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502 magistrates and clergy with great marks of honour and distinction, and passed the remainder of his life among them.

His son married the daughter of Peter de Cardillac, lord of Lane, in 1627, at Bourdeaux, not without some apprehensions, it is said, on the part of the lady, upon her being united, we know not how, to a man of a most infamous character, who had actually murdered his first wife, for such was Constantius D'Aubigné. Soon after his marriage, going to Paris, he was, for some very gross offence, thrown into prison, upon which she followed to solicit his pardon, but in vain; cardinal Richelieu was inflexible, and told her, that in denying her request be was doing her a friendly office. But more attached to him in consequence of his misfortunes, she at length obtained leave to confine herself with him in prison. Here she had two sons; and, becoming pregnant a third time, petitioned that he might be removed to the prison of Niort, where they should be nearer their relations, which was granted.

In this prison Madame de Maintenon was born, but was taken from it by Madame Villette, of Poitou, her aunt by the father's side, who, in compassion to the child, put her into the care of her daughter's nurse, with whom, for some time, she was bred up as a foster-sister. Madame D'Aubigné at length obtained her husband's enlargement, on condition that he should turn Roman catholic, which he promised, but did not chuse to do; and fearing to be again involved in trouble, in the year 1639 he embarked for America with his wife and family, and settled at Martinico. Madame D'Aubigné in a little time returned to France, to carry on some law-suits for the recovery of debts; but Madame Villette dissuaded her from it, and she returned to tinico,