that she was indeed very ill. While recounting his
griefs he wept so piteously that it seemed as though his soul must melt
away in his tears.

Bonnivet, who was as much inclined to laugh as the other was to weep,
comforted him as well as he could, telling him that affections of long
duration always had a difficult beginning, and that Love was causing him
this delay only that he might afterwards have the greater joy. And so
the two gentlemen parted. The lady remained in bed for some days, and on
regaining her health dismissed her first suitor, alleging as her
reason the fear of death that had beset her and the prickings of her
conscience. But she held fast to my lord Bonnivet, whose love, as is
usual, lasted no longer than the field flowers bloom.

"I think, ladies, that the gentleman's craftiness was a match for the
hypocrisy of the lady, who, after playing the prude so long, showed
herself such a wanton in the end."

"You may say what you please about women," said Ennasuite, "but the
gentleman played an evil trick. Is it allowable that if a lady loves one
man, another may obtain her by craft?"

"You may be sure," said Geburon, "that when such mares are for sale
they are of necessity carried off by the last and highest bidder. Do not
imagine that wooers take such great pains for the ladies' sakes. It is
for their own sakes and their own pleasure."

"By my word," said Longarine, "I believe you; for, truth to tell, all
the lovers that I have ever had have always begun their speeches by
talking about me, declaring that they cherished my life, welfare, and
honour; but in the end they only thought of themselves, caring for
nought but their own pleasure and vanity. The best plan, therefore,
is to dismiss them as soon as the first portion of their discourse is
ended; for when they come to the second, there is not so much credit in
refusing them, seeing that vice when recognised must needs be rejected."

"So as soon as a man opens his mouth," said Ennasuite, "we ought to
refuse him, without knowing what he is going to say?"

"Nay," replied Parlamente, "my friend does not mean that. We know that
at first a woman should never appear to understand what the man desires,
or even to believe him when he has declared what it is; but when he
comes to strong protestations, I think it were better for ladies to
leave him on the road rather than continue to the end of the journey
with him."

"That may be," said Nomerfide; "but are