Her clothing and attire should be sumptuous but not excessive, her greeting to strangers should be gracious, never too effusive, being neither too slow in answering nor flirtatious. She will surround herself with the best of them, rewarding them according to their merits, never believing or having faith in flatterers, but rather dismissing them once she knows who they are, nor will she believe the slightest gossip she hears. For a lady should not be in the habit of chatting to either strangers or close friends in private, nor in any secret place, not even to any of her retainers or maids, so that no one may think that they know more of her private business than anyone else. And when she is with others, the lady never says in jest, to anyone at all, anything which all the others cannot understand, so that none of the listeners might assume that there is any silly secret between them. She should neither be too solitary in keeping to her chamber, nor too much in the view of others, but at certain times she should retire while at others she should be more social.
People often assume that the heart has changed when they see changes in the outward appearance.
Now you wish to be alone and withdraw from everyone except one or two of your maids and a few other servants, and with them you chat and laugh, even in the presence of others, speaking in coded language, as if only they could understand. Remember who you are and consider the high position in which God has placed you. Don't allow your soul and your honour to be forgotten for the sake of some foolish pleasure. My dear lady, this is not true. For heaven's sake, don't allow yourself to be deceived.