what she expected, he would have chastised her with rods.

But his wife, knowing what words of the sort were worth, set no value
upon them, and addressed such reproaches to him that he was in great
fear lest she should leave him. He promised her all that she asked,
and, after her sage reproaches, confessed that it was wrong of him to
complain that she had lovers; since a fair and honourable woman is none
the less virtuous for being loved, provided that she do or say nothing
contrary to her honour; whereas a man deserves heavy punishment when he
is at pains to pursue a woman that loves him not, to the wronging of
his wife and his own conscience. He would therefore, said he, never more
prevent his wife from going to Court, nor take it ill that she should
have lovers, for he knew that she spoke with them more in jest than in
affection.

This talk was not displeasing to the lady, for it seemed to her that
she had gained an important point. Nevertheless she spoke quite to the
contrary, pretending that she had no delight in going to Court, since
she no longer possessed his love, without which all assemblies were
displeasing to her; and saying that a woman who was truly loved by her
husband, and who loved him in return, as she did, carried with her a
safe-conduct that permitted her to speak with one and all, and to be
derided by none.

The poor gentleman was at so much pains to assure her of the love he
bore her, that at last they left the place good friends. That they might
not again fall into such trouble, he begged her to turn away the girl
through whom he had undergone so much distress. This she did, but did it
by bestowing her well and honourably in marriage, and at her husband's
expense.