that God has given me."

"Now, madam," said my Lord of Avannes, "remember your promise, and
consider also that God, whom man knows by faith alone, deigned to take
a fleshly nature like that of the sinner upon Himself, in order that, by
drawing our flesh to the love of His humanity, He might at the same time
draw our spirits to the love of His divinity, thus making use of visible
means to make us in all faith love the things which are invisible. In
like manner this virtue, which I would fain love all my life long, is
a thing invisible except in so far as it produces outward effects, for
which reason it must take some bodily shape in order to become known
among men. And this it has done by clothing itself in your form, the
most perfect it could find. I therefore recognise and own that you are
not only virtuous but virtue itself; and now, finding it shine beneath
the veil of the most perfect person that was ever known, I would fain
serve it and honour it all my life, renouncing for its sake every other
vain and vicious love."

The lady, who was no less pleased than surprised to hear these words,
concealed her happiness and said--

"My lord, I will not undertake to answer your theology, but since I am
more ready to apprehend evil than to believe in good, I will entreat you
to address to me no more such words as lead you to esteem but lightly
those who are wont to believe them. I very well know that I am a woman
like any other and imperfect, and that virtue would do a greater thing
by transforming me into itself than by assuming my form--unless, indeed,
it would fain pass unrecognised through the world, for in such a garb as
mine its real nature could never be known. Nevertheless, my lord, with
all my imperfections, I have ever borne to you all such affection as
is right and possible in a woman who reverences God and her honour. But
this affection shall not be declared until your heart is capable of that
patience which a virtuous love enjoins. At that time, my lord, I shall
know what to say, but meanwhile be assured that you do not love your own
welfare, person and honour as I myself love them."

The Lord of Avannes timorously and with tears in his eyes entreated her
earnestly to seal her words with a kiss, but she refused, saying that
she would not break for him the custom of her country.

While this discussion was going on the husband came in, and my Lord of
Avannes said to him--

"I am greatly indebted, father, bot