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As for me, I hold that there was never anything better introduced than the ladies' court.

Full often have I seen our kings go to camp, or town, or elsewhither, remain there and divert themselves for some days, and yet take thither no ladies.

But we were so bewildered, so lost, so moped, that for the week we spent away from them and their pretty eyes it appeared to us a year; and always a-wishing, 'When shall we be at the court ?' Not, full often, calling that the court where the king was, but that where the queen and ladies were." [_OEuvres de Brantome, edition of the Societe de l'Histoire de France,_ t.iii.

pp.

120-129.] Now, when so many fair ladies are met together in a life of sumptuousness and gayety, a king is pretty sure to find favorites, and royal favorites rarely content themselves with pleasing the king; they desire to make their favor serviceable their family and their friends.