STORY THE THIRTY-FIRST — TWO LOVERS FOR ONE LADY. [31]
By Monseigneur De La Barde.
Of a squire who found the mule of his companion, and mounted thereon and it took him to the house of his master’s mistress; and the squire slept there, where his friend found him; also of the words which passed between them—as is more clearly set out below.
A gentleman of this kingdom—a squire of great renown and reputation—fell in love with a beautiful damsel of Rouen, and did all in his power to gain her good graces. But fortune was contrary to him, and his lady so unkind, that finally he abandoned the pursuit in despair.
He was not very wrong to do so, for she was provided with a lover—not that the squire knew of that, however much he might suspect it.
He who enjoyed her love was a knight, and a man of great authority, and was so familiar with the squire as to tell him much concerning his love-affair. Often the knight said; “By my faith, friend, I would have you know that I have a mistress in this town to whom I am devoted; for, however tired I may be, I would willingly go three or four leagues to see her—a mere couple of leagues I would run over without stopping to take breath.”
“Is there no request or prayer that I can make” said the squire, “that will cause you to tell me her name?”
“No, no!” said the other, “you shall not know that.”