ligious
ceremonies, giving orders for an altar to be erected in the room where
he was lying. She then requested the Archbishop of Embrun to celebrate
mass, and received the communion in company of all the French retainers
about the prisoner. It is stated that the King, who for some hours had
given no sign of life, opened his eyes at the moment of the consecration
of the elements, and asked for the communion, saying, "God will cure me,
soul and body." From this time forward he began to recover his health,
though he remained fretful on account of his captivity.

It was a difficult task to obtain his release. The Court and the Emperor
were extremely polite, but Margaret soon recognised the emptiness of
their protestations of good-will. "They all tell me that they love the
King," she wrote, "but I have little proof of it. If I had to do with
honest folks, who understand what honour is, I should not care, but it
is the contrary." (1)

1 _Lettres de Marguerite, &c._, p. 21.

She was not the woman to turn back at the first obstacle, however;
she began by endeavouring to gain over several high personages, and on
perceiving that the men avoided speaking with her on serious business,
she addressed herself to their mothers, wives, or daughters. In a letter
to Marshal de Montmorency, then with the King, she thus refers to the
Duke del Infantado, who had received her at his castle of Guadalaxara.
"You will tell the King that the Duke has been warned from the Court
that if he wishes to please the Emperor neither he nor his son is to
speak to me; but the ladies are not forbidden me, and to them I will
speak twofold." (1)

Throughout the negotiations for her brother's release Margaret always
maintained the dignity and reserve fitting to her sex and situation.
Writing to Francis on this subject she says: "The Viceroy (Lannoy) has
sent me word that he is of opinion I should go and see the Emperor, but
I have told him through M. de Senlis that I have not yet stirred from my
lodging without being asked, and that whenever it pleases the Emperor to
see me I shall be found there." (2)

1 _Lettres de Marguerite, &c_., p. 197.

2 _Captivite de Francois Ier_, p. 358.

Margaret was repeatedly admitted to the Imperial council to discuss
the conditions of her brother's ransom. She showed as much ability as
loftiness of mind on these occasions, and several times won Charles V.
himself and the sternest of his Ministers to her