Lives of the last four princesses of the royal house of Stuart

1658.] news of cromwell's death. 119
traitor of Charles's bedchamber, for all the clandestine
information he received, both of the proceedings of the
exiled king, and his correspondence with the Princess-royal,
his sister.*
The startling news of Cromwell's death, reached the Low
Countries in September. The Princess-royal despatched
the intelligence by an express to her brother, who was
then at Brussels, but he already knew it. His faithful
servant, Stephen Fox, had kept up a strict correspondence
with his friends in England, and had received informa-
tion of this important event, six hours before it reached
Brussels, and announced it to King Charles, while he was
engaged in playing tennis with Don John of Austria,
the Archduke Leopold, and many Spanish grandees.
The effect of this intelligence was at first electrical. They
all broke off their game, to discuss the great fact that had
occurred, and the prospects of the titular King of England.
The Dukes of York and Gloucester, left Antwerp for
Sevenburgen, where they slept. York started next day
for the Hague. He arrived there the following night
at ten o'clock, and hastened to his sister.
Her royal highness was then going to bed, and was
nearly disrobed, having no one with her but her faithful-
nurse and one of her dressers. She dismissed them both,
and sat up all night with her brother, discussing hopes
for the speedy restoration of their eldest brother. The
Duke left early in the morning.f
The Princess followed him to Sevenburgen, where
Gloucester had remained. The royal sister and brothers,
stayed together four nights, after which the Princess
returned to the Hague, and the Duke of York into
Elanders. No particular change followed the death of
Cromwell, though expectation was naturally high.
* Downing's Letters of Intelligence. M. Thurloe. f ^id, Sept. 28th.