1 From the Queen’s Livre de Depenses, published by M. de la Ferriere, we learn that this MS., with the miniatures and binding, cost Margaret fifty golden crowns.  It was formerly in the possession of M. Jerome Pichon, and was afterwards acquired by M. Didot, at the sale of whose library it realised L804.  The MS. was recently in the possession of M. de La Roche-la-Carelle.

     2 Claude Paradin’s Devises heroiques, Lyons, 1557, p. 41.

In her Miroir de l’Ame Pecheresse, previously referred to, there figures another device composed merely of the three words “Ung pour tout;” and in the manuscript of “La Coche” presented to the Duchess of Etampes, the motto “Plus vous que moys” is inscribed beneath each of the miniatures.  Margaret also composed a series of devices for some jewels which her brother presented to his favourite, Madame de Chateaubriant.  Respecting these Brantome tells the following curious anecdote:—­

“I have heard say, and hold on good authority, that when King Francis I. had left Madame de Chateaubriant, his favourite mistress, to take Madame d’Etampes, as one nail drives out another, Madame d’Etampes begged the King to take back from the said Madame de Chateaubriant all the finest jewels that he had given her, not on account of their cost and value, for pearls and precious stones were not then so fashionable as they have been since, but for the love of the fine devices that were engraved and impressed upon them; which devices the Queen of Navarre, his sister, had made and composed, for she was a mistress in such matters.

“King Francis granted the request, and promised that he would do it.  Having with this intent sent a gentleman to Madame de Chateaubriant to ask for the jewels, she at once feigned illness, and put the gentleman off for three days, when he was to have what he asked for.  However, out of spite, she sent for a goldsmith, and made him melt down all these jewels without exception, and without having any respect for the handsome devices engraved upon them.  And afterwards, when the said gentleman returned, she gave him all the jewels converted into gold ingots.

“‘Go,’ said she, ’and take these to the King, and tell him that since he has been pleased to take back from me that which he had given me so freely, I restore it and send it back in golden ingots.  As for the devices, I have impressed them so firmly on my mind and hold them so dear in it, that I could not let any one have and enjoy them save myself.’

“When the King had received all this, the ingots and the lady’s remark, he only said, ’Take her back all.  What I did was not for the value, for I would have restored her that twofold, but for the love of the devices, and since she has thus destroyed them, I do not want the gold, and send it back.  She has shown in this matter more courage and generosity than it would have been thought could come from a woman.’” (1)