English critics have often sneered at modern French writers
for employing the expression, but it will be seen from this
that they have simply followed a very old tradition.--Ed.

The Lord de Montmorency looked at it so often that the English lord
perceived he was minded to inquire why it was so choicely ordered; so,
deeming its story to be greatly to his own honour, he thus began--

"I can see that you think it strange I should have so magnificently
arrayed a simple glove, and on my part I am still more ready to tell you
the reason, for I deem you an honest gentleman and one who knows what
manner of passion love is, so that if I did well in the matter you will
praise me for it, and if not, make excuse for me, knowing that every
honourable heart must obey the behests of love. You must know, then,
that I have all my life long loved a lady whom I love still, and shall
love even when I am dead, but, as my heart was bolder to fix itself
worthily than were my lips to speak, I remained for seven years without
venturing to make her any sign, through fear that, if she perceived
the truth, I should lose the opportunities I had of often being in her
company; and this I dreaded more than death. However, one day, while I
was observing her in a meadow, a great throbbing of the heart came upon
me, so that I lost all colour and control of feature. Perceiving
this, she asked me what the matter was, and I told her that I felt
an intolerable pain of the heart. She, believing it to be caused by a
different sickness than love, showed herself pitiful towards me, which
prompted me to beg her to lay her hand upon my heart and see how it was
beating. This, more from charity than from any other affection, she did,
and while I held her gloved hand against my heart, it began to beat and
strain in such wise, that she felt that I was speaking the truth. Then I
pressed her hand to my breast, saying--