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OF TEMPTATION.
TALE XL.
ON THE MEASURE OF TEMPTATION, AND OF SKILL.
Macrobius relates, (38) that a certain soldier, in consequence of something he had witnessed, suspected his wife of transferring her affections from himself to another. He interrogated her on the subject, but she vehemently and loudly denied it. Not satisfied with her asseverations, the soldier enquired for a cunning clerk; and having found such as he wanted, he proposed to him the question which disturbed his rest. The clerk answered, "Unless I am permitted to see and converse with the lady, I cannot take upon me to decide." "I pray you, then," said the soldier, "dine with me to-day, and I will give you
