, squire?" asked the knight.

"Your little mule, monseigneur," said he. "I found it at the foot of the
stairs, when I supped with you at the castle. It was there alone, and
seemingly lost, so I asked it what it was waiting for, and it replied
that it was waiting for its saddle-cloth and you. 'To go where?' I
asked. 'Where we usually go,' replied the mule. 'I am sure,' said I,
'that your master will not leave the house to-night, for he is going
to bed, so take me where you usually go, I beg.' It was content, so I
mounted on it, and it brought me here, for which I give it thanks."

"God reward the little beast that betrayed me," said the good knight.

"Ah, you have fully deserved it, monseigneur," said the damsel, when at
last she was able to speak. "I know well that you have deceived me,
but I wish you to know that it is not much to your honour. There was
no need, if you would not come yourself, to send some one else
surreptitiously. It was an evil day for me when first I saw you."

"Morbleu! I never sent him," he said; "but since he is here I will not
drive him away. Besides there is enough for the two of us; is there not
my friend?"

"Oh, yes, monseigneur, plenty of spoil to divide. Let us celebrate the
arrangement by a drink."

He went to the side-board and filled a large cup with wine, and said, "I
drink to you, friend."

"And I pledge you, friend," said the other, and poured out another cup
for the damsel, who refused to drink, but at last, unwillingly, kissed
the cup.

"Well, friend," said the knight, "I will leave you here. Ruffle her
well; it is your turn to-day and will be mine to morrow, please God, and
I hope you will be as obliging to me, if ever you find me here, as I am
to you now."

"By Our Lady, friend, doubt not but I shall be."

Then the knight went away and left the squire, who did as well as he
could on the first night. And he told the damsel the whole truth of his
adventure, at which she was somewhat relieved to find that he had not
been sent.

Thus was the fair damsel deceived by the mule, and obliged to obey the
knight and the squire, each in his turn--an arrangement to which she
finally became accustomed. The knight and squire grew more attached to
each other than before this adventure; their affection increased, and no
evil counsels engendered discord and hate between them.

*****

[Illustration: 32.jpg THE WOMEN WHO PAID TITHE.]

STORY THE THIRTY-SECOND -- THE WOMEN W