And even if my lord, your brother, should do justice
to him at your asking, and the poor gentleman should die, yet would it
everywhere be noised abroad that he had had his will of you, and most
people would say it was unlikely a gentleman would make such an attempt
unless the lady had given him great encouragement. You are young and
fair; you live gaily with all; and there is no one at Court but has seen
the kind treatment you have shown to the gentleman whom you suspect.
Hence every one will believe that if he did this deed it was not without
some fault on your side; and your honour, for which you have never had
to blush, will be freely questioned wherever the story is related."
On hearing the excellent reasoning of her lady of honour, the Princess
perceived that she spoke the truth, and that she herself would, with
just cause, be blamed on account of the close friendship which she had
always shown towards the gentleman. Accordingly she inquired of her lady
of honour what she ought to do.
"Madam," replied the other, "since you are pleased to receive my
counsels, having regard for the affection whence they spring, it seems
to me you should be glad at heart to think that the most comely and
gallant gentleman I have ever seen was not able, whether by love or by
force, to turn you from the path of true virtue.
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