However, the servants dragged the poor old woman by main force out of
the merchant's arms, and she never knew for what reason he had thus
used her. Meanwhile, her daughter took refuge in a house hard by where
a wedding was going on. Since then she and the merchant have ofttimes
laughed together at the expense of the old woman, who was never any the
wiser.
"By this story, ladies, you may see how, by the subtlety of a man, an
old woman was deceived and the honour of a young one saved. Any one
who would give the names, or had seen the merchant's face and the
consternation of the old woman, would have a very tender conscience
to hold from laughing. It is sufficient for me to prove to you by this
story that a man's wit is as prompt and as helpful at a pinch as a
woman's, and thus to show you, ladies, that you need not fear to fall
into men's hands. If your own wit should fail you, you will find theirs
prepared to shield your honour."
"In truth, Hircan," said Longarine, "I grant that the tale is a very
pleasant one and the wit great, but the example is not such as maids
should follow.
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