human
I am newly arrived at Court, said Germain.
gpt
What is the best way to become acquainted with the history of the great families?
human
Not in the least likely you come to me for that, thought the expert.
gpt
It is simple, said he aloud.
human
Read my _Repertory of Genealogy_, which is to be had for fifty livres of the bookseller Giraud, No. 79, Palais Royal, and which is the infallible standard upon the subject, and is read by the whole of the Court, the _noblesse_, the magistrature, and in general the French nation.
gpt
Very well, I shall obtain it, answered Germain;
human
I have only, sir, to be told a name, and I guarantee for twenty livres to relate in written abstract the history of every branch of it which was ever noble. I also, for a fee, according to the difficulties, make a specialty of resuscitating genealogies which have been dimmed by lapse of time or by those misfortunes which often make it seem to the inexperienced that such blood is ignoble--an impression which is without question in itself the most deplorable misfortune of all in such cases. I have discovered barons in chair-menders, and viscounts in cheese-hawkers,
gpt
Such things do not concern me, was the haughty reply.
human
I am interested in a family named Lecour. I desire an account of the titles now or heretofore possessed by persons of that name.
gpt
L
human
The name is a common one, sir, yet the list is not long. Indeed so common is the name, and so short the list of its stocks of distinction that there have been but two. One is the well-known family of Amiens, the other is now obscure.
gpt
What branch is the latter?
human
The LeCours de Lincy, formerly a conspicuous race in the annals of Poitou and very ancient. Their device: a golden lion rampant on an azure shield.
gpt
A golden lion rampant on an azure shield,
human
By chance the last of the de Lincys is known to me, and sleeps not far from where we are sitting--a noble so old and poor that he never enjoys firewood, and apparently lives solely on the sight of his precious proofs of _noblesse_; a food which, excuse me, Monsieur, is, in my opinion, very innutritious.
gpt
Would he sell these proofs?
human
No, sir.
gpt
Could you not obtain copies?
human
For fifteen louis.
gpt
Here they are,
human
Now, said Germain,
gpt
To some men, replied the other,
human
I would say Monsieur de Lincy is part of my professional plant, and I cannot give you the information. To you, sir, it shall be different, for I take you for a man of honour, and all I desire is your word that nothing will be done by you without payment of such fees as I may ask.
gpt
Agreed,
human
Then you can be conducted to him in the morning, and it must be by myself, for otherwise he would not trust you. Will you accept a lodging with me, a plain room, but no worse than at an inn.
gpt
My name is Lecour.
human
I knew it, returned the genealogist.
gpt
Have no fear of my confidence. I am not like the vipers who throng my profession. To proceed a step further, I venture boldly the theory, sir, that you are the Monsieur Lecour de Répentigny about whose title there has just been some little question.
human
It is true,
gpt
You wish me to advise you?
human
With my advice, then, the thing will be simple. First quit the name of Répentigny, which will always create jealousies. I leave to yourself the excuses you will make for having borne it--that you bought the seigniory of that name or that you possess another of the same appellation, or that it was very anciently a possession of your family. The armorials show there were LeCours de Tilly; there were also LeGardeurs de Tilly, related to the LeGardeurs de Répentigny. You might thus claim possible relationship. But, as I have said, I leave to yourself the choice of excuses on that point. Secondly, we must carry out your design of allying yourself with old de Lincy, who is in such horrible need of a friend, that it will be a benefit to you both; and thirdly, you must see to the correction of all marriage contracts, baptismal and death certificates, and other registers by the insertion of the noble appellation which will then belong to your family. This is your case in brief.