cxcix.] Old and ill, Duke Charles dwelt in his palace with his paramour Alison du Mai, a bastard and a priest's daughter, who had driven out the lawful wife, Dame Marguerite of Bavaria.

Dame Marguerite was pious and high-born, but old and ugly, while Madame Alison was pretty.

She had borne Duke Charles several children.[431] [Footnote 431: S.Luce, _Jeanne d'Arc a Domremy_, p.

cc, note.] The following story appears the most authentic.

There were certain worthy persons at Nancy who wanted Duke Charles to take back his good wife.