It so happened that Henry IV. was then at Rochelle, and application was made to him for a pardon. He replied, that before making an answer, he should like to see the husband she was so anxious to get rid of, to judge for himself whether there was any excuse for her. When my grandfather appeared before him, he called out, "Let her be hanged! Let her be hanged! Ventre Saint Gris![1] He is the handsomest man in my kingdom."
I have seen a picture of him, which should now be in the possession of my sister Madame L'Hommeau's descendants at Jouzac, in Saintonge. That picture represented him as very handsome, with a full face, pure white and red complexion, and a long flaxen beard reaching to his waist, with a few hairs white from age intermixed with it. He was also of a good height, and well proportioned.
He died in the year 1633, at the age of eighty-three. He left property to his family amounting to about 9000 livres.
- ↑ The accustomed oath of Henry IV.
