Provence and Dauphiné. These two provinces bordered upon one
another, excepting upon one point where they were separated
by the so-called Comtat Venaissin or Papal state of Avignon.
Here, therefore, the incidents of the story, if authentic,
would probably have occurred. The story may be compared with
Tale L. (_post_).--Ed.

When the ladies heard this they all had tears in their eyes, but Hircan
said to them--

"He was the greatest fool I ever heard of. By your faith, now, I ask
you, is it reasonable that we should die for women who are made only for
us, or that we should be afraid to ask them for what God has commanded
them to give us? I do not speak for myself nor for any who are married.
I myself have all that I want or more; but I say it for such men as
are in need. To my thinking, they must be fools to fear those whom they
should rather make afraid. Do you not perceive how greatly this poor
damsel regretted her folly? Since she embraced the gentleman's dead
body--an action repugnant to human nature--she would not have refused
him while he was alive had he then trusted as much to boldness as he
trusted to pity when he lay upon his death-bed."

"Nevertheless," said Oisille, "the gentleman most plainly showed that he
bore her an honourable love, and for this he will ever be worthy of
all praise. Chastity in a lover's heart is something divine rather than
human."

"Madam," said Saffredent, "in support of Hircan's opinion, which is also
mine, I pray you believe that Fortune favours the bold, and that there
is no man loved by a lady but may at last, in whole or in part, obtain