any means of escape. I pray you, therefore, tell us what you would have
done?"

"I should have taken my wife in my arms," said Hircan, "and have carried
her out. Then I should have had my own way with her maid by love or by
force."

"'Tis enough, Hircan," said Parlamente, "that you know how to do evil."

"I am sure, Parlamente," he replied, "that I do not scandalise the
innocence in whose presence I speak, and by what I have said I do not
mean that I support a wicked deed. But I wonder at the attempt, which
was in itself worthless, and at the attempter, who, for fear rather than
for love of his wife, failed to complete it. I praise a man who loves
his wife as God ordains; but when he does not love her, I think little
of him for fearing her."

"Truly," replied Parlamente, "if love did not render you a good husband,
I should make small account of what you might do through fear."

"You are quite safe, Parlamente," said Hircan, "for the love I bear you
makes me more obedient than could the fear of either death or hell."

"You may say what you please," said Parlamente, "but I have reason to be
content with what I have seen and known of you. As for what I have not
seen, I have never wished to make guess or still less inquiry."

"I think it great folly," said Nomerfide, "for women to inquire so
curiously concerning their husbands, or husbands concerning their wives.
Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof, without giving so much heed