4 The en cas was a kind of light supper provided in case one felt hungry at night-time.  Most elaborate en cas, consisting of several dishes, were frequently provided for the kings of France.—­Ed.

     5 In the story Margaret asserts that it was Thomas Guerin
     who attacked Dumesnil.—­D.

“On the night of the said dispute, and a little later, St. Aignan went to see what the said Dumesnil was doing, and finding him in the courtyard dead, he helped to carry him into the stable, being too greatly incensed to act otherwise.  And upon the said Colas asking him what should be done with the body, St. Aignan paid no heed to this question, because he was not master of himself; but merely said to Colas that he might do as he thought fit, and that the body might be interred in consecrated ground or placed in the street.  After which St. Aignan withdrew into his room and slept with his wife, who had her maids with her.  And on the morrow this same Colas declared to St. Aignan that he had taken the said body to be buried, so as to avoid a scandal.  To all of which things St. Aignan paid no heed, but on the morrow sent to fetch the two young men in the service of the said Dumesnil, who were at his lodging, and had the horses removed from the said lodging, and gave orders to one of the young men to take them back.

“On account of all which occurrences he (St. Aignan) absented himself, &c, &c, but humbly entreating us, &c, &c.  Wherefore we now give to the Bailiffs of Chartres and Caen, or to their Lieutenants, and to each of them severally and to all, &c, &c.  Given at Chatelherault, in the month of July, the year of Grace, one thousand five hundred and twenty-six, and the twelfth of our reign.

“Signed:  By the King on the report of the Council: 

“De Nogent."Visa:  contentor.

“De Nogent.”

It will be seen that the foregoing petition contains various contradictory statements.  The closet, for instance, is at first described as being near the room in which St. Aignan and his wife slept, then it is asserted that the wife slept in the closet, but ultimately the husband is shown joining his wife in the bed-chamber, where she had heard nothing.  The character of the narrative is proof of its falsity, and Margaret’s account of the affair may readily be accepted as the more correct one.—­Ed.

C. (Tale IV., Page 85.)

Les Vies des Dames galantes contains the following passage bearing upon Margaret’s 4th Tale.  See Lalanne’s edition of Brantome’s Works, vol. ix. p. 678 et sec.:—­