"If Judas," replied the servant, "feared not to betray his Master when
he was receiving the like, a woman's treachery is but small matter for
wonder."

At this point the husband passed on, and his wife remained among the
rushes, in greater gladness at having deceived and escaped him than she
had ever felt at home in a good bed but in subjection.

The poor husband sought her through all the town of Autun, but learning
for certain that she had not entered it, he retraced his steps,
complaining unceasingly of her and of his loss, and threatening her with
nothing short of death if he should find her. Of this she had as little
fear in her mind as she had of cold in her body, although the place and
season might well have caused her to repent of her evil journey. And any
one who did not know how the fire of hell inflames those that are filled
with it, must needs wonder how it was that this unhappy woman could so
leave a warm bed and continue for a whole day in the piercing cold.

Yet she neither lost courage nor gave up the journey, but, as soon as
night was come, went forward once more. Just as the gate at Autun was
being closed, this pilgrim arrived thither and repaired straight to the
shrine of her saint, who was in great wonder at her coming, and could
scarcely believe that it was indeed she. But when he had carefully
looked at her and examined her at all points, he found that, unlike
a spirit, she was really possessed of bone and flesh, and so became
convinced that she was no ghost.

And thenceforward they agreed so well together that she dwelt with the
Canon for fourteen or fifteen years.