freely show them to every one."

"That will come to pass," said Hircan, "when all the flesh has left our
bones."

"Yet," said Oisille, "the Spirit of God, which is stronger than Death,
is able to mortify our hearts without changing or destroying the body."

"Madam," returned Saffredent, "you speak of a gift of God that is not as
yet common among mankind."

"It is common," said Oisille, "among those that have faith, but as this
is a matter not to be understood by such as are fleshly minded, let us
see to whom Simontault will give his vote."

"I will give it," said Simontault, "to Nomerfide, for, since her heart
is merry, her words cannot be sad."

"Truly," said Nomerfide, "since you desire to laugh, I will give you
reason to do so. That you may learn how hurtful are ignorance and fear,
and how the lack of comprehension is often the cause of much woe, I
will tell you what happened to two Grey Friars, who, through failing to
understand the words of a butcher, thought that they were about to die."

[Illustration: 037.jpg Tailpiece]

[Illustration: 039a.jpg The Grey Friar imploring the Butcher to Spare his Life]

[The Grey Friar imploring the Butcher to Spare his Life]