She was still writing the _Heptameron_, as is shown by the
sixty-sixth tale, which chronicles an adventure that befell her daughter
and Anthony de Bourbon on their marriage trip during the winter of
1548-49. It may be noted, too, that the scene of the sixty-ninth story
is laid at the Castle of Odos near Tarbes, and as Margaret came to
reside at the castle in the autumn of 1549, this tale was probably
written during her sojourn there. Whilst adding fresh stories to the
_Heptameron_, she was not neglecting poetry, for from this period also
dates the _Miroir de Jesus Christ crucifie_, which Brother Olivier
published in 1556, stating that it was the Queen's last work, and that
she had handed it to him a few days before her death.
Margaret had long been in failing health and was growing extremely weak.
Brantome, on the authority of his grandmother, states that when her
approaching death was announced to her, she found the monition a very
bitter one, saying that she was not yet so aged but that she might live
some years longer.
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