, "Do
not leave me."

The Duchess refused to follow her mother, and embracing her dying
husband, showed him the crucifix placed before his eyes. The Duke,
having summoned one of his gentlemen, M. de Chan-deniers, instructed him
to bid farewell on his part to all his servants, and to thank them for
their services, telling them that he had no longer strength to see them.
He asked God aloud to forgive his sins, received the extreme unction
from the Bishop of Lisieux, and raising his eyes to heaven, said
"Jesus," and expired. (1)

Whilst tending her dying husband, Margaret was also deeply concerned
as to the fate of her captive brother, for whom she always evinced the
warmest affection. Indeed, so close were the ties uniting Louise
of Savoy and her two children that they were habitually called the
"Trinity," as Clement Marot and Margaret have recorded in their poems.
(2)

1 From a MS. poem in the Bibliotheque Nationale entitled
_Les Prisons_, probably written by William Philander or
Filandrier, a canon of Rodez.

2 See _OEuvres de Clement Marot_, 1731, vol. v. p. 274; and
A. Champoilion-Figeac's _Poesies de Francois Ier, &c_.,
Paris, 1847, p. 80.

In this Trinity Francis occupied the highest place; his mother called
him "her Caesar and triumphant hero," while his sister absolutely
reverenced him, and was ever ready to do his bidding. Thus the
intelligence that he was wounded and a prisoner threw them into
consternation, and they were yet undecided how to act when they received
that famous epistle in which Francis wrote--not the legendary words,
"All is lost save honour," but--"Of all things there have remained to me
but honour and life, which is safe." After begging his mother and sister
to face the extremity by employing their customary prudence, the King
commended his children to their care, and expressed the hope that God
would not abandon him. (1) This missive revived the courage of the
Regent and Margaret, for shortly afterwards we find the latter writing
to Francis: "Your letter has had such effect upon the health of Madame
[Louise], and of all those who love you, that it has been to us as a
Holy Ghost after the agony of the Passion.... Madame has felt so great
a renewal of strength, that whilst day and evening last not a moment is
lost over your business, so that you need have no grief or care about
your kingdom and children." (2)

1 See extract from the Registers of the