10 I Corinthians i. 27, 28, slightly modified.

     11 St. Luke xiv. 11 and xviii. 14.

“Alas,” said Oisille, “how many virtuous persons did that Prior deceive!  For I saw people put more trust in him than even in God.”

“I should not have done so,” said Nomerfide, “for such is my horror of monks that I could not confess to one.  I believe they are worse than all other men, and never frequent a house without leaving disgrace or dissension behind them.”

“There are good ones among them,” said Oisille, “and they ought not to be judged by the bad alone; but the best are those that least often visit laymen’s houses and women.”

“You are right,” said Ennasuite.  “The less they are seen, the less they are known, and therefore the more highly are they esteemed; for companionship with them shows what they really are.”

“Let us say no more about them,” said Nomerfide, “and see to whom Geburon will give his vote.”

“I shall give it,” said he, “to Madame Oisille, that she may tell us something to the credit of Holy Church.” (12)

12 In lieu of this phrase, the De Thou MS. of the Heptameron gives the following:  “To make amends for his fault, if fault there were in laying bare the wretched and abominable life of a wicked Churchman, so as to put others on their guard against the hypocrisy of those resembling him, Geburon, who held Madame Oysille in high esteem, as one should hold a lady of discretion, who was no less reluctant to speak evil than prompt to praise and publish the worth which she knew to exist in others, gave her his vote, begging her to tell something to the honour of our holy religion.”—­L.

“We have sworn,” said Oisille, “to speak the truth, and I cannot therefore undertake such a task.  Moreover, in telling your tale you have reminded me of a very pitiful story which I feel constrained to relate, seeing that I am not far from the place where, in my own time, the thing came to pass.  I shall tell it also, ladies, to the end that the hypocrisy of those who account themselves more religious than their neighbours, may not so beguile your understanding as to turn your faith out of the right path, and lead you to hope for salvation from any other than Him who has chosen to stand alone in the work of our creation and redemption.  He is all powerful to save us unto life eternal, and, in this temporal life, to comfort us and deliver us from all our tribulations.  And knowing that Satan often transforms himself into an angel of light so that the outward eye, blinded by the semblance of holiness and devotion, cannot apprehend that from which we ought to flee, I think it well to tell you this tale, which came to pass in our own time.”

[Illustration:  095.jpg Tailpiece]

[Illustration:  097a.jpg The Grey Friar deceiving the Gentleman Of Perigord]

[The Grey Friar deceiving the Gentleman Of Perigord]