Gradually their number so increased, that
in the fifteenth century the title of prothonotary had come
to be merely an honorary dignity, conferred as a matter of
course on doctors of theology of noble family, or otherwise
of note. In the role of Francis I.'s household for 1522, we
find but one prothonotary mentioned, but in that for 1529
there are twelve. More than one of them might have been
called _un letrado que no tenia muchas letras_, as Brantome
wrote of Thomas de Lescun, Prothonotary of Foix and
afterwards Marshal of France. "In those days," adds the
author of _Les Grands Capitaines Francais_, "it was usual
for prothonotaries and even for those of good family not to
have much learning, but to enjoy themselves, hunt, make love
and seduce the wives of the poor gentlemen who were gone to
the wars."--_OEuvres completes de Brantome_, 8vo edit., vol.
ii. p. 144.--L. and Ed.

"You see, ladies, how the worthy dame, whilst thinking to do a fine deed
of justice, made known to strange princes a matter of which the servants
of the house had never heard."

"I think I know," said Parlamente, "in whose house it was, and who the
prothonotary is; for he has governed many a lady's house, and when he
cannot win the mistress's favour he never fails to have that of one of
the maids. In other matters, however, he is an honourable and worthy
man."

"Why do you say 'in other matters'?" said Hircan. "Tis for that very
behaviour that I deem him so worthy a man."

"I can see," said Parlamente, "that you know the sickness and the
sufferer, and that, if he needed excuse, you would not fail him as
advocate. Yet I would not trust myself to a man who could not contrive
his affairs without having them known to the serving-women."

"And do you imagine," said Nomerfide, "that men care whether such a
matter be known if only they can compass their end? You may be sure
that, even if none spoke of it but themselves, it would still of
necessity be known."

"They have no need," said Hircan angrily, "to say all that they know."

"Perhaps," she replied, blushing, "they would not say it to their own
advantage."

"Judging from your words," said Simontault, "it would seem that men
delight in hearing evil spoken about women, and I am sure that you
reckon me among men of that kind. I therefore greatly wish to speak well
of one of your sex, in order that I may not be held a sl