear you."

"For that reason," replied Hircan, "I make no complaint of all the false
opinions you have had of me. And so, since we understand each other,
there will be more security for the future. Yet I am not so foolish as
to relate a story of myself, the truth of which might be vexatious
to you. I will tell you one of a gentleman who was among my dearest
friends."

[Illustration: 108.jpg Tailpiece]

[Illustration: 109.jpg The Merchant transferring his Caresses from the
Daughter to the Mother]

[The Merchant transferring his Caresses from the Daughter to the Mother]

[Illustration: 110.jpg Page Image]

_TALE VII_.

_By the craft and subtlety of a merchant an old woman was
deceived and the honour of her daughter saved_.

In the city of Paris there lived a merchant who was in love with a young
girl of his neighbourhood, or, to speak more truly, she was more in
love with him than he with her. For the show he made to her of love
and devotion was but to conceal a loftier and more honourable passion.
However, she suffered herself to be deceived, and loved him so much that
she had quite forgotten the way to refuse.

After the merchant had long taken trouble to go where he could see her,
he at last made her come whithersoever it pleased himself. Her mother
discovered this, and being a very virtuous woman, she forbade her
daughter ever to speak to the merchant on pain of being sent to a
nunnery. But the girl, whose love for the merchant was greater than her
fear of her mother, went after him more than ever.

It happened one day, when she was