THE MEMORIALS OF MARGARET de Valois, First Wife to HENRY the Fourth, King of France and Navarre. Compiled in French by her own most Delicate and Royal hand: AND Translated into English by ROBERT CODRINGTON, Master of Arts.  
LONDON, Printed by R. H. 1641.   

TO THE TRUE LOVER OF ALL GOOD LEARNING. The truly Honourable, Sir Anthony Vincent Knight and Baronet, etc.  
SIR,  
THe works of Royal Authors are only fit to be lodged in noble hands, to whom then more justly could I devote this service then unto YOU to whom all learning owes for a Patron, and the world for an Example.  
This is that which hath invited me to this Dedication, besides an ambition which a long time I have nourished that pointeth at no other happiness then to study out some way to make myself known unto YOU, and if my devotion to your service can win on your goodness to pardon my presumption the glorious endowments of this most illustrious Lady (who in her time was one of the greatest Princesses of Europe) shall win on your judgemeut to entertain this everlasting Issue and MEMORIAL of her, in which there is no other error to be found but that it is presented to the world and you by this rude hand  
Sir, of your most humble and most devoted servant, Robert Codrington.   

An Advertisement to the Reader.  
WHO is to understand that the Address of this Book in the Original is supposed to be to Monsieur de Hardslay, chief in attendance on the Duke of Alenson, at what time he was chosen by the Lords of Flanders for their Protector.   

The Argument of the First Book.  
THE Infancy and Education of this Lady; Her attendance in ordinary on the Queen her Mother, and her removal from that place by the same Power which did prefer her to it. The beginning of her love with her Brother the Duke of Alenson, which was continued to his death. Her Marriage with the King of Navarre, on which ensued the Massacre of Saint Bartholomew. The resolutions of her Husband, and the Duke of Alenson to join with the Huguenots, wisely descovered, and prevented. The death of King Charles her Brother. The close Projects and Practices at Court to plant dissension betwixt the Duke of Alenson and her Husband, and betwixt the King her Husband and herself, occasioned partly by the malice and aspersions of Du Guast, partly by the beauty and temptations of Madame de Sauva, and countenanced by the too eager belief of the King of France her Brother, to blast this Ladies Honor.   

THE MEMORIALS of QUEEN MARGARET. The first Book.  
I Should have extolled your work the more, if it had not praised me so much, being unwilling to have those praises conferred on me, which might sway me more to self conceit than reason, for so I may be thought like Themistocles to esteem that man to speak best who doth extol me most; This is a weakness incident to women to be taken more with praises than deserts, for this I do condemn my sex, and would not be ranked in this condition with them; nevertheless I do account it a great glory, that so deserving a Gentleman as yourself have drawn my picture with so rich a pencil. In this portrait, the ornament of the table doth far surpass the excellence of the figure which you have made your Subject; had I any part of those graces which you impute unto me, my afflictions having wiped them away from outward observation, have wiped withal their remembrance from my memory; In a manner that beholding myself in your discourse, I could do willingly as sometimes the old Lady of Rendan, who after her husband's decease having a long time forborn her looking glass, and having afterwards a sight of herself in another glass by chance, she demanded who it was she saw there? And although my friends that see me would persuade me to the contrary, yet I do suspect their judgements, as having their eyes charmed with too much affection; I believe when you shall come unto the proof, that in this you will be on my side, and will say as I do often write out of the verses of Bellay.  
Thus Rome in Rome was sought for round,  
And nothing of Rome in Rome was found.  
But as we take delight to read of the destruction of Troy, of the glory of Athens, and of such mighty Cities when most they flourished, although the signs of them are now so small, that we hardly can discern where heretofore they stood, so you take pleasure to describe the excellence of a beauty, of which there remains no witness, nor appearance, but only in your writings. Had you done it to represent the contention of Nature and of Fortune, you could not have made choice of a more remarkable Subject, they both in me having to emulation made essay how far their powers could extend. In that of Nature, yourself being an eye witness do not need instructions; but in that of Fortune, being unable to make description but by report, which is subject to be delivered by persons ill informed, or ill affected, and who cannot represent the truth either through ignorance, or through malice, I presume that you will take pleasure to receive these MEMORIALS from her, who hath most reason to know them best, and who having greatest interest in them, can with greatest truth describe their Subject.  
I have also been invited to it by five or six remarkable observations in your discourse which I have found defective, as when you speak of Pau, and of my voyage out of France; when you speak of the late Marshal of Byron, when you speak of Again, and of the Marquis of Canillac. I will run over my own Memorials, to which I will not give a more glorious name, although they well deserve the title of a History, for the truth which they nakedly contain, being without any ornament of language, for which I have now neither the ability, nor the leisure. This work then of one afternoon shall repair to you in a rude and misshapen lump, like Bears new whelped, to receive from you their beauty and proportion. It is a Chaos from whence already you have drawn the light. It is indeed a story well worthy to be written by a Knight of Honour, a true Gentleman of France, born of the Illustrious family which was cherished by the Kings my Father, and my Brothers, and Cousin and familiar friend to the noblest and most accomplished Ladies of our time, it being my happiness to be the Induction and the Tie, in the Society and the Union of them.  
The occurrences of the precedent with those of the succeeding times do enforce me to begin in the reign of King Charles, & in the first time that in my remembrance there fell out any thing worthy of observation. For as the Geographers in the description of the Earth; when they are arrived to the utmost bound of all their knowledge, do tell us that beyond that there are nothing but sandy Deserts, inhabitable Lands, and Seas innavigable; in the like manner will I say, that beyond that first remembrance of mine, there is nothing to be discovered, but a wild of my first Infancy, an Infancy wherein we live, rather guided by Nature, after the manner of plants, and other creatures, then of men persuaded and counselled by reason; and I will leave unto those who were the governor's of my nonage that superfluous enquiry, where peradventure among those actions of my Infancy, there will be found some as worthy to be recorded, as that of the Infancy of Themistocles, and Alexander, the one exposing himself in the middle of a Street to a Carters horses, who would not stay himself at his entreaties; the other despising the rewa●d of the Olympic Race, if Kings might not contend with him for the honour or it. Of which number may be the answer that I made the King my Father some few days before the fatal blow that deprived France of peace, and our house of happiness: Being then but four, or five years of age, my Father (holding me on his knee to hear me prattle) demanded ●f me, whom I would choose for my servant, Monseiur the Prince of Joinville, who hath been since the great and unfortunate Duke of Guise, or the Marquis of Beaupreau, the son of the Prince of Roche-sur-yon, in whose spirit, fortune having made too great a proof of the excellency of it, conspired with envy to become his deadly enemy, depriving him by death in the fourteenth year of his age, of the honours and the Crowns which were justly promised to the virtue and magnanimity that shined in him; they were both at play with the King my Father, and with a fixed eye I did behold them: I made answer to my Father, that I would have the Marquis; wherefore so replied the King? for (said he) he is not so handsome, for the Prince of Joinville was of a ruddy colour and fair to look on, and the Marquis of Beaupreau was of a brown complexion, and hair: I told him, because he was the wiser, and because the other would never live in peace, but would be working mischief to one or other, and one who ever would strive for masterdom; a true presage of what we since have seen, and the resistance which I made to persevere in my Religion at the time of the Colloquy at Poissy, when all the Court was inclined to the new Religion by the imperious persuasions of many Lords and Ladies of the Court, and especially of my Brother of Anjou, since King of France, whose Infancy could not avoid an Impression of that Religion, who with incessant importunity did call upon me to change my Religion, casting oftentimes my Hours into the fire, and giving me instead of them, the prayers and psalms of the Huguenots, constraining me to take them, which as soon as I received, I gave them to Madame de Curton my governess, whom God in mercy to me had preserved still a Catholic, and who oftentimes would go with me to that good man the Cardinal of Tournon, who did counsel and encourage me to suffer all things for the maintenance of my Religion, and gave me new Hours and Beads in the place of those which my Brother of Anjou had burned; And some other friends of his who were ●ealous to pervert me, observing me again to wear them, transported with choler, would offer injury unto me, affirming that it was mere childishness and folly that made me do so, saying it did well appear that I had no capacity, that all those who were of any discretion, of whatsoever age or sex they were, hearing grace preached, were retired from the abuses of the old Superstition, but I they said, was as very a fool as my governess. And my Brother of Anjou, adding threats to his reproaches, would tell me, that the Queen my Mother should cause me to be whipped; but this he spoke of himself, for the Queen my Mother knew not of the error into which he was fallen, and as soon as she did understand it, she did extremely check him, and his governor's and causing them to re-instruct him, she constrained them to return to the true, holy, and ancient Religion of our Fathers, from which she never did depart: But I replied to such threatenings of my Brother, melting into tears, as the age of seven or eight years (at which I then was) is tender enough, that he might cause me to be beaten, and if he pleased he might cause me to be killed, that I would rather suffer all the torments that cruelty could invent then pull damnation on my Soul. Many more such answers of mine and notes of resolution and of judgement might be found, in the discovery whereof I will no longer travail, intending to begin my Memorials with that time when I waited in ordinary on the Queen my Mother, to depart from her no more; For presently after the Colloquy of Poissy, that the wars began, my Brother of Alenson and myself by reason of our tender age, were sent unto Ambois, whither all the Ladies of that Country retired themselves with us, there was your Aunt the Lady of Dampierre, who then received me into her friendship, which she continued to her death, and there was your Cousin Madam the Duchess of Raise, who in that place knew the favour that fortune had done her, by delivering her at the battle of Dreux from her afflicting husband Monsieur de Annebaut, a person too unworthy to possess so perfect, and so divine a Subject. I speak here of the beginning of the friendship of your Aunt with me, and not of your Cousin which we have preserved so inviolate, that it continueth yet, and shall do evermore. But then the age of your Aunt had a greater complacence with my Infancy, it being the nature of ancient people to make much of little children, and those who are of perfect age as was then your Cousin, to be weary of them, and to hate their importunate simplicity. I did continue there until the commencement of the great voyage, when the Queen my mother caused me to return to Court, to depart from thence no more, of which I will not speak at all, being then so young, that I cannot retain the remembrance of it but in gross, the particulars being vanished from my memory like a dream. I leave therefore the description of it to those who being then as you in a riper age, can remember in particular the magnificent triumphs that were made, especially at the Duke of Barrs at the Christening of my Nephew the Prince of Lorraine, at Lions at the welcome of Monsieur and Madame de Savoy, at Bayons at the interview of the Queen of Spain my Sister, and the Queen my Mother, and of King Charles my Brother. There I assure myself you will not forget to represent that stately banquet which the Queen my Mother made in the Island, with the mask and manner of the hall, which Nature it seems had appropriated to that effect, there being discovered in the middle of the I'll, a great green where was a grove of high timber trees in an oval form, round about which my Mother had caused great Niches to be made, and in every Niche she had placed a round table for twelve persons, the table only of their Majesties with the cloth of State advanced itself at the upper end of the hall, and was mounted on four steps of green turfs of earth. All these tables were served by divers troops of Shepherds diversely apparelled with cloth or gold and Satin, according to the divers habits of all the Provinces of France. At the landing of the triumphant boats (in which their Majesties wafting from Bayons to the I'll, were always attended by the way with the Music of man of the Sea-gods, singing and rehearsing verses round about them) these Shepherds were on the green, troup by troup apart, on both sides of a great Alley, cast up on purpose for their Majesties to go to the said Hall, every troup playing and dancing according to the fashion of their Country: The Poitevines with their Cornets, they of Provence dancing lavalt●es with their Cymbals, the Burgundians and Champagnians with the Bagpipes, Treble viols, and Tabers, the Britons dancing loftily with their fine nimble risings, and as many turnings with it, and so accordingly of all the other Provinces. After the service of whom, and the Banquet ended, the Musicians were discovered with a great troop of Satyrs to enter the great luminous rock, shining with artificial light, but sparkling more with the jewels and the beauties of the ladies that sat above, who coming down, did dance that most curious mask, the glory of which the Envy of Fortune not able to endure, came storming in with so great a Tempest, that the confusion and wrack which among the boats that night had made, brought the next morning as great a subject of laughter, as the magnificent setting forth of the mask before had brought delight. The like was to be seen in all the brave Entries that were made to express the Principal Cities of this Kingdom, whose Provinces here represented they did visit.  
In the Reign of the mighty King Charles my Brother, some few years after the return of the great voyage, the Huguenots having begun again the war, the King and Queen my Mother, being at Paris, a Gentleman of my Brothers of Anjou (who hath been since King of France) arrived to bring tidings from him, that he had brought the Huguenots army to such an extremity, that he hoped in few days to force them to give him battle, before which time, he did beseech them that he might have the honour to see them, to the end, that if Fortune envious of the glories which in so young an age he had obtained, should in that desired expedition, after having done good service to his King, his Religion, and the State, conjoin his funerals with the triumph of his victories, he might depart this world with less sorrow, having satisfied them both in that charge which they had done him the honour to commit unto him. If these words touched the heart of so good a mother, who did not live, but for her children only, to preserve whose lives and estates, she every hour abandoned her own, you are able to judge. Incontinently she resolved to depart with the King, taking with her a small and usual train of Ladies, as the Lady de R●is, the Lady de Sauva, and myself. Being borne on the wings of desire, and motherly affection, she dispatched the way betwixt Paris, and Tours, in three days, which was not without some inconvenience, and many Accidents worthy of laughter, occasioned by the poor Mounsieur, the Cardinal of Bourbon, who never did forsake her, although he was neither of garb, of humour, nor complexion for so great a Presence.  
Arriving at Tours, we found my Brother of Anjou, with the chief Commanders and Captains of his Army, who were the flowers of the Princes, and the Lords of France, in the presence of whom he made an Oration to the King, to give him an account of all the carriage of his charge since his departure from the Court, composed with such art and eloquence, and delivered with so much Grace, that he caused admiration in all the standers by: The greenness of his youth did so much the more advance and make apparent the wisdom of his words; that seemed more suitable with a grey beard, with an old experienced Captain, than a young Gentleman of sixteen years of Age, whose brow the Laurels of two Conquests had already crowned, and Beauty which gives a greater grace to every Action, did so flourish in him, as if she were in emulation with Fortune, which of them both should render him most glorious. The joy which my Mother did receive hereat▪ can no more by words be represented, then could the Grief of the father of Ipbigenia; and in any other but herself, whose soul was ever wedded to discretion, one might easily have perceived the exilience which such an excess of joy had made, but she moderating her actions, as well she could, demonstrating apparently, that the Discreet do nothing which they would not do, without studying to proclaim her joys, or stretch in words those praises which the Actions of so accomplished and dear a child did merit, took only the chief points of his oration, which concerned the actions of the war, to deliberate on them with the Princes and the Lords there present, to take a thorough resolution for the war, and to provide things necessary for it; for the disposing whereof, it was requisite to continue there some certain days; in one of which, the Queen my mother walking in the Park, with some of the Princes, my Brother of Anjou increated me that we might walk aside into ●n Alley, into which being come, he thus spoke to me.  
Sister, the education which we have had together, doth no less oblige us unto love, than the nearness of our blood, and you have understood, that among all my brothers & sisters, I have ever had a greater inclination to wish well to you then unto any of them, and I have well observed that your nature hath ever borne to me the same respects of love; hitherto we have been guided to it by Nature, not by counsel, neither hath this Action brought us any profit, but only the pleasure we have to converse together, This indeed was agreeable to our Infancy, but this hour requires that we no longer live like children, you see the great and honourable charges to which God hath called me, and to which the Queen, our good Mother, hath advanced me, you ought to believe that you being the only thing in the world whom I do most affect and cherish, I shall not be master of that greatness or fortune, of which you shall not be partaker. I know you have capacity and judgement to do me good offices with the Queen my mother, to preserve me in that Fortune wherein I stand; my principal intention is to labour to retain her favour. I am afraid my absence will do me wrong, and yet the war, and the charge I have, constrain me almost to be always absent; In the mean while, the King my brother is always with her, doth please and flatter her in all things. I am afraid, at length it will prove prejudicial to me, and that the King my brother coming to be great, and being full of courage, will not always mind the chase, but ambitious of change, will turn the chase of beasts into the chase of men, and taking away from me the charge of the King's Lieutenant, which he hath given me, will lead the Army himself. This would prove to me so great a Ruin, and a Grief, that before I would receive so great a fall, I would embrace the most cruel death. In this apprehension, studying the means to prevent it, I find it necessary for me to have some faithful persons that may make good my part with the Queen my mother, I know not any so fit for this, as you, whom I have ever held for my second self. You have all the parts that can be desired for it, understanding, judgement, and fidelity, wherefore if you will so much oblige me, as to render yourself observant of her, desiring you to be always at her rising, at her closet, at her lying down, and briefly all the day, this will oblige her to communicate herself unto you; with this will I express unto her your ability, and what comfort and service she shall receive from you, and I will entreat her no more to take you for a child, but to employ you in my Absence, as myself; this I do assure myself, that she will do. Speak you to her with the same confidence as to me, and assure yourself, you shall find her affable. This shall be to you a happiness as great as good, to be beloved of her, and and herein you shall do much for yourself and me; and for myself, I shall next to God, acknowledge you to be the establishment of my fortunes.  
This language seemed very strange to me, as having yet ever lived without employment, and minding nothing besides hunting, and dancing, not having so much as the curiosity of affecting new fashions, or of seeming beautiful, as being yet not indebted to age for that Ambition, and I was trained up under the Queen my mother, with such constraint and awe, that I durst not presume to speak unto her only, but when she looked on me, with what speed I could, I would steal away for fear of doing something that might displease her; insomuch I was about to answer him, as Moses sometimes answered God out of the Vision of the Bush, What am I, send thou him whom thou oughtest to send; Notwithstanding, finding in myself (what I thought there had not been) those faculties stirred up by the object of his words, which before lay undiscovered to me, and being borne with spirit enough, returning to myself from my former astonishment, those words did much affect me, and me thought, that I was at that instant a creature transformed, and was now become a thing of more account than heretofore I had been, insomuch, that taking confidence in myself, I answered him; Brother, if God shall give me the capacity and boldness to talk unto the Queen my mother, as I have the will to do you service in what you desire of me, assure yourself, you shall receive that profit and content which you have proposed to yourself, you have reason to be confident of me, for nothing in the world doth more honour and affect you then myself, procure only that I may be with the Queen my mother, and you shall be there yourself, I being only there for you. I expressed these words with my heart rather than my mouth, as the effects can witness: for being departed from him, the Queen did call me to her closet, and said, Your Brother hath told me the discourse that you have had together, and now no longer taketh you for a Child, no more will I, it shall be a great comfort to me, to speak to you, as to your Brother. Render yourself diligent and dutiful, and be not afraid to speak freely to me, for I will have it so. These words did shoot such an unbounded joy into my soul, as before it never apprehended, and me thoughts, that all the contents which I received till then, were but as shadows to this bliss, with a disdainful eye I looked back on the recreations and exercises of my infancy, as dancing, hunting and the companions of my childhood, despising all, as vain and foolish. I did obey this pleasing command, not failing a day to be with the first at her rising, and with the last at her lying down, and she did me the honour to speak unto me sometimes two or three hours together, and God gave me the grace that she remained so satisfied therewith, that she could not sufficiently praise me to her women, I talked to her always of my Brother, and did advertise him of all occurrences with such fidelity, as I breathed forth nothing but his desires.  
In this happy estate I did remain some certain time with the Queen my Mother, during which the battle of Montcontour was fought, at the news whereof my Brother of Anjou who desired nothing more than to be with the Queen my Mother, sent her word that he was going to besiege Saint John d' Angeli, and that the Kings and her presence would be of much importance at the siege. She more desirous than himself to come, resolved presently to depart, attended only with her ordinary train, of which I was one, and I went with her extremely joyous, not foreseeing the ensuing mischief which fortune had prepared. Too young as I was, and unexperienced I did not suspect my happiness, and believing the prosperity I enjoyed to be permanent, I collected to myself a perpetuity of my fortune, but my envious stars that could not support the continuance of so happy a condition did provide me as much affliction at my arrival, as I promised to myself pleasure by my fidelity by which I thought to have obliged my Brother; for in his absence from Court, he had taken to him Le Guast, by whom he was so much possessed, that he saw not but by his eyes, nor spoke but by his mouth; This wicked fellow born for mischief suddenly bewitched his spirit, and filled it with a thousand tyrannical precepts, as that he ought not love or trust to any but himself, that he must not join any to his fortunes, no not his Brother, or his Sister, and such goodly Matchivilian tenants, imprinting which in his understanding, and he resolving to practise them, as soon as we were come, after the first salutations, my Mother began to commend me, and to tell him with what faith and diligence I had attended on her, he answered her coldly, that he was glad of it, but wisdom he said did not permit, that she should use the same expedients at all times, and what seemed necessary in one hour, might prove prejudicial in another. She demanded of him, what did move him so to speak, whereupon, he seeing the time for his invention which he had contrived for my ruin, made answer that I was grown very beautiful, and that Monsieur de Guise intended to be a suitor to me, being induced to it by his aspiring Uncles, and if it came to pass that I should affect him, it were to be suspected that I would discover to them whatsoever thing she told me; He told her, that she was not ignorant of the ambition of that house, which had always sought to suppress and to ruin ours, for which occasion it were requisite, that she should talk no more of affairs unto me, but by degrees retire herself and her familiarity from me; That very evening I found the change which that pernicious Council had wrought in her, and seeing she feared to speak unto me before my Brother, having commanded me three or four times as she was talking to him to go to bed, I waited until he was gone out of the chamber, & then approaching to her I did beseech her to tell me if through my ignorance I were so unhappy, as to have done any thing which might displease her. At first she began to dissemble with me, but in the end she said, daughter your brother is wise, you must not think ill of him, for that which I shall tell you tendeth unto good: she repeated then all the discourse that had passed betwixt them, & commanded me to speak no more unto her before my brother. These words were as many needles in my heart, as those were a joy unto me when she received me first into her favour; I omitted nothing to represent unto her my innocence, urging that what he talked of was a thing of which I never heard, and if any such thing should happen, it should no sooner be spoken to me, but forthwith I would acquaint her with it; But it advantaged nothing, my Brother's words had left such a deep impression in her heart that there was no room for truth, or reason; Seeing this, I told her that I was less sensible of the evil of the deprivation of my happiness, because I found no good by the acquisition of it, that my Brother might take me away, as he had given me, for he preferred me to her without merit, praising me when I was unworthy, and that he now deprived me of it without any desert, only on an imaginary subject which had no being but in his fancy, but I besought her to believe, that I would for ever preserve the remembrance of what my Brother had done unto me; hereat she grew into a great choler, commanding me not to show the least appearance or sign of any thing. From that time daily more and more she diminished her favours, making her Son her Idol, and endeavouring to content him in this and whatsoever else he desired of her. This affliction oppressing my heart, and possessing all the faculties of my soul, rendered my body more apt to receive the contagion of the bad air, which was then in the army, insomuch that I fell within few days after, to be extremely sick of a malignant and spotted Fever, a sickness which then ran fatally up and down, and which at the same time had born away two of the principal Physicians of the King and Queen, Chappellain and Castelan, intending, as it seems, by taking away the Shepherds to make a better market of their flock, and very few of those escaped who were infected. I being in this extremity the Queen my Mother who knew partly the cause of it, omitted nothing that might ease me, taking the pains without fearing the danger to come unto me every hour, which brought me much comfort, but the dissembling of my Brother did as much again augment my grief, who after he had showed himself so unfaithful, and was guilty of so great ingratitude, departed neither day nor night from my bed, attending as officiously on me, as in the time of our greatest friendship; but I who by commandment had my mouth shut, answered not his hypocrisy but by sighs (as Burrus sometimes did Nero's, who died by the poison that the tyrant gave him) sufficiently witnessing unto him, that the cause of my sickness was the contagion of the evil offices that he had done and not of the infected air: but God had pity on me, and delivered me from that danger, and after fifteen days the army departing, they carried me in a Litter, where every evening retiring to my chamber, I found King Charles who took the pains with many other noble Gentlemen to convey my Litter to my Bed.  
In this estate I came to Angeirs to Saint John de Angeli, sick of body, but more sick of mind, where to increase my misery I found Monsieur de Guise and his Uncles arrived, which rejoiced as much my Brother, giving some colour to his former artifice, as it gave me the apprehension to increase my pain, where my Brother, the finer to spin his thread, came every day unto my Chamber, bringing with him Monsieur de Guise, whom he counterfeited to love entirely. And to give him cause to think so, he would oftentimes in embracing him say unto him, I would to God you were my brother: To which Monsieur de Guise would make as though he did not understand him, but I who knew his malice did lose all patience, and could not but tax him for dissembling.  
About this time there was a report of my marriage with the King of Portugal, who sent his Ambassadors to demand me. The Queen my Mother enjoined me to prepare myself to receive them, which I did, but my Brother persuaded her that by no means I would be induced to that marriage, she communed with me about it in the evening, and demanded of me how I stood affected to it, thinking thereby to take an occasion to be angry with me; I replied to her, that my will altogether depended upon hers, and whatsoever was pleasing unto her should be as agreeable unto me: She answered me in choler to which before they had raised her, that what I spoke unto her was not from my heart, and that she knew well, that the Cardinal of Lorraine had exhorted me to entertain his Nephew, I besought her that she would be pleased to come to the effect of the marriage with the King of Portugal, and she should then perceive the fruits of my obedience; Every day brought in some new tidings concerning this Subject, to exasperate her the more, and to torment me, which were all inventions contrived in the shop of Le Guast; In a manner that I had not one day of quiet, For on one side the King of Spain hindered that my marriage should not be, and on the other side, Mounsieur de Guise being at Court, served always as a pretext to furnish new Subjects of persecution on me, although that neither he, nor any of his kindred did ever so much as speak unto me, and it was now more than a year, since he was a suitor to the Princess de Portia, but because that marriage was deferred, it reflected always on this illation, that he aspired unto mine, which I observing, resolved to write unto my Sister Madam de Lorraine, that could do all in that House, entreating her to be a means that Monsieur de Guise might be withdrawn from Court, and that the marriage might be dispatched betwixt him and the Princess de Portia his Mistress, representing to her how this invention was complotted as much for Monsieur de Guise his ruin, as my own; the truth of this she knew very well, and came presently after to the Court, where she caused the said marriage to be accomplished, by that means delivering me from detraction, and giving the Queen my mother to understand the truth of that which I had always said. This stopped the mouth of all mine enemies, and gave me rest.  
In the mean while the King of Spain, who would have none but his own birds fly out of his own nest, quite broke off the marriage with the King of Portugal, and there was heard no more rumour of it. Some few days after, there was a report of my marriage with the Prince of Navarre, who is now the brave and magnanimous King of France, and of myself. My mother being one day at the Table, communed there a great while with Mousieur de Meru, because they of the House of Montmorancy were the first that made the motion. And rising from the table, she told me that she had spoken to him to confer with me about it. I made answer, that I having no other will but hers, it were superfluous, but I besought her seriously to consider that I was a Catholic, and that it would be a great affliction to me, to be married to one that was not of my Religion. Afterwards my Mother going to her closet, called me, and told me that the Lords of Montmorancy proposed again that marriage to her, and that she willingly would know how I stood affected. I replied to her again, that I had neither choice nor will, but what was hers, and besought her again to remember, that I was a true Catholic. At the end of certain days, the report still continuing, the Queen of Navarre, mother to the said Prince came to Court, where the marriage was fully agreed upon before her death, to whom there happened a pretty Passage, which deserveth not indeed to be recorded in this story, but to be passed off in silence 'twixt you and me. Madam de Nevers, whose humour you well know, being come with Monsieur the Cardinal of Bourbon, Madam de Guise, Madam the Princess of Conde, and her sisters, with myself, to discharge the last duty due unto her dignity and the proximity betwixt us, we found her not with the pomp and ceremonies of our Religion, but in the preciser cut of affected Huguenotery. She had about her ordinary bed the curtains open, without light, without Priests, without a Cross, and without Holywater. We kept ourselves some five or six paces from her bed, with the rest of the company. Madame de Nevers, whom in her life time she hated above all the creatures in the world, and who ever had returned good unto her for it, both in will and words, as you knew she would carry herself fairly to those she hated, departed from our troop, and with many graceful, humble and submissive courtesies she came near unto her bed, and taking her by the hand, did kiss it, and again with a lowly courtesy, and most full of humble respects, she withdrew herself unto us, we who did know their hatred thinking that—  
Some few months after, the Prince of Navarre, who then called himself King of Navarre, mourning for the Queen his mother, came thither, accompanied with Eight hundred Gentlemen all in blacks, and was received by the King and all the Court with great honour, and some few days after, my Nuptials were Solemnised with more magnificence and triumph than was ever any of my quality. The King of Navarre and his troop had changed their blacks into habiliments most rich and gorgeous, and all the Court accoutred, as you know, and can far better represent it. I was royally attired with the Crown. Before me I had on a Robe of powdered Ermines, which glisteren all over with the sparkling stones that reflected from the Crown, and behind me the great blue Mantle, the train whereof being four else, was carried by three Princesses, the scaffolds were set up, as it is usual at the marriages of the Daughters of France, from the Euesche to our Ladies, and covered with cloth of Gold. The people thronged below to see the wedding, and all the Court passed along upon the scaffolds. We came to the door of the Church, where Monsieur the Cardinal of Bourbon, having received us to say the words accustomed for such Solemnities, did there the office for that day.  
We being thus, Fortune who never g●ants unto mortality a perfect happiness, changed soon after this happy estate of triumphs and of nuptials into another clean contrary, by the hurt which the Admiral received, which so offended those of the Religion, that it made them even desperate, insomuch that old Pardaillan, and some other of the chief Huguenots talked so loud to the Queen my mother, that they made her conceive they had some bad intention: By the advice of Monsieur de Guise, and my Brother the King of Polonia, who since hath been King of France, a counsel was taken to prevent them, a counsel to which King Charles was no way accessary, who loved Monsieur de la Rochefoucault, Teligny, la Nove and some others who were the chief of that Religion, whose service he did account to make use of in Flanders, and I myself have heard him since affirm, that with much difficulty and importunity he consented to it, and unless they had made him understand that his life and state were in the utmost jeopardy, he had never given way unto it; And having known the assault which Mauravell had made on Monsieur the Admiral by a shot from a Pistol, which he discharged out of a window, whereby thinking to kill him, he was only wounded in the shoulder, the King suspecting truly, that Mauravel made that shot, by persuasion of Monsieur de Guise, in revenge of the death of his father the late Monsieur de Guise, whom the said Admiral had caused to be slain in the same manner by Poltrot, he was in so great a choler against Monsieur de Guise that he swore he would see Justice executed, and if Monsieur de Guise had not withdrawn and hid himself all that day, the King had caused him to be apprehended, and the Queen my Mother had never more to do then to make King Charles understand, that it was done for the benefit of his Estate, so great an affection he did bear to Monsieur the Admiral, lafoy Noüe and Teligny, whose spirits and whose valour he well observed, being so noble a Prince that he affected not any whom he saw not endued with such qualities, and though they had been most pernicious to the state, these foxes knew so well to dissemble, that they had won the heart of this brave Prince, who hoped to make them profitable to him for the enlargement of his estate, whiles they propounded to him great and glorious enterprises in Flanders, the only attraction of that royal and mighty spirit. And although the Queen my Mother in this accident represented to him that the assassinate, which the Admiral made before on the Father of Monsieur de Guise did render his Son excusable in taking vengeance himself on the Admiral, because he could not have justice done him, as also that although the assault which the Admiral had made on Charry master of the Camp (a person whose valour had so faithfully assisted her during the time of her regency and his nonage) did render him worthy of such entreaty, although that these words might make the King conceive, that the revenge for Charryes' death was deeply imprinted in my Mother's heart, yet his Soul overcome with grief for the loss of those persons, whom he thought one day, as I have said, would be advantageous to him, did so eclipse his judgement that he could neither moderate nor change his passionate desire to see justice executed, giving strict command continually to search out and apprehend Monsieur de Guise, protesting that such an act should not escape unpunished. In the end as Pardaillan at supper with the Queen my Mother discovered by his threats, the bad intention of the Huguenots; and my Mother saw that this accident had brought the affairs to such an exigence that if they prevented not their design, that night they would attempt against the King and her, she took a resolution throughly and plainly to acquaint the King with the truth of all, and of the danger in which he was. For this business she selected Monsieur the Marshal de Raise, from whom she knew that the King would take it best, as being one to whom the King imputed greatest trust, and one whom he most did favour, who came unto the King about nine or ten of the clock in the Evening, and told him that as his most faithful servant he could not conceal the danger wherein he was, if he persevered in that resolution to have Justice executed on Monsieur de Guise, and that it was requisite he understood that the wound which the Admiral received, was not only occasioned by Monsieur de Guise, but that my Brother the King of Polonia since King of France, and the Queen my Mother were both abettors in it; that he knew the extreme displeasure that my Mother received at the assassinate on Charry, as great reason she had for it, having then but few such servants who depended only on her, France being (as well he knew) in the time of his nonage divided, the Catholics standing for Monsieur de Guise, and the Hugunots for the Prince of Conde, both of them attempting to dispossess him of the Crown, which next to God was not preserved, but by the wisdom and the vigilance of the Queen his Mother, who in her extremity found her not more faithfully assisted by any then by the said Charry, that also she observed that the said Admiral was ever a most dangerous and pernicious member of the State, and whatsoever appearance he made of the affection to his Majesty, and to serve him in his wars in Flanders, his only design was to trouble France, that her intention indeed was only to take away the Plague of the Kingdom the Admiral, but mischief and misfortune so did guide it, that Mauravell miss in his shot, and that the Huguenots thereon were grown so desperately obstinate, that not only attempting against Monsieur de Guise, the Queen his Mother, the King of Polonia his Brother, but believing that he himself was consenting to it, they were resolved that night to have their recourse to Arms, insomuch that he saw his Majesty in a great and most apparent danger, by the Catholics by reason of Monsieur de Guise, and by the Huguenots for the reasons above mentioned. King Charles who was of great wisdom, and who always had been most obedient to the Queen my Mother, and a most Catholic Prince, seeing how eminent was the danger, took a sudden resolution to join himself to the Queen his Mother, and to conform himself to her will, and by the Catholics to secure his person from the Huguenots, but not without extreme grief, that he could not save the lives of Teligny, la Nove, and Monsieur de la Rochefoucault: And going presently himself to find the Queen his Mother, he sent for Monsieur de Guise and all the other Princes, and Catholic Captains, where resolution was taken that very night to begin the Massacre of Saint Bartholomew: And presently putting their hands unto the work, the chains stretched forth, and the alarm beating, every one ran into his quarter (according to the order given) as well unto the Admiral as to the Huguenots: Monsieur de Guise bestowed himself on the lodging of the Admiral, into whose Chamber one Besme an Almain Gentleman having mounted, after having stabbed him to death, did throw him out of the window to his master Monsieur de Guise.  
For my part I heard nothing of all this, I saw all the world in action. The Huguenots were struck into desperation by this assault, and the Lords de Guise fearing the execution would not be hot enough, did whisper every man in the ear to see it thoroughly performed: The Huguenots suspected me because I was a Catholic, and the Catholics suspected me, because I was Espoused to the King of Navarre, who was a Huguenot, so that I heard nothing of it, until that Evening, being at the lying down of the Queen my Mother, I sat on a Coffer near unto my Sister of Lorraine whom I saw wonderfully pensive: The Queen my Mother conferring with some there present, perceived where I sat, and commanded me to go to bed; As I was a making my courtesy unto her, my Sister took me by the arm and held me by it, and bursting forth in tears, she cried out, good God dear Sister do not go: These words struck a great fear into me, which the Queen my Mother did perceive, and calling my Sister to her was very angry with her, and forbade her to tell me any thing: My Sister replied, there appeared no reason, that my life should be thus made a Sacrifice, and that without doubt if they discovered any thing, they would revenge themselves on me; The Queen my Mother answered, that if it pleased God I should receive no hurt, but howsoever it fell out, I must needs be gone, for fear my absence should give occasion of suspecting any thing. I saw very well they were in earnest disputation, but I did not understand their words, when again she commanded me very roundly to go to bed. My Sister weeping, bade me good night, not daring to tell me any thing, and I went away as a thing lost in amazements, and in fears. As soon as I came into my closet, I betook myself to Prayer, and besought Almighty God, that he would be pleased to take me into his protection, and to defend me, not knowing from what, or whom: By and by the King my husband who was in bed, desired me that I would hasten to him, which I did, and found his bed encompassed with thirty or forty Huguenots, which till then I not observed, for but a few days were passed, since I was married to him, they did nothing else but talk of the Accident that befell Monsieur the Admiral, resolving as soon as it was day to demand justice of the King on Monsieur de Guise, and if the King would refuse to right them, they would then right themselves. All that night my sister's tears were soaking into my heart, and I could not sleep for the apprehension into which she had put me, not knowing whom to fear: The night in this manner passed away without shutting of my eyes; About the break of day, the King my husband said, that he would go play a game at Tennis, attending till King Charles were stirring, resolving with all speed to demand justice of him, he went out of his chamber, and all his Gentlemen with him; I seeing it was day, believing the danger which my sister did imply was now passed, being overcome with sleep, commanded my nurse to make fast the door, that I might sleep without disturbance; about an hour after, I being in a sound sleep, Behold a man knocking with his hands and feet at the door, and crying out, Navarre, Navarre; My Nurse thinking it to be the King my husband▪ ran presently to the door. It was a Gentleman named Monsieur de Teian, who had received a cut with a sword on the elbow, and a thrust with a halberd through the arm, and was pursued by four of the Guard, who came rushing into my chamber with him. He endeavouring to save his life, did cast himself on my bed, and I perceiving the man begin to take hold of me, did throw myself towards the wall, and he flung himself after me, taking fast hold behind me. I did not know the man, and could not tell if he came thither to violate me, or whither those of the Guard would have him, or me, we both cried out, and were both equally affrighted. At length it pleased God that Monsieur de Nansay, Captain of the Guard came in, who finding me in that estate, although he was touched with compassion, could not refrain from laughter, and very sharply reprehended those of the Guard, for Indiscretion, and made them depart, giving me the life of that poor Gentleman who took hold of me, whom I caused to remain in my closet until he was well recovered; and changing my linen, because he had covered it with blood: Monsieur de Nansay related to me all that had passed, and assured me that the King my husband was in the chamber of the King, and that he should receive no hurt, and causing me to throw a nightgown on me, he did lead me into the chamber of my Sister Madame de Lorraine, whither I came rather dead then alive, and passing through the the Presence chamber, whose doors were all open, a Gentleman called Borse, saving himself from the pursuers, was struck through with a Halberd some three paces from me, I fell down on the other side, fainting away, and thought that the same stroke had run us both thorough; And being a little recovered to my strength, I entered into the chamber where my Sister lay, I was no sooner there, but Monsieur de Miossans, chief Gentleman to the King my husband, and Armagnack, chief groom of his chamber, came and besought me to beg their lives. I presently made haste, and fell on my knees before the King and the Queen my Mother, beseeching them to grant me this suit, to which in the end they condescended.  
Some five or six days after, they who had begun this game, knowing that they had failed in their principal design, not aiming so much at the Huguenots, as at the Princes of the Blood, did impatiently endure that the King my husband, and the Prince of Conde were yet alive, and knowing that no man durst attempt against the King of Navarre, because he was my Husband, they began to wove another web, persuading the Queen my mother, that it was necessary to dissolve the Marriage. In this resolution, being one morning at the rising of the Queen my mother, on a day in which we were to receive the Sacrament, she took on oath of me to tell her the truth, and demanded of me if my Husband were a man or no, telling me, if he was not, that she had then means to disannul the marriage. I besought her to believe, that I understood not what her demand was, for I might well have answered as the Roman Lady, whose husband being angry with her that she never told him of his evil breath, she made answer, that she thought that every man's breath did smell as his. But I told her howsoever it was, since she had placed me with him, it was my resolution there to stay, perceiving very well that this separation which she spoke of, was only to procure a mischief to the King my husband.  
After this, we accompanied the King of Polonia as far as Beaumond, who some months before his departure from France, having laboured by all means to make me forget the cvill offices of his Ingratitude, and to reduce our friendship to the same perfection as it was in our younger years, obliged himself in a thousand oaths and promises at his farewell to me. His departure out of France, and the King's sickness, which began almost at the same time, did rouse the spirits of the two parties of this kingdom, making divers projects on the State, the Huguenots having at the death of the Admiral, by sealed writings obliged the King my husband, and my Brother of Alenson to revenge his death (gaining my brother's heart a little before the feast of Saint Bartholomew, with the hope to establish him in Flanders) persuaded them as the King and Queen my mother came back to France, to steal away into Campagne, where certain troops should be ready to attend them. Monsieur de Miossans, a Catholic Gentleman, having heard of this design so pernicious to the King his Master, advertised me of it, to prevent the bad effects which might prove so prejudicial to themselves, and to the State. I made haste immediately to the King, and the Queen my Mother, telling them that I had a certain thing to communicate unto them, which did much concern them, and which I never would discover, unless they would assure me, that it should not prove hurtful to whom I named, and also provide a remedy without making show of knowing any thing. I told them then, that the next morning, my Brother and the King my husband intended to join with some troops of Huguenots which came to seek them by reason of the oath and obligation for revenge, which the Huguenots had made at the Admiral's death, which obligation, being for their father's slaughter, was now excusable by their children. I besought them to pardon my brother, and the King my Husband, and to hinder their departure without out making it apparent wherefore it was done; this they accorded to, and it was carried with so much wisdom and dexterity, that without the knowledge of the cause, they had not the means to escape. This being passed, we arrived at Saint Germans, where we stayed a long time by reason of the King's sickness, during which time, my Brother of Alenson laboured by all suits and services to render himself so agreeable unto me, that in the end I vowed him friendship, as I had done before unto King Charles, for till that time, because he had always his education out of Court, we had scarce the knowledge of each other, and therefore could not be familiar; In the end perceiving myself invited by such obsequiousness, by so many observances, and protestations which he daily did express, I did resolve to embrace his love, and to be mindful of all good offices that might concern him, nevertheless with this caution, that it should be without prejudice to the duty which I owed to King Charles my Brother, whom I honoured above all things in the world; he continued this his affection to me, having witnessed it with perseverance to his end.  
During this time the sickness of King Charles daily increasing the Huguenots never ceased to raise new troubles by raising new projects, and endeavoured again to retire my Brother the Duke of Alenson and the King my Husband from the Court, which came not to my knowledge as at the former time, nevertheless it pleased God the mischief should be disclosed to the Queen my Mother so near to be put in practice, that the troops of the Huguenots were to arrive that day near unto Saint Germans, in so much that we were constrained to remove from thence at two a Clock after midnight, and to put King Charles into one Litter to recover Paris, the Queen my Mother disposing of my Brother and the King my Husband in her own Chariot, who were not now so gently handled as before; For the King did go to Bois de Vencennes, from whence it was not permitted him to depart again: And time continuing the sharpness of his Evil produced daily new occasions to increase his discontents, and the distrust he conceived of them, to which the combination and the plots of those who always desired the ruin of our House did, as I believe, lend too much help. These distrusts were carried with so much violence, that the Lords Marshals also the Montmorancy and the Cosse, were retained prisoners at Bois de Vencennes, and la Mole and the Count of Cocanas were put to death; nay to such an extremity and height of perfect danger the affairs were brought, that the Commissaries of the Court of Parliament were deputed to hear my Brother and the King my Husband, who were both restrained of their liberty. The King my Husband having none to Counsel him, commanded me to draw in writing that which he had to answer, to the end that he might not trouble himself nor any other. God gave me the grace to draw it so to purpose, that he remained well satisfied, and the Commissaries were amazed to see him so well prepared; And seeing by the Death of la Mole and the Count of Cocanas they found themselves so charged that they were in danger of their lives, I resolved, although I was in such favour with King Charles that he loved nothing more than me, to venture my own fortunes for the preservation of their lives, having deliberated and determined with myself, seeing that not any of the Guard looked in, nor caused my women to unmask as daily I went into my Coach and lighted from it, to disguise one of them into a woman, and to take him with me into my Coach: And although they were well cleared of the Guard, and that the enlargement of the one was sufficient to assure the life of the other, yet they could never agree which of them should; come forth, either of them desiring to be that person, and neither of them being willing to stay behind, so that this design could not be put in execution, but God did provide a remedy by a means too grievous to me, for he deprived me of King Charles who was all the comfort and supportance of my life, a Brother from whom I never received but good, and who in all the persecutions which my Brother of Anjou borough upon me had always assisted, advised, and directed me: briefly, I lost in him what ever I could lose.  
After this disaster fatal to France and me, we went to Lions to meet the King of Polonia, who still possessed by le Guast, rendered of the same causes the same effects and believing the advice of that pernicious Spirit which he had left in France to maintain and make good his part, he conceived an extreme jealousy against my Brother of Alenson, suspecting and impatiently bearing the Union betwixt my Husband the king and him, and believing that I was the only chain that united and preserved their love, and therefore contrived as his aptest and most expedient course, on the one side to traduce and set me at distance with the King my Husband, and on the other to procure that the Lady de Sauva to whom they both were servants should handle them in such a manner, that the one might grow extremely jealous of the other. This abominable plot the fountain and beginning of so many Crosses and Afflictions which my Brother and I have since endured, was pursued with as much heat and subtlety, as it was with wickedness contrived. Some are of opinion that God hath an extraordinary and particular protection of Illustrious personages, and into those spirits where the raises of his excellence do more brightly shine, he gives them by their good Angels some secret advertisements of the accidents which are prepared for them, be they good or evil; In which number I may justly place the Queen my Mother, who hath proved many examples of it. The very night before that inauspicious tournament, she dreamt that she saw the King my Father wounded in the eye, as the next day he was, and being awaked, she often times besought him that he would not tilt that day, but content himself with the pleasure of seeing the Tournaments without being an Actor in them; inevitable destiny permitted not so great a blessing to this kingdom that he should receive such saving Counsel: neither did she ever loose any of her Children, but a little before she saw the apparition of a great flame, whereat she suddenly would cry out God bless my Children! and immediately after she understood the sad news which by that fire was presaged. In her sickness at Metz, being in great extremity by a pestilent fever, which she took by going to see the Religious Houses of women; whereof there were many in that City, which a little before had contagiously been infected, from which desperate malady, miraculously she was recovered, God then restoring her to this state which had so much need of her, by the diligence of Monsieur de Castelan her Physician, who like a new Aesculapius made an admirable proof of the excellence of his art: She raving, and attended by King Charles my Brother, and my Sister and Brother of Lorraine, with many Lords of the Counsel, and many Ladies and Princesses who were round about her bed, and although conceiving her past recovery, would not abandon her, she continued those raging fits, as if she had beheld the battle of Jarnac: Look how they fly, My Son hath the victory; O my God, my God assist my Son, he now is fallen on the earth; See where the Prince of Conde lies slain under yonder hedge: those that were then present cried out she raved, and knowing that my Brother of Anjou was about to join in battle with the enemy, they thought that she had nothing but the Battle in her head, but the night following Monsieur de Losses brought news of it, as a desired message, by which he thought to merit much, to whom she said, you have done me wrong to waken me for that which I knew before, for said she, Did I not see it yesterday? then they understood, that it was not the raving of her fever, but a particular prenotion which God doth give to rare and Illustrious persons. The Histories do furnish us with many like examples of the ancient Heathen, as the apparition of Brutus, and many more which I will not now rehearse, it being not my intention to beautify my Memorials, but only to relate the truth and to advance them forward, that you may receive them with greater speed. Of these divine presages I do not account myself worthy; neverthesse's not ungratefully to conceal the graces and gifts of God which I have received, and which I ought to confess, and will do throughout all my life, to give thanks unto him for it, and that every one might praise in me the wonderful effects of his power, his bounty, and his mercy; I profess that never any remarkable accident hath befallen me either good or evil, of which I had not before some advertisement, either in a dream or otherwise, and I might well repeat that verse 
My mind doth still prophetic see,  
All good or bad that falls on me.   
The truth whereof I proved then at the arrival of the King of Polonia, when the Queen my Mother met him, although it were so hot a season that we were even stifled with the throng, while my Brother and the Queen my Mother were embracing each other, and expressing their reciprocal indeerments, yet so strange a cold and universal a trembling in every limb and joint possessed me, that they who attended on me did perceive it; I had much ado to conceal it, when the King having left my Mother came to salute me. This presage did touch me to the heart, howsoever there passed some few days before the King discovered his hate and bad intention which this malicious Guast had made him to conceive against me. He reported to him that ever since the death of the King, I took in his absence the part of my Brother of Alenson, and had endeared him to the King my husband; wherefore watching an occasion to arrive at their design, which was to break the friendship of my Brother of Alenson & the King my Husband, by planting dissension betwixt my Husband and myself, and by tormenting them both with jealous pangs for their common love, and Mistress the Lady de Sauva, one afternoon the Queen my Mother being retired into her closet to make some little stay, your Cousin Madame de Nevers, Madame de Raise, Bourdeille, and Surgeres desired me that I would go forth into the City; on this motion the young Lady de Mon●igny the Niece of Madame de Vsez told us that the Abbey of Saint Peter was a goodly Covent, we resolved to go thither because she had an Aunt there, and because there was no admission for her unless with persons of eminent degree; We took her with us, and as we mounted into the Chariot, although there were six of us in number, besides Madame de Curton a Dame of honour who was always with me, there was Liancourt the King's chief Esquire, and Camillus with him, who threw themselves on the bearing staves of Torignyes' chariot, where holding as fast as they could, and playing and jesting where they sat, as they were of a sportful and frolic disposition, they said, they would go with us also to see those fair and religious Ladies; the company of the young Lady of Montigny, who was a mere stranger to me, and of those two who were the King's associates, was as I believe an especial mercy and Providence of God to acquit me from the imputation of the ensuing slander. We came to that religious house, and my chariot, which was easy to be known, being guilded over, the groundwork being yellow velvet, and garnished with silver, did attend us at the door, near unto which place were the lodgings of many Gentlemen. While we were in the Abbey, the King going to see Quelus, who then lay sick, having with him the King my Husband, de O, and Rufus, passed by that place, and seeing my chariot empty, he turned towards the King my husband, and said, See here where your Queen's chariot is, and here doth Bidus lodge, I will lay a wager that she is there, and commanded Rufus, a fit instrument for such malice, being a friend to le Guast, to go in, and see, who having found nothing there, yet unwilling that the truth should hinder the King's project, spoke aloud before the King my husband, The birds were there of late, but they are now flown; this was sufficient to administer a subject to them for discourse till they returned home. The King my husband testified in this the Goodness of his Nature and Understanding, with which he showed himself to be always accompanied, and detesting in his heart this malice, did easily discover wherefore it was done. The King made haste to return before me, to possess the Queen my mother with this Invention, and to make me receive an affront; I arrived presently after he had the leisure to do me this ill office; when the Queen my mother had spoken strangely of me before the Ladies, partly for belief, and partly to please her Son, whom in all things she idolised. On my return (not knowing any thing at all) as I was going down unto my chamber, with all the troop that accompanied me to Saint Peter, I did meet my husband, who as soon as he beheld me, began to laugh, and said, Go to the Queen your mother, and I assure myself you will return well chafed thence. I asked him wherefore, and what the business was? he made answer, I will not tell you, it is sufficient that I believe it not, these are Inventions to set you and me at distance, and by that means to estrange me from the friendship of Monsieur your Brother; Seeing I could learn from him nothing else, I repaired to the Queen my Mother, coming into the hall, I met with Monsieur de Guise, who seeing this division in our house, was nothing sorry for it, well hoping himself to collect the pieces of the broken vessel, who said to me, I wait here Madam to tell you, that the Queen hath entertained a very uncharitable opinion of you, and related to me all the discourse, which he received from the O, who being then an entire friend of your Cousins, told it to Monsieur de Guise, to acquaint me with it. I made haste unto the chamber of the Queen my mother, where she was not to be found, but there I met with Madame de Nemours, and all the other Princesses and Ladies, who said unto me, Good God (Madam) the Queen your mother is extremely incensed against you, I would advise you not to present yourself before her. Indeed I would not, I replied, if I had done what the King hath reported of me, but being altogether innocent, it is requisite that I should speak unto her to acquit myself. I entered then into her closet, which was made only but of single wainscot, so that they might understand with ease whatsoever words were spoken; As soon as she did see me, she began to vent her choler, and to speak whatsoever a violent and an outrageous passion could deliver. I presented the truth unto her, and told her that there were ten or twelve of us in company, beseeching her to inquire, and not only believe those who were my friends and familiar acquaintance, but Madam de Montigny, who was a stranger to me, and Liancourt, and Camillus, who depended not but on the King; but she had no ear either for truth or reason, whether it were that she were prepossessed with the falsehood, or whither it rather were to comply with the King her Son, whom with all her affection and endeavours, with all her hopes and fears she idolised, and ceased not to chide and threaten me; I telling her that the King was he that raised this report, she grew into a greater choler, and would have made me believe that it was one of the Grooms of her Chambers who passing by did see me, but finding that this excuse was too gross that I should receive it into my belief, and that I remained extremely offended with the King, it did the more instimulate and torment her; all this was heard into her Chamber being full of people; departing thence with as much indignation as can be conceived, I found in my own Chamber the King my Husband, who said unto me, And have you not found what I told you true? and perceiving me much afflicted; torment not yourself he said, for this Liancourt and Camillus shall attend the King at his going to rest, and shall acquaint him with the wrong that he hath done you, and I assure myself, to morrow that the Queen your Mother will do her best to make a perfect agreement; I replied to him, Sir I have received in this slander too public an affront to pardon those that did procure it, but I account all but light in regard of the injury they would have done, by pulling on me so great a mischief, as the loss of your love; he answered, But God be thanked that is frustrated: to which I replied, yea thanks be to God, and to your good nature, but from this evil it were requisite we should derive some benefit, which might serve us for instruction, to have an eye to all their policies whereby they shall endeavour to work debate betwixt us, for it is to be believed that since the King hath begun to proceed thus far he will not stay here, nor desist, till he hath brohen the bonds of love betwixt my Brother and yourself; whiles I was speaking this, my Brother came, and by a new Oath I obliged them both to the continuation of their friendship, but what Oath is of strength in love?  
While we were at the Banquet, the King having conferred with Liancourt and Camillus, and the Lady of Montigny had perceived the error into which the malice of Rufus had caused him to fall, and being no less careful to recall it then he was ready to receive it, coming to the Queen my Mother he did confess the truth unto her, and entreated her that she would be pleased to excuse it to me, that I might not persevere an enemy against him, fearing much (because he saw I apprehended the injury) that I knew as aptly to revenge myself, as he did to offend me. Returning from the banquet, I found the Prophecy of the King my Husband true, the Queen my Mother sent for me into her back Cabinet, which was joining to the Kings, where she told me that she had learned the truth, and had found it to be all false whatsoever the Groom of her Chamber had related to her; and perceiving by my semblance that I believed not that pretext, she endeavoured by all means to take from me the opinion that it was the King, and finding it advantaged nothing, the King came presently into her Cabinet, and made me many and grand excuses, alleging that others made him believe it, and gave me all the satisfaction and demonstration of friendship that could be desired. This being passed, having continued at Lions a little longer, we went into Avignon, Le Guast daring no more invent such impostures, and seeing by my actions that I gave no regard unto him, he took now another course by the Lady de Sauva to advance his mischievous projects, winning her so far, that she governed all by him, and practising his instructions no less dangerous than those of Celestina, she worked the love of my Brother and of the King my Husband (but light before and flexible, being both but very young) to such a height and strength, that forgetting all ambition, exercise and design, they minded nothing else but that Lady's service, and were so strongly jealous of one another, that although she was courted by Monsieur le Guise, by le Guast, Sovuray and many others who were all better beloved by her then themselves, yet these two Brothers neither minded nor feared any thing but the preferred acceptance and entertainment of each others service; And this woman the better to play her game persuaded the King my Husband that I grew jealous of her, and for that cause that I took my Brother's part; we easily believe what is told us by those we love. He entertaineth this belief, he estrangeth, he concealeth himself from me more than from any other, which till then he never did; for till he received this impression he did speak to me always as freely as to a Sister, knowing that I was no way inclined unto jealousy, but desired above all things his content, I seeing this which I most feared to come to pass, which was the removal of his affection from me, for till then I always enjoyed the freedom and society of his love, and knowing that distrust which depriveth of familiarity is the beginning of hate, whether it be amongst friends or kindred, and believing besides that if I could divert the affections of my Brother from Madame de Sauva, I should overthrow the foundation of le Guast his invention which he had plotted for our division a●d ruin, I used my best endeavour in the behalf of my brother to withdraw him from her, which would have persuaded any other who had not his Soul enchanted with the love and subtlety of these fine persons. My Brother who in all other things believed none more than me, could not in this retain himself for his own safety or mine, so strong the charms of this Circe were, assisted with the devilish spirit of le Guast, insomuch that instead of drawing any benefit from my persuasions, he disclosed to that woman whatsoever privately I had said unto him: What can we conceal from those we love? she exasperated him the more against me, and strove with more affection to advance le Guasts designs, and to perfect her revenge she daily incited the King my Husband to abandon me, in a manner that he spoke no more unto me: he returned from her very late, and to deprive him of seeing me, she commanded him always to be early at the rising of the Queen my Mother to which she was accustomed to go, and all the day afterwards he departed no more from her; my Brother was altogether as careful in his suit unto her, she making them both believe that most entirely she affected them which did advance as much their jealousy, as their ruin.  
We stayed a long time in Avignon, and a good space after this in Burgundy and Champagne, as we went to Rheims to the marriage of the King, and from thence we came to Paris, where the affairs were carried after the old manner; the cunning of le Guast by this means did still employ itself to our destruction. Being at Paris, my Brother did take unto him Bussi, giving that respect unto him which his valour did deserve, he was always with my Brother, and by consequence with me, my Brother and I being for the most part continually together, and giving charge to all his servants to honour and respect me as himself, his Gentlemen and servants which attended on him fulfilled this his pleasing command, and with such subjection, that they expressed no less service to me then to himself: Your Aunt observing this, would tell me oftentimes that this union betwixt my Brother and myself made her remember the time of Monsieur de Orleans my Uncle, and Madame de Savoy my Aunt; but Guast who was the toadstoole of the time, giving a contrary interpretation to it, imagined that Fortune now had leveled him a fair and easy way by which with more dexterity he might hasten to the But of his designs, and by the means of Madame de Sauva being brought into favour with the King my Husband, he attempted by all the ways that could be devised to persuade him that Bussi courted me, and seeing he could not prevail with my Husband to believe it, being sufficiently advertised by his people who were always with him, of my demeanour, and that there was no appearance for any such suspicion, he addressed himself to the King whom he found more easy to persuade, as well for the little good will he did bear my Brother and myself, our friendship being suspected and hateful to him, as for the secret spleen he did owe to Bussi, who having sometimes followed him, had left him now, to devote his service to my Brother: The acquisition of such a servant as much increased the glory of my Brother, as the envy of our Enemies, there being nothing in this age of his sex and quality like unto him in valour, reputation, grace and spirit, of whom some have said if we may believe the transmigration of Souls as some Philosophers have affirmed, that without doubt the Soul of your brave Brother Hardelay animated and informed Bussi; The King being possessed with this by le Guast related it to the Queen my Mother, exhorting her to tell it to the King my Husband, attempting to put him in the same grievances as he did before at Lions; but she seeing what small appearance of truth it had, rejected it and said, I know not what malcontents they are who abuse your fancy with such suggestions, my Daughter is unhappy to be borne in such an age, In our time we spoke free to all the world, and to all the Gentlemen that followed the King your father, Monsieur le Dauphin and Monsieur de Orleans; your Uncles were ordinarily in your Aunt Margaret's Chamber and in mine, and none thought strange thereat, as there was no reason why they should; Bussi seethe my Daughter before you, before her Husband in his Chamber, this is not in some retired place, or the door being shut, Bussi is a person of quality, and chief in attendance on your Brother; what can you collect from this, can any man make more than a mere slander of it? At Lions you made me give her so great an affront in the same nature that I am afraid she will remember it while she liveth. The King amazed at this, replied, Madam I speak not but after others, she demanded who are they my Son? they are those who labour to sow dissension betwixt you and all yours: The King being gone she repeated all to me, and said, you are born in a miserable age, and calling in your Aunt Madame de Dampierre she began to discourse with her of the honest liberty of delights which they enjoyed in their younger years, without being subject to misconstruction: Lafoy Guast seeing the Mine blown up, and that it took not fire on that side he expected, addressed himself to some Gentlemen that followed the King my Husband, who till that time had been companions of Bussi, and were now become his enemies, by reason of the jealousy which his advancement and his glory had procured him, they joining to their envious hatred an inconsiderate zeal to the service of their Master, or to speak more truly, covering their envy with that pretence, resolved one evening (as he went late from his Masters lying down) to retire into his own lodging to assault and seize upon him; and because my Brother's Gentlemen were accustomed to keep him company they knew they should not find him with less than fifteen or twenty persons, and although he carried no sword by reason of the wound which a little before he received in his arm, they knew his presence would be enough to double the courage of his companions: Apprehending this and indeavoring to make their enterprise assured, they resolved to assault him with two or three hundred men, the veil of night covering the shame of such an assault: Le Guast who commanded a Regiment of the Guard provided them with Soldiers, who putting themselves in five or six troops in the street through which of necessity he must pass, they charged on him putting out their Links and Torches. After a volley of Harquebuses and Pistols, enough not only to entrap a troop of fifteen or twenty persons, but to defeat a whole Regiment of Soldiers, they hand to hand did combat with this troop, labouring continually in the mask of night to mark out Bussi, knowing him by his dove-coloured Scarf in which he carried his wounded arm, which served at that time well for them, who otherwise would have felt the strength and vigour of it, but they were so well entertained by those few honest Gentlemen from whom neither this unexpected encounter, nor the horror of the night had taken away their judgement, or their courage, that making as great a proof of their valour as of their affection, to their friend, by fine force they brought him to his lodging, without losing any of their troop, saving one Gentleman only who was trained up with him, and being wounded also in his arm carried it in a dove-coloured scarf as Bussi did, yet differing much from his, it being nothing so rich as his Masters was, howsoever in the obscurity of night either the fury or the courage of these assassinates, who had the word given them to fall on the dove-coloured scarf, prevailed so much, that all the troops threw themselves on that poor Gentleman and left him dead in the street. An Italian Gentleman that belonged to my Brother being there, surprised with fear did run all bloody into the Lowre and coming up the stairs where my Brother's Chamber was, cried out that Bussi was assaulted; my Brother immediately would have gone to rescue him: By good fortune I was not then in bed, and was lodged so near unto my Brother that I heard that affrighted man coming up the stairs, and Proclaiming that terrible news as soon as he. I ran forthwith into his Chamber to hinder him from going down, and sent to the Queen my Mother to entreat her to come and stay him, seeing the just grief which he conceived did transport him so beyond himself, that inconsiderately he would expose himself to any danger to run headlong to revenge: we retained him with much ado; the Q. my Mother urging there was no appearance that he should venture himself alone during night, that obscurity did cover all villainy, that le Guast was mischievous enough to have done it peradventure on purpose that he might fall into some evil accident. These words were of little force with him being almost desperate, but she using her authority stayed him and gave the Porter's charge that they should not let him forth, taking the pains herself to stay with him till he had learned the truth of all: Bussi whom God had preserved miraculously from that danger troubling not himself with the hazard of it, his Sou●e being uncapable of fear, being born for a terror to his Enemies, a glory to his Master, a help unto his friends; as soon as he was entered into his lodging thinking in what a trouble his Master would be if the news of this encounter were brought uncertainly unto him, and fearing it might throw him upon the ranks of his enemies, as without doubt it had, if the Queen my Mother had not prevented it, sent forthwith one of his servants who brought him the truth and the news of all; And the day appearing, Bussi without fear of his enemies came into the Lowre with as joyful and as brave a presence, as if the former assassinat had been to him a tournament of pleasure, My Brother Being also as glad to see him, as full of indignation to revenge his quarrel, sufficiently did witness how sensible he was of the affront that was done unto him by attempting to deprive him of so worthy and so brave a Servant although le Guast could not endure that Bussi should be ranked before him, or be seen to take the upper hand.  
The Queen my Mother the wisest and most advised that ever was, knowing of what weights were such effects, and foreseeing that in the end, they might set both her sons at variance, did counsel my Brother (to take away all pretences) that Bussi a while should absent himself from Court, to which my Brother gave consent, through my entreaties, seeing well that if he stayed, Le Guast would continue his incendiary devises, and would make him serve as a Cloak for his pernicious designs, which were to keep at discord my Brother and the King my Husband as he had done by his aforesaid inventions; Bussi who had no other will but that of his Masters, departed from the Court accompanied with the bravest of the Nobility which followed my Brother; this subject was pleasing to Le Guast, and at the same time seeing the King my Husband one night in a great weakness in which he fainting swooned oftentimes away, which came unto him as I believe by an excess which he had made with women, where I served and assisted him as my duty did command me, at which so much he was contented, that he praised me to all the world, saying that if I had not perceived him in that extremity, and run presently to his succour to call my women and his servants to him, that he had been dead, and for this that he would make far more dear of me then hitherto he had. Le Guast seeing also that of late the love and friendship between my Brother and the King my Husband began to renew itself, believing that I was the only occasion and instrument thereof, and that I was to them (as we may see in all natural things, but especially in Serpents cut) a certain natural balm which doth reunite and reconcile▪ the divided parts, pursuing always the course of his first pernicious design, and labouring to contrive some new invention to divide the King my Husband and myself; did put into the King's head, who some few days before by the same inventien of Le Guast had taken from the Queen his most virtuous and sacred Princess one of her Gentlewomen whom she loved very dear, and who was trained up with her, named Changi, he thought it now expedient that the King my Husband should do the like by me, taking from me her whom I most affected named Torigny, without any cause or reason but this, That it was not requisite for young Princesses to have such servants in whom they might repose any particular confidence; The King persuaded by this wicked fellow talked of it oftentimes to the King my Husband, who told him that he knew very well that he should do me a grievous displeasure by it, and if I loved Torigny, I had occasion so to do, that besides her education with the Queen of Spain my Sister, and her attendance on me since my Infancy, she was of an excellent understanding, and who had done him very good service in his captivity at Bois de Vincennes, that he should be ungrateful should he not remember it, and that he oftentimes had seen his Majesty himself make dear of her. In this he defended himself, but in the end Le Guast persisting continually to incite the King who telling my Husband that he would never love him more▪ if by the next morning he had not taken Torigny from me, he was constrained to his great grief (as since he often hath protested to me) to entreat and command me to give way unto it, which was so grievous to me that I could not but witness to him by my tears what an injury and displeasure▪ I received by it, demonstrating unto him that what most afflicted me, was not the removal of a Servant who since my Infancy had been always profitable and dutiful to me, but it being known how well I loved her, I was not ignorant how great a prejudice this sudden and forced departure of hers would bring to my reputation; he being unable to allow these truths by reason of the promise which he made the King to do me this great displeasure, she went away the same day to a Cousin of hers called Monsieur de Castelas, I remained so perplexed with this indignity that no longer able to resist the just griefs that did invade me, but banishing all Counsel from me, I did so abandon myself unto affliction, that I had not the power any more to look after the King my Husband; in a manner that Le Guast and Madam de Sauva on one side estranging him from me, and I estranging myself on the other, we neither lay nor talked more together.   

The Argument of the Second Book.  
THE Duke of Alenson his departure from Court by stealth, seconded by the King of Navarres, on which ensued the imprisonment of this Lady. The peace of Sens▪ New wars denounced against the Huguenots by the bad Counsel of the Bishops. Her travails and negotiation into Flanders, and the honourable inducements to it. The tragical story of Madamoiselle de Tournon, who overcome by despair, died (poor Lady) for the want of that love, whose abundance overcharged her. Assurance taken from the Lords of Flanders for the surrendering of their towns and Countries into the Duke of Alenson his protection. The heady and unjust proceedings of his imprisonment at Court, his releasement from it, and not long after, his re-deliverance from his increasing fears and persecutions by a dangerous escape by night out of this Lady's window.   

The Memorials of Queen MARGARET. The Second Book.  
CERTAIN days after, some faithful servants of the King my Husband having made him understand the artifice by the means whereof he was led unto destruction, by estranging himself and his affections from my Brother, and myself, from whom he ought to expect his greatest succour, and growing now into neglect, as the King began to undervalue him, they caused him to speak unto my Brother, who since the departure of Bussi had no way amended his condition; for every day Le Guast caused him to receive some new indignities, and knowing that they were both in the same condition at Court, being both out of favour, and that Le Guast alone did govern the world, that they must beg to him for whatsoever they desired to obtain of the King; and if they chanced to demand any thing they were rejected with contempt, that if any one had made himself their servant, he forthwith was cried down, and laden with a thousand slanders and complaints, perceiving also that their disunion was their ruin, they resolved to unite and retire themselves from Court, and to assemble their servants and friends together, to demand of the King a condition and respect worthy of them, my Brother having not yet the exhibition for his maintenance, and maintaining himself on certain ill assigned pensions which came unto him only when it pleased Le Guast, and the King my Husband no way rejoicing in his government of Guyenne, he being not permitted to go unto it, or to any other of his Principalities. This resolution being taken, my Brother spoke unto me and said that they two were now made perfect friends, and that he much desired that the King my Husband and I should be the like, and entreated me to forget whatsoever before had passed betwixt us, adding that the King my Husband told him that he was heartily sorry for it, and now perceived that our enemies were too strong and subtle for us, that he was resolved now entirely to affect me, and to grant unto me all desired satisfaction, he besought me also that for my part I would love him, and in his absence assist him in his affairs; they both agree on this resolution, that my Brother should depart first, stealing away in a Caroche, and that certain days after the King my Husband should follow him under pretence of going to the Chase, being both very sorry that they could not take me with them, nevertheless assuring themselves, it being known they were abroad, that none durst offer any violence to me, intending to make it speedily appear, that their intention was no way to trouble France, but only to establish a condition worthy of their quality, and to secure their persons, for among these late troubles they alleged, that they were not without great danger of their lives: whether this fear of theirs were well grounded or no, or whether they who desired the ruin and division of our House (the better to prevail themselves) had caused such alarms to be given them, by the daily advertisements they received.  
The Evening being come, a little before the supper of the King was served in, my Brother changing his cloak, and muffling it about his face, went forth attended only with one Servant, who was not known, and walked on foot as far as Saint Honorius gate, where he found himself provided with a Caroche which he borrowed of a Lady for that purpose, into which being mounted, he came as far as certain houses about a quarter of a mile from Paris, where having horses that attended him, he there planted himself in the Saddle, and about a mile from thence, he was saluted by two or three hundred horse of his servants, who made there their Rendezvous accordingly, as he appointed; they perceived not at Court his departure, till about nine of the clock in the evening; the King and Queen my mother demanded of me why he was not at supper with them, and if he were in health or no; I replied, that I saw him not since dinner, they sent into his chamber to know what the business was, forthwith it was returned that he was not there, they gave order that they should search all the chambers of the Ladies to which he was accustomed to go, they sought him in the Castle, and in, and round about the City; but they found him not; Immediately the Alarm waxed hot, the King grew into a rage, and swollen with choler and despite, he sent to all the Princes and Lords of the Court, commanding them to take horse, and to bring him back either alive or dead, urging that he was gone to trouble his estate, and to make war against him, and that he would make him understand the folly he committed in opposing a Prince so puissant as himself. Many of the Princes and Lords refused this commission, demonstrating unto the King, of what importance it was, and that they would engage their lives in the service of his Majesty, as their duties did oblige them, but to go against Monsieur his Brother, they well knew that the day would come, when his Majesty would give them but little thanks for it, and assured him that my Brother would undertake nothing that might be displeasing to his Majesty, or prejudicial to the State, that peradventure it was some discontent that invited him to remove from Court, and thereupon it were expedient that the King should first send unto him to inform himself of the occasion that moved him to depart, before he took a resolution to proceed against him with so extreme a rigour; but others there were that accepted this commission, and prepared themselves to take horse, their diligence could not make that dispatch, but it was first upon the break of day, which was the cause that they could not find my brother, and were constrained to return, as being not in equipage of war; The King for all this was not more favourable to the King my husband, but looked with the same eye of disregard upon him as before, the which confirmed him in his resolution, so that within a few days after, he retired himself from Court, pretending that he was gone on hunting. For me, the tears which (all that night after my Brother's departure) were my companions, had brought on the next morning so great a Rheum on one side of my face, that by reason of a fever, I was constrained certain days to keep my bed, being very ill, and overcome with many sorrows, during which time of sickness, the King my husband, whether he was busied to prepare for his departure, or whether being about to leave the Court, he would bestow on pleasure the little time he had to stay, and delight himself with the presence and company of his Mistress Madame de Sauva, had not the leisure to visit me, but retiring to his rest at his accustomed hours, which were about one or two a clock after midnight, I knew not of his coming, we lying in two beds, as our usual manner was, and rising before I was awake to be at the rising of the Queen my mother, to which as I have said, Madame de Sauva was accustomed to go, he not so much as spoke unto me, as he promised my Brother, and departed in the same manner, without bidding me farewell: For all this, I was suspected by the King to be the only cause of his departure, who was so incensed against me, that if he had not been retained by the Queen my mother, I believe his choler had wrought some cruelty against my life, but restrained by her, and daring not doe-worse, he suddenly whispered in my mother's ear, that it were requisite, I had a Guard set over me; to keep me from following the King my husband, and to debar any from coming to me, that I might not advertise my Brother and him of the occurrences at Court. The Queen my Mother willing to do all things with clemency, told him, that she held it also to be very necessary, being very glad that she had rebated a little the first edge and fury of his Choler, but said withal, that she would go and prepare me to endure my bondage with patience, alleging that those grievances would not always continue in the same terms, that all things in this world had two faces, that the first which was dark and frightful, being turned, when we should come to behold the second more sweet and smiling, that on those new events, we would take new counsels, that then peradventure he might have need of my service, that as wisdom did advise him to live with his friends, as chancing one day to prove his enemies, and therefore not too much to trust them, so friendship dissolving, and being of power to hurt, the same wisdom did counsel him to use his enemies, as chancing one day to prove his friends.  
These demonstrances withheld the King from doing me any hurt, to which he had a great desire, but le Guast assisted him with an Invention to discharge his choler another way, and caused him (to do me the greatest displeasure in the world) to send some swordmen to the house of Chastelas the Cousin of Torigny, and under pretence of bringing her to the King to drown her in the river that was near unto his house; they being arrived, Chastelas gave them free admission into his house, not doubting any thing; they seeing her, the strongest of them using as much indiscretion as violence in the ruinous charge which was committed to them, took hold of Torigny, and binding her, did lock her in a chamber till their horses were baited; in the mean time, behaving themselves after the French manner, not regarding what might happen, they crammed themselves up to the very throats with the best provision that the house afforded. Chastelas, who was a discreet man, not caring at all if by the expense of his victuals, he could gain any time to defer the departure of his Cousin, hoping that who hath time, hath life, and that God might change the King's heart, and countermand those people to desist from so great a cruelty, durst not enterprise by any other way to hinder them, though he had friends and means enough, but God who always looked on my affliction, to deliver me from the danger and indignities which my enemies procured me, prepared an unexpected succour to rescue Torigny, which was this; Certain grooms and Chamberlains having fled for fear of these spoilers, who kept a knocking and a bouncing within▪ as in a house of pillage, being gone some quarter of a mile from the house, God guided that way, la Ferte and Avantigny with their troops, who were about two hundred horse, and were now going to join themselves to the Body of my Brother's army, and it happened that amongst the troops of Peasants, La Ferte beheld a Servant of Chastelas, with an afflicted and doleful countenance, and knowing him, asked if there were any Soldiers, who passing by that way, had done his master wrong, the groom answered no, and that the cause which so tormented him, was the extremity in which he left his Master, for the violence offered to his Cousin; Immediately La Ferte and Avantigny resolved to do me that good office, to deliver Torigny, praising God, that gave them so good an occasion to witness their service and affection to me, and galloping in full speed, they and all their troops arrived so aptly at Chastelas his house, that they found these rude fellows on the point of putting Torigny on a horse, to lead her out to ●rowne her; the Horsemen coming all into the Court with their Swords drawn, cried out, Forbear you Villains, if you do her any violence, you are but dead! and charging on them, they did fly away, leaving their prisoner transported now with joy, as before with fear, and having thanked God and them for this so needful a deliverance, she caused the Chariot of her Cousin Chastelas to be made ready, and accompanied with him, went with this guard of honest men to find my Brother, who was very glad being not able to have me with him, to have there one whom so entirely I affected.  
While the King made this goodly dispatch to sacrifice Torigny to his anger, the Queen my Mother who knew nothing of it came into my Chamber to visit me, as I was then making myself ready, determining with myself, though I was troubled with the rheum, yet more sick in mind then body by reason of the afflictions which possessed me, to go that day abroad to see a little the course of the world on these new accidents, being always in fear lest they should enterprise any thing against my Brother and the King my Husband; My Mother said unto me, Daughter you need not make such haste to dress you, grieve not I pray at what I shall deliver, I assure myself that you do not think it strange that the King finds himself offended with your Brother and your Husband, and knowing the friendship that is between you, believing that you knew of their departure he is resolved to keep you as a hostage of them; he knows how your Husband loves you, and that he cannot have a better gage of him than you, for this cause he hath commanded that a Guard should be set over you, to hinder you that you should not stir from your Chamber: His Counsel also hath represented to him, that if you were at freedom amongst us, you would discover whatsoever is intended against your Brother and your Husband, and acquaint them with it. I desire you not to grow impatient at this restraint, it shall not God willing last long, grieve not yourself that I dare not come unto you as often as I would, for I am afraid to give suspicion to the King, but assure yourself I will not permit that any violence shall be done unto you, and I will labour to the uttermost of my power to conclude a peace for the reconcilement of your Brothers. I represented to her how great was the injury that in this I did receive; I would not deny but that my Brother did always communicate to me his just discontents, but for the King my Husband, since Torigny was taken from me, we had not so much as talked together, that he came not to visit me in my sickness, nor yet did so much as bid me adieu when he went away: she replied these be ordinary complaints between a Husband and a Wife, but I know that with kind words and letters he will regain your heart, and if he should send you word to come unto him, that you would go, to which the King my Son will no way give consent. She returning I remained certain months in that estate, having not any, not so much as my familiar and most private friends that came to see me, for fear of the King's displeasure. At Court adversity is always alone, as prosperity is accompanied, and persecution is seldom any where assisted with true and constant friends; only the brave Grillon was he who despising all prohibitions came five or six times into Chamber so astonishing and frighting the Cerberusses that were set to guard my my door, that they durst neither grant, nor deny him entrance: During this time the King my Husband being arrived in his government, and having assembled his friends and servants they did demonstrate unto him what an unkindness and injury he committed in not taking his leave of me, nor in so much as bidding me farewell at his departure, telling him that I had understanding enough to do him service, and that it was needful to regain me, that he should receive much profit by my love and by my presence, if things being reconciled, he could have me with him. He was easy to be persuaded to this, being removed from that Circe Madame de Sauva whose charms had lost their force by her absence, which in her presence rendered him without reason to apprehend the policies of our adversaries, and that the separation and division betwixt us was as prejudicial to himself as unto me; he wrote unto me a very honest letter in which he desired me to forget whatsoever had passed betwixt us, and to believe that for the time to come he entirely would affect me, which he would make more apparent to me then heretofore he had done, commanding me to advertise him of the passages of the Court-affaires, and of my own estate, and of my Brothers, for though they were friends, they were removed from intelligence, my Brother being in Champagne and the King my Husband in Gascony; I received that letter being yet a Captive which brought much comfort to me, and I failed not afterwards (although the Guard were commanded that I should not be suffered to write) being aided with necessity the Mother of invention, to send oftentimes my letters to him.  
Certain days after my restraint, my Brother knew of my captivity, which did so much incense him, that had he not planted in his heart as great an affection to his Country, as he had a part and interest in the State, he had made so cruel a war, as he had then the means, commanding a brave army, that the people had endured the punishment for the error of their Prince, but retained by that natural obligation and affection, he wrote to the Queen my Mother, that if they used me so ungently they would throw him into the bottom of despair, she fearing to see the occasion of this war brought to such an extremity, that she knew not how to pacify it, represented to the King of what importance it was, and found him disposed to receive her reasons, his anger being qualified by the knowledge of the danger wherein he was, being seized on in Languedock, Gascogny, Dauphine, and Poictou by the King my Husband, and the Huguenots, who held many goodly Towns and forts; and by my Brother in Champagne who had a great army composed of the bravest of the nobility in France, and since this departure of my Brother, being himself not able either by persuasions, threatenings, or commands, to make any take horse or to oppose my Brother, all the Princes and Lords of France providently forbearing to put their finger betwixt two grinding Millstones; All this considered, the King gave open ear to the Declaration of the Queen my Mother, and was as desirous as herself to have a Peace established, entreating her that she would be pleased to be a means thereof. She presently prepared herself to go unto my Brother demonstrating unto the King that it was necessary to take me with her, but the King would not consent unto it, believing that I did serve him as a sufficient hostate, thereupon she took her journey without me, and without so much as speaking to me, when my Brother seeing that I was not with her, represented the just discontents which he received, and the indignities and rough usage which he found at Court, adding thereunto the injuries which were done to me by keeping me in durance, and the cruelty which to displease me they more than offered to Torigny, protesting that he would lend no ●are to any overture of peace until the wrongs which they had done me were redressed, and till he saw me satisfied, and free. The Queen my Mother hearing this, returned, and declared to the King what answer my Brother sent unto him, and that it were requisite if he desired a peace that she should go back again, but for her to go without me, her journey would be so unprofitable, that it would rather increase, then mitigate the Evil, as also to take me with her, without having first contented me, it might do more hurt then good, and that it was to be feared that I would return no more, but from thence would repair to the King my Husband, that it was necessary to take away the guard that was set over me, and to find a means to make me forget the rough usage which I received. This the King found good, and seemed as much affected to it as herself. Immediately she sent for me, and told me that she had prevailed so much, that she had prepared things to a way of peace, that she knew that my Brother and myself did ever desire the benefit of the State, that she could conclude a peace so advantageous to my Brother, that he should have occasion to rest himself content, and be free from the tyranny of Le Guast, or whatsoever other malicious Spirit did possess the King against him, and that if I would assist her in making the accordance betwixt the King and my Brother, I should deliver her from a great and insupportable calamity, she being unable without a grief as strong as death to receive the tidings of the Victory of the one, or other of her sons, she desired me that the injuries I received might not transport me rather to thoughts of vengeance, then of peace; she told me that the King was sorry, that she had seen him weep, and that he would give me such satisfaction, that I should remain contented with it: I replied to her, that I never would prefer my private Good to the Benefit of the State, for the improvement and safety whereof, I would willingly sacrifice my life, and that I desired nothing more than a happy peace, to the effecting whereof, I would devote myself, and all my endeavours; on this, the King came into her cabinet, and with a multitude of fair words did labour to give me satisfaction, and incited me to his friendship, finding that neither my deportment, nor my words gave him any appearance of the injuries I received, which I did more in contempt of the offence that he had done unto me, then for any satisfaction to him, having passed the time of my captivity in the pleasure and exercise of reading, in which I then began to delight myself, owing this obligation not to Fortune, but to the divine Providence, which then began to provide me so great a remedy to relieve myself in the afflictions which were prepared for me, which served me also as an introduction to devotion, reading in that fair and universal book of Nature, so many wonders of the creator of it; for every well tempered Soul, rearing to itself a ladder by this knowledge, of which GOD is the last and highest round, ravished thereat, doth address himself to the adoration of the admirable light of that incomprehensible Essence, and making a perfect circle, delighteth not in any thing but to follow that Homerick chain, that exquisite Ring of Knowledge which proceedeth from God himself, the beginning and end of all things; And sadness, contrary to Joy, which giveth us not leave to consider our own actions, rouzeth up the Soul in its self, which uniting all her forces to reject the evil, and to embrace the good, thinks, and thinks again incessantly, to choose this Sovereign bliss, in which we may find peace with confidence, and these are those pious dispositions that prepare us to arrive at the knowledge and the love of God. I received these two benefits from the solitude and grief of my captivity, to addict myself to reading and devotion, of which, before I scarce had tasted, amidst the vanity and pomp of my prosperous Fortune. The King as I have said, seeing in me no appearance of discontent, told me that the Queen my mother should return unto my Brother in Champagne, to mediate a peace, and besought me to accompany her, and to do there all the good offices I could, for he knew (he said) that my Brother reposed more trust in me, then in any other in the world, and that whatsoever Good should arise from thence, he would give me the honour of it, and profess himself obliged to me; I promised him what I resolved to perform, for it conduced to the Benefit of my Brother, and the State, so to imply myself, as he by it should receive contentment. The Queen my mother did depart, and I with her, and coming to Sens, the conference was held in a Gentleman's house a mile from thence. The morning following, we came to the place of conference, my Brother was there in person, accompanied with some of his own troops, and with the principal Lords and Catholic Princes of his Army, among whom also was Duke Casimire, and Colonel Poux, who brought unto him six thousand Reisters', by the means of those of the Religion, who were joined with my Brother in the behalf of the King my Husband. For many days they treated on the peace, and the conditions of it, having many disputations on the articles, especially on those which concerned the Huguenots, and the agreement was made with conditions more advantageous to them, than they themselves could wish, as presently after it appeared. The Queen my mother, the peace being concluded, persuaded my Brother to send back the Reisters', and to retire himself from those, from whom (being ever a good Catholic) he had a great desire to separate himself, not willing to be served by Huguenots, but only for necessity. In this peace, there was an Estate assured to my brother for his maintenance according to his quality, in which my Brother would have me comprised, being very earnest, that the assignation of my dowry in Lands might be established, and Monsieur de Beauvais, who was deputed there a party for him, insisted on it very strongly; but the Queen my Mother did entreat me that I would not give way unto it, and assured me that I should receive of the King what I would demand, on which I did request them, that they would not comprehend me in the Articles, and that whatsoever I had conferred on me, I had rather receive it from the grace and bounty of the King and Queen my mother, believing that it would be a course more beneficial, and as assured to me.  
The peace concluded, and assurance taken on the one side, and on the other, the Queen my mother preparing herself for her return, I received letters from the King my Husband, by which I understood that he had a great desire to see me, entreating me, that as soon as I saw the peace concluded, to sue for leave to come unto him: I besought the Queen my mother, who rejected my petition, and by all means possible endeavoured to divert me from it, saying, That when I received not her proposition to disannul our marriage, after the massacre of S. Bartholomew, she then commended my resolution, because my husband was made a Catholic, but now, since he hath abandoned the Catholic Religion, and is turned Huguenot, she could not permit that I should go unto him, and seeing I daily renewed my petition, she told me with tears in her eyes, that if I returned not with her, she should for ever lose her credit with the King, adding, that the King would believe that she had taken me with her for that intent, and that she had made a solemn promise to him to bring me back, she desired me to stay till my Brother's return, which she said should be with speed, and that suddenly after, she would take order for my dispatch to the King my Husband.  
Some few days after, we returned to the King to Paris, who by reason of the peace, received us with great joy, yet not well liking the advantageous conditions of the Huguenots, and determining with himself, as soon as he had got my Brother to Court, to find some new Invention to begin the war again, and not let them joy in that, to which to his grief he condescended, to withdraw my brother from them, who stayed yet behind a month or two, to give order for sending back the Reisters', and for the dismissing of his army, He arrived not long after at Court, with all the Catholic Nobility that assisted him; the King received him with all honour, seeming to have great joy to see him there, and he made very much of Bussi also, who came with him, for Le Guast was lately dead, being slain by the judgement of God as he was in course of physic; he had a body infected with all sort of villainies, and subject to a corruption, which a long time did possess it, as the Devils did his soul, to whom he did homage by Magic, and all sort of wickedness; this Brand of fire and division being taken from the world, and the King having his thoughts bend only on the ruin of the Huguenots, intended to make use of my Brother to command against them, to render my brother and them unreconcilable, and fearing also that to prevent it, I would hasten to the King my husband, he entertained us both, as well the one, as the other, with all the pleasures that the Court could yield, to make our stay there more delightful; and seeing at the same time that Monsieur de Duras was sent from the King my husband to demand me, and with so much importunity I urged to be gone, that he no longer could deny me, he told me (showing first it was the love he did bear unto me, and then the knowledge what a Grace & ornament I brought unto his Court, which caused him so long to suspend my journey) that he would now conduct me himself as far as Poitiers, and returned Monsieur de Duras with that assurance.  
Certain days after, he stayed at Paris, deferring, and not openly refusing to give me leave to go, till he had all things in readiness for the declaration of his designed war against the Huguenots, and by consequence against the King my Husband, and to give a pretence unto it, they caused a rumour to be spread, that the Catholics complained of the advantageous conditions, to which they accorded with the Huguenots at the peace of Sens. This murmur and discontent of the Catholics was blown abroad, that they came to League and unite themselves at Court from all the Cities and provinces of the Kingdom, enrouling, and signing themselves, and making a great noise (but privately with the King's consent) that they would choose Monsieur de Guise for Chief; there was no other thing spoken of from Paris until you come to Blois, where the King had called the States together, during the overture of whom, the King called my Brother into his cabinet with the Queen my mother, and some of the Lords of his counsel, and presented there unto him, of what importance for his Authority and estate was this league, which the Catholics had begun, especially if they should come to make themselves heads, and to choose those of the House of Guise; that it concerned them (understanding my brother and himself) more than all the rest, that the Catholics had reason to complain, and that his duty and conscience did oblige him to discontent the Huguenots rather than the Catholics, he entreated and conjured my Brother, as an heir of France, and a true Catholic, that he would counsel and assist him in this affair, whereon the hazard of his Crown, and the Catholic Religion so much depended, adding that it seemed to him to cut off all danger that this League might bring, that he himself ought to make the chief, and both to show his zeal to his Religion, and to debar them from choosing any other, to sign himself first as Chief, and then to have my Brother sign, and afterwards all the Princes, Lords and Governors, and whosoever had any charge or power in his Kingdom. My Brother could not but offer that service which he owed to his Majesty, and to the preservation of the Catholic Religion. The King having taken assurance of my Brother's assistance, which was the principal end to which the artifice of the League did tend, did suddenly call all the Princes and Lords together, and causing the roll of the said League to be brought unto him, he first there signed himself as Chief, and then my Brother, and after him all the rest, who had not yet signed. The morning following, they opened the Estates, having taken advice of the three Lord Bishops of Lions, of Ambrum, and of Vienne, who persuaded him that after the oath made at his consecration, no oath made unto the Heretics could be of power, the said oath nullifying all other oaths and promises which he could make unto the Huguenots: this being pronounced at the opening of the States, and war being proclaimed against the Huguenots; the King sent back Genislac, who had been there to hasten my departure, with rough and threatening language: telling him that he gave his sister to a Catholic, and not unto a Huguenot, and if that the King my husband had a desire to have me, he should turn Catholic again; all preparations for the war were made, there nothing else was spoken of at Court, and to render my brother more unreconcilable with the Huguenots, the King made him Chief of one of his Armies. Genislac being come to tell me this sad farewell, which the King had given him, I repaired presently to the closet of the Queen my mother, where I found the King, and complained how he had abused me with delays, having always hindered me from going to the King my husband; and now dissembled to depart from Paris, to conduct me to Poitiers, to express an effect so contrary. I represented to him, that I was not married for pleasure, or to satisfy my own desires, but that it was the desire of King Charles, conjoined with my mothers, and his own, that since they had given me to him, they could not hinder me from running my fortune with him, that I would go unto him, and if they refused to give me leave, I would steal away in what disguise and fashion that I could, though with the hazard of my life. The King answered, 'Tis not now a time (my Sister) to importune me for leave, and I profess the truth which you have said, that I have deferred your going for a while, to deny it in the end for altogether; for since the King of Navarre hath turned again to be a Huguenot, I never thought it good that you should go unto him; that which we have done, the Queen my mother, and myself, is for your safety. I will make war against the Huguenots, and root out that Religion, which doth us so much mischief, and there is not the least appearance of reason why you, who are a Catholic, and my sister, should be in their hands as an hostage of me, and who knows not, but to procure unto me an irreparable loss, they may revenge themselves on your life for the evil which I shall bring upon them; no, no, you shall not go, and if you steal away, as you say you will, understand that you shall have me and the Queen your Mother for your cruel enemies, and you shall feel our anger to the uttermost of our power, and shall rather impair, then amend the condition of your husband. I retired myself with great displeasure from that cruel sentence, and taking the advice of the principal of my friends at Court, they declared, that it would ill become me to be resident in a Court so contrary to the king my husband, and from whence so openly they made war against him, and counselled me, as long as the wars continued, to retire myself from Court, and were it possible, it were more honourable for me to find some pretence to go out of the kingdom, under the colour of pilgrimage, or to visit some of my kindred; Madame de Roche-sur-yon was one of those whom I assembled to desire their counsel, who was then upon her departure to go to the waters of Spau. My brother was also present, and had brought Mondoucet with him, who was Agent for the King in Flanders, and being lately returned, represented to the King, with what grief the Flemings suffered the usurpation which the Spaniards made on the Laws of France, for the dominion, and sovereignty of Flanders; that many of the Lords and Commons of their cities had expressly commanded him to acquaint his Majesty how much they stood addicted to the French, and that they would lend him all their helping hands. Mondoucet, seeing the King gave no ear to his advice, having nothing in his head, but the Huguenots, who were now to feel the vengeance of his displeasure, for assisting my brother against him, talked no more unto him of it, but addressed himself unto my Brother, who having the true nature of a Prince, loved only to enterprise great and glorious things, being borne rather to conquer, then preserve; he suddenly embraced the enterprise, which pleased him so much the more, because he perceived nothing of injustice in it, willing to regain that unto France, which was usurped by the Spaniards; Mondoucet for this cause became my Brother's servant, who sent him back to Flanders under the colour of accompanying Madam the Princess of Roche-sur-yon to the waters of Spau, and he observing that, during these wars, every one sought a fair pretence to withdraw me from France, whether it were into Savoy, or into Lorraine, or to Saint Claudes, or to our Lady of Loretto, whispered these words into my brother's ear, Sir▪ if the Queen of Navarre could pretend any malady, which the waters of Spau, whither Madam the Princess of Roche-sur-yon is now going, might serve for cure, this would fall out very fortunately for you: my brother much commended his counsel, and being very glad of the discovery of it, suddenly cried out, My dear Queen, study no more, for you must go to the waters of Spau, whether Madam the Princess is going; I have sometimes heard you complain of a swelling in your arm, you are to say that your Physicians did then prescribe it, but the season was not fitting, but now the time is seasonable, and you must entreat the King to give you leave to go. My Brother declared not himself at that time, wherefore he desired the journey, because that Monsieur the Cardinal of Bourbon was then in company, whom he suspected for a Guisian, and inclined to the Spanish faction. For myself, I understood it very well, not doubting but it reflected on his enterprise for Flanders, of the which Mondoucet had spoken to us both. All the company were of this advice, and Madam the Princess of Roche-sur-yon, who herself was going thither, and who loved me entirely, with great joy did apprehend and entertain this counsel, and promised to go with me to the Queen my mother, to have her grant consent unto it. On the morning following, we found the Queen alone, and I represented unto her, what a displeasure it was unto me, to see the King my husband in a war against the King, and to be thus removed, and kept asunder from him, that while this war continued, it were neither expedient nor honourable for me to stay at Court, where if I still continued, I could not avoid one of these two Evils, either that the King my husband would conceive that I stayed at Court only for my own pleasure, and that I assisted him not as I ought to do, or that the King would entertain an opinion, that I sent daily advertisements to the King my husband, that both the one and the other would procure unto me much affliction; I besought her that she would be pleased to think well of it, if for a while I estranged myself from Court, to avoid all occasions of suspicion, that some time was passed, since the Physicians prescribed me the waters of Spau, for the swelling of my arm, to which I had a long time been subject, and that the season of the year being now fitted for it, this journey by her permission would fall out opportunely, not only to remove me from Court, but from France also; and so the King my husband might understand, that being unable to be with him by reason of the King's distrust, I would not remain in that place where war was made against him, and that I hoped that her wisdom would so dispose of things in time, that the King my husband should obtain a peace of the King, and return into his favour, that I would attend to hear that happy news, to have then permission to repair unto him, and that in this voyage to the Spau, Madame the Princess of Roche-sur-yon (who was there present) would do me the honour to accompany me. The Queen my mother did much applaud my resolution, and told me that she was glad that I had taken this advice, affirming that this evil counsel which the Bishops gave the King, not to make good his promises, but to break whatsoever he had contracted with the Huguenots for him, had for many considerations, brought her much affliction, especially seeing this impetuous torrent drew along with it, and ruined the most understanding, and the faithfullest servants that the King had in his counsel (for the King had thereupon removed four or five of the most noble and apparent in all his Counsel) Moreover she affirmed, it left a deep impression in her, to see the truth of what I represented, that staying at Court, I could not avoid one of those two evils, either that the King my husband would dislike that stay, and be offended at it, or that the King would distrust me, supposing that I gave intelligence to the King my husband, she said that she would persuade the King to give consent unto the voyage, which she did, and the King discoursed with me of it, without the least appearance of being angry, being well content that he had diverted me from my husband, whom he hated more than all the world besides, and commanded that a Post should be dispatched to Don John of Austria, who commanded in Flanders for the King of Spain, to entreat him to give me necessary warrants to pass freely through the country of his Authority, because I must of necessity travel through Flanders to go to the waters of Spau, which are in the lands belonging to the Bishop of Liege.  
This being determined, we severed ourselves for a little space, during which time my Brother employed himself to instruct me in some desired offices concerning his enterprise in Flanders, and the King and Queen my mother removed to Poitiers, to be nearer the army of Monsieur de Mayenne, who besieged Brovage, and who from thence was to pass into Gascogny, to make war against the King my husband. My brother also was to march with another army, of which he was Commander, to besiege Issoire, and some other Towns which shortly after he took in, and I prepared myself for my Journey into Flanders, attended with Madam the Princess of Roche-sur-yon, with Madame de Tournon, my Dame of honour, with Madame de Movy of Picardy, with Madame La Chastelayne of milon, with Madamoselle d' Atrie, with Madamoselle de Tournon, and with seven or eight Gentlewomen more, and with Noblemen, as Monsieur the Cardinal of Lenoncourt, with Monsieur the Bishop of Langres▪ with Monsieur de Movy Lord of Picardy, with the chief Esquires, and many other Gentlemen of my house. This company gave such delight to strangers, who found it so full of state and lustre, that they had France in far more admiration: My litter was of Carnation velvet, embroidered with works of Gold and Silk. The invention of the work, and the Impresses were easy to be seen; this Litter was glazed round, and every glass had a device in it, there being in the works of Velvet, and in the glass, forty different Inventions, with Italian and Spanish Mottoes on the Sun, and his effects; this litter was followed with the litter of Madam the Princess of Roche-sur-yon, and with the litter of Madame de Tournon, my Dame of Honour, and with ten waiting Gentlewomen on Horse, with their governess, and with six caroaches, in which the rest of the Ladies and women were.  
I passed through Picardy, where the Cities had commandment from the King to receive me as if himself were present, and they did me all the honour that I could desire. Being arrived at Castelet, which is a fort three miles from the frontier of Cambresis, the Bishop of Cambray, whose Church acknowledged not then the King of Spain, but for her Protector, sent a Gentleman unto me, to know the hour of my departure thence, intending to meet me at my entrance into his Lands, where I found him well attended with people, who had the habit and appearance of true Flemings, as they are very gross in those parts. The Bishop was of the House of Barlemont, one of the Principal houses in Flanders, but who in a Flemish breast had a Spanish heart, as they made it apparent to me, being one of those that did most assist Don John, but yet he received me with great honour, and no less Spanish ceremonies. I found this City of Cambray, although not builded with such strong materials as curs of France, yet far more delightful, the Cities and houses thereof being better disposed, and proportioned, and the Churches very fair and large, a common ornament to all the Towns in France; that which I found in this City most remarkable, was the Citadel, one of the strongest and fairest in Christendom, which being since under the obedience of my Brother, the Spaniards to their costs have proved. A noble and worthy Gentleman, Monsieur de Ainsi was the Governor of it, who in grace, in presence, and all qualities requisite to a perfect Gentleman, was nothing inferior to our most accomplished Courtiers, and no way partaking of that natural clownishness, which seemeth proper to the Flemings. The Bishop made us a banquet, and delighted us after supper, with the pleasure of a Mask, to which all the Ladies of that City came, but being there himself not present (for suddenly after the supper, he retired himself, being as I have said, of a Spanish and ceremonious humour) Monsieur de Ainsi, the most apparent in that troop, was left behind, to entertain me at the Mask, and to have me afterwards to a Collation of confects, but very unadvisedly, as I conceive, for this was he who had the charge of the Citadel; I speak this having learned it to my own expense, and knowing more (than I would desire) what belongeth to the guarditg of such a place. The remembrance of my brother being not to be divided from my heart, because I loved nothing more than him, I often did think on the instructions which he had given me, and seeing a fair opportunity offered to do him good service in his enterprise for Flanders, this City and Citadel being the key thereof, I quickened and employed all the understanding which God had given me to render Monsieur de Ainsi affectioned to France, and more particular to my Brother, God gave such a blessing to my discourse, that he delighted with it, determined to stay with me as long as possibly he could, and to accompany me during the time I stayed in Flanders, and to this intent, he demanded leave of his master to go with me to Namur, where Don John of Austria did attend me, saying, That he desired to see the triumphs of that entertainment. This Fleming Spaniolized was notwithstanding so ill advised to let him go, during this voyage, which continued ten or twelve days, he spoke unto me as often as he could, openly demonstrating that he had a heart addicted to the French, & that he only desired to live to see the hour wherein he might have so brave a Prince as my Brother for his Lord and Master, despising the service and commands of his Bishop, who although he was his Sovereign, was but a Gentleman as himself, and far inferior to him in the qualities and graces both of mind and body.  
Departing from Cambray, I lodged the night ensuing at Valenciennes in Flanders where Monsieur the Count of Lalain, Monsieur de Montigny his brother, and many other Gentlemen to the number of two or three hundred came to receive me at my coming out of the principality of Cambresis, unto which place the Bishop of Cambray conducted me. Being arrived at Valenciennes, a Town inferior to Cambray in force, but not in the ornament of goodly buildings and of Churches, where the fountains and the Clocks with industry proper to the Almains gave not a little cause of wonder to the French, it being not ordinary with them to hear the clocks ●xpresse a pleasant Music of the voice, with as many sorts of persons as are in the little Castle in the Suburbs of Saint Germans: Monsieur the Count of Lalain, the City being under his government, made a feast to the Lords and Gentlemen of my ●roupe, where his wife and his fair Sister Madame de Aurec and the most remarkable and bravest Ladies of that country attended to receive me; He told me he was Cousin to the King my Husband, and he was a person of great authority and estate, to whom the Spanish insolence was always odious, being strongly incensed against them since the death of the Count of Aigmont who was his near kinsman, and although he maintained his government without being leagued with the Prince of Orange or the Huguenots, being a thrice Catholic Lord, yet he could not endure to see Don John, or permit that either he or any of his should enter into his government, Don John not daring force him to the contrary, fearing that then the Catholic league in Flanders called the League of the Estates would unite themselves with the Prince of Orange and the Huguenots, wisely foreseeing, what a storm and tempest would ensue, as they have proved since who have governed there for the King of Spain. The Count of Lalain could not sufficiently express what a joy he did receive to see me, and if his native Prince had then been present, he could not be received with more honour and demonstrations of welcome and affection. Arriving at Monts at the Countess of Lalain with about fourscore or a hundred Ladies of the City and Country, of whom I was received not as a strange Princess, but as if I had been their Sovereign by the privilege of inheritance, the disposition of the Femmings is to be private, merry, and familiar, and the Countess of Lalain being of this disposition, and having a great and high Spirit, it gave me presently an assurance that it were no difficult matter to enter into a strict friendship with her: The hour of supper being come, she went to the Banquet, and after to dancing which the Count of Lalain continued all the time of my abode at Monts, which was longer than I determined, intending to depart the morning following, but this good woman enforced me to stay a seventh night with them, which I was unwilling to do, fearing to overcharge them, nor was it possible for me to persuade her husband or herself, but they enforced me to stay till the eighth day were expired, living with such familiarity with me, she stayed at my lying down very late, and would have stayed longer but that she did what was very rare to do in persons of her quality, which notwithstanding did witness a nature attended with great goodness, she nourished her infant with her own milk so that being one morning at the feast, and sitting next unto me at the table which is the place where they of that Country do communicate themselves with greatest friendship, and aiming at nothing but my content, which was altogether to advance my Brother's designs in Flanders, she being curiously dressed and almost covered with precious stones and rich embroideries, having on a Kirtle of cloth of gold, whose ground was black, wrought with curious works of imbroydery and purls of gold and silver, and a doublet of Cloth of silver whose ground was white, wrought with flowers of gold, and buttoned with great diamonds (a habit proper to the office of a Nurse) they brought unto the table her little child, as richly dressed as was the Nurse that gave it suck, she set the Child on the table betwixt us both, and freely unbuttoning herself she gave her breast unto her little one; this had been counted incivility in any else, but she did do it with so great a grace and comeliness, as her actions were all accompanied with it, that she received by it as much commendation, as the company delight. The banquet being ended, the dancing began in the same Hall wherein we were, which was very fair and a large room, where being seated one next unto another, I told her that although the pleasures which I received in her company might well be ranked in the first number of those which gave me greatest reason to acknowledge them, yet I could almost wish that (never had enjoyed them, by reason of the grief I should receive in departing from her, and that Fortune shortly would deprive us from ever seeing one another, it being to be numbered amongst the misfortunes of my life, that heaven had not ordained that she and I should live in one and the same Country. This I spoke to make her enter into conference which might serve for the designs of my Brother; she replied to me, this Country hath been sometimes part of France, and for this cause their plead in law are yet in French, and this natural affection is not departed from the hearts of the most of us, for my part I have no other desire in my Soul, since I have had the honour to have seen you; sometimes indeed this Country stood affected to the house of Austria, but that affection hath been torn from us in the deaths of the Count of Aigmont, of Monsieur de Horn of Monsieur de Montigny and of the other Lords who were all our near Cousins, that were then defeated, and pertaining to the Nobility of this Country, we have nothing so odious as the Spanish government, and desire nothing more, then to be delivered from their tyranny, nevertheless we know not yet how to effect it, because this Country is divided into different Religions, but had we been united, we had thrown out the Spaniard long ago, but this division doth render us too feeble for them: I would to God that your Brother the King of France would be pleased to recover this Country, which in times precedent was his own, we would lend him all our helping hands; she spoke not this in an unadvised suddaines but with premeditation to find from France some remedy for their evils. I seeing the way open to what so much I did desire, made answer, The King of France my Brother is not disposed to undertake foreign wars, especially at this present, having in his own kingdom the factious party of the Huguenots which is grown so strong, that continually it will hinder him from commencing any wars abroad, but my Brother Monsieur de Alenson who is nothing inferior in valour, wisdom, and in bounty to the Kings my Fathers and my Brothers, will readily attend this enterprise, and will have no less means to bring succour to you, than the King of France by Brother, he is trained up in war, and esteemed one of the bravest Captains of this age, and now commandeth the King's army against the Huguenots, with which he hath taken since my departure a very strong town called Issoire, and some others, you cannot seek unto a Prince whose succour shall be more profitable to you, being so near your neighbour, and having so great a Realm as France at his devotion, from whence he may bring all the means and commodities necessary for the war, and if he may receive that good office from the Count your Husband, you may assure yourselves that you shall have what part in his fortunes that you will desire; my Brother is of a noble disposition not ingrateful, and who delighteth in nothing more than in acknowledging a service or good office done; he doth much respect and embrace Gentlemen of courage and of honour, and is also followed with the bravest of the nobility of France; I believe they will shortly conclude a peace in France with the Huguenots, and that at my return I shall see it accomplished; If the Count your Husband be of the same resolution as you are, and of the same desire, let him (if he please) acquaint me with it, and I will dispose my Brother to undertake it, I assure myself that this Country and your house by it in particular will receive all happiness: And if my Brother should establish himself here, you may assure yourself you shall see me often, our friendship being such that never any Brother entertained a Sister with more perfect love: She received this declaration with much content, and told me that she spoke not this at adventure, but seeing the honour I had done her to affect her, she was resolved not to leave me, until she had discovered to me the estate in which her Husband was, and till she had required that some remedy might be brought from France to release them from the fear in which they lived, being in perpetual war and danger to stoop to the insolence and tyranny of Spain; She entreated me that with my consent she might relate unto her Husband the communication that passed betwixt us, that on the next morning they both together might talk unto me of it, I very gladly consented to it, and we passed away that afternoon in such discourses, and in what ever else I thought might do my Brother service, in which I found that she received great content.  
The dancing being ended, we repaired to hear Vespers among the Canonesses, which is a Religious order that we have not in France, they are Gentlewomen which are placed there very young, for the improvement of their marriages, until they are of age for husbands, they lodge not in common dormitories, but in several rooms, and in every room there are three or four, or five or six young Gentlewomen with an old woman, of which old women, there is a certain and distinct number, who are never married, nor the Abbess of them, they only wear the habit of Religion in the morning at Matins, and in the afternoon at Vespers, and as soon as service is ended, they put off their religious habit, and apparel themselves as other Gentlewomen that are to marry, going freely with them to the banquet and dancing, so that they dress themselves four times a day, they were every day at the banquet, and danced ordinarily after it. The Countess of Lalain thought it long till the evening was come, to acquaint her husband with the good beginnings which she had given to these affairs, which having done, in the morning she brought her husband to me, who made a long discourse of the just occasions which he had to free himself from the tyranny of the Spaniard, in which he intended not to undertake any thing against his natural Prince, knowing that the Sovereignty of Flanders belonged to the King of France, he represented to me what means he had to establish my Brother in Flanders, having all Hainault at his devotion, which extended as far as Brussels, he only was in doubt of Cambresis, which lay betwixt Flanders and Hainault, and told me it would be expedient for me to gain Monsieur de Ainsi, to which I replied, that I would beseech him rather that he would be pleased to speak himself unto him, which he could do more freely than myself, being both his neighbour and his friend; having then presented to him what estimation and assurance he might make of the friendship of my Brother, and that the Fortune he should partake in, should be with as much greatness and authority as the remarkable service received from a person of his Quality could merit; we resolved at my return to France, that I should stay at La fere, whether my Brother should come unto me, and that Monsieur de Montigny the brother of the said Count of Lalain should come to treat there with him on those affairs; during the time of my abode there, I did encourage him always, and fortify him in that resolution, to which his wife brought no less affection than myself; And the day being come that I must depart from this goodly company at Monts, it was not without great and reciprocal grief of all the Flemish Ladies, and myself, and above all, of the Countess of Lalain, by reason of the great friendship which she had vowed to me, having enforced me to promise her, to make my return that way, as I passed into France. I did give unto her a Carcanet of Jewels, and to her husband a seal of precious stones, which were esteemed of great value, but far more precious to them, because they came from the hand of one whom so entirely they affected; all the Ladies stayed behind, except the Lady of Aurec, who did go with me to Namur, her husband Monsieur de Aurec, and Monsieur the Duke of Arscot staying there, ever since the peace betwixt the King of Spain and the States of Flanders; for though they were both on the State's side, the Duke of Arscot was an ancient Courtier, and one of the most remarkable in King Phillip's Court, at what time he was in Flanders, and in England, and he was always in great esteem, and next unto the Grandyes of his Court. The Count of Lalain, with all the Nobility of that Country conducted me above two miles beyond his government, until he saw the troop of Don John appear, than he took his leave of me, because he would not see him, only Monsieur de Ainsi did accompany me, because his master the Bishop of Cambray was of the Spanish faction. That fair troop being returned, having traveled a little farther, I was encountered by Don John of Austria, who was attended indeed with many people, but only with twenty or thirty horse, and with the Lords, the Duke of Arscot, Monsieur de Aurec, the marquis of Varambon, and young Balenson, Governor for the King of Spain in the County of Burgundy, which Noble and gallant Gentlemen, hearing that I passed that way, were come in a full speed to meet me: of Don john's own people, there were none of any name or fashion, but one Lodovick de Gonzagua, who styled himself Cousin to the Duke of Mantua, the rest were but mean people, and of a servile countenance, there being not any with him of the nobility of Flanders: He alighted from his horse, and set foot on ground to salute me in my litter, which was lifted up, and opened round; I saluted in the French garb, both him, the Duke of Arscot, and Monsieur de Aurec; after some compliments, mounting again his horse, he discoursed with me till he brought me to the Town, whither we could not come but very late, because the Ladies at Monts detained us as long as possibly they could, spending above an hour in the observation of my litter, and taking great delight to understand the manner, and the devices of it. The method of their building was so beautiful at Namur, as the Spaniards are excellent that way, and their Town so lightsome, that the windows and the shops being full of splendour, one might believe that he saw a new day to shine there. That night Don John caused me and my train to be served in our own lodgings and chambers, thinking that after so long a journey, it would be unmannerly to tyre us again with the tediousness of a banquet. The house wherein he lodged me, was well accommodated to receive me, where they found means to make a great and fair hall, and an appartement for me of chambers and closerts, which were hung round with the fairest, richest, and bravest moveables, that I believe were ever seen, being all tapestries of Velvet or Satin, embossed with great pillars made of cloth of silver, inchased with thick knots, and purls of Gold, and set forth in the richest and most beautiful manner that could be invented, and in the middle of those pillars were great personages attired after the ancient fashion, and made of the same embroidery. Monsieur the Cardinal of Lenoncourt, who had a curious and a delicate spirit, being a familiar friend of the Duke of Arscots', who as I have said, was an old Courtier, and a Gentleman of exquisite endowments, being indeed the only honour of Don John's troop, beholding, one day while I was there, those gorgeous and magnificent moveables, said unto him, This furniture seemeth to me to appertain rather to some mighty Monarch then to a Prince unmarried, and of no greater authority than Don John; the Duke of Arscot replied, they are the gifts of Fortune, and not of Providence or abundance, these stuffs being sent unto him from one of the Bashaes' of the Great Turk, whose sons in a memorable battle he took prisoners, and Signior Don John having done him the courtesy to return them to him without ransom, the Bassa, to requite the good turn, did send him a great quantity of stuffs of silk, and of cloth of gold, and silver, which were presented to him, being then at Myllain, a City where is choice of such precious furniture, of which he made the Tapistrey which you behold, and for an everlasting remembrance of the glorious achievement of them, he wrought the bed and the hangings of the Queen's chamber in a most rich embroidery, representing the glorious victory in that battle, which he gained against the Turks: the morning being come, we heard Mass after the custom of Spain, which was with Violins, Cornets, and other music, and departing thence unto the Feast in the great hall, he and I did dine at a table by ourselves, the table where the Lords and the Ladies dined, was removed some three foot from ours, where Madame de Aurec had the honour done her for Don John's house, having her drink presented to her by Lodovick G●nzagua, kneeling. The banquet being ended, dancing begun, which lasted all the afternoon, the evening passed away in this manner, Don John discoursing always with me, and oftentimes repeating, that he saw in me a resemblance of the Queen his Mistress, the late Queen of Spain my Sister, witnessing by all honourable courtesies that could be expressed to me and my troop, that he received an undissembling joy to see me there. The Boat on which I was to pass the River Mose unto Liege being not yet in readiness▪ I was constrained to tarry there all the next day, where having passed away the morning as we did the morn before; there was a fair B●are after dinner prepared for me in which we were ferried to an Island, being environed in our way with other Boars full of Hob●yes, Cornets and Viols; Don John had provided a banquet in the I'll, in a great hall made of guilded Leather, accommodated with Cabinets round about it, and fille with the music of Oboes and other instruments which continued all supper time. The Banquet being ended, and dancing having lasted almost an hour, we returned in the same Boat that did waft us out, and which Don John had prepared for my voyage. The morning following we departed thence, Don John accompanied me in the Boat, and after a very honest and courteous farewell, he gave me to Monsieur and Madame de Aurec to attend me as far as Hue, where that night I was to lodge, which is the first town that belongeth to the Bishop of Liege: Don John being gone forth, Monsieur de Ainsi who was the last that stayed in the Boat, and who had not permission to conduct me further, with much grief took his farewell of me, and with many protestations that he would remain a most constant servant to my Brother and myself: But false and treacherous fortune not able to support the glory of this so happy a condition which in my voyage hitherto did attend me, gave me two cross presages, which on my return, to content her envy, she had prepared for me. The first was, that my Boat had no sooner removed from the shore, but Madamois●lle de ●●urnon, a virgin endowed with many virtues, whom I entirely loved, took so strange a sickness, that on a sudden she bur●● forth into strong and loud shrieks by reason of the violence of the grief she felt, which did so oppress her heart that the Physicians could provide no remedy, but within a few days she was ravished by Death, I will relate this tragical story in its own place, it being so remarkable. The other was that arriving at Hue a town situate on the declining of a hill, there broke forth on a sudden, so impetuous a torrent falling from the Mountain waters into the river, that engrossing and devouring all at once, we could no sooner leap to land and run with all the speed we could to recover the top of the Hill, but the flood was there as soon as we. My lodging was on the upper and highest part of the Town, where that night we were content with what provision the Master of the House had of his own, who had not means to get Boats or people to send down into the Town, which seemed overwhelmed in that vast Deluge, from which it was wonderfully delivered, as it was seized by it, for on the dawning of the day the waters were all returned, and retired within their proper channels. On my departure thence Monsieur and Madame de Aurec returned to Namur unto Don John, and I took Boat to go that day to Liege, where the Bishop who is a great Lord received me with all the honour and demonstrations of good will that a courteous and well affected person could express; He was a Lord attented with great virtue, wisdom, and bounty, and who spoke very good French agreeable with his person, which was honourable, and magnificent: He was attended with a Chapter and many Canons, all sons of Dukes and Counts, and great Lords of Germany. The Bishopric is of a sovereign estate, and of great revenue, and filled with many goodly Towns: The Canons obtain their places by election, and they must continue a year probationers that are received into their Society; The town is great as Lions, and almost of the same situation (the river Mosa passing in the middle of it) excellently builded, there being no Religious House which seemeth not a fair palace, the streets long and large, enriched with curious fountains, the Churches adorned with so much marble which they have there at hand, that worthily they challenge the observation of the passenger, and may be as well the wonders, as the pleasures of his eye, The Clocks made with Germane industry, singing and representing all variety of Music and of Persons. The Bishop received me as I came out of my Boat, and conducted me into a fair and stately Palace, so richly painted, and set forth with so much Gold and Marble, that there is nothing more magnificent or delightful. The waters of Spa were three or four miles from thence, and there being no Town near, but a Village only of three or four houses, Madam the Princess of Roche-sur-yon was advised by her Physicians to stay at Liege, and to have the water brought thither to her, assuring her that it would lose no virtue being brought unto her before the Sun was up, of which I was very glad, having our abode in so fit a place, and in so good a Company; for besides his Grace▪ (for so they style the Bishop of Liege, as we give the title of Majesty to a King, or of Highness to a Prince) the rumour flying that I passed that way, most of the Lords and Ladies of Almain were come thither to attend me, and among others Madam the Countess of Aremberg, who was she that had the honour to conduct Queen Elizabeth to her marriage at Meziers, when she was espoused to King Charles my Brother, and who conducted my eldest sister at her marriage, to the King of Spain; she was a woman that was in great account with the Empress and Emperor, and with all the Princes of Christendom; there was also her sister Madame de Landgrave and her Daughter Madame de Aremberg, and Monsieur de Aremberg her son a brave and worthy Gentleman, the lively image of his Father, who bringing heretofore auxiliary Soldiers from Spain to King Charles my Brother, returned with great honour and reputation. This arrival being full of joy and honour▪ had been yet far more delightful, were it not interrupted by the Death of Madamoselle de Tournon, whose history being so remarkable, I cannot hear but make digression to relate it.  
Madame de Tournon who was then my Dame of honour had many daughters, the ●●●est whereof was married to Monsieur ●e B●●anson Governor for the King of Spain in the County of Burgundy, who returning to his own Country entreated Madam de Tournon his Mother to let him have another of her Daughters, to associate his wife being to live now in a place removed from her kindred; her Mother consented to it, and she staying there some years in improving herself, though her chiefest beauty was her virtue and her graceful carriage, Monsieur the Marquis of Varambon (a man designed to the Church being resident in the same house with his Brother Monsieur de Balanson) by ordinary society of discourse and conversation with Madamoiselle de Tournon became very amorous of her, and being not yet obliged to the Church desired to espouse her; he propounded the motion to his own friends and to hers, they of her side did well approve it, but his Brother Monsieur de Balanson thinking it more profitable for him to have him of the Church prevailed so far that he broke off the Marriage, designing to him the habit and formality of the Gown. Madame de Tournon offended thereat, took from thence her daughter Madamoiselle de Tournon with her sister Madame de Balanson, and being a rough and severe woman without regard of her Daughter's age and disposition, which deserved a more gentle usage, she daily did torment her with vehement and invective language, insomuch that she was never seen to have her eyes dry, though all her actions were most commendable, so ungentle was the nature and severity of this Mother. Her Daughter desiring nothing more than to be released from this tyranny entertained a certain joy when she saw I was going into Flanders, truly conceiving that the Marquis of Var●b●n would meet me there, and being now in the estate of Marriage for he had altogether abandoned the gown would peradventure demand her of her Mother, and that by the means of this Marriage she should be delivered from her former persecutions. The Marquis of Varambon and his Brother the younger Balanson did meet us at Namure, the young Balanson who was nothing so proper a gentleman as the other, did court this maid in the way of Marriage, and the Marquis of Varambon during our abode at Namure, made semblance as if till than he had never seen her, at which she put on the appearance of content, constraining herself to seem regardless of it, but the trouble, the grief and indignation thereof did so contract her heart, that as soon as they had taken their last farewell, and were departed from the Boat, she was struck with such a sudden sorrow that she could not draw her breath but with many shrieks and mortal pangs; having no other cause of her sickness, her youth did combat with death, for the space of eight or ten days, who armed with despite in the end did render himself victorius, ravishing her from her Mother and myself, who both did bear this loss with equal grief and passion, for her Mother although she was a very severe woman did love her most entirely: Her Funerals were commanded to be performed with all solemnity, because she was descended from a great great and noble family, and pertained to the Queen my Mother; the day of her interrement being come, they appointed four of my Gentlemen to bear the Corpse, one whereof was Boessier, who having in her life time passionately adored her, and not daring to discover it unto her by reason of the inequality of his birth, and the virtue which he observed in her, did carry now this mortal burden, and died as often in her death, as the loss of his love had interrupted and divided the course of his life, breathing out his soul after her in sighs, and every new minute bringing a new death unto him; this fatal convoy, being in the middle of the streets, and passing to the Cathedral Church, behold the Marquis of Var●mbon, who guilty o● this sad accident, some few days after my departure from Namur, repenting of his cruelty, and his ancient flame (O wonderful) being kindled in her absence, which could not be awakened by her presence, he resolved to come and demand her of her Mother, trusting peradventure in the good fortune which did attend him, to be beloved of all whomsoever he desired, as since it hath appeared in a Lady of eminent account, whom against her parents consents he hath espoused; and promising to himself, that his Mistress de Tournon would grant him an easy pardon, repeating these Italian words, i l● forza d'amore non risguarda all delitto, did beseech Don John to give him commission to come unto me, and making diligent haste, he came just, as the body, as unhappy in her death, as glorious and innocent in her Virginity, was in the middle of the street, the throng of the people at this pompous solemnity, did hinder him that he could not pass, he looked about him to learn what the occasion was, and observed in the middle of the troop, a multitude of mourners, and a white cloth crowned with Chaplets of flowers, he asked who it was, some of the City made reply that it was a burial, he grown more curious, advanced himself amongst the first of the convoy, and with much importunity desired to know who it was, O deadly answer, the vengeance of love for his ingratitude and inconstancy, made him now feel those strokes of death in his soul, which his forgetfulness and disdain had made his Mistress suffer in her body; the man not knowing who it was that pressed to know it, told him that it was the body of Madamoiselle de Tournon; at that word he swooned away, and fell from his horse, they carried him as dead into his lodging, justly desiring in this extremity to approve that union with her in his death, which in his life too slowly he accorded to; his Soul, as I believe, departing into her tomb to crave pardon for what his disdainful oblivion had committed, did leave his body for a time without any appearance of life, and returning thence, did animate it anew, to make him feel again the justice of death, which once alone had not sufficiently punished his Ingratitude.  
This sad office being performed, beholding myself in a company of strangers, I would not afflict them with the grief which I received, for the loss of so virtuous a servant. I was invited either by the Bishop's Grace, or by some of the Canons to dinner every day in several houses and gardens, as there are very fair ones in that City. His Grace, with many Lords and Ladies, strangers, coming every morning to my chamber, accompanied me to the garden wherein I was to take the waters of Sp●u, which was to be received walking, and though the Physician that did prescribe it was my Brother, yet it hath done me good, having since continued six or seven years without feeling the swelling of my arm; departing thence, we never parted company, but resorted to some feast, and after dancing, to hear Vespers to some religious house, and after supper we were entertained with dancing again, or else with Music on the water. Six weeks did pass away themselves on this manner, which is the ordinary time accustomed for the taking of these waters, and which was prescribed to Madam the Princess of Roche-sur-yon. As I was preparing to return to France, behold Madame de Aurec, who going to Lorrayn to seek her husband, expounded to us the wonderful alteration that happened at Namur, and in all that Country, since my departure, The same day wherein I departed from Namur, Don John going out of his boat, and taking horse, under presence of hunting, came before the gate of the Castle of Namur, the which as yet he had not mastered, and feigning (as casually he passed by) to go in, and see it in his way, he seized on it, and slew the Captain whom the States kept there, breaking the Articles that were agreed on between the States and him, and moreover he seized on the Duke of Arscots'▪ on Monsieur de Aurecs, and on her own person, and though after many demonstrations and entreaties, he let her husband and the Duke depart, yet he retained her till then, 〈◊〉 be a caution to him for the deportment of them; She declared that all the Country was now in arms; there were three parties, the first of the States, which were the Catholics of Flanders; the other of the Prince of Orange, and the Huguenots, who made but one Party; and the third of the Spaniards, over whom Don John commanded. I seeing myself embarked in this manner, that of necessity I must fall into the hands of the one or the other of them, and my Brother having sent a Gentleman named Lescar to me, by whom he wrote that since my departure from France, God had given him the grace to serve the King so well in the charge of the army committed to him, that he had taken all the Towns which he was commanded to besiege, and chased the Huguenots through all the Provinces in which his army was to march, that he was returned to Poitiers, where during the siege of Brovage the King continued to be near at hand to succour Monsieur de Mayenne in what was necessary; that as the Court is a Proteus, that turns his shape in every hour on the arriving of every new accident, so at his return he found all things changed, that they made no more account of him, then if he had done nothing at all for the service of the King, that Bussi, whom the King seemed to countenance before his departure, and who had served the King in this war in his own person, and in the person of his friends, having lost his brother in an assault at the siege of Issoire, was disreguarded also, and persecuted with envy, as if it had been in the time of Le Guast, that every day they did procure him some new Indignity or other, that the King's minions had practised with four or five of his chiefest servants, Maugiroa, La Valeit●, M●uleon, Livarrot and some others to abandon his, and to betake themselves to the King's service, that the King ●id much repent him of my voyage into Flanders, and that I should take heed in my return, for fear of b●ing surprised, either by the Spaniards, who were advertised of what I treated in Flanders for him, or for the Huguenots, who would revenge on me the evils which he had done them, having first assisted them, and afterwards made war against them. All this promised, wrought much in my consideration, seeing that not only of necessity I must pass either amongst the one or the other of them, but that the Principal of my Company also were affected either to the Spaniards, or to the Huguenots, Monsieur the Cardinal of Lenoncourt, being suspected to favour the Huguenots, and Monsieur de Descarts, who was Brother to the Bishop's Grace of Leigh, to be addicted to the Spaniards. In these doubts full of contrarieties, I knew not to whom to communicate myself, but to Madam the Princess of Roche-sur-yon, and to Madame de Tournon, who knowing the danger wherein we were, and finding we had five or six day's journey to La Fere being to pass all the way under the mercy of the one or other of these two parties, answered me with tears in their eyes, that God alone could preserve me from that danger, that I should recommend myself to him, and then do as his inspirations did direct me; As for them, though one of them was sick, and the other stooped with the weight of Age, they desired me not to forbear to make long journeys, and that they would endeavour themselves to the utmost to draw me from this danger. I spoke unto the Bishop of Leigh, who was indeed a Father to me, and gave me his grand master with horses to conduct me as far as I would desire, and because it was needful for us to have a Warrant for free passage from the Prince of Orange, I sent Mondoucet thither, who was his associate, and relished something of that Religion; he returned thence no more, I expected two or three days his coming, and I believe that should I have waited till he came, I should have stayed there still. I was daily counselled by Monsieur the Cardinal of Lenoncourt and my chief Esquire Salviati, who were both of one complexion not to depart without a Pass, and finding their design did bend another way, I was resolved to go betimes the morning following, they seeing they could not stay me with this pretext, Salviati being of intelligence with my Treasurer, who was also a private Huguenot, exhorted him to say that there was not money left enough to discharge my expenses, which was extremely false, for being arrived at la Fere, I looked on the accounts, and there was money enough to defray the charges of at least six week's travail more, yet they caused my horses to be stayed, giving this public affront with great danger to me. Madame the Princess of Roche-sur-yon being not able to endure this indignity, and seeing the danger wherein I was did lend me what money I thought necessary, and they remaining confused at it, I departed thence having made a present to the Bishop of a Diamond worth three thousand Crowns, & given to all his servants either chains or King of gold, and I came to Hue having no protection but my hope in God. That Town as I have said belonged to the Bishop of Liege, but full of tumult and mutiny (as all the people there knew of the general revolt of the Low-Countries) and would no longer acknowledge the Bishop▪ because he lived as a neutral, and they were a professed party with the States, so that without any respect to the grand Master of the Bishop of Liege who was with us, hearing how Don John had seized on the Castle of Namur in my travails that way, as soon as we were lodged, their drums did beat an Alarm, and they brought their artillery into the street, and made Barricadoes against my lodging, stretching forth their chains that we should not come together, and held as all that night in these perplexities, without having the means to speak to any of them, being all a silly people, a brutish nation, and without reason; In the morning they suffered us to go, having filled the streets through which I was to pass with armed men.  
From thence we departed to Di●an, where by misfortune that day they chose their Burgomasters, who are as Consuls, in Gascogny and France. All that day was spent in debauchment, all the world was drunk, no knowledge of Magistrates, but a true Chaos of confusion, and to make our condition yet worse, the grand Master of the Bishop of Liege had sometimes made war against them, and was taken by them for their mortal enemy; this town when the people are sober and in sense, hold for the States, but 〈◊〉 domineering now amongst them, they could not hold it for themselves, and indeed neither knew nor acknowledged any master. As soon as they beheld a troop great as mine to approach their Suburbs, the alarm grew hot amongst them, they forsook their glasses to run to arms, and all in a tumult instead of opening the gate they barred it fast against me. I had sent a Gentleman before with the Harbingers and the Marshal of my lodging to entreat them to give me passage, but I found them at the gate crying to those who did not understand them. In the end I stood up in the Litter, and taking of my Mask, I made a sign to the most apparent of them, that I would speak unto him, who being come unto me, I intreate● him to cause silence to be made, to the end I might be understood, which with much a do being obtained, I declared to them who I was▪ and the occasion of my Voyage, that so far it was from me to bring any hurt unto them by my coming that I would not give them the least suspicion of it, I entreated them to permit me and my women only to enter into the Town, with as few of my Men as they pleased, telling them that I would leave the rest behind me in the Suburbs; they accepted of this proposition, and I came into the Town with the most apparent of my troop in which number was the grand Master of the Bishop of Liege, who by chance was known as I entered into my lodging, environed with this people drunken and armed, than they began to cry out, that they were injured, and to charge upon him who was a reverend man of fourscore years of age, having a white beard down to his girdle. I caused him to make haste into my lodging against which these drunkards plied their Harquebuses with volleys of shot as thick as hail, the walls being made but of earth only. Seeing this tumult I demanded if the Host of the house were within, by good fortune they found him, I desired him that he would go unto the window, and make way for me to speak to the most remarkable of them, which with great difficulty I procured; he having a long time called to them out of the window, at length the Burgomasters came to parley with me, but so full of swill, that they knew not what they said; In the end assuring them, that I knew not that the grand master was their enemy, demonstrating of what importance it was to offend a person of my quality, who was a friend to the principal Lords of the States, and that Monsieur the Count of Lalaine, and all other Chieftains would give them but little thanks for this their entertainment of me; having heard the name of Monsieur the Count of Lalaine, they presently became of another mind, and gave more respect to him, then to all the Kings to whom I appertained, the most ancient of them betwixt stammering and laughing, demanded of me, if I was then a friend to Monsieur the Count of Lalaine; I seeing that his consanguinity would stand me more in stead then all the Potentates in Christendom, made answer, yes, I am not only his friend, but his kinswoman also, than they did reverence to me, and gave me their right hand of friendship, offering as much courtesy, as before they had committed insolence, and besought me to excuse them, assuring me that no wrong should be done to that good man the Grand-master of the Bishop of Liege, and that he should go along with me. The morning being come, as I was going to hear Mass, the King's Agent that was resident with Don John named Du Bois who was a French man extremely Spaniolized, came unto me, saying, that he had letters and command from the King to attend and conduct me in my return to France, and for that end he had entreated Don John to let me have Barlemont with a troop of Horse for my guard to bring me without danger to Namur, desiring me to speak to those of the Town to grant entrance to Monsieur Barlemont who was a Lord of that Country, and to his troop of Horse; This was done for a double end, to make themselves Masters of the Town, and to make me fall into the hands of the Spaniards. I found myself here in a great straight, and communing with Monsieur the Cardinal of Lenoncourt, who had no greater desire than myself to fall into the hands of the Spaniards, we concluded to know of the Towns men if there were any way by which we might avoid the troop of Monsieur de Barlemont, and leaving my little Agent Du Bois to discourse with Monsieur de Lenoncourt, I walked into another Chamber where I caused those of the Town to come unto me, and declaring to them that if they gave entrance to the troop of Monsieur de Barlemont they were all undone, because that he would seize on their town for Don John, I counselled them to arm themselves, and to stand on their guard, and being ready at the Gate to show the countenance of men of understanding that would not be surprised; they did allow and believe my reasons offering to lose their lives in my service, and gave me a guide to lead me a way where by passing over the river that ran betwixt the troops of Don John and mine, I should cast them so far behind, that they could not overtake me, going all the way after by Towns which held for the States. Having taken this resolution, I sent them to the Gate, and Monsieur de Barlemont who was already entered did importunately persuade the Townsmen to permit his troop to come in also. They hearing this, began all to fall upon him, so that he hardly escaped from being massacred amongst them, telling him that if his troup did not forthwith retire from the sight of their Town they would discharge their Artillery upon them, this they did to give me leisure and the advantage to pass the water, before that troop could overtake me. Monsieur de Barlemont and the Agent Du Bois did what they could, to persuade me to go to Namur, where Don John attended me, I made appearance to do what they desired, and to follow their advice, and having heard Mass, and made a short dinner, I came out of my lodging, attended with two or three hundred of the town in arms, and conferring all the way with Monsieur de Barlemont, and the Agent Du Bois, I took my direct course towards the mouth of the river, which was contrary to the way unto Namur, where the troup o● Mon. de Barlemont expected me: they observing it, told me, that I had mistook my way, but I beholding them still in discourse, passed on, till I came unto the gate of the Town, going out of which, and accompanied with a good number of the town's men, with doubled speed I hasted towards the river, and taking boat, I caused all the chiefest of my train to enter with me, Monsieur de Barlemont, and the Agent du Bois crying continually on the Bankside, that it was not my nearest way, that it was cross to the King's intention, who would have me go by Namur; notwithstanding their out-cries, we ferried over the water with what speed we could, and while they made two or three fares to carry my litters and horses over, those of the town, on purpose to give me time, with a thousand out-cries and complaints, delayed and amazed Monsieur de Barlemont, and the Agent du Bois, reasoning with them on the wrongs which Don John had done them, having falsifyed his faith with the Estates, and broken the peace, and arguing with them on ancient quarrels, about the death of Count Aigmont, and threatening them continually, that if their troop appeared nigh the Town, they would discharge their Ordnance upon them; this gave me the leisure to secure myself, being delivered from all fear and danger, by the guidance of God, and this good man whom they had given to conduct me. I lodged that night in a strong Castle named Flurines, which belonged to a Gentleman who held with the Estates, and whom I had seen with the Count of Lalain, but such was the mischance, that the Gentleman was not within, there being none at home but his wife only, who seeing us in the Base-Court which lay all open, she took a sudden fright, and drawing up the bridge, did fly into the Castle, resolving, say what we could, not to let us in. In the mean while three hundred Gentlemen, whom Don John had sent to entrap me by the way, knowing that I went to the Castle of Fleurines to lodge there, did appear upon a little hill some mile from thence, and believing that we were got into the Castle, for they might see from thence, that we were all entered into the Court, there made a stand, and lodged there that night, hoping the next morning to entrap us. As we were in these perplexities, seeing ourselves no farther than in the Base-court, which was enclosed only with a weak wall, and defended with as bad a gate, which had been easy to be forced, we continually parlyed and disputed with the Gentlewoman of the Castle, who was inexorable to our prayers; but it pleased God, in the dusk of the evening to send her husband Monsieur de Fleurines, who presently received us into his Castle, and was extremely angry and passionate with his wife for the incivility, and indiscretion which she showed. This Gentleman, Monsieur de Fleurines, was sent on purpose to me from the Count of Lalaine, to give me a sure convoy through the towns of the Estates, being not able to accompany me himself, because he could not abandon the army, being a chief Commander for the States, so happy was this Gentleman's encounter with me, that conducting me into France, we passed no more by any Towns, wherein we found not honourable entertainment, because it was the Country of the Estates, this was the only displeasure which I received, that I could not pass by Monts, as I promised the Countess of Lalain, our way lying no nearer to it then Nivelles, which is seven long mile from thence, and I could not see her husband the Count of Lalaine, because the war growing hot, he was in the Army of the States, towards Anvers. I wrote unto her only from thence, on the behalf of the Gentleman that conducted me. She, as soon as she learned where I was, did send unto me the chiefest of her Gentlemen to conduct me to the Frontiers of France, for I was to pass through all Cambresis, which was divided one half for the Spaniard, and the other for the States. I traveled with them to the Castle of Cambresis, from whence they returning, I sent her in remembrance of me, one of my Gowns, which I heard her very highly prise when I did wear it at Monts, it was of black Satin, covered with embroideries, which cost me nine hundred crowns. Arriving at the Castle of Cambresis, I was informed, that certain troops of Huguenots had a design to attach me between the Frontiers of France and Flanders, which I disclosing but to a few, was ready to depart the next morning an hour before day. Sending for my litter, my Esquire Sal●iati prolonged the time, as he had done before at Liege, and perceiving that he did this on purpose, I left my litter, and taking horse, those that first were ready followed me. I came to Castelet by ten of the clock in the morning, having by God's goodness escaped all the wiles and ambuscadoes of my enemies. I departed thence to my house of La Fere, intending to continue there, till I heard a peace concluded; I found there a Post of my Brothers arrived before me, who had a charge to attend my coming, and as soon as I was arrived, to return in all haste to acquaint him with it. He wrote to me that the Peace was made, and that the King was returned to Paris, that for himself, his condition of estate was daily worse than other, there being no indignity and disgrace, which he and his did not daily prove, and that every hour brought in new and unjust complaints against Bussi, and the honest Gentlemen that attended on him, that with extreme impatience he expected my return to La Fere, intending there to meet me. I suddenly dispatched his messenger unto him, by whom advertised of my return, he forthwith sent Bussi, with all his house to Angers, and taking only with him fifteen or twenty of his servants, he came in Post to La Fere unto me, which was one of the greatest contentments that ever I received, to have that person with me, whom so entirely I did affect and honour, and I endeavoured myself, to give him all pleasures which I thought might make that place delightful, which he so well accepted, that willingly he would have said with Saint Peter, Let us here make us tabernacles, had not his royal Courage, and the Nobleness of his active Soul, called him to enterprises of Renown and Glory. The peace and pleasure of our Court, in comparison of that from whence he came, did render every hour so delightful, that he could not forbear oftentimes from crying out, O my Queen, how good it is to be with you; This Court is a Paradise filled with all variety of delight, and that from whence I came, a hell, pestered with all manner of torments, and furies.  
We stayed there about two months, which in that happy estate, were to us but two short days, during which time, having made him account, of what I had done for him in my voyage into Flanders, and certified him in what terms I had left his affairs, he thought it expedient that Monsieur the Count of Montigny, brother to the Count of Lalain should come, and resolve him what course he was best to hold therein, and to take assurances of their good will, and they reciprocally of his. He came unto my Brother, with four or five of the chiefest Lords of Hainault, the one whereof had a letter, and command from Monsieur de Ainsi, to offer his service to my brother, and to assure him of the Citadel of Cambray. Monsieur de Montigny promised that his Brother, the Count of Lalaine, would deliver into his hand all Hainault and Artois, where are many goodly Towns. These offers and assurances being received, my Brother sent them back with Presents, which were Medals of Gold, wherein were his and my figure stamped, and with reassurances of all additions, and benefits that they could expect. Returning home, they prepared all things for my Brothers coming, who making all the▪ dispatch he could to have his forces ready, returned to Court, to see what assistance the King would give him to furnish him in this enterprise, and I desiring to go into Gascogny, having prepared all things for that effect▪ returned to Paris, my brother met met on the way, a day's journey from it, and the next day the King, the Queen my Mother, and the Queen Lovisa, with all the Court, did meet me as far as Saint Denis, where I was to dine, where they received me with great honour, and many welcomes, taking great delight to hear me recount the honours and magnificence of my voyage, and of my abode at Liege, and the adventures of my return. In this pleasing entertainment of discourse, being all in the chariot of the Queen my Mother, we came to Paris, where having supped, and the Mask ended, the King and Queen my mother, being both together, I approached to them, and besought them that they would not think ill of it, if I entreated them that they would be pleased to grant me leave to go to the King my husband, urging, that the peace being concluded, my journey could not be suspected by them, and that it would be prejudicial to my honour, and unbeseeming the duty of a wife, should I stay any longer from him: they both expressed themselves to like it well, and with free applause did entertain the motion, and the Queen my Mother told me, that she would accompany me herself, her voyage being necessary in that Country for the service of the King, moreover she added, that it was needful that the King should grant me maintenance for the expenses of my journey, to which the King did give consent, and I desiring to leave nothing behind which might cause me to return to Court, being no longer able to take pleasure in it, my Brother going from it, whom I saw with all speed preparing into Flanders, I besought my Mother to remember herself in what she promised me at the Peace concluded with my Brother, and that before I undertook my journey into Gascogny she would make over the Lands unto me for the assignation of my Dowry: She acquainted the King with it who found it very reasonable, and promised me that it should be done; I besought him that it might be done with speed, for I desired to begin my journey, if he thought good, on the beginning of the month ensuing: this also was promised, but according to the fashion of the Court, for instead of dispatching me, though every day I did solicit him, I was deferred five or six months; and so likewise was my Brother who was as urgent for his voyage into Flanders, though he represented daily to the King, that it was for the honour and enlargement of France, that it would prove he happy occasion to hinder the Civil wars, all the moving spirits and desirous of novelty having the opportunity to go into Flanders, to pass away their discontent and choler there, and to glut themselves with War, that this enterprise would serve as sometimes Piedmont did, as a School for the Nobility of France in their exercise of arms, and there revive the Montlukes, and brave Brissa●s, the Terms and Bellegards, and such as those great Marshals were, who trained up in the Wars of Piedmont, have since so gloriously and successfully served their King and Country. These demonstrances were fair and true enough, but they had not so much weight, as to be balanced with the envy which was born to the enlargement of my Brother's fortunes, to whom every day administered new occasions of delay, to hinder him from assembling his forces, rai●ing sometimes on himself, sometimes on Bussi, and his other servants a thousand scandals and complaints; Bussi being daily inveighed against either by Quelus or Gramont, who watched by those unjust Alarms to rouse up my Brother's rage to the overthrowing of his fortunes. All this was done without the knowledge of the King; but Maugiron who then did most possess him, having forsaken my brother's service, and believing that he was sensible of it, (as it is ordinary, that he who offendeth doth never pardon) did prosecute my Brother with so strong a hate, that he did vow his ruin, and at every word did undervalue and outbrave him, as the impudence of youth blown up with the King's favour, did drive him to all kind of insolence and outrage, and combined himself with Quelus, Saint Luke, Saint Maigrin, Gramont, Mauleon, Livarrot and other young people whom the King favoured, and these being followed by all the Court, after the fashion of Courtiers who hunt after favour did practise all things whatsoever came into their fantasy; In a manner that not a day passed wherein there was not a quarrel betwixt them and Bussi, who in courage was not inferior unto any. My Brother considering that this was not the way to advance his voyage into Flanders, desiring rather to mitigate the King then to exasperate him, and believing besides that Bussi being abroad might increase the number of his forces, and provide things necessary for his army; he sent him through his principalities to give order for it; but Bussi being gone, the persecution of my Brother ceased not, and then was it understood that although his brave qualities wrought much jealously in the breast of Maugiron and the rest of these younkers that were near unto the King, yet the principal cause of their hatred against Bussi was, that he was my Brother's servant; for after he was gone, they outbraved and derided my Brother so apparently, and with such despite, that all the world perceived it, although my Brother was very wise and patient in his own nature, and was resolved to suffer all things for the dispatch of his affairs in Flanders, hoping by this means to be quickly gone, and no more to be found a Subject for them. This persecution howsoever and indignity was very grievous to him, especially seeing in hate to him, they did daily molest and wrong his servants, having lately made Monsieur de la Chastre lose a great suit, because that a little before he became my Brother's servant, the King being so carried away by the persuasions of Maugiron, and Saint Luke, who were friends to Madame de Senaire, that he himself did solicit the process for her against Monsieur de la Chastre, who was then with my Brother, and finding himself oppressed with the injury thereof, did make my Brother partake of the just griefs he suffered.  
In those days, the Marriage of Saint Luke was solemnised, at which my Brother (not willing to assist) desired me to be absent also, and the Queen my Mother who took no pleasure in the boundless arrogance of these young people, fearing that all that day would be in debauchment and excess, and that my Brother not being there, they would give a malicious interpretaion of his absence, which might prove prejudicial to him, procured the King's good will, that she should go abroad on the marriage day to dinner at Saint Maurus, and took my Brother and myself with her: It was on Shro vemunday, on the evening we returned, the Queen my Mother so prevailed with my Brother, that he consented that night to be present at the dancing to content the King, but instead of amending his condition, it did impair it; for Maugiron and his companions being there, they began to play on my Brother with such keen and pointed language, that a meaner person than himself would have been offended at it, saying that he had lost his pains to re-attire himself, that they could not find him after dinner to say so much as, Much good d'it you, to him, that he came in the hour of darkness, because it was proper to him, reviling him for the meanness of his habit, and for the sickliness of his changed complexion: All this was spoken to the Bride that sat next unto him; My brother knowing it was done on purpose to make him answer, and by this means to set him at distance with the King, did fling away from thence so full of choler and despite, that he could forbear no longer; but having deliberated with Monsieur de la Chastre, he resolved to absent himself a while from Court to go unto the Chase, thinking by his absence to qualify the heat of these young people, and to render his affairs with the King more easy, for the preparation of his army which was necessary to go unto Flanders. He addressed himself to the Queen my Mother, who was very sorry to hear of this difference, and acquainted her with the resolution he had taken, which she did well approve, and assured him that the King should condescend unto it, and that she would solicit him in his absence for a dispatch in what he promised, concerning his enterprise in Flanders; And Monsieur de Villequier standing by, she commanded him to go unto the King, and acquaint him with the desire which my brother had to go for a few days a hunting, which the King allowed, thinking it would be a means to appease the differences which were betwixt him and the young people Maugiron, Saint Luke, Quelus, and the rest. My brother retiring into his Chamber holding his suit granted, commanded all his people to be ready the next morning, to attend him at Saint Germans, where intending to make his abode for certain days, he gave order to his chief Hunter to have his Dogs in readiness, and betook himself to his rest that night, with an intention to rise early the morning following to go unto the Chase, either to solace his spirits, or a little to divert them from the noise and tumult of the Court: Monsieur de Villequier repaired to the King to demand leave of him, to which he did accord, but remaining in his Cabinet, with the Counsel of Rehoboam, which was five or six young fellows, they presented to him that this departure of my brothers was much to be suspected, and put him into such an apprehension, that they made him commit one of the greatest oversights that this our age did know, which was to take my brother and his chiefest Servants prisoners, which as it was unwisely determined, so was it rashly executed; for the King catching hold of these words, went suddenly in the night, in a great passion to find the Queen my Mother, as if it were a public alarm, or as the enemy had been at the gate, and said unto her, Now Madam! what do you think you have done by demanding leave for my Brother to go, Do not you see the danger in which you put my estate, without all doubt, under this pretence of hunting, there lies some dangerous enterprise; I will go seize on him, and all his people, and I will cause his coffers to be broken open, I assure myself we shall discover something of importance. He had with him the Captain of the Guard, Monsieur de Loss, and some of the Scotch regiment. The Queen my mother fearing in this precipitation, that my Brother's life would be in jeopardy, earnestly desired that she might go along with him, and because she was all undressed, throwing her nightgown on her, she made haste up after him to my Brother's chamber, The King was knocking furiously at the door, commanding it to be opened, pronouncing that the King was there: My Brother awaked at this tumult, and knowing that he had not committed any thing that might give him the least occasion of fear, he commanded Cange the Groom of his Chamber; to open the door; the King rushing in, began to tax him, and to tell him that he would never leave to practise against his State and him, and that he would make him know what it was to attempt against his Prince: On that, he presently commanded the Guard to carry forth his coffers, and to take the grooms of his chamber with them; He searched my Brother's bed himself, and turned and tossed it, to see if he could find any papers there. My Brother having a letter of Madame de Sauvaes', which he received that evening, did take it into his hand, that the King might not see it, the King enforced himself to take it from him, and my Brother resisting, and with joined hands entreating him that he would be pleased not to look on it, he made the King more desirous to peruse it, believing that in that paper he should find a sufficient ground to commence his process against him. In the end, having opened it in the presence of the Queen my mother, they were as much abashed at it, as was sometimes Cato, who in the Senate having constrained Caesar to show the paper that was brought unto him, importunately implying that it concerned the benefit of the Commonwealth, he perceived, that it was a wanton letter of love, directed from his sister to him. The shame of this event, that came so cross to the expectation of the King, augmented by despite his choler, so that he gave no ear unto my brother, who incessantly demanded, of what he was accused, and wherefore he was so entreated? He was committed to the charge of Monsieur de Loss, and there was a Guard set over him of the Scotch regiment, with command not to permit him to talk to any: this was done an hour after midnight; My brother remaining still in this manner, was in greater perplexity for me, then for himself, believing truly that they would do the like by me, and that so violent and unjust a beginning, could not have but as untoward and ending, and seeing that Monsieur de Loss had tears in his eyes, for grief to see things carried after this manner, and that by reason of the Guard there present, he durst not speak freely to him, he only asked him what was become of me, Monsieur de Loss made answer, that as yet he heard nothing of me; My brother strait replied, It is a great comfort to me in this affliction, to hear that my Sister is at liberty, but although she be in that free estate, she affecteth me so entirely, that she would rather be in bondage with me, then live in liberty without me, and desired him to go to the Queen my mother, and beseech her that she would be pleased to obtain of the King, that I might endure my captivity with him, this the King did grant; this unshaken belief which my brother had of the assurance of my love, was such a particular obligation to me, though his good offices might challenge from me many and great acknowledgements, that I have ever placed it in the first rank of all; as soon as he had this permission, which was upon the break of day, he desired Monsieur de Loss, to send one of the Guard to acquaint me with this melancholy news, and to desire me to come unto him, the yeoman of the guard, coming into my chamber, found me asleep, not dreaming of any thing that had passed; he opened my curtain, as I was opening my eyes, and in a language proper to the Scots, said unto me, Bon jour Madame! Monsieur your brother desires you, that you would come unto him. I looked on the Man, being not half awaked, and even ready to fall asleep again, and knowing him, I demanded of him, if he was not one of the Scottish guard, he answered, yes; I replied, What is the matter, hath my brother no other messenger than you to send? he answered, No, for all his people are taken from him, and told me in his language all which that night had happened, and perceiving I was much afflicted at it, he approached nearer to me, and spoke that my servants being present, might not hear him, Do not torment yourself Madam, I have a means to save Monsieur your Brother, and assure yourself I will perform it, but of necessity I must then go with him; I answered him, that he should be rewarded above his hopes, and making haste to dress me, I went with him alone to my Brother's chamber, In my way I was to go through all the Court, then full of people, who were accustomed to run to see, and honour me, but perceiving how Fortune now had changed her countenance, they made as though they had not seen me; coming into my brother's chamber, I found him with so great a constancy, that he was not changed at all from his usual disposition, and tranquillity of Mind, and seeing me, he embraced me, and with a countenance rather joyful then dejected, said, My Queen, I beseech you forbear those tears, In this condition that I am, your grief is the only thing that can afflict me, for my innocence and true intentions do prohibit me to fear any of the accusations of my enemies, but if unjustly they shall attempt against my life, they who shall perform it, will be more cruel unto themselves, then me, who have courage enough to undergo and despise the stroke of so unjust a death, neither is it that so much which I respect, for my life hath hitherto been accompanied with so much sorrow and affliction, that not knowing any of the pleasures of this world I shall not have the grief to abandon them, the saddest apprehension which I have is, that wanting a cause to make me justly to die, I shall languish in the solitude of tedious imprisonment, where yet I shall despise the tyranny of my enemies, seeing you will so much oblige me as to assist me with your presence; these words in stead of ceasing my tears did so increase them, that out of my eyes I thought I should have poured all the moisture of my life; I answered him in sobs, that my life and fortunes were woven into his, that it was in the power of God alone to hinder me from assisting him in any condition that I could, that should the King take me thence, and not suffer me to continue with him I would kill myself in his presence; Passing the day in this discourse, and seeking together the occasion that made the King proceed in so cruel and unjust a course against him, and not able to conceive it, the hour came about for the opening of the Castle gate, where an indiscreet young fellow who was servant to Bussi, being known and stayed by the guard, was demanded by them, whither he was going, he being amazed with the strangeness of the sudden interrogatory, made answer that he was going to seek his Master; this being told unto the King, it was suspected that he was within the Lovure, where coming that after noon from Saint Germane my brother had caused him to enter in with the rest of the troop to confer with him on the affairs of his army which was going unto Flanders, not thinking then he should so suddenly depart from Court as unexpectedly afterwards it came to pass. That evening, on the occasion aforesaid, Archant the Captain of the Guard received Commandment from the King to look him out, and to seize on him and Simier; who making this inquisition to his grief, because he was an intimate friend of Bussies, and by alliance called him Son, as Bussi called him Father, he came up into Simiers Chamber where he seized on him, and doubting that Bussi there had hid himself, he made a light search being glad that he did not find him, but Bussi who lay then on the bed, and perceived that he should be left alone, fearing that the same Commission should be given to another with whom he should not be in so much safety, he desired rather to be under Archants' custody, and being of a merry and spiritful disposition, in whose breast no danger could work the base effects of fear, as Archant was going out of the door to lead Simier away, he put out his head betwixt the Curtains and cried out, why, ho there! What will you go without me Father, do not you think my conduct more honourable than such a rakestraws, as is Simiers; Archant turned to him, and said, Ah my Son, I would to God it had cost me one of my arms that you were not here; he replied, ●ush, my affairs go well, playing all the way as he went with Simier, and laughing at him for the trembling fear wherein he saw him: Archant shut them up both into one Chamber, and set a guard over them, and went from thence to take Monsieur de la Castre, whom he carried to the Bastille.  
While these things were in the execution, Monsieur de Loss a good old man who had been governor to the King my Husband in his nonage, and who tendered me as his own child, having now the custody of my brother, knowing how unjustly he was dealt withal, and detesting the bad counsel by which the King was governed, having a desire to oblige us both, resolved to save my brother, and the better to discover his intention to me, commanded the Scotch guard to wait without doors on the stair's head, detaining only two with him, in whose secrecy he much trusted, and taking me by the hand he said, There is not a true Frenchman, whose heart bleedeth not to see that which we behold, I have been too long a servant to the King your Father▪ to refuse to offer up my life a sacrifice for his children, I believe that I shall have the guard of Monsieur your brother, in whatsoever place they will keep him; Assure yourself that with the hazard of my life I will preserve his, but to the end that this resolution may not be perceived, let us talk no more together, but be certain of it. This promise gave me a little comfort, & rousing up my spirit, I told my brother, that we ought not to be kept in this manner, like people taken by the Inquisition, without knowing what we had done, that thus they use felons and the vilest of malefactors when they had taken them prisoners. I entreated Monsieur de Loss, since the King would not permit that the Queen my Mother should come unto us, that he would be pleased to let us know by any of his servants the cause of our restraint: Monsieur de Combaut who was chief of the Counsel of these young people was sent unto us, who with a gravity that was natural to him, told us that he was sent thither to know what was that, which we desired the King should understand; We made answer, that we desired to speak with any one from the King to know the occasion of our confinement which we ourselves could not conceive: He gravely replied, that we must not demand of Gods and Kings the reason of their actions, that they did all things for a good and a just cause; we made answer again, that we were not persons to be held as those whom they put in the the Inquisition, concerning whom we must divine what they had done; we could draw nothing else from him, but that he would employ himself for us, and that he would do us all the best offices which he could: My Brother began to laugh out right, but I who was turned all into grief to see my brother in danger, whom I cherished above my own life, had much ado to forbear from speaking to him, as he deserved.  
While he was making this report unto the King, my Mother being in her Chamber, oppressed with manifold afflictions, and even sick with sorrow, as a wise person did foresee that this excess made either without reason or subject would bring a swift and dreadful devastation on the Kingdom, if my Brother had not the better disposition; and sent for all the old Counsellors, Monsieur the Chancellor, the Princes, Lords, and Marshals of France, who were all wonderfully offended and scandalised for the bad Council which was given to the King, saying all to the Qu. my Mother, that she ought to oppose it, and represent unto the King the wrong which he had done, that they could not hinder the error from being undone which already was committed, but they ought to repeal it after the best manner they could. The Queen my Mother with all the Lords of his Council repaired presently to the King, and did demonstrate to him of what importance were these effects. The King having his eyes unsealed from the pernicious Counsel of these young people, did well approve what his old Lords and Counsellors had presented to him, and prayed the Queen my Mother to repeal it, and to persuade my Brother to forget all that was passed, adding that he was offended with those young people for it, and desired that by her means a reconcilement might be made betwixt Bussi and Quelus. This being determined, the guard was taken off my brother; and the Queen my Mother coming to his Chamber told him, that he was to thank almighty God for the mercy vouchsafed him in his deliverance from so great a danger, that she had seen the hour wherein she could not so much as hope for his life; that since he understood by this that the King was of such a heady humour that he took offence not only at effects, but at empty imaginations, and running uncontrolledly in his opinion, without staying at any advice, would execute whatsoever his fancy did prompt him to, therefore to put him in no further grievances, she desired him to put on a resolution to conform himself in all things to his will, and that he would present himself unto him without any show of discontent at the unjust proceedings which had passed against his person; we made answer to her, that we had much to give thanks to God for his great mercy in securing us from the injustice that was prepared for us, and that for this, next unto God we owed to her alone our second obligations, but the quality of my brother did not permit, that they should imprison him without a cause, and take him then from thence, without any formality of justification, or satisfaction. The Queen replied that what already had been done God himself could not cause to be undone, but they would recall the disorder that was made at his surprisal by making his deliverance with all the honour and satisfaction that he could desire, that also it were requisite that he again should content the King in all things, speaking to him with such affection and respect that the King should remain well pleased with it, and also that he would be a means that such a reconcilement should be made betwixt Bussi and Quelus that no more between them an occasion should be found for discontent or quarrel, avouching that the principal motive which produced all this counsel, and bad effects, was a fear that they had of the combat which old Bussi (a worthy father of so brave a Son) had demanded, beseeching the King that he would permit him to be his son Bussies Second, and in the like manner, that Monsieur de Que●us might have his father to second him, that they four might end the quarrel, without troubling the Court, or endangering so many people. My brother promised that Bussi (seeing he had no hope to redress himself) should, to come out of prison, perform any thing that she commanded; The Queen my mother, going down unto the King, found him very willing that this deliverance should be made with honour, and to this purpose he came into the Chamber of the Queen my Mother, with all the Princes, the Lords and others of his Counsel, and sent Monsieur de Villequier to tell us he did attend our coming. Passing through the halls and chambers, as we were going to his Majesty, we found them all full of people, who beheld us with tears falling from their eyes, praising God to see us out of danger. Coming into the chamber of the Queen my Mother, we found the King with the company before rehearsed, who seeing my brother, said unto him, that he would desire him not to think strange, nor be offended at what he had done, being compelled to it by the zeal which he had to the quiet and safety of the State, that he now believed that he had no intention to disturb his Kingdom or himself; My brother made answer, that he had vowed so much service to his Majesty, that he would think well of whatsoever he was pleased to have done, but he most humbly besought him to consider, that the devotion and fidelity which he had testified to his Majesty, did not deserve that rough entreaty, howsoever he accused nothing but his own unhappiness, and was satisfied enough, if the King acknowledged his innocence. The King answered yes, there was no question of it to be made; and entreated him to rely on his love, as much as heretofore. On this, the Queen my mother joined them hand in hand, and made them embrace each other. Immediately the King commanded that Bussi should come forth, and be reconciled to Quelus, and that they should set Simier and Monsieur de la Chastre at liberty. Bussi coming into the chamber, with that brave presence which was natural to him, the King told him that he would have an atonement made between him and Quelus, and that their quarrel should no more be mentioned, and commanded him to embrace Quelus: Bussi made answer, Sir, if it be your pleasure that I should kiss him, I am well disposed to it, and accommodating his gestures to his words, he did accost him with the Pantaloon, and in a lover's compliment did embrace him, at which all the company, though possessed, and almost astonished with the former passages, could hardly refrain from laughter: the more advised judged that it was too slight a satisfaction which my brother received, and not to be parralel'd with so great an Injury. This being done, the King and Queen my Mother coming to me, told me it was needful also, that I should give them my hand, that my Brother should not entertain the remembrance of any thing which might make him start from the obedience which he owed to the King. I made answer that my brother was so wise, and had so much devotion to his service, that he had no need to be persuaded to it, either by me, or by any other, and that he never had, nor should receive any counsel from me, but what should be conformable to their will, and his duty. It being then three a clock in the afternone, and none having dined, the Queen my Mother desired that we might dine altogether, and afterwards commanded my Brother and myself to change our habits, which were suitable to the sad condition wherein we lately were, and to make ourselves ready to be at supper with the King, and afterward at the dancing. She was obeyed in those things which could be put off, and left behind; but for the countenance, which is the lively Image of the Soul, the passion of our just discontent was read in perfect Characters, and engraven with all the force and violence of indignation and disdain▪ as we had true cause to find it in all the acts of this Tragy comedy; which being ended, Monsieur de Seurre, whom the Queen my mother had given to my brother to lie in his chamber, and in whose discourse she often took delight, did chance to stand before her: this was a man of a disposition bluntly sharp, and who with a careless grace and affectation, would assume unto himself the liberty of speaking any thing that came into his head, relishing something of the humour of the Cynic Philosopher. My mother observing him, said unto him, Now Monsieur de Seurre; And what say you of all this? he replied, It is too much in earnest, and too little in jest; and turning to me, he spoke softly, that my mother might not understand him, I do not believe that this is the last act of the play, the man (speaking of my Brother) would deceive me much, if he should stay here still. This in this manner being passed, the malady being healed without, and not within, the young people who possessed the King, conceiving of my Brother's nature and disposition by their own, and their unexperienced judgements not permitting them to discern of what force and virtue was his Country's love unto a Prince so rarely qualified as was my Brother, they persuaded the King, joining their cause to his, that my Brother would never forget the public affront which he received, but would be always watching an occasion to revenge it. The King, quite forgetting the former error which these young people caused him to commit▪ received this second Impression, and commanded the Captain of the Guards to look carefully to the gates, that my brother might not go forth, and that every night they should discharge the Louvre of all my brother's servants, leaving only him behind, who usually lay in his chamber, or in his Waredrope. My brother seeing himself at the mercy of these young heads, who without either respect or judgement made the King dispose of him as they pleased, fearing least worse should come unto him, and having a fresh example of what without any ground or reason lately had befallen him, having three days entertained the apprehension of this danger, was resolved on the fourth, to remove from Court, and to retire to his own house, nor return any more to Court, but with what speed he could, to dispatch his affairs for Flanders; he disclosed to me this resolution, and perceiving it was his best security, and that neither the King nor State should receive any prejudice by it, I did approve it, and contriving the means, because he could not get out of the gates of the Lou●e, which were so curiously guarded, that steadfastly, and with great heed they looked in the face of all that passed in and out; I concluded, there was no other way for him, but to get out at my Chamber window, which looked down into a deep ditch, and was two stories high; he entreated me to provide for this purpose, a strong cable, and of a sufficient length, which suddenly I procured, causing a boy that was faithful to me to carry out that day the cord of a bed, which was broken, in pretence to have it repaired, and shut again, and within some few hours after, to bring it back, and with it, the cord that was necessary for us. The hour of supper being come which was on a fasting night, when the King supped not, my Mother did sup alone in her little Hall, and I with her; my Brother although he was exceeding patient and discreet in all his actions being roused up by the remembrance of the affront which he received, and of the danger which threatened him, impatient to be gone, came unto me as I rose from table, and whispering in my ear desired me to make haste, and repair unto my own chamber, where he would attend me: Monsieur de Matignon who was not yet Marshal, a dangerous and fine Norman who loved not my Brother, being either adverised of it by some one who peradventure could not hold his peace, or conjecturing it by the manner which my brother spoke unto me, said unto the Q. my Mother, as she was going to her Chamber, That without doubt my brother would be gone, that to morrow he would not be there, that he knew it very well, and that she should do well to give order to the contrary: I did even hear the words he spoke, standing very near my Mother, regarding and curiously observing all that passed, as those do in the like estate, who being near their utmost danger, or on the point of their delivery, are floating betwixt fear and hope: I perceived that my Mother was much troubled at the news which gave me the greater apprehension to believe that we were discovered; entering into her Closet, she took me aside and said; Have you heard what Matignon hath told me? I made answer, I did not understand it Madam, but I perceive it is some business that doth afflict you; yes, she replied, and that very much, for you know that I have answered the King that your Brother should not go, and Matignon now is come to tell me, that he knows he will not be here to morrow. Finding then myself in these two extremes, either to fail in my fidelity to my Brother, and put his life in hazard, or to swear against the truth, a thing which I would not do to escape a thousand deaths, I was in so great a perplexity that had not God assisted me, my fashion sufficiently had witnessed without my words, the fear I had that we were discovered, but as God assisteth good intentions, and his divine bounty joined in this work of my Brother's safety, I so composed my looks and words, that she perceived not any thing but that which I would have her, and that I offended not my Soul or Conscience by any false oath. I demanded of her, if too well she did not understand the hate which Monsieur Matignon did bear unto my Brother, that he was a spiteful disturber of all our quiet, and who did grieve to see us live in concord, that when my Brother did go I would answer it with my life; that I was confident, he having never concealed any thing from me, that he would have communicated this design unto me if he had an intention thereunto; this I said, assuring myself that my Brother being safe they durst not do me wrong, and choosing rather to engage my life then to offend my soul by any false oath, or to put my Brother's life in jeopardy; She seeking not after any other sense of my words, replied; Be well advised what you say, you shall serve as caution for him, and answer his absence with your life; to which I smiling did make answer, that it was that which I desired; and bidding her good night, I forthwith repaired to my Chamber, where putting off my clothes with all diligence, hasting unto bed, to be the sooner rid of the Ladies and Gentlewomen that attended on me, I was left only with the women of my Chamber, when presently my Brother came in, and Simier and Cange with him, and having commanded them to look first into the ditch, to see if any one were there, we fastened the cord to the post of the window; we were aided only with my three women that lay in my Chamber, and with the boy that brought the cord; my brother, although it was a very great height, without any apprehension of fear descended first, and laughing at the danger went swinging and playing down; after him descended Simier in such a pitiful fear that he could scarce hold the rope for trembling; and last of all Cange the groom of his Chamber. God so happily did guide my brother from being discovered that he came to Saint Geneviefue where Bussi did attend him, who by the consent of the Abbey had made a hole in the Town wall, at which my Brother did go forth, and finding there two horses ready, he retired to Angers without any misfortune. As Cange last of all came down, there arose a man from the bottom of the Ditch who began to run towards the lodgings near the Tennis Court which is the way to the Corpse de guard; I who in all this adventure apprehended not any thing which concerned myself in particular, but only the safety or danger of my Brother, stood in a maze, struck through and through with fear, believing that man to be some one, who following the advice of Monsieur de Matignon was placed there on purpose to observe us, and thinking that my Brother had been surprised I fell into a despair, which cannot be represented but by an essay of things like to it: being in these perplexities, my women more curious than myself, for my safety and their own took the cord and put it into the fire, to the end that if the misfortune were so great that the man who rose out of the ditch, had been set there to observe us, it might not be discovered; this cord being very long made so great a flame that it blazed out of the chimney, and was perceived by those of the Guard, who that night did watch: In a great fright and with loud importunity they came and knocked at my door desiring that suddenly it might be opened, than I thought that my brother at that present had been taken, and that we both had been undone, having notwithstanding anchored my hope on God who preserved my judgement entire (a grace which his divine Majesty was ever pleased in all my danger to vouchsafe unto me) and perceiving that the cord was but half burned out, I spoke unto my women to go gently to the door to demand what they would have, and to speak softly to them, as if I were asleep, which they did, and they of the guard told them that a great fire came out of the tunnel of my chimney and made in the dark of night so bright a flame, that the danger of it did call them thither to extinguish it: My women made answer to them, it was nothing, and that they were able to quench it well enough themselves, and charged them to take heed that they did not waken me, on which they returned back. This alarm being passed, some two hours after, behold Monsieur de Loss came to call me to the King & Queen my Mother, to give them an account of my brother's departure, being advertised of it by the Abbot of Saint Genevifue, who to avoid all checks, and by my brothers own consent, when he saw himself far enough from the danger of being entrapped, came to inform the King of it, telling him that he was surprised in his own house, and being shut up therein till a breach in the wall was made for my brother's escape, he could come no sooner to acquaint his Majesty with it; He found me in my bed, for it was yet night, and I suddenly arising, and putting on my nightgown, one of my women indiscreetly affrighted at it, took hold of my gown, weeping and crying out, that I should never return unto them. Monsieur de Loss beating her back, said, If this woman had done this before any but myself, who am your devoted servant, these words of hers might procure great trouble to you, but give thanks to God, and fear not any thing, for Monsieur your Brother is safe. This assurance of his was to me a needful, and no less welcome encouragement, to arm me to endure all the threats and choler of the King, whom I found sitting on the Queen my Mother's bed, in so great a passion, that I believe I should have found the effects of it, if the fear of my brother's absence, and my mother's presence had not detained him. They both said unto me, that I had obliged myself unto them, that my Brother should not go, and had promised to answer for him; I replied, that it was true, I had; but in this, that he had deceived me, as well as them, howsoever I durst assure them on the forfeit of my life, that his departure would bring no alteration in his service to his Majesty; and that he was only gone to his own house, to give order in what was necessary for his voyage into Flanders. This assurance did a little qualify the King, who gave me leave to return unto my chamber; not long after, there came news from my brother, which gave the King reassurances of his affection and obedience; this caused the complaint to cease, but not the discontent, showing in appearance to be willing to assist him, but traversing under hand the preparations of his Army into Flanders.   

The Argument of the Third Book.  
HER departure from Court, and travels with the Queen her Mother to the King of Navarre her Husband. The saucy zeal of Du Pin. The united happiness of their Majesty's conjugal affections during their five years' abode in Gascogny. The King of Navarre too great with Fosseusa. Foosseusa became too great by the King, and being burdened by the Queen with it, after an obstinate denial, she not long after, in safe Childbed was delivered of her burden, and had she received the Queen's saving counsel, she had been delivered with it of the burden of her fears and shame. New tumults of arms, and war against the Huguenots, which was silenced by a Peace, concluded by the wisdom of the Duke of Alenson, and this Queen his Sister. Her preparations into the Court of France, which being furthered by the spiteful assistance of the King of France her Brother, began to languish into delays, by the persuasions, and the reformed love of the King of Navarre her Husbnnd.   

The Memorials of Queen MARGARET. The Third Book.  
THE time Passing away itself in this manner, I every hour solicited the King to grant me leave to go unto the King my husband, who perceiving that he no longer could deny me, unwilling that I should depart from him unsatisfied, and infinitely besides desiring to divert me from the friendship of my brother, he obliged me to stay by all manner of benfits and persuasions, and gave me according to the promise which the Queen my mother had made at the peace of Sens, the assignation of my dowry in lands, and besides that, the nomination and disposure of certain offices and places of preferment; and adding to the pension which the daughters of France were accustomed to receive, he allowed me an exhibition from his own coffers, and taking the pains to come and visit me every morning, he continually represented, how profitable would his friendship prove unto me, alleging that my Brother's love would in the end procure my ruin, and that his would possess me with a life as safe as happy, with a thousand other reasons tending to the same purpose, in which he could never shake the fidelity which I had vowed to my brother, and could draw nothing from me but only this, that my greatest desire was to see my brother in his favour, that it seemed to me that he deserved not to be removed from it, being confident that he would be most worthy of it by all humility of obedience, and devoted service: For myself, I acknowledged, I was obliged to him for so much honour and benefits received, that he might well assure himself, that I would not fail him in whatsoever commandments he should enjoin me to perform, and that I would travel in nothing more, then to preserve the King my Husband in his loyalty. My brother being then upon his expedition into Flanders, the Queen my mother desired to go to Alenson, to see him before his departure. I besought the King that he would be pleased I should accompany her, to take my farewell of my brother; to this, but to his grief, he gave permission.  
Being returned from Alenson, having all things ready for my departure, I did again beseech the King, that he would give me leave to go, to which he condescended; the Queen my mother, who had a voyage also into Gascogny, for the service of the King (that country having need either of his, or her presence) resolved that I should not depart without her; and the Court removing from Paris, the King brought us to his Dolinville, where having entertained us certain days, we took our leave of him, and a little after, we came into Guyenne, and traveled through all that Province, before we arrived at the government of the King my husband. He came to meet my mother as far as La Reolle, a town which those of the Religion did hold for the mistrust which did yet possess them, the peace of that country being not fully established: He was bravely attended with all the Lords and Gentlemen of the Religion of Gascogny, and with some Catholics. The Queen my mother determined to make but a short stay, but there intervened so many accidents on the Catholics side, and on the Huguenots, that she was constrained to make there her abode full 18. months, and being angry and weary of it, she would oftentimes allege, that it was done on purpose by them to enjoy the presence of her Gentlewomen; the King my husband being strongly enamoured on Dayella, and Monsieur de Thurenus on La Vergna, which was yet no hindrance unto me from receiving all desired love, and great honour from the King my husband, who from the beginning recounted to me all the projects and devices which were contrived in the time of his residence at court, to work his dissension betwixt us, which he acknowledged were made on purpose to dissolve the friendship betwixt my brother and himself, and to ruin us all three, and undissemblingly expressed what a full content he did receive, that we were now together. We remained in this happy condition, during the time of my mother's abode in Gascogny, who after she had established the peace, changed the King's Lieutenant at the entreaty of the King my Husband, removing Monsieur the Marquis of Villars, and putting in the place of him Monsieur the Marshal of Byron.  
My Mother passing into Languedock, we conducted her as far as Castlenaudarti, where taking our farewell of her, we returned to the Town of Pau in Bearne, which having not the exercise of the Catholic Religion, they only permitted me to have Mass said in a little Chapel, which was but three or four foot in length, and being very narrow, was full, when but seven or eight of us were in it. At the hour when Mass was to be said, the draw bridge of the Castle was lifted up, because the Catholics of the Country who had not the exercise of their Religion should not hear it, for they were infinitely desirous to be present at the holy Sacrifice, from which for many years they were deprived, and being touched with a holy and devout desire, the inhabitants of that place found a means on the day of Pentecost to come into the Castle, before the bridge was drawn up, hiding themselves in the Chapel, where they were not discovered till Mass was almost ended, when the bridge being let down for so●e of my people to come into the Chapel, certain Huguenots did espy them, and complained of them to Le Pin, who was Secretary to the King my Husband, this fellow infinitely did possess his Master, and had great authority in his Court, and managed all the affairs for those of the Religion: immediately he sent some of the guard, who drawing them thence, and beating them in my presence, did throw them into prison where a long time they stayed, and paid great fines; I was the more sensible of this indignity, because I expected no such matter: I complained to the King my Husband, and besought him that these poor Catholics might be released, who deserved not that chastisement, and being a long time restrained from the exercise of their Religion did now assemble themselves on my coming (the better to celebrate the day of so great a feast) to hear Mass in my Chapel; Le Pin without being called, did intrude himself, and without giving so much respect to his Master, as to give him leave to answer, took the word out of his mouth, and told me that I should not trouble the head of the King my Husband with that matter, for say I what I would, it never the sooner should be done, adding that they well deserved the punishment they endured, and for my words they should speed neither the better nor the worse, that I should content myself that Mass was permitted to be said for me, and for those my people whom I took with me. These words did much offend me, from a man of so mean a quality; I besought the King my Husband if I were so happy to have any part in his affection, that he would let me understand that he was sensible of the indignity which I received from that saucy fellow, and that he would compel him to give me satisfaction for it. The King my Husband perceiving how just my anger and discontent were, caused him to go out of my presence; telling me that he was very sorry for the indiscretion of le Pin, and that he should give me what satisfaction I desired; that concerning the Catholic prisoners he would advise with his Counsellors of the Parliament of Pau, who should do that which might comply with my request. Having said this unto me, he went into his Closet, where he found Du Pin, who after he had spoken with him, changed all again; so that fearing I would request him to dishonour Le Pin out of his service, he shunned my presence, and dissembling with me deferred what he promised. In the end seeing I grew resolute, that he should abandon either Le Pin or myself, which of us he pleased, all those that were present, and who all hated Le Pin, said unto him, that he ought not to discontent me for so poor a fellow, that had so arrogantly offended me, that if it should be brought to the ear and knowledge of the King, and Queen my Mother, they would take it very ill that he still did entertain him. These words did constrain him to put him away, but he ceased not to do me evil offices, and to make me false apparences, being persuaded to it, as he hath told me since, by Monsieur de Pibrac who played double with us, who told me that I ought not to suffer myself to be outbraved by so mean a fellow as Le Pin, and that whatsoever came of it, very necessary it were, that I should put him thence; and saying to the King my Husband that there was no reason nor appearance that he should be deprived of the service of a man that was so useful to him: Monsieur de Pibrac did this to incite me on the receiving of so many and great affronts to return into France, where he was attached in his estate by the Precedent, and one of the Counsellors of the Council of the King: and to make my condition yet worse, Dayella being gone, the King my Husband courted Rebours who was a malicious wench that loved me not, and who did me all the bad offices which in her own behalf she could. In these afflictions having ever my recourse to God, in the end he had pity of my tears and permitted that we should depart from the little Geneva of Pau, where as it fell out well for me, Rebourse stayed sick behind, from whom the King my Husband having removed his eyes, removed also his affection, and began to embark himself with Fosseusa who indeed was then a delicate girl, being very young and very beautiful. As we were in our way to Monta●ban, we passed by a little Village named Eause, and were no sooner arrived there, but the King my Husband fell very sick of a violent and malignant fever accompanied with an extreme pain in his head, which lasted for the space of seventeen days, during which time he took no rest neither by day nor night, and continually we were removing him from one bed to another. I rendered myself so serviceable to him, that during his extremities I never put off my clothes nor departed from him, insomuch that he began to take delight in my service, and to commend it to all the world, and especially to my Cousin Monsieur— who performing the office of a good kinsman reestablished me as dear as ever in the favour of the King my Husband, a happiness which lasted for the space of four or five years while I continued in Gascogny with him, making our abode for the most part at Nerac, where our Court appeared so full of lustre, that we envied not that of France; there was Madam the Princess 〈◊〉 Navarre, the King my Husband's Sister, who hath since been married to Monsieur the Duke of Bar● with myself and a great number of other Ladies and young Gentlewomen, and the King my husband was attended with a brave troop of Lords and Gentlemen so richly qualified, that I have not seen more gallant personages in the Court of France, neither was there any thing in them that was reprovable, but only that they were Huguenots, but in this diversity of Religion there was heard at all no noise of controversy, or contention of words. The King my Husband and Madam▪ the Princess his sister had recourse in their devotion to the Sermon, and I with my train to the Mass, which was said in a little Chapel in the Park, from which when I came forth, we all reunited ourselves to walk either in a very fair garden whose allies on each side were set with Laurel and Cypress trees, or in the park where were walks of three miles in length, which I had caused to be made by the River's side, and the residue of our time we passed in all variety of honest pleasures, dancing being usually after dinner, and after supper. The King courted Fosseusa, who depending altogether on me, maintained herself with virtue and so much honour, that had she preserved it, she had not fallen into that misfortune which reflected afterwards so much on her, and on myself: but fortune envious of a life so happy, which was maintained by peace and union, in which had we continued, we might securely have contemned her malice, stirred up a new subject of war betwixt the King my Husband and the Catholics, and wrought the King my Husband, and Monsieur the Marshal of Byron, who at the Huguenots request had charge of the King's Lieutenant in Guyenne, to so great an enmity, that do I what I could to keep the King my Husband and him at peace, I could not prevail, but they grew into a great defiance, and hatred one of the other, each of them complaining to the King. The King my Husband demanded that Monsieur the Marshal of Byron should be removed from the government of Guyenne, and Monsieur the Marshal taxed my Husband and those of the pretended reformed Religion to have enterprised many things against the treaty of the peace. The beginning of this disunion did daily increase itself to my great grief, being unable to redress it, and Monsieur the Marshal of Byron persuaded the King to come himself into Guyenne, alleging that his presence would settle things in a better order, of which the Huguenots being advertised believed that the King came only to demantle and to seize upon their Towns which made them resolve to have recourse to arms: this was that which so much before I feared, and being now embarked to run the fortune of the King my Husband and by consequence seeing myself to be on a side contrary to that of my Religion; I spoke to the King my Husband, and to all those of his Counsel to prevent it, showing how little advantageous to them this war was like to prove, where they had so great a Chieftain to oppose them, as was Monsieur the Marshal of Byron, a great Captain, and strongly incensed against them, who would not make a flourish and dally with them, as others before had done, but should he command the power of the King, and employ them with a resolution to drive them out of the Kingdom, they were not able to withstand him. But the fear which they had of the Kings coming into Guyenne, and their hopes of many enterprises on the greatest part of the Towns in Gascogny and Languedock prevailed so much, that although the King did do me the honour to put great trust and confidence in me, and the chief of the Religion did impute much to my understanding, yet I could not persuade them to that, which a little after to their expense they found too true. The torrent uncontrolled must run a while, which shortly after will assuage his course, when they shall come to the experience of that which I foretold them; but long before they proceeded to these terms, seeing how the affairs disposed themselves, I often besought the King and Queen my mother to provide a remedy, by giving some content to the King my husband, but they made no reckoning of it, and it seemeth they were glad that things were brought to such a pass, being persuaded by the Marshal Byron, that he had found a means to reduce the Huguenots as low as he desired. This advice of mine being neglected, the grievances by degrees advanced themselves so far, that in the end they had their recourse to arms. They of the pretended reformed Religion were much discontented, because they failed in their forces which they thought to have assembled, the army of the King my Husband being in number far inferior to that of the Marshal Byron, especially all their enterprises having miscarried, unless that only on Cabors, which they took with Petards, with the loss of many Soldiers, by reason that Monsieur de Vezins was there, who fought with them for the space of two or three days, and who, with them, street after street, and house after house did dispute it out unto the last; where the King my husband made apparent both his wisdom, and his valour, not as a Prince of his quality, but as a brave and courageous Captain. The taking of this Town did rather endamage, than advantage them. The Marshal of Byron finding his opportunity, took to the field, seizing on, and plundering all the little Towns which held for the Huguenots, and putting all to the edge of the sword. On the beginning of this war, seeing the honour which the King my husband did express unto me, commanded me not to abandon him; I resolved with myself to run his fortune, not without an extreme grief to find the motive of the war was such, that I could not wish the advantage of the one side, or the other, without desiring it to my own damage; for if the Huguenots had the better, that would be the Ruin of the Catholic Religion, the preservation whereof I preferred to my own life, and if the Catholics should win upon the Huguenots, I saw the ruin of the King my husband; nevertheless my duty commanding me to stay with him; and retained by his love, and the confidence which he reposed in me▪ I wrote unto the King and Queen my mother of the estate wherein I saw that Country, to have them advise of those affairs, which I found they did too much neglect: I besought them, that if in consideration of me, they would not so much oblige me as to extinguish those flames, in the midst whereof I saw myself exposed, that at least they would be pleased to command Monsieur the Marshal of Byron, that the Town wherein I made my abode, should be held in neutrality, and that within three miles of it there no hostility should be practised, and that I should obtain as much of the King my husband, for those of his Religion. The King did grant me this, provided that the king my husband should not be in Nerac, but if he were, that then the neutrality should no longer be in force. This condition was observed on both sides, with as much respect as could be desired, but it could not withhold the king from coming often to Nerac, where Madam his sister and myself were resident; it being his Nature to delight himself in the company of Ladies, and he was at that time extremely enamoured on Fosseusa, whom he served ever since he forsook Rebours, and from whom I received no bad office, and for this cause the king my husband did live with me in as much privacy and familiarity, as heretofore, seeing that I desired nothing more than his content in all things; These considerations having brought him one day to Nerac, he stayed there three days after being unable to depart from a company so delightful to him. The Marshal of Byron, who watched for such an opportunity, being acquainted with it, made as though he brought his army that way, to join with Monsieur de Cornusson the Senescall of Tholouse, on his passage over the river, who brought more forces to him, and in stead of marching toward the river, he turned upon Nerac, and about nine of the clock in the morning, he presented himself with all his army in battle array, within a Canons shot of the town; The King my husband (who received advertisement the night before of the coming of Cornusson, desiring to hinder them from joining their armies into one body) determined to fight with them apart, and was gone that morning on break of day to encounter with them on the passage over the river; but being deceived in his intelligence, for Monsieur de Cornusson passed over the river the night before, he returned to Nerac, and as he entered in at one gate, he understood that the Marshal of Byron stood in battle array before the other; It was that day very stormy weather, and there fell so much rain, that the Harquebuses could do no service. Nevertheless the King my husband cast some of his troops amongst the Vines, to keep the Marshal of Byron from approaching nearer, having not the means, by reason of the extreme rain which continued all that day to do any other fear of war. The Marshal of Byron stood all the while in battle array before our eyes, and disbanding only three or four of his company, who demanded in way of tournament to try their lances for the love of the Ladies, he kept his army entire, covering his artillery till he was ready to discharge, and on a sudden, making his troops give way, and cleave asunder, he thundered against the Town with seven or eight volleys of Canon shot, whereof one of the bullets latched on the Castle, and having made this shot, he marched thence, sending a Trumpet to me to excuse himself, and to assure me, that had I been alone, he would not for all the world have attempted it, but I knew, he said, that it was articled in the neutrality concluded by the King, that if the King my husband should be at Nerac, the neutrality should then be void, and that he had commandment from the King, to make war upon the King my husband, in whatsoever place he found him. In all other actions, Monsieur the Marshal of Byron had rendered great respect, and expressed himself a friend unto me; for my letters being fallen in the time of the war into his hands, he sent them safe, and fast sealed to me, and whosoever spoke on my behalf, received from him honour and good entreaty. I made reply unto his Trumpet, that I knew indeed that Monsieur the Marshal had done no more than what pertained to the war, and to the King's commandment; but a man of his wisdom might well have satisfied both the one and the other, without offending his friends, that he might well have given me leave for those three days to take pleasure in the contentment I received to see the King my husband at Nerac, that he could not take him in my presence, but he must seize on me also, that I was highly offended at what he had done, and would complain unto the King. The war after this continued a certain time, those of the Religion having always the worse, which did much assist me to prepare my husband, and dispose him to a peace. I wrote often to the King and the Queen my mother concerning it, but they would not understand me, trusting to the good fortune which as yet accompanied Monsieur the Marshal of Byron.  
In the same time that this war began, the Town of Cambray (which since my departure out of France, was brought under the obedience of my Brother, by the means of Monsieur de Ainsi, of whom I have spoken heretofore) was besieged by the Spanish forces, of which my Brother was advertised, being then at his house at Plossis les Tours, and was newly returned from Flanders, where he had received the Towns of Montz, Valenciennes, and some others, which were under the government of the Count of Lalain, who complied with my Brother, causing him to be acknowledged for their Sovereign in all the Countries of his authority. My brother desiring to relieve it, had made a sudden press for Soldiers, intending with all speed to march down with his army to raise the siege; and because it could not so soon be ready, he put Monsieur Balany into the Town, to sustain the siege, expecting the coming of the Army to relieve the Town: As he was on these preparations, and began to draw his forces together, the war with the Huguenots did interpose itself, which caused him to disband his troops, to enrol themselves in the army of the King, which was marching into Gascogny. This took from my brother all the hope to relieve Cambray, which he could not lose, but he must lose with it not only all the rest of the Country, which he had conquered, but what most grieved him, Monsieur de Balany also, and all those good Soldiers which he had put into Cambray. This displeasure sat deep within him, and being a Prince of great judgement, and who never failed of expedients in his necessities, he perceived that the only remedy he had, was to pacify France, and having a courage that found nothing difficult, he undertook to conclude a peace, and suddenly dispatched a Gentleman to the King to persuade him to it, and to beseech him to give him the charge to mediate the peace: this he did, fearing that those to whom it should have been committed, would be so tedious in the execution of their charge, that he should lose the means and opportunity to relieve Cambray, from whence Monsieur Balany, who had already endured the fury of the siege, sent my Brother word, that he would give him six Month's leisure to bring down his succours, but if at that time the Siege were not raised; the necessity and want of victuals would be such, that he should not have the means to restrain the Inhabitants from surrendering the Town. God so blessed my brother in the design he had to persuade the king unto the peace, that he gave consent unto it, and was glad that my Brother offered himself to bring it to effect, hoping by this means to divert him from his enterprise in Flanders, to which he never was affected: He gave my brother the Commission to treat it, and conclude it, exhorting my Brother for his assistance in it, to send for the Lords of Villeroy, and Bellieure: this Commission was wrought so happily by my brother, that coming into Gascogny (howsoever he stayed seven Months in the effecting of it, which time seemed to him as long again, because of the labouring desire which he had to hasten to the succour of Cambray, although the content which he received that I was with him, did much abate the eagerness of that care) yet he made a peace to the content of the king and all the Catholics, leaving the king my husband and the Huguenots no less satisfied, having proceeded in it with so much wisdom, that he was beloved, and praised of all, having also in this voyage won the love of that great Captain, the Marshal of Byron, who did there vow himself his servant, to receive the charge of his army, which was going into Flanders, whom (to please the King my husband) my Brother removed from his government of Gascogny, and put in his place Monsieur the Marshal of Matignon; but before my Brother did depart, he did desire that accordance might be made betwixt the King my husband, and Monsieur the Marshal of Byron, who at the first sight made me satisfaction by an honest excuse, of that which passed at Nerac. I was enjoined to outbrave him for it with all the sharpest and most disdainful language that I could; but I used the passionate command of my brother with such discretion, as was requisite to his affairs, knowing that the day might come wherein he might much rely on the assistance of so brave a Soldier. My brother returning into France, attended with Monsieur the Marshal of Byron, rereived no less honour and just glory for pacifying so great a trouble to the content of all, then in the many victories he achieved by arms, and made his army more great and powerful; but what happiness and glory is not attended with envy? The King taking no pleasure in it, and in the six or seven month's time, while my brother and myself were both together a treating of the peace in Gascogny, having had the leisure to find an object for his anger, conceived that I had made that war, and driven the King my husband to it (who well can witness the contrary) that my Brother might enjoy the honour of making the peace, which if it had depended on me, it had been done with more speed, and less pains, for his affairs in Flanders and Cambray, received great disadvantage by this delay. But alas envy and hate do blind our eyes, and make us not to see things, as indeed they are. The King building on this false foundation a mortal hatred against my Brother, and reviving in himself the remembrance of what was passed, how when he was in Poland, and since his return from thence, I ever had preferred my Brother's contentment and affairs above his own, joining altogether at once, did vow my ruin and my Brothers; In which Fortune favoured his resolution, causing in the seven month's space that my brother was in Gascogny, the unhappiness to be such, that he fell in love with Fosseusa, to whom the King my husband was a servant ever since he forsook Rebours: this being discovered, the King my husband was offended with me, believing that I did good offices for my brother, to withdraw the affection of Fosseusa from him; this I no sooner understood, but I besought so much my Brother in my behalf, presenting to him what misery might ensue to me by it, that he who affected my contentment above his own, in this did force his passion, and spoke no more unto her. Having on this side found redress, Fortune, who when once she beginneth to pursue, retireth never at the first counter-blow, prepared a new attempt more dangerous than the former, causing Fosseusa, who extremely loved the King my husband, and who till then permitted him no other privacies, than what the honesty of a familiar love might well enjoy, to take from him all jealous thoughts which he had of my Brother, and to make him understand that she did love him alone, did so abandon herself to content him in all things, that the mischief grew so great, that she was with Child, and perceiving herself in this estate, she changed all the manner of her proceedings with me, and in stead of her accustomed method, of being free and open, and of doing me all the good offices she could, to endear me the more to the king my husband, she began now to conceal herself from me, and to render me as many bad offices, as heretofore she had done me good ones: She possessed so the king my husband, that in a little time, I found a great alteration; he estranged, he concealed himself from me, and took not that delight and pleasure in my company, as he had done for those four or five happy years while we were in Gascogny, and when Fosseusa governed her self with honour. The peace being concluded, my Brother returning into France, as I have said, to levy his Army, the King my husband, and myself returned to Nerac, where as soon as we were arrived, Fosseusa, either to find a coverture for her great belly, or to unburden herself of what she had, did put it into the King's head, to go to the hot waters that are in Bearn. I besought the King my husband to excuse me, if I accompanied him not, for he knew that since the indignity I received at Pau, I had made a vow that I would never return till there they had free exercise of the Catholic Religion, with great importunity he pressed me to go, and was very angry at the excuses which I made; In the end he told me, that his Girl (for so he called Fosseusa) had occasion to take those waters for the evil of her stomach; I made answer that I was well content that she should go without me, and that it would make the world think evil of her, there being no reason for it: In the end I so prevailed, that he was content to go with her, taking two of her companions, which were Rebours and Villesavin, with their governess. They departed thence, and I stayed behind at Baviere: I had every day intelligence from Rebours, who was she whom the King heretofore had loved, and who was a corrupt and double-hearted wench, and desired nothing more than to turn Fosseusa out of favour, hoping to possess again her place in the affection of the King my husband, that Fosseusa did me all the bad offices in the world, speaking of me reproachful and disdainful words, and persuading herself, if she had a Son, and could get clear of me, that she should be married to the king my husband, who returning from Baveire, was resolved to go to Pau, and to take me with him, whether I would or no: These advertisements did much afflict me; nevertheless having my confidence in the mercy of God, and the goodness of the king my husband, I passed the time of my abode at Baveire, in expecting him, and in pouring out as many tears, as they drank drops of water where they were, although the Catholic Nobility of that Country, with whom I was accompanied, took all the pains they could to make me forget my afflictions. At the end of five weeeks, the king my husband returning with Fosseusa, and her other companions, understood by some of the Lords who were with me, what sorrows I endured, for fear of going unto the Pau, which was the cause he no more strongly importuned me, but only told me, he had a desire that I should go, but seeing my tears and words did jointly witness unto him, that I had rather go unto my grave, he changed his resolution, and returned to Nerac; where seeing all spoke of Fosseusaes' bigness, and that it was not only all the talk at Court, but in the Country also, I took upon me to silence the report, and calling her into my closet, spoke thus unto her: Although some time is passed since you have estranged yourself from me, and I have been induced to believe that you have done me bad offices to the king my husband, yet the love which I have borne unto you, and which I have vowed to persons of honour, to whom you appertain, doth enjoin me to offer you all succour that may relieve you in the mishap whereinto you are fallen: I must entreat you that you would not be perverse, nor by refusing my love, to ruin both my honour and your own; I have so much interest in your reputation, that it is as dear to me as to yourself, and believe me, I will perform the office of a mother to you: Under the pretence of Pestilence, which you see to be raging in this Country, and especially in this Town, I have the opportunity to remove to Master de Agenois, which is a private and retired mansion of the King my husbands: I will take with me no other train, than whom you desire. In the mean time the King my husband shall spend his time in hunting, and shall not stir from thence until you are delivered, and by this means, we may make the rumour cease which concerneth myself as much as you: she in stead of giving me thanks, with an extreme arrogance replied, that she would make those know they lied, that reported it, and speaking as loud to me, as I spoke soft to her, in a great choler she flung away, and sent the King my husband to me, who was very angry for what I had spoken to Fosseusa, saying that they were liars all, and that he would prove them so that taxed her: A long time he thus dissembled it with me, until certain months being expired, the hour of her delivery was come. Her pangs taking her in the morning about the break of day, being then in bed, in that chamber▪ where all the Virgins lay, that attended on me, she sent for my Physician to come unto her, and desired him to make haste to acquaint the King my husband with it, which he did; We lay in one chamber, but in several beds, as our usual manner was, As the Physician told him this, he found himself in a great perplexity, not knowing what to do, fearing on the one side that it should be discovered, and on the other side, that she should be ill at ended, for he loved her entirely. In the end he resolved to acquaint me with it, knowing that although she highly had trespassed against me, yet he should find me ready to do him any service he commanded; he opened my curtain, and said unto me, Sweet heart I have concealed a thing from you, which is necessary that I now discover; I beseech you to excuse me, and to remember no more what I have told you on that Subject; only oblige me now so far, as presently to rise, and make haste unto Fosseusaes' succour, who is very ill, I assure myself, that knowing in what estate she is, you will not call any thing to mind which heretofore hath passed; You know how well I love her; in this I beseech you to oblige me to you: I replied to him, that I honoured him too much, to take offence at any thing which did proceed from him, and entreated him that he would be pleased to hunt that day, and take all his people with him, that it might not be discovered. I caused her presently to be removed from the chamber of the Maids, and lodged her in a retired room, and brought with me my Physician, and some trusty women to attend her, where very safely she was delivered. It pleased God to send her a daughter, which since is dead▪ being delivered, we brought her back to the chamber of the Maids, where though we carried it with all privacy and discretion, we could not hinder the report from being spread over all the Castle. The King my husband being returned from hunting, made haste to see her. She desired him that I might come unto her, as my manner was, to visit all my young women when they were not well, hoping by this means to stop the busy rumour that ran of her. The King my husband came forthwith into my chamber, and found me lying on my bed, being very weary with my early rising, and with the pains I took to assist Fosseusa in her childing throws, and desired me that I would rise, and go unto her: I made answer, that when she had need of my help, I was not absent, but seeing there was nothing to be done, if I should go, I should discover rather than conceal the business, and that every finger did point at me already. At this word he grew very angry, and what most did grieve me, me thought that what I had done that morning did not deserve that recompense. While thus passed the occurrences of our affairs, the King, who was not ignorant of any thing that was done in the houses of the Great ones of his kingdom, and who was precisely curious to know the deportments of our Court, did cause the Queen my Mother to write unto me, that she had a great desire to see me, that it was too much for five or six years to be removed from her, that it was now time to take a journey unto Court, and that it should much conduce to the affairs of the King my husband, and my own: The King himself did afterwards write unto me to the same effect, and caused fifteen hundred Crowns to be delivered to me that no inconvenience might delay me, and the Queen my Mother sent me word, that she would come herself into Xantoigne, and if the King my husband would accompany me thither, she had some business there to communicate unto him, and to give him the assurance of the King's good will. All these fair apparences could not deceive me in the fruits which were to be expected from the Court, having had already too much experience of it, but I resolved to receive some profit by these offers, to advance my own occasions, and the affairs of the King my husband, hoping also it would prove a means to divert him from Fosseusaes' love, whom I determined to take along with me, and that the King my husband seeing her no more, might possibly embark himself with some one else that might not prove so cross and spiteful to me. I had much to do to persuade the King my husband to give consent unto this journey, because it grieved him to lose the company of Fosseusa, and because the fame of her late mischance being every where noised abroad, he jointly began to suffer in his reputation with her. He made me better cheer then ordinary, and laboured very much to take from me the desire of going into France. But having already made promise by my letters to the King and Queen my mother, and more especially having received the sum abovesaid for the voyage, the misfortune which drew me thence, took away with it again the desire which I had to go, because the King my husband did begin to express more friendship and affection to me.  
FINIS.   

Imprimatur,  
THO. WYKES.