But when she found that she was a prisoner, and that the Canon was
resolved to have her back no more, she thanked the ladies for having
taken a devil off her shoulders, and showed such deep and perfect
contrition that her husband, instead of waiting until the year should
have expired, came and asked her of the Archdeacon before a fortnight
was over; and since then they have lived together in all peace and
affection.

"You see, ladies, how the chains of St. Peter are by wicked ministers
converted into those of Satan, which it is so hard to break that even
the sacraments, which cast out devils from the body, are here the means
of making them abide longer in the conscience; for the best things, when
abused, bring about most evil."

"Truly," said Oisille, "this woman was a very wicked one, but at the
same time she was well punished by her appearance before such judges as
the ladies you have named. The mere glance of the Lady Regent had such
power that never was there a woman, however virtuous, that did not dread
being found unworthy in her sight. Those who were looked upon kindly by
her deemed that they had earned a high honour, knowing as they did that
none but virtuous women were favoured by her." (2)

2 We are asked to believe that Oisille is none other than
the Lady Regent (Louise of Savoy), but is it likely she
would thus speak of herself? We can scarcely conceive Queen
Margaret perpetrating such a flagrant anachronism.--Ed.

"It were indeed a fine thing," said Hircan, "that there should be
greater dread of a woman's eyes than of the Holy Sacrament, which, if it