wards her and could compare the original with the
portrait he had so lately seen. No sooner had he remarked her pale
face, her eyes so full of animation, her beautiful nut-brown hair, her
expressive lips, and her every gesture, which, while betokening royal
descent, seemed to thank and to encourage him at one and the same time,
than he was, for a moment, so overcome, that, had it not been for Raoul,
on whose arm he leant, he would have fallen. His friend's amazed
look, and the encouraging gesture of the queen, restored Guiche to his
self-possession. In a few words he explained his mission, explained in
what way he had become the envoy of his royal highness; and saluted,
according to their rank and the reception they gave him, the admiral and
several of the English noblemen who were grouped around the princesses.

Raoul was then presented, and was most graciously received; the share
that the Comte de la Fere had had in the restoration of Charles II. was
known to all; and, more than that, it was the comte who had been
charged with the negotiation of the marriage, by means of which the
granddaughter of Henry IV. was now returning to France. Raoul spoke
English perfectly, and constituted himself his friend's interpreter with
the young English noblemen, who were indifferently acquainted with the
French language. At this moment a young man came forward, of extremely
handsome features, and whose dress and arms were remarkable for their
extravagance of material. He approached the princesses, who were engaged
in conversation with the Duke of Norfolk, and, in a voice which ill
concealed his impatience, said, "It is time now to disembark, your royal
highness." The younger of the princesses rose from her seat at this
remark, and was about to take the hand which the young nobleman extended
to her, with an eagerness which arose from a variety of motives, when
the admiral intervened between them, observing; "A moment, if you
please, my lord; it is not possible for ladies to disembark just now,
the sea is too rough; it is probable the wind may abate before sunset,
and the landing will not be effected, therefore, until this evening."

"Allow me to observe, my lord," said Buckingham, with an irritation of
manner which he did not seek to disguise, "you detain these ladies,
and you have no right to do so. One of them, unhappily, now belongs to
France, and you perceive that France claims them by the voice of her
ambassadors;" and at the sam