"To the end," said Dagoucin, "that signs and miracles may lead you to
put faith in what I have said, I will relate to you something which
happened less than three years ago."


[Illustration: 012.jpg Tailpiece]

[Illustration: 013a.jpg The Dying Gentleman receiving the Embraces of
his Sweetheart]

[The Dying Gentleman receiving the Embraces of his Sweetheart]

[Illustration: 013.jpg Page Image]




_TALE IX_.

_The perfect love borne by a gentleman to a damsel, being too deeply
concealed and disregarded, brought about his death, to the great regret
of his sweetheart_.

Between Dauphiné and Provence there lived a gentleman who was far richer
in virtue, comeliness, and honour than in other possessions, and who was
greatly in love with a certain damsel. I will not mention her name,
out of consideration for her kinsfolk, who are of good and illustrious
descent; but you may rest assured that my story is a true one. As he was
not of such noble birth as herself, he durst not reveal his affection,
for the love he bore her was so great and perfect that he would rather