"
Ennasuite laughed and said--"'Tis no wonderful thing to have frightened
a sleeping varlet, since women of as lowly condition have frightened
noble Princes, without putting fire to their foreheads."
"I am sure," said Geburon, "that you know some such story, which you
are willing to relate; wherefore, if it please you, you shall take my
place."
"The tale will not be a long one," said Ennasuite, "but, could I recount
it just as it happened, you would have no desire to weep."
[Illustration: 147.jpg Tailpiece]
[Illustration: 149a. The Old Serving-woman explaining her Mistake to
the Duke and Duchess of Vendome]
[The Old Serving-woman explaining her Mistake to the Duke and Duchess
of Vendome]
[Illustration: 149.jpg Page Image]
_TALE LXVI_.
_The Duke of Vendome and the Princess of Navarre, whilst
resting together one afternoon, were surprised by an old
serving-woman, who took them for a prothonotary and a damsel
between whom she suspected some affection; and, through this
fine justicement, a matter, of which intimates were
ignorant, was made known to strangers_.
In the year when the Duke of Vendome married the Princess of Navarre,
(1) the King and Queen, their parents, after feasting at Vendome, went
with them into Guienne, and, visiting a gentleman's house where there
were many honourable and beautiful ladies, the newly married pair
danced so long in this excellent company that they became weary, and,
withdrawing to their chamber, lay down in their clothes upon the bed and
fell asleep, doors and windows being shut and none remaining with them.
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