That was an apology for his weakness. He need not have apologized. She loved his weakness.
And now he slept, and she lay wide awake, saying to herself: If it does not last too long, I can bear it.
The Queen and the Dauphin
BUT NEXT MORNING when the King had risen and she was with her attendants, she thought of Charles and wondered if he were thinking of her this day. Then it seemed to her that she was defiled, and a great melancholy came over her.
She whispered to Lady Guildford: “Send the others away.”
Lady Guildford did so, and when they had gone she took Mary into her arms and rocked her to and fro as she used to when Mary was a child and had needed comfort.
“My dearest Princess,” she murmured. “Tell Guildford.”
“Guildford, it is over.”
“And you are very unhappy?”
Mary nodded. “Because of Charles.”
“Tush!” said Lady Guildford. “And do you think he is weeping at this moment because of you?”
“He is very sad because of me, Guildford.”
“But the King was kind?”
“He is kind. If he were not I should doubtless kill him. And he is very old. He was soon asleep. But I did not sleep, Guildford. I lay there, thinking. …”
“And you are reconciled. I can sense it, dearest. I know you so well.”
“It won’t last, Guildford. That’s why.”
Then suddenly she threw her arms about Lady Guildford’s neck. It was the first time she had given way to such tempestuous weeping.
The King came in. He saw the tears; he saw the embrace.
Mary started to her feet, while Guildford rose and curtsied deeply.
Louis was smiling. “Leave us,” he said to Lady Guildford; and she went.
Mary, her cheeks wet, stood waiting for her husband to ask the reason for her tears; but he did not. She was to learn that it was a point of etiquette at the French Court to avoid seeing or talking of anything that might prove embarrassing.
“My love,” said Louis, taking her hands and kissing them, “I came to give you this.”
He took from his pocket a ring in which was set one of the largest rubies Mary had ever seen.
“Thank you,” she said. “It is very beautiful.”
“Let us try it on your finger.”
He put it on and held her hand admiringly.
“You do not like jewels, my little Queen?” he asked.
“They are very beautiful,” she answered.
“You must learn to love jewels. They become you so.”
He took her cheek between his fingers and pinched it affectionately.
“They are planning a ball for this day,” he told her. “I shall enjoy seeing you dance. Why, you are as light as thistledown and as lovely as a spring day.”
The morning was over when Lady Guildford was able to visit her mistress. Mary took one look at her faithful governess and was alarmed, for Lady Guildford was no longer her calm self; her eyes were wild and there was a hot flush in her cheeks.
She embraced Mary as though she would never let her go.
“Guildford, what is it?” demanded Mary.
“It is goodbye, my dearest.”
“Goodbye!”
“I have had orders to leave for England at once.”
“But you cannot. I need you here.”
“The King does not think so.”
“You mean he has told you that you must go!”
“Not the King in person. But his wishes have been made clear to me.”
“I don’t understand.”
“He feels I have too much influence over you. He wants you to become wholly French. He saw you with me this morning, dearest. He did not like to see you crying in my arms.”
“I must speak to him. I won’t let you go.”
