Aux assemblées, " in company

Page 11. — I. Avoit le cœur très-noble et très-bien fait, "had a very noble and gênerons disposition."

Page 12. — z. Louvre, one of the most famous buildings of Paris, situated in the western part of the city, on the right bank of the Seine. It was at first designed as a fortress for the protection of the river. In 1204 Philip Augustus erected in the center of the court of the Louvre a tower to serve as a state prison. Later on, several of the kings of France placed their libraries there. Charles V. selected this palace as his résidence in 1347, and it served as the abode of the royal family till the reign of Louis XIV., who preferred Versailles. Since the days of the Empire it has been used as a muséum.

Page 13. — I. Le duc de Nevers, Francis II. of Nevers, elder brother of the Prince of Clèves (see page 2, note 7).

2. Le duc de Lorraine, Charles III., called " the Great," was the son of Francis I., Duke of Lorraine, and of Christina of Denmark, nièce of the Emperor Charles V. He was born at Nancy, February 15, 1543. After the death of his father in 1 546, his mother ruled over the Duchy during the minority of her son. He was sent to Paris and in 1559 married Claude, daughter of Henry II. He subsequently took charge of the affairs of his State, and ruled long and peacefully, dying at Nancy, May 14, 1608.

Page 16. — I. Courre la bague, "riding at the ring." CVwrr^ is an old infinitive of the verb courir, used only in a f ew expressions, as : courre le cerf.

Page 18. — X. Le maréchal de Saint-André. Jacques d'Albon, Marshal of Saint-André, was one of the most valiant commanders of the sizteenth century. He early won récognition from the Dauphin, afterwards Henry H., and distinguished himself at Boulogne and Cerisoles. He was appointed Marshal in 1547. He took an active part in the subséquent campaigns and was taken prisoner at Saint-Quentin, but was soon exchanged. Shortly after the death of Henry II., Saint- André, together with the Duke of Guise and the Constable of Montmorency, formed the famou% " triumvirate " for the suppression of heresy in France. He was a most active upholder of the Catholic cause during the civil wars, and was killed at Dreux, December 19, 1562. A contemporary describes him as the ** most élégant courtier of his time."

2. Elle fit dire qu'on ne la voyoit point, "she sent word that she would not receive."

3. Sa qualité lui rendoit toutes les entrées libres, '' his rank allowed him always to be admitted *' (even in spite of the order that had just been given).

4. Maîtresse = the lady who is loved ; not ** mistress " in the modem

sensé.

Page 19. — I. Duc de Ferrare. Alphonse II. of Este, Duke of Fer-

rara, was the son of Hercules of Ferrara and grandson of Alphonso I. He

was a cousin of Henry II. and served in ail the military expéditions of this

monarch. He was a great favorite at Court and made a great display both

in his own country and in Italy, whither he accompanied the French King.

His brother was the famous Cardinal d'Esté.

Page 20. — I. Qu'elle fît la malade: "that she should prétend to be

Page 22. — i. Chftteau-Cambrésis (usually written Câteau-Cambrêsis)^ a city in the Department of Nord, situated upon a hill overlooking the Selle, about fifteen miles southeast of Cambrai. Hère was signed, on April 3, 1559, a treaty between Henry II. and Philip II., by which certain cities, as Thionville, Montmédy, etc., were made over to Spain, and France recovered Saint-Quentin. The possession of Calais and of the three bishoprics (Metz, Toul, and Verdun) were also assured to Henry II. Page 25. — i. Pour être affligée, " although she was in distress." 2. n s'en falloit peu qu'elle ne crût le haïr, " she almost believed she hated him."