hat they owed nothing--and four or six pretty
young women were even heard to declare that they had paid well in
advance, one four times; one, six; and another, ten.

There were also I know not how many old women who said not a word, and
Master John asked them if they had paid their tithe, and they replied
that they had made an arrangement with the Cordeliers.

"What!" said he, "you do not pay? You ought to advise and persuade the
others to do their duty, and you yourselves are in default!"

"Marry!" said one of them, "I am not to blame. I have been several times
to perform my duty, but my confessor would not listen to me: he always
says he is too busy."

"St. John!" said the other old women, "we have compounded with the monks
to pay them the tithe we owe them in linen, cloth, cushions, quilts,
pillow-cases and such other trifles; and that by their own instructions
and desire, for we should prefer to pay like the others."

"By Our Lady!" said Master John, "there is no harm done; it is quite
right.

"I suppose they can go away now; can they not?" said the Seigneur to
Master John.

"Yes!" said he, "but let them be sure and not forget to pay the tithe."

When they had all left the hall, the door was closed, and every man
present looked hard at his neighbour.

"Well!" said the Seigneur. "What is to be done? We know for certain what
these ribald monks have done to us, by the confession of one of them,
and by our wives; we need no further witness."

After many and various opinions, it was resolved to set the convent on
fire, and burn both monks and monastery.

They went to the bottom of the town, and came to the monastery, and took
away the _Corpus Domini_ and all the relics and sent them to the parish
church. Then without more ado, they set fire to the convent in several
places, and did not leave till all was consumed--monks, convent, church,
dormitory, and all the other buildings, of which there were plenty. So
the poor Cordeliers had to pay very dearly for the new tithe they had
levied. Even God could do nothing, but had His house burned down.

*****

STORY THE THIRTY-THIRD -- THE LADY WHO LOST HER HAIR.

By Monseigneur.

_Of a noble lord who was in love with a damsel who cared for another
great lord, but tried to keep it secret; and of the agreement made
between the two lovers concerning her, as you shall hereafter hear._

A noble knight who lived in the marches of Burgundy, who was wise,
vali