onduct is praiseworthy on the part of a
Prince in such a case as this (though in any other it were deserving
of blame), I will relate to you the devices to which a young Prince
resorted, and by which he contrived to deceive those who are wont to
deceive the whole world."

5 John dc Melun, who continued the _Roman de la Rose_ begun
by Lorris.--D.

[Illustration: 130.jpg Tailpiece]

[Illustration: 131a.jpg The Advocate's Wife attending on the Prince]

[The Advocate's Wife attending on the Prince]

[Illustration: 131.jpg Page Image]

_TALE XXV_.

_A young Prince, whilst pretending to visit his lawyer and
talk with him of his affairs, conversed so freely with the
lawyer's wife, that he obtained from her what he desired_.

In the city of Paris there dwelt an advocate who was more highly thought
of than any other of his condition, (1) and who, being sought after by
every one on account of his excellent parts, had become the richest of
all those who wore the gown.

1 In five of the oldest MSS. of the _Heptameron_, and in
the original editions of 1558, 1559, and 1560, the words are
"than nine others of his condition." The explanation of this
is, that the advocate's name, as ascertained by Baron Jerome
Pichon, was Disome, which, written Dix-hommes, would
literally mean "ten men." Baron Pichon has largely
elucidated this story, and the essential points of his
notice, contributed to the _Melanges de la Societe des
Bibliophiles Francais_, will be found summarized in the
Appendix to this volume, B.--Ed.

Now, although he had had no children by his first wife, he was in hopes
of having some by a second; for, although his body was no longer hearty,
his heart and hopes were as much alive as ever. Accordingly, he made
choice of one of the fairest maidens in the city; she was between
eighteen and nineteen years of age, very handsome both in features and
complexion, and still more handsome in figure. He loved her and treated
her as well as could be; but he had no children by her any more than by
his first wife, and this at last made her unhappy. And as youth cannot
endure grief, she sought diversion away from home, and betook herself
to dances and feasts; yet she did this in so seemly a fashion that her
husband could not take it ill, for she was always in the company of
women in whom he had trust.

One day, when she was at a wedding, there wa