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gone forth of that streete； came backe to the place where he let
fall Alessandro； purposing to accomplish the rest of his enterprize。
But not finding the body； and remaining fully perswaded； that the
Watchmen were possessed thereof； hee went away； greeving extreamly。
And Alessandro； not knowing now what should become of him：
confounded with the like griefe and sorrow； that all his hope was thus
utterly overthrowne； retired thence unto his owne house； not knowing
who was the Porter which carried him。
The next morning； the grave of Scannadio being found open； and the
body not in it； because Alessandro had thrown it into a deep ditch
neere adjoyning： all the people of Pistoya were possessed with
sundry opinions； some of the more foolish sort verily beleeving；
that the divell had caried away the dead body。 Neverthelesse； each
of the Lovers severally made knowne to Madam Francesca； what he had
done； and how disappointed； either excusing himselfe； that though
her command had not bin fully accomplished； yet to continue her favour
towards him。 But she； like a wise and discreet Gentlewoman； seeming
not to credit either the one or other： discharged her selfe honestly
of them both； with a cutting answere； That shee would never
（afterward） expect any other service from them； because they had
fayled in their first injunction。
THE NINTH DAY； THE SECOND NOVELL
WHEREBY IS DECLARED； THAT WHOSOEVER IS DESIROUS TO REPREHEND
SINNE IN OTHER MEN； SHOULD FIRST EXAMINE HIMSELFE； THAT HE
BE NOT GUILTIE OF THE SAME CRIME
Madame Usimbalda； Lady Abbesse of a Monastery of Nuns in
Lombardie； arising hastily in the night time without a Candle； to take
one of her Daughter Nunnes in bed with a yong Gentleman； whereof she
was enviously accused； by certaine of her other Sisters： The Abbesse
her selfe （being at the same time in bed with a Priest） imagining to
have put on her head her plaited vayle； put on the Priests breeches。
Which when the poore Nunne perceyved； by causing the Abbesse to see
her owne error； she got her selfe to be absolved； and had the freer
liberty afterward； to be more familiar with her frend； then formerly
she had bin。
By this time； Madame Philomena sate silent； and the wit of
Francesca； in freeing her selfe from them whom she could not fancie；
was generally commended： as also on the contrary； the bold presumption
of the two amorous suiters； was reputed not to be love； but meerely
folly。 And then the Queene； with a gracious admonition； gave way for
Madam Eliza to follow next； who presently thus began。
Worthy Ladies； Madame Francesca delivered her selfe discreetly
from trouble； as already hath bin related： but a yong Nun； by the
helpe and favour of Fortune； did also free her selfe （in speaking
advisedly） from an inconvenience sodainly falling on her。 And as you
well know； there wants none of them； who （like bold Bayards） will be
very forward in checking other mens misdemeanors； when themselves；
as my Novell will approve； deserve more justly to bee corrected。 As
hapned to a Lady Abbesse； under whose governement the same young Nunne
was； of whom I am now to speake。
You are then to understand （Gracious Auditors） that in Lombardie
there was a goodly Monastery； very famous for Holinesse and
Religion； where； among other sanctified Sisters； there was a yong
Gentlewoman； endued with very singular beautie； being named
Isabella； who on a day； when a Kinsman of hers came to see her at
the grate； became enamored of a young Gentleman； being then in his
company。
He likewise； beholding her to be so admirably beautifull； and
conceyving by the pretty glances of her eye； that they appeared to bee
silent intelligencers of the hearts meaning； grew also as
affectionately inclined towards her； and this mutuall love continued
thus concealed a long while； but not without great affliction unto
them both。 In the end； either of them being circumspect and
provident enough； the Gentleman contrived a meanes； whereby he might
secretly visite his Nunne； wherewith she seemed no way discontented：
and this visitation was not for once or twice； but verie often； and
closely concealed to themselves。
At length it came to passe； that either through their owne
indiscreete carriage； or jelous suspition in some others： it was
espied by one of the Sisters； both the Gentlemans comming and
departing； yet unknowne to him or Isabella。 The saide Sister；
disclosing the same to two or three more： they agreed together； to
reveale it to the Lady Abbesse； who was named Madame Usimbalda； a holy
and devout Lady； in common opinion of all the Nunnes； and whosoever
else knew her。
They further concluded （because Isabella should not deny theyr
accusation） to contrive the businesse so cunningly： that the Ladle
Abbesse should come her selfe in person； and take the yong Gentleman
in bed with the Nun。 And uppon this determination； they agreed to
watch nightly by turnes； because by no meanes they wold be
prevented： so to surprise poore Isabella； who beeing ignorant of their
treachery； suspected nothing。 Presuming thus still on this secret
felicitie； and fearing no disaster to befall her： it chaunced （on a
night） that the yong Gentleman being entred into the Nuns Dorter；
the Scowts had descried him； and intended to be revenged on her。
After some part of the night was overpast； they divided themselves
into two bands； one to guard Isabellaes Dorter doore； the other to
carry newes to the Abbesse； and knocking at her Closet doore； saide。
Rise quickely Madame； and use all the hast you may； for we have
seene a man enter our Sister Isabellaes Dorter； and you may take her
in bed with him。 The Lady Abbesse； who （the very same night） had the
company of a lusty Priest in bed with her selfe； as oftentimes
before she had； and he being alwayes brought thither in a Chest：
hearing these tidings； and fearing also； lest the Nunnes hastie
knocking at her doore； might cause it to fly open； and so （by their
entrance） have her owne shame discovered： arose very hastily； and
thinking she had put on her plaited vaile； which alwayes she walked
with in the night season； and used to tearme her Psalter； she put
the Priests breeches upon her head； and so went away in all hast
with them； supposing them verily to be her Psalter： but making fast
the Closet doore with her keye； because the Priest should not be
discovered。
Away shee went in all haste with the Sisters； who were so forward in
the detection of poore Isabella； as they never regarded what manner of
vaile the Lady Abbesse wore on her head。 And being come to the
Dorter doore； quickly they lifted it off from the hookes； and being
entred； found the two Lovers sweetly imbracing： but yet so amazed at
this sudden surprisall； as they durst not stirre； nor speake one word。
The young Nunne Isabella； was raised forthwith by the other Sisters；
and according as the Abbesse had comanded； was brought by them into
the Chapter…house： the yong Gentleman remaining still in the
Chamber； where he put on his garments； awaiting to see the issue of
this businesse； and verily intending to act severe revenge on his
betrayers； if any harme were done to Isabella； and afterward to take
her thence away with him； as meaning to make her amends by marriage。
The Abbesse being seated in the Chapter house； and all the other
Nunnes then called before her； who minded nothing else but the poore
offending Sister： she began to give her very harsh and vile
speeches； as never any transgressor suffered the like； and as to her
who had （if it should be openly knowne abroad） contaminated by her
lewde life and actions； the sanctity and good renowne of the whole
Monastery； and threatned her with very severe chastisement。 Poore
Isabella； confounded with feare and shame； as being no way able to
excuse her fault； knew not what answer to make； but standing silent；
made her case compassionable to all the rest； even those
hard…hearted Sisters which betrayed her。
And the Abbesse still continuing her harsh speeches； it fortuned；
that Isabella raising her head； which before she dejected into hir
bosome； espied the breeches on her he