de Saint-Blancart, as many for Andrew Doria, &c.”  The Baron de Saint-Blancart here referred to was Bernard d’Ormezan, Admiral of the seas of the Levant, Conservator of the ports and tower of Aigues-Mortes, and General of the King’s galleys.  In 1523 he defeated the naval forces of the Emperor Charles V., and in 1525 conducted Margaret to Spain.—­L.  (See Memoir of Margaret, p. xli.)

“I pray you, ladies, consider what evil is caused by a wicked woman, and how many evils sprang from the sins of the one I have spoken of.  You will find that ever since Eve caused Adam to sin, all women have set themselves to bring about the torment, slaughter and damnation of men.  For myself, I have had such experience of their cruelty that I expect to die and be damned simply by reason of the despair into which one of them has cast me.  And yet so great a fool am I, that I cannot but confess that hell coming from her hand is more pleasing than Paradise would be from the hand of another.”

Parlamente, pretending she did not understand that it was touching herself he spoke in this fashion, said to him—­

“Since hell is as pleasant as you say, you ought not to fear the devil who has placed you in it.”

“If my devil were to become as black as he has been cruel to me,” answered Simontault angrily, “he would cause the present company as much fright as I find pleasure in looking upon them; but the fires of love make me forget those of this hell.  However, to speak no further concerning this matter, I give my vote to Madame Oisille to tell the second story.  I feel sure she would support my opinion if she were willing to say what she knows about women.”

Forthwith all the company turned towards Oisille, and begged of her to proceed, to which she consented, and, laughing, began as follows—­

“It seems to me, ladies, that he who has given me his vote has spoken so ill of our sex in his true story of a wicked woman, that I must call to mind all the years of my long life to find one whose virtue will suffice to gainsay his evil opinion.  However, as I have bethought me of one worthy to be remembered, I will now relate her history to you.”

[Illustration:  056.jpg Tailpiece]

[Illustration:  057a.jpg The Muleteer’s Servant attacking his Mistress]

[The Muleteer’s Servant attacking his Mistress]

[Illustration:  057.jpg Page Image]

TALE II.

     The wife of a muleteer of Amboise chose rather to die
     cruelly at the hands of her servant than to fall in with his
     wicked purpose.(1)

In the town of Amboise there was a muleteer in the service of the Queen of Navarre, sister to King Francis, first of that name.  She being at Blois, where she had been brought to bed of a son, the aforesaid muleteer went thither to receive his quarterly payment, whilst his wife remained at Amboise in a lodging beyond the bridges.(2)