the chamber every night there burned a lamp, which hanged between the Empress's bed and the Earl's bed. This Lady behaved herself so gently, that she was beloved of every creature was at that time in the Earl's house, a Steward, who loved much this Empress, and often spoke to her of his love. But she answered him again, and said, Know dear friend, for a certainty, that I will never love any man in such a manner, but only him, whom I am greatly bound to love by God's commandments, Then said the Steward, Then thou wilt not consent unto me? (Sir quoth she,) what need you any more to ask such things! The vow that I have made I will truely keep, and hold by the grace of God.
And when the Steward heard this, he went his way in great wrath and anger, thinking within himself, if I way, I shall be revenged on thee.
It befel upon a night within short time after, that the Earl's chamber door was forgotten and left unshut, which the Steward had anon perceived. And when they were all asleep,
