ente, "it seems to me that she did him no
wrong in wishing to try him for seven years, in order to see whether
he did love her as much as he said. Men are so wont to speak falsely
in these matters that before trusting them, if indeed one trust them at
all, one cannot put them to the proof too long."

"The ladies of our day," said Hircan, "are far wiser than those of past
times, for they are as sure of a lover after a seven days' trial as the
others were after seven years."

"Yet there are those in this company," said Longarine, "who have been
loved with all earnestness for seven years and more, and albeit have not
been won."

"'Fore God," said Simontault, "you speak the truth; but such as they
ought to be ranked with the ladies of former times, for they cannot be
recognised as belonging to the present."

"After all," said Oisille, "the gentleman was much beholden to the lady,
for it was owing to her that he devoted his heart wholly to God."

"It was very fortunate for him," said Saffredent, "that he found God
upon the way, for, considering the grief he was in, I am surprised that
he did not give himself to the devil."

"And did you give yourself to such a master," asked Ennasuite, "when
your lady ill used you?"

"Yes, thousands of times," said Saffredent, "but the devil, seeing that
all the torments of hell could bring me no more suffering than those
which she caused me to endure, never condescended to take me. He knew
full well that no devil is so bad as a lady who is deeply loved and will
make no return."

"If I were you," said Parlamente to Saffredent, "and held such an
opinion as that, I would never make love to woman."

"My affection," said Saffredent, "and my folly are always so great, that
where I cannot command I am well content to serve. All the ill-will of
the ladies cannot subdue the love that I bear them. But, I pray you,
tell me on your conscience, do you praise this lady for such great
harshness?"

"Ay," said Oisille, "I do, for I think that she wished neither to
receive love nor to bestow it."

"If such was her mind," said Simontault, "why did she hold out to him
the hope of being loved after the seven years were past?"

"I am of your opinion," said Longarine, "for ladies who are unwilling
to love give no occasion for the continuance of the love that is offered
them."

"Perhaps," said Nomerfide, "she loved some one else less worthy than
that honourable gentleman, and so forsook the better