_TALE XL_.

_The sister of the Count of Jossebelin, after marrying
unknown to her brother a gentleman whom he caused to be put
to death (albeit except for his lowlier rank he had often
desired him for his brother-in-law) did, with great patience
and austerity of life, spend the remainder of her days in a
hermitage_. (1)

This lord, who was the father of Rolandine and was called the Count of
Jossebelin, had several sisters, some of whom were married to wealthy
husbands, others becoming nuns, whilst one, who was beyond comparison
fairer than all the rest, dwelt unwedded in his house. (2)

1 The events here narrated would have occurred in or about
1479.--L.

2 The so-called Count of Jossebelin is John II., Viscount
de Rohan, previously referred to in Tale XXI. He was the son
of Alan IX., Vicount of Rohan, by his second wife, Mary of
Lorraine. Alan, by a first marriage with Margaret of
Brittany, had three daughters, Jane, Margaret and Catherine,
all three of whom were married advantageously. Contrary to
Queen Margaret's assertion above, none of them became nuns;
Alan may, however, have had illegitimate daughters who took
the veil. By his second wife he had a son, John II., and a
daughter christened Catherine, like her half-sister. She