And yet so great a fool am I, that I cannot but confess
that hell coming from her hand is more pleasing than Paradise would be
from the hand of another."
Parlamente, pretending she did not understand that it was touching
herself he spoke in this fashion, said to him--
"Since hell is as pleasant as you say, you ought not to fear the devil
who has placed you in it."
"If my devil were to become as black as he has been cruel to me,"
answered Simontault angrily, "he would cause the present company as much
fright as I find pleasure in looking upon them; but the fires of
love make me forget those of this hell. However, to speak no further
concerning this matter, I give my vote to Madame Oisille to tell the
second story. I feel sure she would support my opinion if she were
willing to say what she knows about women."
Forthwith all the company turned towards Oisille, and begged of her to
proceed, to which she consented, and, laughing, began as follows--
"It seems to me, ladies, that he who has given me his vote has spoken so
ill of our sex in his true story of a wicked woman, that I must call to
mind all the years of my long life to find one whose virtue will suffice
to gainsay his evil opinion.
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