Winter; "the daughter of Henry IV., and the wife
of King Charles! Wherefore did you not apply, then, madame, to the first
person you saw from us?"

"Such is the hospitality shown to a queen by the minister from whom a
king demands it."

"But I heard that a marriage between the Prince of Wales and
Mademoiselle d'Orleans was spoken of," said De Winter.

"Yes, for an instant I hoped it was so. The young people felt a mutual
esteem; but the queen, who at first sanctioned their affection, changed
her mind, and Monsieur, the Duc d'Orleans, who had encouraged the
familiarity between them, has forbidden his daughter to think any more
about the union. Oh, my lord!" continued the queen, without restraining
her tears, "it is better to fight as the king has done, and to die, as
perhaps he will, than live in beggary like me."

"Courage, madame! courage! Do not despair! The interests of the French
crown, endangered at this moment, are to discountenance rebellion in a
neighboring nation. Mazarin, as a statesman, will understand the politic
necessity."

"Are you sure," said the queen doubtfully, "that you have not been
forestalled?"

"By whom?"

"By the Joices, the Prinns, the Cromwells?"

"By a tailor, a coachmaker, a brewer! Ah! I hope, madame, that the
cardinal will not enter into negotiations with such men!"

"Ah! what is he himself?" asked Madame Henrietta.

"But for the honor of the king--of the queen."

"Well, let us hope he will do something for the sake of their honor,"
said the queen. "A true friend's eloquence is so powerful, my lord, that
you have reassured me. Give me your hand and let us go to the minister;
and yet," she added, "suppose he should refuse and that the king loses
the battle?"

"His majesty will then take refuge in Holland, where I hear his highness
the Prince of Wales now is."

"And can his majesty count upon many such subjects as yourself for his
flight?"

"Alas! no, madame," answered De Winter; "but the case is provided for
and I am come to France to seek allies."

"Allies!" said the queen, shaking her head.

"Madame," replied De Winter, "provided I can find some of my good old
friends of former times I will answer for anything."

"Come then, my lord," said the queen, with the painful doubt that is
felt by those who have suffered much; "come, and may Heaven hear you."

37. Cromwell's Letter.

At the very moment when the queen quitted the convent to go to the
Palais Royal