90 THE DISCREET PRINCESS,

The princess, on some pretence, went into that closet, and
made a puppet of the straw, into which she put the entrails
and the bladder full of blood ; after that she dressed it up ina
woman’s night-clothes. When Finetta had finished this puppet,
she returned to her company, where she supped with the
prince ; and, after some time, they conducted the princess and
her spouse to their apartment. When they had allowed as
much time at the toilet as was necessary, the ladies of honour
took away the flambeaux, and retired. Finetta immediately
threw the image of straw upon the bed, and went and hid
herself in one of the corners of the chamber.

‘The prince, having sighed three or four times very loud, drew
his sword, and ran it through the body of the pretended Finetta.
At the same instant he found the blood trickle all about, and
the straw wife without motion. “ Alas ! what have I done ?””

 

cried Bel-a-voir. “ What, after so many cruel conflicts ! could
any one so much as dream to punish a woman for having too
much virtue? Well, Rich-Craft, I have satisfied thy unjust