e was as indiscreet as it was great."

"Do you call it loving her husband," said Hircan, "to give him pain for
the sake of the delight that she herself looked to have?"

"I believe," said Longarine, "she only desired to win back her husband's
love, which she deemed to have gone far astray; and for the sake of such
happiness there is nothing that a woman will not do." "Nevertheless,"
said Geburon, "a woman ought on no account to make her husband eat or
drink anything unless, either through her own experience or that
of learned folk, she be sure that it can do him no harm. Ignorance,
however, must be excused, and hers was worthy of excuse; for the most
blinding passion is love, and the most blinded of persons is a woman,
since she has not strength enough to conduct so weighty a matter
wisely."

"Geburon," said Oisille, "you are departing from your own excellent
custom so as to make yourself of like mind with your fellows; but there
are women who have endured love and jealousy in patience."

"Ay," said Hircan, "and pleasantly too; for the most sensible are those
who take as much amusement in laughing at their husbands' doings, as
their husbands take in secretly deceiving them. If you will make it
my turn, so that the Lady Oisille may close the day, I will tell you a
story about a wife and her husband who are known to all of us here."

"Begin, then," said Nomerfide; and Hircan, laughing, began thus:--

[Illustration: 168.jpg Tailpiece]

[Illustration: 169a. The Wife discovering her Husband in the Hood of
their Serving-maid]

[The Wife discovering her Husband in the Hood of their Serving-maid]

[Illustration: 169.jpg Page Image]

_TALE LXIX_.

_On finding her husband bolting meal in the garb of her
serving-woman, whom he was awaiting in the hope that he
would obtain from her what he desired, a certain lady showed
such good sense that she was content to laugh and make merry
at his folly_.

At the castle of Odoz (1) in Bigorre, there dwelt one Charles, equerry
to the King and an Italian by birth, who had married a very virtuous
and honourable woman. After bearing him many children, she was now
grown old, whilst he also was not young. And he lived with her in all
peacefulness and affection, for although he would at times speak with
his serving-women, his excellent wife took no notice of this, but
quietly dismissed them whenever she found that they were becoming too
familiar in her