Page:Catherine of Bragança, infanta of Portugal, & queen-consort of England.djvu/17



PAGE The House of Bragan^a— Rival claimants— Portugal's one hope — Dom Joao's hesitation— The revolt of Portugal — The plot successful — The new King— Overtures for Catherine's marriage — Child-days — Early character — A city of delight — Death of King Joao— The Queen made Regent— Catherine's secluded girlhood — Portuguese women — The Stuart Restoration. . i

CHAPTER II

THE BRIDEGROOM

Charles as a boy—First letter— The Prince's Governors — The Prince a soldier — James de la Cloche — Letter from Charles I. — Charles's carte blanche — Scottish Proclamation — The defeat at Worcester— A King in exile— Macaulay's account — The motives of Charles — A misleading description — Charles's creed — Burnet's falsehoods — The prejudice of the period — The art of kingcraft— Charles the saunterer i8

CHAPTER III THE RESTORATION

Charles's return— Barbara Villiers— The talk of the kingdom— Mrs. Palmer's greed— The nation's joy— Subject of Charles's mar- riage—Overtures—Catherine's golden advantages — Portugal's offers— A secret Council meeting— Charles's decision— Bristol's interference — The offered dowry — France's intervention — Catherine's portrait — De Mello received 37