"He was not an epicure, but a glutton," said Saffredent. "He wanted to
have his fill of her every day, and so was not minded to amuse himself
with a mere taste."

"That was not the reason," said Parlamente. "Understand that a lustful
man is always timorous, and the fear that he had of being surprised and
robbed of his prey led him, wolf-like, to carry off his lamb that he
might devour it at his ease."

"For all that," said Dagoucin, "I cannot believe that he loved her, or
that the virtuous god of love could dwell in so base a heart."

"Be that as it may," said Oisille, "he was well punished, and I pray God
that like attempts may meet with the same chastisement. But to whom will
you give your vote?"

"To you, madam," replied Geburon; "you will, I know, not fail to tell us
a good story."

"Since it is my turn," said Oisille, "I will relate to you one that is
indeed excellent, seeing that the adventure befel in my own day, and
before the eyes of him who told it to me. You are, I am sure, aware
that death ends all our woes, and this being so, it may be termed our
happiness and tranquil rest. It is, therefore, a misfortune if a man
desires death and cannot obtain it, and so the most grievous punishment
that can be given to a wrongdoer is not death, but a continual torment,
great enough to render death desirable, but withal too slight to bring
it nearer. And this was how a husband used his wife, as you shall hear."

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