than Him who has chosen to stand alone in the work of our creation and
redemption. He is all powerful to save us unto life eternal, and,
in this temporal life, to comfort us and deliver us from all our
tribulations. And knowing that Satan often transforms himself into an
angel of light so that the outward eye, blinded by the semblance of
holiness and devotion, cannot apprehend that from which we ought to
flee, I think it well to tell you this tale, which came to pass in our
own time."

[Illustration: 095.jpg Tailpiece]

[Illustration: 097a.jpg The Grey Friar deceiving the Gentleman Of Périgord]

[The Grey Friar deceiving the Gentleman Of Périgord]

[Illustration: 097.jpg Page Image]




_TALE XXIII_.

_The excessive reverence shown by a gentleman of Périgord to
the Order of St. Francis, brought about the miserable death
of his wife, his little child and himself_. (1)

1 Etienne introduces this tale into his _Apologie pour
Hérodote_, ch. xxi.--B. J.

In the county of Périgord dwelt a gentleman whose devotion to St.