s the
common practice in France in Queen Margaret's time.--Ed.

The lady replied that it had.

"Then," said the Friar, "I permit you to lie with her without scruple,
provided that you are willing to promise me two things."

The gentleman replied that he was willing.

"The first," said the good father, "is that you speak to no one
concerning this matter, but come here in secret. The second is that
you do not come until two hours after midnight, so that the good lady's
digestion be not hindered."

These things the gentleman promised; and he confirmed his promise with
so strong an oath that the other, knowing him to be foolish rather than
false, was quite satisfied.

After much converse the good father withdrew to his chamber, giving them
good-night and an abundant blessing. But, as he was going, he took the
gentleman by the hand, and said to him--

"You too, sir, i' faith must come, nor keep your poor lady longer
awake."

Thereupon the gentleman kissed her. "Sweetheart," said he, and the good
father heard him plainly, "leave the door of your room open for me."

And so each withdrew to his own chamber.

On leaving them the Friar gave no heed to sleep or to repose, and, as
soon as all the noises in the house were still, he went as softly as
possible straight to the lady's chamber, at about the hour when he was
wont to go to matins, and finding the door open in expectation of the
master's coming, he went in, cleverly put out the light, and speedily
got into bed with the lady, without speaking a single word.

The lady, believing him to be her husband, said--

"How is this, love? you have kept but poorly the promise you gave
last evening to our confessor that you would not come here before two
o'clock."

The Friar, who was more eager for action than for contemplation, and
who, moreover, was fearful of being recognised, gave more thought to
satisfying the wicked desires that had long poisoned his heart than to
giving her any reply; whereat the lady wondered greatly. When the friar
found the husband's hour drawing near, he rose from the lady's side and
returned with all speed to his own chamber.

Then, just as the frenzy of lust had robbed him of sleep, so now the
fear that always follows upon wickedness would not suffer him to rest.
Accordingly, he went to the porter of the house and said to him--

"Friend, your master has charged me to go without delay and offer up
prayers for him at our convent, where