"Well," said Parlamente, "the longer we talk in this way, the longer
will these good gentlemen play the critics over Simontault's tale, and
all at our own expense. So in my opinion we had better go to vespers,
and not cause so much delay as we did yesterday."

The company agreed to this proposal, and as they were going Oisille
said:--

"If any one gives God thanks for having told the truth to-day,
Saffredent ought to implore His forgiveness for having raked up so vile
a story against the ladies."

"By my word," replied Saffredent, "what I told you was true, albeit I
only had it upon hearsay. But were I to tell you all that I have myself
seen of women, you would have need to make even more signs of the cross
than the priests do in consecrating a church."

"Repentance is a long way off," said Geburon, "when confession only
increases the sin."

"Since you have so bad an opinion of women," said Parlamente, "they
ought to deprive you of their honourable society and friendship."

"There are some women," he returned, "who have acted towards me so much
in accordance with your advice, in keeping me far away from things that
are honourable and just, that could I do and say worse to them, I should
not neglect doing so, in order that I might stir them up to revenge me
on her who does me so much wrong."

Whilst he spoke these words, Parlamente put on her mask (5) and went