city to another; for you are not aware, Sire, that the widow of Henri IV, and the mother of the reigning monarch of France and Navarre, Louis XIII, will soon be without a roof to shelter her head, and a little bread for her support!  You are not aware, Sire, that if the hour of my death were now to strike, no one would be beside me to close my eyes, and to say, ’This is the body of Marie de Medicis.’  Take then compassion on my very humble request, Sire; and receive, whatever may be your decision, the blessings of your mother.

“In the city of Antwerp, the ninth day of October of the year of our salvation MDCXLI.—­I, the Queen-mother, MARIE.”

As the painter-prince returned to the apartment, the Queen placed this letter in his hands; and glancing at his travelling-garb, said in a faltering voice:  “So soon, Maestro?  But you are right, and I may the earlier look for your return.”

Alas! once more the persecuted Princess suffered her sanguine temperament to delude her into hope; but by one of those singular coincidences which appear almost fabulous, Rubens had scarcely taken leave of his family, and was about to enter the carriage that awaited him, when a courier in the livery of the Governor of the Low Countries galloped into the yard, and demanded to be ushered into the presence of the Queen.  Startled and alarmed by so unexpected an apparition, Rubens had no alternative but to obey; and the messenger no sooner found himself standing before Marie de Medicis, than, with a profound reverence, he placed a letter in her hands, and with a second salutation retired.

The Queen-mother hastily tore open the packet, of which these were the contents:—­

“Madame la Reine—­We hereby inform you that the city of Antwerp cannot afford you a befitting asylum, and that you would do better to take up your residence at Cologne.

“Upon which, we pray God to keep you under His holy and efficient guard.—­I, the Governor of the Low Countries,

“DON FRANCISCO DE MELLO.” [230]

Marie de Medicis sank back upon her seat, and silently held the insulting letter towards Rubens.

“There is indeed no time to lose, Madame,” exclaimed the artist, as he glanced rapidly over its contents.  “The spies of the Cardinal have tracked you hither, and you must quit Flanders without delay.  Dare I hope that, in this emergency, your Majesty will deign to occupy a house which I possess at Cologne, until my return from Paris?”

“Rubens, you are my preserver!” faltered the wretched Queen.  “Do with me as you will.  You will meet your recompense in Heaven.”

A few hours subsequently two carriages drove from the courtyard of Rubens; the first contained Marie de Medicis and two of her ladies, and took the way to Cologne; while the second, which was occupied by Rubens, drove towards Paris.