scious of what had happened this latter laughed at the story, and his merriment was still increased by the last words of his wife and by her action.
Appreciate after this the deceitfulness of women, and what they are capable of.
THE STORY OF THE USELESS PRECAUTIONS[1]
It is related that a man had a wife who was endowed with all beauties and perfections; she was like the full moon. He was very jealous for he knew all the deceits and ways of women. He therefore never left the house without carefully locking the street door and the door of the terrace.
One day his wife asked him "Why do you do this?" "Because I know your ruses and fashions," said he. "It is not by acting in this way that you will be safe," she said, "for certainly, if a woman has set her heart upon a thing, all precautions are useless." "Well, well!" replied he; "it is always wise to keep the doors locked." She said, "Not at all; the fastenings of the doors are of no avail, if a woman once thinks of doing what you mean." "Well, then," said he, "if you can do it, you may!"
As soon as her husband had gone out, the woman mounted to the top of the house, and, through a small hole, which she made into the wall, she looked to see what was going on outside. At that moment a young man was passing by, who, looking up, saw her, and desired to possess her. He said to her, "How can I come to you?" She told him that it could not be done, and that the doors were locked. "How could we get together"; he asked. She answered him, "I shall make a hole in the house door. Be on the watch for my hus-
- ↑ Note in the autograph edition.—Compare this with the tale of La Fontaine (Book ii.): "One does not Think of Everything," reproduced from the "Cent Nouvelles Nouvelles."
