gon, Princess of Tarento), who married
Francis de la Tremoille, Viscount of Thouars, in 1521, and
was by her mother a cousin of Queen Margaret. Possibly,
however, the reference is to Gabrielle de Bourbon, wife of
Louis II. de la Tremoille, a lady of exemplary piety, who
erected the beautiful Renaissance chapel of the chateau of
Thouars.--L. & Ed.

"I think, ladies," said Nomerfide, "that this story has proved neither
long nor melancholy, and that I have given you what you expected."

At this the company laughed heartily, and Oisille said--"The story is
indeed nasty and unclean, yet, knowing the persons who fared in this
manner, we cannot consider it unwelcome. Gladly would I have seen the
faces of La Mothe and of the lady to whom she brought such timely aid.
But now," she added to Nomerfide, "since you have finished so soon, give
your vote to some one whose thoughts are of a graver turn."

"Since you desire me to atone for my fault," answered Nomerfide, "I give
my vote to Dagoucin, whose discretion is such that he would die rather
than say anything foolish."

Dagoucin then thanked her for the esteem in which she held his good
sense, and thus began--"The story I am minded to relate is intended to
show you how love blinds the greatest and most honourable hearts, and
how hard it is to overcome wickedness by any kindness whatsoever."

[Illustration: 093.jpg Tailpiece]

[Illustration: 095a.jpg The Grey Friar telling his Tales]

[The Grey Friar telling his Tales]

[Illustration: 095.jpg Page Image]

_TALE XI._ (B).

_Of the jests made by a Grey Friar in his sermons_. (1)

1 See _ante_, p. 89, note 2, _and post_. Appendix B.

Near the town of Blere in Touraine there is a village called St.
Martin-le-Beau, whither a Grey Friar belonging to the monastery at
Tours was summoned to preach during the seasons of Advent and Lent.
This friar, who was more garrulous than learned, and now and then found
himself at a loss for matter to eke out his hour, would thereupon begin
telling tales which more or less agreeably satisfied the good villagers.

One Holy Thursday he preached about the Paschal Lamb, and while speaking
of how it was eaten at night, seeing that there were present at the
preaching some handsome young ladies of Amboise, who were newly
arrived to keep Easter at the village, and to stay there for a few days
afterwards, he wished to surpass himself, and thereupon ask