Lusitania might be bought by all faithful subjects at the sign of the Bible in Chancery Lane.
Her royal cabin, and her state-room too,
Adorned with gold, and lined with velvet through.
The cushions, stools and chairs, and clothes of state
All of the same material and rate.
The bed, made for Her Majesty's repose.
White as the lily, red as Sharon's rose.
Egypt, nor isles of Chittim, have not seen
Such rich embroideries, nor such a Queen!
Windows with taffaties and damask hung.
While costly carpets on the floor are flung.
Regions of perfumes, clouds of incense hurled
In every room of this our little world.
All of which glowing account tends to assure us that Catherine's comforts and luxuries for the voyage were extremely well appointed. The good-bye to her brothers may well have tried the fortitude she had so well sustained till now. After the ladies who had attended her on board took their leave of her, kissing her hand with deep reverences, she should have been left alone in her cabin with only the members of her new household. Portugal had resigned her—she was in the care and custody of her new country now. But Catherine's heart was too full to let herself be bound by the strict etiquette that enjoined on her to hide in her cabin from the eyes of the world. She could not lose one precious moment of her brothers' company, and she went back with them to the deck of the Royal Charles, and even to the first step of the companion, in spite of her brother Alphonzo's remonstrances. She stood and gazed after their disappearing backs, till they were in the royal barge again, and under the awning.[1] Even then she could hardly tear herself from the spot where, her heart in her eyes, she stood, with a disregard for convention that shocked the Portuguese King. He motioned to her imperatively to return
- ↑ Hist Casa Real Port.
