ontrived matters with such secrecy that no one,
whether man or woman, could ever learn the truth, though a rumour was
started by some serving-man about a gentleman and a lady whom he had
found in a stable underneath the rooms belonging to the mistress of the
lady in question. At this her husband's suspicions were so great that he
resolved to slay the gentleman, and gathered together a large number of
his relations and friends to kill him if he was anywhere to be found.
But the chief among his kinsmen was so great a friend of the gentleman
whom they sought, that instead of surprising him he gave him warning of
all that was being contrived against him, for which reason the other,
being greatly liked by the whole Court, was always so well attended that
he had no fear of his enemy's power, and could not be taken unawares and
attacked.

However, he betook himself to a church to meet his lady's mistress,
who had heard nothing of all that had passed, for the lovers had never
spoken together in her presence. But the gentleman now informed her of
the suspicion and ill-will borne him by the lady's husband, and told her
that although he was guiltless he had nevertheless resolved to go on a
long journey in order to check the rumours, which were beginning greatly
to increase. The Princess, his lady's mistress, was much astonished on
hearing this tale, and protested that the husband was much in the wrong
to suspect so virtuous a wife, and one in whom she had ever found all
worth and honour. Nevertheless, considering the husband's authority, and
in order to quell these evil reports, she advised him to absent himself
for a time, assuring him that for her part she would never believe such
foolish suspicions.

Both the gentleman and the lady, who was present, were well pleased at
thus preserving the favour and good opinion of the Princess, who further
advised the gentleman to speak with the husband before his departure.
He did as he was counselled, and meeting with the husband in a gallery
close to the King's apartment, he assumed a bold countenance, and said
to him with all the respect due to one of high rank--

"All my life, sir, I have desired to do you service, and my only reward
is to hear that last evening you lay in wait to kill me. I pray you,
sir, reflect that while you have more authority and power than I have, I
am nevertheless a gentleman even as you are. It would be grievous to me
to lose my life for naught. I pray you als