Series 1 > Papal negotiations with Mary Queen of Scots during her reign in Scotland, 1561-1567

APPENDIX
421
[Madame,—The secretary of the queen your daughter arrived shortly
before the Queen [Catherine] was confined." The king and all the
court were at that moment much preoccupied by fears for her health
during the heats, and this afforded an excuse to those who are not over-
zealous for your receiving immediate answers. Then came the queen’s
confinement and the arrival of the legate," and until he left, six days
ago, he served as a further excuse. Moreover the king, starting off after
the baptism, never stopped at any particular place, but went from house
to house passing his time. We return to Fontainebleau, where the king
will arrive the day after to-morrow, and there I will do my very best to
make out what will be settled concerning the various points which you
mention.
Madame, the great heats we have had here were so extreme, that their
like had not been experienced in the memory of man, and in consequence
there have come upon us this autumn an infinite number of diseases.
Madame, the eighth of this month a persistent fever attacked the queen,
your daughter, who was living at Fontainebleau with the Queen [of
France], the king and myself being at Anet. The ailment was wonder¬
fully severe and sharp. The pains which our queen took over her were
really incredible, not leaving her night or day. Thus helped in good
time, she took medicine the second day, was bled on the third day, and
on the fourth day she was quite free of fever.
Now, madame, the queen had sent word with speed to inform me,
and I had to set out immediately by post. Leaving Anet that evening,
I was with her by dinner time next day to pay her the service which I
owe. I found that the persistent fever was subsiding. I remained there
three days, during which she had two accesses of prolonged fever,
which lasted till nightfall, and this is her fourth attack, but there was
no mishap or danger at any time. The doctors think that there will
be seven attacks. The day before yesterday I came up to Paris to see
the king and shall return to-morrow morning. The king will not
arrive till the day after to-morrow.
I beg you, madame, not to distress yourself, and take my assurance that
there is no danger. The queen hardly ever leaves her, not even during
her attacks. She and her sister are always there, and I could not
sufficiently tell you your obligations to them.
[Family news. The twin baby princesses are dead, but the queen is
doing well, etc.]
I shall soon send you the news of the complete recovery (with God’s
aid) of the queen your daughter . . . From Paris, this 19th of August.
Your very humble and obedient brother,
C. Cardinal of Lorraine.]