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In 1610, I was no longer a forty year old single man. I married Hélène Boullé, who was the daughter of Nicholas Boullé, a royal secretary. However, at the time of our wedding, Hélène was only twelve years old. This was not uncommon in my time. For many years in Western Europe, it was a custom for the man to be much older than his wife. However, because she had not reached the age of majority of 14, she would continue to live with her parents and be in their care for two more years. She actually stayed with them for ten years.