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soul was filled with despair。 At one time he determined to burn down
the monastery； at another； he proposed to lure the abbot into a place
where he could torment him until he had signed a charter for
Tiennette's liberation； in fact a thousand ideas possessed his brain；
and as quickly evaporated。 But after much lamentation he determined to
carry off the girl； and fly with her into her a sure place from which
nothing could draw him； and made his preparations accordingly； for
once out of the kingdom； his friends or the king could better tackle
the monks and bring them to reason。 The good man counted； however；
without his abbot； for going to the meadows； he found Tiennette no
more there； and learned that she was confined in the abbey； and with
much rigour； that to get at her it would be necessary to lay siege to
the monastery。 Then Master Anseau passed his time in tears；
complaints； and lamentations； and all the city； the townspeople； and
housewives； talked of his adventure； the noise of which was so great；
that the king sent for the old abbot to court； and demanded of him why
he did not yield under the circumstances to the great love of the
silversmith； and why he did not put into practice Christian charity。
〃Because； monseigneur；〃 replied the priest； 〃all rights are knit
together like the pieces of a coat of mail； and if one makes default；
all fail。 If this girl was taken from us against our wish； and if the
custom were not observed； your subjects would soon take off your
crown； and raise up in various places violence and sedition； in order
to abolish the taxes and imposts that weigh upon the populace。〃
The king's mouth was closed。 Everyone was eager to know the end of
this adventure。 So great was the curiosity that certain lords wagered
that the Touranian would desist from his love； and the ladies wagered
to the contrary。 The silversmith having complained to the queen that
the monks had hidden his well…beloved from his sight； she found the
deed detestable and horrible； and in consequence of her commands to
the lord abbot it was permitted to the Touranian to go every day into
the parlour of the abbey； where came Tiennette； but under the control
of an old monk； and she always came attired in great splendour like a
lady。 The two lovers had no other license than to see each other； and
to speak to each other； without being able to snatch the smallest atom
of pleasure； and always grew their love more powerful。
One day Tiennette discoursed thus with her lover〃My dear lord； I
have determined to make you a gift of my life； in order to relieve
your suffering； and in this wise； in informing myself concerning
everything I have found a means to set aside the rights of the abbey；
and to give you all the joy you hope for from my fruition。〃
〃The ecclesiastical judge has ruled that as you become a bondsman only
by accession； and because you were not born a bondsman； your servitude
will cease with the cause that makes you a serf。 Now； if you love me
more than all else； lose your goods to purchase our happiness； and
espouse me。 Then when you have had your will of me； when you have
hugged me and embraced me to your heart's content； before I have
offspring will I voluntarily kill myself； and thus you become free
again； at least you will have the king on your side； who； it is said；
wishes you well。 And without doubt； God will pardon me that I cause my
own death； in order to deliver my lord spouse。〃
〃My dear Tiennette；〃 cried the jeweller； 〃it is finishedI will be a
bondsman； and thou wilt live to make my happiness as long as my days。
In thy company； the hardest chains will weigh but lightly； and little
shall I reck the want of gold； when all my riches are in thy heart；
and my only pleasure in thy sweet body。 I place myself in the hands of
St。 Eloi； will deign in this misery to look upon us with pitying eyes；
and guard us from all evils。 Now I shall go hence to a scrivener to
have the deeds and contracts drawn up。 At least； dear flower of my
days； thou shalt be gorgeously attired； well housed； and served like a
queen during thy lifetime； since the lord abbot leaves me the earnings
of my profession。〃
Tiennette； crying and laughing； tried to put off her good fortune and
wished to die； rather than reduce to slavery a free man； but the good
Anseau whispered such soft words to her； and threatened so firmly to
follow her to the tomb； that she agreed to the said marriage； thinking
that she could always free herself after having tasted the pleasures
of love。
When the submission of the Touranian became known in the town； and
that for his sweetheart he yielded up his wealth and his liberty；
everyone wished to see him。 The ladies of the court encumbered
themselves with jewels； in order to speak with him； and there fell
upon him as from the clouds women enough to make up for the time he
had been without them； but if any of them approached Tiennette in
beauty； none had her heart。 To be brief； when the hour of slavery and
love was at hand； Anseau remolded all of his gold into a royal crown；
in which he fixed all his pearls and diamonds； and went secretly to
the queen； and gave it to her； saying； 〃Madame； I know not how to
dispose of my fortune； which you here behold。 Tomorrow everything that
is found in my house will be the property of the cursed monks； who
have had no pity on me。 Then deign； madame； to accept this。 It is a
slight return for the joy which； through you； I have experienced in
seeing her I love； for no sum of money is worth one of her glances。 I
do not know what will become of me； but if one day my children are
delivered； I rely upon your queenly generosity。〃
〃Well said； good man；〃 cried the king。 〃The abbey will one day need my
aid and I will not lose the remembrance of this。〃
There was a vast crowd at the abbey for the nuptials of Tiennette； to
whom the queen presented the bridal dress； and to whom the king
granted a licence to wear every day golden rings in her ears。 When the
charming pair came from the abbey to the house of Anseau （now serf）
over against St。 Leu； there were torches at the windows to see them
pass； and a double line in the streets； as though it were a royal
entry。 The poor husband had made himself a collar of gold； which he
wore on his left arm in token of his belonging to the abbey of St。
Germain。 But in spite of his servitude the people cried out； 〃Noel！
Noel！〃 as to a new crowned king。 And the good man bowed to them
gracefully； happy as a lover； and joyful at the homage which every one
rendered to the grace and modesty of Tiennette。 Then the good
Touranian found green boughs and violets in crowns in his honour； and
the principal inhabitants of the quarter were all there； who as a
great honour； played music to him； and cried to him； 〃You will always
be a noble man in spite of the abbey。〃 You may be sure that the happy
pair indulged an amorous conflict to their hearts' content； that the
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