had shown to them.
When towards morning they had taken a little rest, they all went to
hear mass and receive the holy sacrament of fellowship, in which all
Christians are joined together as one, imploring Him who of His mercy
had thus united them, that He would further their journey to His glory.
After they had dined they sent to learn whether the waters were at all
abated, and found that, on the contrary, they were rather increased, and
could not be crossed with safety for a long time to come. They therefore
determined to make a bridge resting on two rocks which come very close
together, and where there are still planks for those foot-passengers
who, coming from Oleron, wish to avoid crossing at the ford. The Abbot
was well pleased that they should make this outlay, to the end that
the number of pilgrims might be increased, and he furnished them with
workmen, though he was too avaricious to give them a single farthing.

The workmen declared that they could not finish the bridge in less than
ten or twelve days, and all the company, both ladies and gentlemen,
began to grow weary. But Parlamente, who was Hircan's wife, and who was
never idle or melancholy, asked leave of her husband to speak, and said
to the aged Lady Oisille--

"I am surprised, madam, that you who have so much experience, and now
fill the place of mother to all of us women, do not devise some pastime
to relieve the weariness we shall feel during our long stay; for if we
have not some pleasant and virtuous occupation we shall be in danger of
falling ill."

"Nay," added the young widow Longarine, "worse than that, we shall
become ill-tempered, which is an incurable disease; for there is not one
among us but has cause to be exceeding downcast, having regard to our
several losses."

Ennasuite laughing replied--

"Every one has not lost her husband like you, and the loss of servants
need not bring despair, since others may readily be found. Nevertheless,
I too am of opinion that we should have some pleasant exercise with
which to while away the time, for otherwise we shall be dead by
to-morrow."

All the gentlemen agreed with what these ladies said, and begged Oisille
to tell them what they should do.

"My children," she replied, "you ask me for something which I find very
difficult to teach you, namely, a pastime that may deliver you from your
weariness. I have sought for such a remedy all my life and have never
found but one, which is the reading