confident of my love. She was by no means surprized at what I told her; and, with heavenly kindness, tried to calm my agitation, and then unfolded to me the whole intrigue. The Queen Catherine, jealous of the beauty and influence of the celebrated Diana de Poitiers—Valentinois, the King’s mistress, had long wished to substitute another favourite in her place, who being a creature of her own, would not counteract her influence. The passion for me, which the Queen had observed rising in her consort’s breast, was a happy circumstance, of which the wary Queen did not fail to profit, and therefore it was herself who facilitated the interview. The Dauphiness now, of all things, commended me to dissemble and to be secret, “for,” observed she, “your love to Mongomery has already transpired, and in all probability has hastened the declaration of the King. The best course for you to pursue, in order to escape the dangers that threaten you, will be to marry Mongomery secretly the moment he returns, and then to rejoin your mother, as you have so often expressed a wish to do.” I, myself, think this to be the only resource left us. Would to God, Mongomery were here! In the evening, at the Queen’s, I dissembled as well as I could: she herself was all smiles, and more friendly than ever: she called me her good, her reasonable child. I did not see the King. Heaven protect us! I wish all was over, and that Mongomery and myself were quietly settled with you at your chateau!
CLARA TO THE SAME.
How much do I thank you, my dear Mother, for your blessing on our union. Mongomery is quite in raptures with you, and says, had it not been for the daughter, he should most assuredly have fallen in love with the mother. He is entirely of the opinion of the good Queen Mary. In a few days, the festivity to celebrate the nuptials of the unhappy Princess Elizabeth will begin. We have fixed our marriage for the same period. I hope, in the midst of the bustle, that we shall better escape observation. Heaven grant, that the gloomy clouds which gather over the fatal nuptials of this amiable and devoted princess may bode nothing sinister to thy poor Clara.
CLARA TO THE SAME.
Oh, Mother! where shall I find words to describe the terrible scene I witnessed! The recollection makes my hair stand on end; all my limbs tremble with fear; and such a chill is at my heart, that I fear I shall not be able to give you a full account. I will therefore be brief.
Since, according to the better advice of my more experienced friends, I did not appear decidedly to repulse the King, I grew more and more into favour with the Queen Catherine, I was scarcely permitted to quit her for a few hours in the day. I must now tell you, that since the late proof of Master Lucas’s art, and Roger’s arrest, the Queen has betrayed a strange degree of agitation and restlessness of mind. Yesterday evening, at a late hour, she sent for me. I found her alone, in her closet. I could perceive that she had something to communicate, but felt a struggle in so doing. At length, she treated the matter jestingly, and told me, that Master Lucas had promised her, for that night, a magic sight, and that, as she did not like to remain alone with him,
