“What!” said Parlamente. “Do you think that a woman has answered for her honour, when she gives herself up after refusing two or three times? There would then be many virtuous women among those that are deemed the opposite, for many of them have been known to refuse for a long while those to whom their hearts had been given, some doing this through fear for their honour, and others in order to make themselves still more ardently loved and esteemed. No account, therefore, should be made of a woman unless she stands firm to the end. But if a man refuse a beautiful girl, do you regard that as great virtue?” “Truly,” said Oisille, “if a young and lusty man so refused, I should hold it worthy of high praise, but none the less difficult of belief.” “Yet,” said Dagoucin, “I know one who refused to partake in amours that were sought after by all his comrades.” “I pray you,” said Longarine, “take my place and tell us the tale, yet remember that you must here utter the truth.” “I promise you,” said Dagoucin, “that I will tell it in all its simplicity, without any colouring or disguise.” [Illustration: 124.jpg Tailpiece] [Illustration: 125a. The King asking the Young Lord to join his Banquet] [The King asking the Young Lord to join his Banquet] [Illustration: 125.jpg Page Image] _TALE LXIII_. _A gentleman’s refusal of an amour that was sought after by all his comrades, was imputed to him as great virtue, and his wife loved him and esteemed him in consequence far more than before_. (1) In the city of Paris there lived four girls, of whom two were sisters, and such was their beauty, youth and freshness, that they were run after by all the gallants. A gentleman, however, who at that time held the office of Provost of Paris (2) from the King, seeing that his master was young, of an age to desire such company, so cleverly contrived matters with all four of the damsels that each, thinking herself intended for the King, agreed to what the aforesaid Provost desired. This was that they should all of them be present at a feast to which he invited his master. 1 This story, omitted by Boaistuau, was included in Gruget’s edition of the _Heptameron_.--L.