Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 1.djvu/298

Rh circumstance to the old woman, who immediately answered, "Beautiful lady, do not disregard the anguish of this young man: look upon my unhappy daughter, and be warned in time. As she is, you may be." "Oh!" returned the credulous lady, "my good mother, counsel me; what would you have me do? Not for worlds would I become as she is." "Why then," answered the treacherous old woman, "send directly for the youth, and give him the love he covets—thus, you will prevent his death, and your own irremediable calamity." The lady blushed, and said, "May I entreat your holiness to fetch him: there might be some scandal circulated if another went." "My dear daughter," said she, "I suffer with you, and will presently bring him hither."—She did so; but in the night the husband returned, and put the whole party to a shameful death. Thus, did the wicked project of an old woman involve many in ruin. (26)