He, too, was young, and I joined with him in the mad carousals and feastings of the court.

My father resided for the most part at one of his castles in the country, and I, an only son, was left much to myself.

I need not tell you that I was as wild and as wicked as all those around me; that I thought little of God, and feared neither Him nor man.
"It chanced that one of the nobles--I need not mention his name--whose castle lay in the same province as that of my father, had a lovely daughter, who, being an only child, would be his heiress.

She was considered one of the best matches in France, and reports of her exceeding beauty had reached the court.

Although my allowance from my father, and from the estates which the king had give me personally, should have been more than enough for my utmost wants, gambling and riotous living swallowed up my revenue faster than it came in, and I was constantly harassed by debt.
"Talking one night at supper with a number of bold companions, as to the means we should take for restoring our wasted fortunes, some said in jest that the best plan would be for one of us to marry the beauty of Dauphiny.