"You could not have commended it in a better place," said Hircan, "for
the story that I have ready is just such a one as will please you. It
will, nevertheless, teach you to acknowledge that the nature of men and
women is of itself prone to vice if it be not preserved by Him to whom
the honour of every victory is due. And to abate the pride that you
display when a story is told to your honour, I will tell you one of a
different kind that is strictly true."

[Illustration: 047.jpg Tailpiece]

[Illustration: 049a.jpg The Lady embracing the Supposed Friar]

[The Lady embracing the Supposed Friar]

[Illustration: 049.jpg Page Image]




_TALE XXXV_.

_The affection of a lady of Pampeluna--who, thinking that
there was no danger in spiritual love, had striven to
insinuate herself into the good graces of a Grey Friar--was
subdued by her husband's prudence in such wise that, without
telling her that he knew aught of the matter, he brought her
mortally to hate that which she had most dearly loved, and
wholly to devote herself to him_.