prior to Anne's marriage.--Ed.

However, God provided for them, for the brother that sought to keep
everything died suddenly one day, leaving behind him both her wealth,
which he was keeping back, and his own.

Thus did she inherit a large and rich estate, whereon she lived piously
and virtuously and in her husband's love. And after she had brought up
the two sons that God gave to them, (17) she yielded with gladness her
soul to Him in whom she had at all times put her perfect trust.

17 Anne's sons were René and Claud. Miss Mary Robinson (_The
Fortunate Lovers_, London, 1887) believes René to be
"Saffredent," and his wife Isabel d'Albret, sister of Queen
Margaret's husband Henry of Navarre, to be "Nomerfide."--Ed.

"Now, ladies, let the men who would make us out so fickle come forward
and point to an instance of as good a husband as this lady was a good
wife, and of one having like faith and steadfastness. I am sure they
would find it so difficult to do this, that I will release them from
the task rather than put them to such exceeding toil. But as for you,
ladies, I would pray you, for the sake of maintaining your own fair
fame, either to love not at all, or else to love as perfectly as she
did. And let none among you say that this lady offended against her
honour, seeing that her constancy has served to heighten our own."

"In good sooth, Parlamente," said Oisille, "you have indeed told us
the story of a woman possessed of a noble and honourable heart; but her
constancy derives half its lustre from the faithlessness of a husband
that could leave her for another."