390

HISTOKT OF ENGLAND.

chap, animals, of a famished redbreast or of an overdriven post-—— horse. The devastation of the Palatinate and the persecutionof the Huguenots had therefore given him no uneasiness -whichpride and bigotry could not effectually sooth. But all thetenderness of which he was capable was called forth by themisery of a great King who had a few weeks ago been servedon the knee by Lords, and who was now a destitute exile.With that tenderness was mingled, in the soul of Lewis, anot ignoble vanity. He would exhibit to the world a patternof munificence and courtesy. He would show mankind whatought to be the bearing of a perfect gentleman in the higheststation and on the greatest occasion; and, in truth, his con-duct was marked by a chivalrous generosity and urbanity,such as had not embellished the annals of Europe since theBlack Prince had stood behind the chair of King John at thesupper on the field of Poitiers.

necep- As soon as the news that the Queen of England was on thea” Queen French coast had been brought to Versailles, a palace was°f E ng- prepared for her reception. Carriages and troops of guardsFrance, were despatched to await her orders. Workmen were em-ployed to mend the Calais road that her journey might be easy.Lauzun was not only assured that his past offences were for-given for her sake, but was honoured with a friendly letter inthe handwriting of Lewis. Mary was on the road towards theFrench court when news came that her husband had, after arough voyage, landed safe at the little village of Ambleteuse.Persons of high rank were instantly despatched from Ver-sailles to greet and escort him. Meanwhile Lewis, attended byhis family and his nobility, went forth in state to receive theexiled Queen. Before his gorgeous coach went the Swisshalberdiers. On each side of it and behind it rode the bodyguards with cymbals clashing and trumpets pealing. After theKing, in a hundred carriages each drawn by six horses, camethe most splendid aristocracy of Europe, all feathers, ribands,jewels, and embroidery. Before the procession had gone farit was announced that Mary was approaching. Lewis alightedand advanced on foot to meet her. She broke forth intopassionate expressions of gratitude. “Madam,” said her