Before the three weeks were over at the end of which he was to
be home again, she had come to be so deeply in love with the King that
her husband's return was no less displeasing to her than his departure
had been. Not wishing to be deprived of the King's society, she agreed
with him that whenever her husband went to his country-house she would
give him notice of it. He might then visit her in safety, and with such
secrecy that her honour, which she regarded more than her conscience,
would not suffer.(4)
4 The edition of 1558 is here followed, the MSS. being
rather obscure.--M.
Having this hope, the lady continued of very cheerful mind, and when her
husband arrived she welcomed him so heartily that, even had he been
told that the King had sought her in his absence, he would have had no
suspicion. In course of time, however, the flame, that is so difficult
of concealment, began to show itself, and the husband, having a strong
inkling of the truth, kept good watch, by which means he was well-nigh
convinced.
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