"We shall now, if you are willing, find out the truth concerning your
husband. When he is in bed I will go to him, and then, while he is not
thinking, you will pluck off his coif from behind, and we shall see
whether he be tonsured like the Friar who said mass."

As it was proposed, so was it done. As soon as the wicked husband was in
bed, the old lady came and took both his hands as though in sport--her
daughter took off his coif, and there he was with his fine tonsure. At
this both mother and daughter were as greatly astonished as might be,
and forthwith they called their servants to seize him and bind him fast
till the morning, nor did any of his excuses or fine speeches avail him
aught.

When day was come, the lady sent for her confessor, making as though she
had some great secret to tell him, whereupon he came with all speed, and
then, reproaching him for the deceit that he had practised on her, she
had him seized like the other. Afterwards she sent for the officers of
justice, in whose hands she placed them both. It is to be supposed that
if the judges were honest men they did not suffer the offence to go
unpunished. (2)

2 There is some little resemblance between this tale and
the 36th of Morlini's _Novello, De monacho qui duxit
uxorem_.--M.

"From this story, ladies, you will see that those who have taken vows of
poverty are not free from the temptation of covetousness, which is the
cause of so many ills."

"Nay, of so many blessings," said Saffredent, "for with the five hundred