and boast of our witty encounters, and waggish over-reachings of that Sex. But, replyed I to him, as you have done all this, and spent some time in the recitals, so I pray let me further engage you to acquaint me with somewhat of that nature. That you may see, replyed he, how much I am your Servant, I will obey you, and tell you two Stories of two women, who were excellent, and their Stories considerable different. CHAP. III. _The Gentleman Soldier gives an account how he came acquainted with an extraordinary beautiful, yet seemingly reserved_ Courtezan, _who slighting him having spent all upon her, he makes himself amends, by cheating her of what she had gotten; he gains acquaintance with a Mercers Wife by a mistake, or rather by Letters falling accidentally into his hands, that were sent her by her_ Inamoretto, _by which means he finds a sufficient reward, besides his sensual enjoyment of so lively and grateful a Mistress._ Be pleased to know then, continued he, that when I came first into _Paris_, I supposed that as I was young, handsome, and in a very rich gentle Garb, so I did believe that it would not be long e’re I should have some Message or invitation from some Madam or other, but although I waited long for this Adventure, yet I met with nothing to that purpose, but all the _French_-Ladies although they are in their converse open and free, yet come up close to them, and they are as cold as _December_ or that which is colder, Charity, they would not at all be so charitable to me a stranger, as permit me to close with them, so that I thought I must have returned from thence as wise as I went, for any thing I should know of women; I finding that of my self I could not do any thing, therefore I observed those of my acquaintance what they did in that Case, and at length I found that for all their braggs they were as well furnished with Mistresses as I was, and indeed had none, or at the least none at all that they durst particularly own, but a poor common _Courtesanna_: I seeing there was no better to be had, was resolved rather than fail to put in there, and to play at small Game rather than stand out: wherefore I took the next opportunity of going with one of my acquaintance to one of those houses, but although I had fasted a great while, yet my stomach was so squeamish that I liked nothing that was there, but only in drinking and talking spent some time and so departed.