we to believe that they love us
for evil? Is it not a sin to judge our neighbours?"

"You may believe what you please," said Oisille; "but there is so
much cause for fearing it to be true, that as soon as you perceive the
faintest spark, you should flee from this fire, lest it should burn up
your heart before you even know it."

"Truly," said Hircan, "the laws you lay down are over harsh. If women,
whom gentleness beseems so well, were minded to prove as rigorous as
you would have them be, we men, on our part, would exchange our gentle
entreaties for craft and force."

"In my opinion," said Simontault, "the best advice is that each should
follow his natural bent. Whether he love or not, let him do so without
dissimulation."

"Would to God," said Saffredent, "that such a rule would bring as much
honour as it would give pleasure."

Dagoucin, however, could not refrain from saying--

"Those who would rather die than make their desire known could not
comply with your law."

"Die!" thereupon said Hircan; "the good knight has yet to be born that
would die for the publishing of such a matter. But let us cease talking
of what is impossible, and see to whom Simontault will give his vote."

"I give it," said Simontault, "to Longarine, for I observed her just
now talking to herself. I imagine that she was recalling some excellent
matter, and she is not wont to conceal the truth, whether it be against
man or woman."

"Since you deem me so truthful," replied Longarine, "I will tell you a
tale which, though it be not so much to the praise of women as I could
wish it to be, will yet show you that there are some possessed of as
much spirit, wit, and craft as men. If my tale be somewhat long, you
will bear with it in patience."

[Illustration: 155.jpg Tailpiece]

[Illustration: 157a.jpg The Lady taking Oath as to her Conduct]

[The Lady taking Oath as to her Conduct]

[Illustration: 157.jpg Page Image]

_TALE XV_.

_Through the favour of King Francis, a simple gentleman of
the Court married a very rich woman, of whom, however, as
much by reason of her extreme youth as of the bestowal of
his own heart elsewhere, he made but little account;
whereat, after trying every plan to please him, she was so
moved with resentment and overcome by despair, that she
resolved to console herself with another for the indignities
which she endured from her husband._ (1)

1 The inci