s hand, and was
perceived by him before he was aware. However Love, who provides wit and
boldness to contend with the difficulties that he creates, prompted the
young Prince to go straight up to him and say--

"Master advocate, you know the trust which I and all belonging to my
house have ever put in you, and how I reckon you among my best and
truest servants. I have now thought it well to visit you here in
private, both to commend my affairs to you, and also to beg you to give
me something to drink, for I am in great thirst. And, I pray you, tell
none that I have come here, for from this place I must go to another
where I would not be known."

The worthy advocate was well pleased at the honour which the Prince paid
him in coming thus privately to his house, and, leading him to his
own room, he bade his wife prepare a collation of the best fruits and
confections that she had.

Although the garments she wore, a kerchief and mantle, made her appear
more beautiful than ever, the young Prince affected not to look at her
or notice her, but spoke unceasingly to her husband about his affairs,
as to one who had long had them in his hands. And, whilst the lady was
kneeling with the confections before the Prince, and her husband was
gone to the sideboard in order to serve him with drink, she told him
that on leaving the room he must not fail to enter a closet which he
would find on the right hand, and whither she would very soon come to
see him.

As soon as he had drunk, he thanked the advocate, who was all eagerness
to attend him; but the Prince assured him that in the place whither he
was going he had no need of attendance, and thereupon turning to the
wife, he said--

"Moreover, I will not do so ill as to deprive you of your excellent
husband, who is also an old servant of mine. Well may you render thanks
to God since you are so fortunate as to have such a husband, well may
you render him service and obedience. If you did otherwise, you would be
blameworthy indeed."

With these virtuous words the young Prince went away, and, closing the
door behind him so that he might not be followed to the staircase,
he entered the closet, whither also came the fair lady as soon as her
husband had fallen asleep.

Thence she led the Prince into a cabinet as choicely furnished as might
be, though in truth there were no fairer figures in it than he and she,
no matter what garments they may have been pleased to wear. And here, I
doubt