and proving those of the present, the married folk, methinks, slept no
longer than the others.

And so the night was pleasantly spent until the morning.

[Illustration: 109.jpg Tailpiece]




FIFTH DAY.

_On the Fifth Day Tales are told of the virtue of those
maids and matrons who held their honour in
more consideration than their pleasure,
also of those who did the contrary,
and of the simplicity of
certain others_.




PROLOGUE.

When morning was come, the Lady Oisille made ready for them a spiritual
breakfast of such excellent flavour that it sufficed to strengthen both
body and mind. The whole company was very attentive to it; it seemed to
them that they had never harkened to a sermon with such profit before.
Then, when the last bell rang for mass, they went to meditate upon the
pious discourse which they had heard.