use their
poverty seemed to them more difficult to bear in gilded chambers.

Mordaunt followed the carriage, and when he had watched it drive beneath
the sombre arches he went and stationed himself under a wall over which
the shadow was extended, and remained motionless, amidst the moldings of
Jean Goujon, like a bas-relievo, representing an equestrian statue.

39. How, sometimes, the Unhappy mistake Chance for Providence.

"Well, madame," said De Winter, when the queen had dismissed her
attendants.

"Well, my lord, what I foresaw has come to pass."

"What? does the cardinal refuse to receive the king? France refuse
hospitality to an unfortunate prince? Ay, but it is for the first time,
madame!"

"I did not say France, my lord; I said the cardinal, and the cardinal is
not even a Frenchman."

"But did you see the queen?"

"It is useless," replied Henrietta, "the queen will not say yes when
the cardinal says no. Are you not aware that this Italian directs
everything, both indoors and out? And moreover, I should not be
surprised had we been forestalled by Cromwell. He was embarrassed whilst
speaking to me and yet quite firm in his determination to refuse. Then
did you not observe the agitation in the Palais Royal, the passing to
and fro of busy people? Can they have received any news, my lord?"

"Not from England, madame. I made such haste that I am certain of not
having been forestalled. I set out three days ago, passing miraculously
through the Puritan army, and I took post horses with my servant Tony;
the horses upon which we were mounted were bought in Paris. Besides,
the king, I am certain, awaits your majesty's reply before risking
anything."

"You will tell him, my lord," resumed the queen, despairingly, "that I
can do nothing; that I have suffered as much as himself--more than he
has--obliged as I am to eat the bread of exile and to ask hospitality
from false friends who smile at my tears; and as regards his royal
person, he must sacrifice it generously and die like a king. I shall go
and die by his side."

"Madame, madame," exclaimed De Winter, "your majesty abandons yourself
to despair; and yet, perhaps, there still remains some hope."

"No friends left, my lord; no other friends left in the wide world
but yourself! Oh, God!" exclaimed the poor queen, raising her eyes to
Heaven, "have You indeed taken back all the generous hearts that once
existed in the world?"

"I hope not, madame," r