The Merrie Tales of Jacques Tournebroche

ntless throng of pilgrims passing down the steep street. They were wending homewards, happy to have won their pardon; and the sight of them greatly magnified

had robbed Florent Guillaume of his scrivenry at the sign of Our Lady. He was used to lend at high interest on sound security. Yet could no man infer he

, "I am lending you money." What he did say was, "I am putting money into your business to help your trafficking," a different

Son, if only he gave her a handsome fee. So he went to the great chest where he kept his gold, and, after making sure the chamber door was shut fast, he opened the chest, which was full of angels, flor-ins, esterlings, nobles, gold crowns, gold ducats, and golden sous, and all the coins ever struck by Christian or Saracen. He extracted with a sigh of regret twelve deniers of fine gold and laid th

. "Oh, my dear little angels! Oh, my pretty

n the balance and made sure they were of the full weight,-or very near, albeit a trifle clipped already by the Lomb

etty lambs, there, let me shear yo

owl that was already half full of bits of gold. He was ready to give twelve angels to the Holy Virgin; but he felt no way bound to depart from his use and wont. This done, he went to the aumry where hi

the devils were pulling him by the feet. This he took for a warning of God and our Blessed Lady, tarried within door