olicit pardon from King Francis, first of the name; and accordingly,
after giving honourable burial to husband, wife and child, he departed
on Good Friday to the Court in order to sue there for pardon, which
he obtained through the good offices of Master Francis Olivier, then
Chancellor of Alencon, afterwards chosen by the King, for his merits, to
be Chancellor of France. (5)

5 M. de Montaiglon has vainly searched the French Archives
for the letters of remission granted to the gentleman. There
is no mention of them in the registers of the Tresor des
Chartes. Francis Olivier, alluded to above, was one of the
most famous magistrates of the sixteenth century. Son of
James Olivier, First President of the Parliament of Paris
and Bishop of Angers, he was born in 1493 and became
successively advocate, member of the Grand Council,
ambassador, Chancellor of Alencon, President of the Paris
Parliament, Keeper of the Seals and Chancellor of France.
This latter dignity was conferred upon him through Queen
Margaret's influence in April 1545. The above tale must have
been written subsequent to that date. Olivier's talents were
still held in high esteem under both Henry II. and Francis
II.; he died in 1590, aged 67.--(Blanchard's _Eloges de tous
les Presidents du Parlement, &c_., Paris, 1645, in-fol. p.
185.)

Ste. Marthe, in his funeral oration on Queen Margaret,
refers to Olivier in the following pompous strain: "When
Brinon died Chancellor of this duchy of Alencon, Francis
Olivier was set in his place, and so greatly adorned this
dignity by his admirable virtues, and so increased the
grandeur of the office of Chancellor, that, like one of
exceeding merit on whom Divine Providence, disposing of the
affairs of France, has conferred a more exalted office, he
is today raised to the highest degree of honour, and, even
as Atlas upholds the Heavens upon his shoulders, so he by
his prudence doth uphold the entire Gallic commonwealth."--
M. L. and Ed.

"I am of opinion, ladies, that after hearing this true story there is
none among you but will think twice before lodging such knaves in her
house, and will be persuaded that hidden poison is always the most
dangerous."

"Remember," said Hircan, "that the husband was a great fool to bring
such a gallant to sup with his fair and virtuous wife."