chains of St. Peter are by wicked ministers
converted into those of Satan, which it is so hard to break that even
the sacraments, which cast out devils from the body, are here the means
of making them abide longer in the conscience; for the best things, when
abused, bring about most evil."
"Truly," said Oisille, "this woman was a very wicked one, but at the
same time she was well punished by her appearance before such judges as
the ladies you have named. The mere glance of the Lady Regent had such
power that never was there a woman, however virtuous, that did not dread
being found unworthy in her sight. Those who were looked upon kindly by
her deemed that they had earned a high honour, knowing as they did that
none but virtuous women were favoured by her." (2)
2 We are asked to believe that Oisille is none other than
the Lady Regent (Louise of Savoy), but is it likely she
would thus speak of herself? We can scarcely conceive Queen
Margaret perpetrating such a flagrant anachronism.--Ed.
"It were indeed a fine thing," said Hircan, "that there should be
greater dread of a woman's eyes than of the Holy Sacrament, which, if it
be not received in faith and charity, brings with it eternal damnation."
"Those," said Parlamente, "who are not inspired by God are, I promise
you, in greater dread of the temporal than of the spiritual powers. And
I believe that the poor creature was brought to mend her ways rather by
her imprisonment and the thought of seeing her Canon no more, than by
any remonstrance that might have been made to her."
"Nay," said Simontault, "you have forgotten the chief cause of her
return to her husband, which was that the Canon was eighty years old,
whilst her husband was younger than herself; so the worthy lady had the
best of all her bargains. Had the Canon been young, she would not have
been willing to forsake him, and the admonitions of the ladies would
have been as ineffectual as the sacraments."
"Further," said Nomerfide, "I think she did well not to confess her sin
so readily; such an offence ought to be humbly acknowledged to God, but
stoutly denied before men. Even though it be true, still, by deception
and swearing, doubt may be cast upon it."
"Not so," said Longarine. "A sin can scarcely be so secret that it will
not become revealed, unless God in His pity conceal it, as in the case
of those who for love of Himself have truly repented."
"And what," said Hircan, "w
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