On the morrow they rose in great eagerness to return to the place where
they had had so much pleasure on the previous day. Each one was ready
with a tale, and was impatient for the telling of it. They listened
to the reading of Madame Oisille, and then heard mass, all commending
themselves to God, and praying Him to grant them speech and grace for
the continuance of their fellowship. Afterwards they went to dinner,
reminding one another the while of many stories of the past.
After dinner, they rested in their apartments, and at the appointed time
returned to the meadow, where day and season alike seemed favourable to
their plans. They all sat down on the natural seat afforded by the green
sward, and Parlamente said--
“Yesterday I told the tenth and last tale; it is therefore for me to
choose who shall begin to-day. Madame Oisille was the first of the
ladies to speak, as being the oldest and wisest, and so I now give my
vote to the youngest--I do not also say the flightiest--for I am sure
that if we all follow her leading we shall not delay vespers so long
as we did yesterday. Wherefore, Nomerfide, you shall lead us, but I beg
that you will not cause us to begin our second day in tears.”
“There was no need to make that request,” said Nomerfide, “for one of
our number has made me choose a tale which has taken such a hold on me
that I can tell no other; and should it occasion sadness in you, your
natures must be melancholy ones indeed.”
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_TALE XI._ (A).
_Madame de Roncex, while at the monastery of the Grey Friars
at Thouars, (1) was constrained to go in great haste to a
certain place, and, not looking to see whether the seats
were clean, sat down in a filthy spot and befouled both her
person and clothes; whereupon crying out for assistance, in
the hope that some woman would come and cleanse her, she was
waited on by men, who beheld her in the worst plight in
which a woman could be found_. (2)