Series 3 > Foreign correspondence with Marie de Lorraine, Queen of Scotland, from the originals in the Balcarres papers > Volume 7

6
BALCARRES PAPERS
V
The Duchess of Guise to her daughter, Marie de
Lorraine
(1548.) Vol. ii. 41.
She was overjoyed to hear of the arrival of the little Queen, in good
health, but is sorry for the Queen’s anxiety during the voyage and at
her departure. But the Queen must be relieved to know that her
daughter will be in safety. The Duchess hopes to see her again and to
hear that the country is quiet and the castles in sure possession so that
the Queen may be sooner free. She may be assured that the Duchess
will look after the little Queen : she hopes to meet her that week and
take her to Saint Germain, where she will stay till the child has settled
down with the Dauphin and Princesses. Lady Fleming will stay with
her. The Duchess had asked if Mile, de Curel could be with the little
Queen, but it is only reasonable that Lady Fleming should stay, though
the former could teach the Queen French, and she and her husband are
devoted to Marie de Lorraine. The Duchess will do all she can for Lady
Fleming and for the two gentlemen who accompanied her. The clothing
will be seen to. As for the money due, the Duchess regrets that she
has not yet received the letters to present to the Cardinal of Lorraine to
obtain payment of the sum required. She does not doubt it is much
needed, as the Queen has had heavy expenses which she should not have
had to meet. But the difficulties of the new reign have been such that
it could not be avoided. The King will be ill-pleased that his treasurer
has been so rude: had he returned from Turin, the Duchess would have
showed him the Queen’s letters. The Duke of Longueville has been with
the King, but will come back to greet his sister. The Duchess will not
fail to introduce Lady Fleming’s son to him. He is at all times ready to
do what he can for those who have helped the Queen, but his strength
is not so great as his good will. Will the Queen send letters to the
Cardinal her uncle about the money, and to the King to ask if the
Duke may have a company of soldiers and M. de la Brosse as lieutenant?
The Duchess writes this letter on the road. The bearer will tell how he
saw her near Moulins where the Duke of Longueville met her, who is
well, as also of the arrangements for the marriage of M. d’Aumale.
Written from Varennes on the 3rd September.
A LA ROYNE DOUAIRIERE d’eSCOSSE.
Madame, j’ay receu ungne joye que je ne vous sores dire,
ayent seu 1’arryvee de nostre petite Royne 1 estre avec
1 1’arryvee de mstre petite Royne. Mary Stuart landed on the 13th August
1548 (cf. Hay Fleming, Mary Queen of Scots, p. 14).