During this converse one of the ladies fell to laughing heartily, knowing that she who took Saffredent’s words to herself was not so loved by him that he would have suffered horns, shame, or wrong for her sake.  When Saffredent perceived that the lady who laughed understood him, he was well satisfied and became silent, so that Ennasuite might begin; which she did as follows—­

“In order, ladies, that Saffredent and the rest of the company may know that all ladies are not like the Queen he has spoken of, and that all foolhardy and venturesome men do not compass their ends, I will tell you a story in which I will acquaint you with the opinion of a lady who deemed the vexation of failure in love to be harder of endurance than death itself.  However, I shall give no names, because the events are so fresh in people’s minds that I should fear to offend some who are near of kin.”

[Illustration:  078.jpg Tailpiece]

[Illustration:  079a.jpg Hurrying to her Mistress’s Assistance]

[The Princess’s Lady of Honour hurrying to her Mistress’s Assistance]

[Illustration:  079.jpg Page Image]

TALE IV.

A young gentleman sought to discover whether the offer of an honour-able love would be displeasing to his master’s sister, a lady of the most illustrious lineage in Flanders, who had been twice widowed, and was a woman of muck spirit.  Meeting with a reply contrary to his desires, he attempted to possess her by force; but she resisted him successfully, and by the advice of her lady of honour, without seeming to take notice of his designs and efforts, gradually ceased to regard him with the favour with which she had been wont to treat him.  Thus, by his foolhardy presumption, he lost the honourable and habitual companionship which, more than others, he had had with her.(1)

     1 This story is historical, and the incidents must have
     occurred between 1520 and 1525.—­L.

There lived in the land of Flanders a lady of such high lineage, that none more illustrious could be found.  She was a widow, both her first and second husbands being dead, and she had no children living.  During her widowhood she lived in retirement with her brother, by whom she was greatly loved, and who was a very great lord and married to the daughter of a King.  This young Prince was a man much given to pleasure, fond of hunting, pastimes, and women, as his youth inclined him.  He had a wife, however, who was of a very froward disposition, (2) and found no pleasure in her husband’s pursuits; wherefore this Lord always took his sister along with his wife, for she was a most joyous and pleasant companion, and withal a discreet and honourable woman.

In this Lord’s household there was a gentleman who, for stature, comeliness, and grace, surpassed all his fellows.  This gentleman, (3) perceiving that his master’s sister was of merry mood and always ready for a laugh, was minded to try whether the offer of an honourable love would be displeasing to her.