In the end, Fortune, tired of always giving them good luck, willed that the husband should catch them in the act, much to his own surprise. Perhaps though it would be hard to say which was the most surprised—the lover, or his mistress, or the husband. Nevertheless, the lover, with the aid of a good sword he had, made his escape without getting any harm. There remained the husband and wife, and what they said to each other may be guessed. After a few words on both sides, the husband, thinking to himself that as she had commenced to sin it would be difficult to break her of her bad habits, and that if she did sin again it might come to the knowledge of other people, and he might be dishonoured; and considering also that to beat or scold her would be only lost labour, determined to see if he could not drive her out, and never let her disgrace his house again. So he said to his wife;
“Well, I see that you are not such as you ought to be; nevertheless, hoping that you will never again behave as you have behaved, let no more be said. But let us talk of another matter. I have some business on hand which concerns me greatly, and you also. We must put in it all our jewels; and if you have any little hoard of money stored away, bring it forth, for it is required.”
“By my oath,” said the wench, “I will do so willingly, if you will pardon me the wrong I have done you.”
“Don’t speak about it,” he replied, “and no more will I.”
She, believing that she had absolution and remission of her sins, to please her husband, and atone for the scandal she had caused, gave him all the money she had, her gold rings, rich stuffs, certain well-stuffed purses, a number of very fine kerchiefs, many whole furs of great value—in short, all that she had, and that her husband could ask, she gave to do him pleasure.
“The devil!” quoth he; “still I have not enough.”
When he had everything, down to the gown and petticoat she wore, he said, “I must have that gown.”
“Indeed!” said she. “I have nothing else to wear. Do you want me to go naked?”
“You must,” he said, “give it me, and the petticoat also, and be quick about it, for either by good-will or force, I must have them.”
She, knowing that force was not on her side, stripped off her gown and petticoat, and stood in her chemise.