COTTIN (Marechal), Prince of Wissembourg; Duke of Orfano; old soldier of the Republic and the Empire; Minister of War in 1841; born in 1771.  He was obliged to bring great shame upon his old friend and companion-in-arms, Marshal Hulot, by advising him of the swindling of the commissariat, Hulot d’Ervy.  Marshal Cottin and Nucingen were witnesses at the wedding of Hortense Hulot and Wenceslas Steinbock. [Cousin Betty.]

COTTIN (Francine), a Breton woman, probably born at Fougeres in 1773; chambermaid and confidante of Mlle. de Verneuil, who had been reared by Francine’s parents.  Childhood’s friend of Marche-a-Terre, with whom she used her influence to save the life of her mistress during the massacre of the “Blues” at the Vivitiere in 1799. [The Chouans.]

COUDRAI (Du), register of mortgages at Alencon, time of Louis XVIII.  A caller at the home of Mlle. Cormon, and afterwards at that of M. du Bousquier, who married “the old maid.”  One of the town’s most open-hearted men; his only faults were having married a rich old lady who was unendurable, and the habit of making villainous puns at which he was first to laugh.  In 1824 M. du Coudrai was poverty-stricken; he had lost his place on account of voting the wrong way. [Jealousies of a Country Town.]

COUPIAU, Breton courier from Mayenne to Fougeres in 1799.  In the struggle between the “Blues” and the Chouans he took no part, but acted as circumstances demanded and for his own interests.  Indeed he offered no resistance when the “Brigands” stole the government chests.  Coupiau was nick-named Mene-a-Bien by Marche-a-Terre the Chouan. [The Chouans.]

COUPIAU (Sulpice), Chouan and probably the father of Coupiau the messenger.  Killed in 1799 in the battle of La Pelerine or at the seige of Fougeres. [The Chouans.]

COURAND (Jenny), florist; mistress of Felix Gaudissart in 1831.  At that time she lived in Paris on rue d’Artois. [Gaudissart the Great.]

COURCEUIL (Felix), of Alencon, retired army surgeon of the Rebel forces of the Vendee.  In 1809 he furnished arms to the “Brigands.”  Involved in the trial known as “Chauffeurs of Mortagne.”  Condemned to death for contumacy. [The Seamy Side of History.]

COURNANT, notary at Provins in 1827; rival of Auffray, the notary; of the Opposition; one of the few public-spirited men of the little town. [Pierrette.]

COURTECUISSE, game-keeper of the Aigues estate in Burgundy under the Empire and Restoration until 1823.  Born about 1777; at first in the service of Mlle. Laguerre; discharged by General de Montcornet for absolute incapacity, and replaced by keepers who were trusty and true.  Courtecuisse was a little fellow with a face like a full moon.  He was never so happy as when idle.  On leaving he demanded a sum of eleven hundred francs which was not due him.  His master indignantly denied his claim at first, but yielded the point, however, on being threatened