ted him with him when hevifited fecretly this noble young lady. The duke was much fmitten with her, and had proffered her, if (he would confent to his wifhes, one thoufand golden crowns y but ihe had refufed them, faying, c that her love for him was not on account of his riches, but that his affeâion had won hers ; and that (he fcorned to fell her honour for gold/ The whole of this bufinefs was told the duchefs, who fent for the young lady to her chamber. On her entering, Hie called her by her name, and, with much anger, faid, c How is this ? do you feek to wrong me with my lord ?* The lady was thunderftruck, and, with tears replied^* Oh no, madam : pleafe God, I never will nor even think of it.' € It is not fo,' faid the duchefs ; ' for, I am well informed, my lord and you love each other mutually ; and the matter is fo far advanced, that at fuch a time and place he offered you a thoufand golden crowns to poffefs you. You re-fufed them, for which you behaved well, and this time I forgive you ; but I caution you, if you value your life, not to have any further converfa-tion with my lord, but, through regard to me, fend hiqi a difmiffal.' The young lady, finding herfelf juftly accufed and in fome danger, replied ; c Madam, 1 will free myfelf from him as foon as poffible, and hence-forth fo a& that you Ihall never again hear any thing difagreeable of me.' On this, the duchefs permitted her to depart, and Ihe returned home. The duke, much in love, and ignorant qf what had MS