The Jealousies of a Country Town

"Most persons have encountered, in certain provinces in France, a number
of Chevaliers de Valois. One lived in Normandy, another at Bourges, a third
(with whom we have here to do) flourished in Alencon, and doubtless the South
possesses others. The number of the Valesian tribe is, however, of no
consequence to the present tale. All these chevaliers, among whom were doubtless
some who were Valois as Louis XIV. was Bourbon, knew so little of one another
that it was not advisable to speak to one about the others. They were all
willing to leave the Bourbons in tranquil possession of the throne of France;
for it was too plainly established that Henri IV. became king for want of a male
heir in the first Orleans branch called the Valois. If there are any Valois,
they descend from Charles de Valois, Duc d'Angouleme, son of Charles IX. and
Marie Touchet, the male line from whom ended, until proof to the contrary be
produced, in the person of the Abbe de Rothelin. The Valois-Saint-Remy, who
descended from Henri II., also came to an end in the famous Lamothe-Valois
implicated in the affair of the Diamond Necklace."

- Excerpted from "The Jealousies of a Country Town"