Page:Catherine of Bragança, infanta of Portugal, & queen-consort of England.djvu/18

xii CHAPTER IV

THE MARRIAGE TREATY

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Donna Luiza's dffers — The official announcement — Clarendon visits De Mello — Vatteville's latest move — Joy of the Portuguese — Letters from Charles — Prince Charming — " The best-bred man alive" — Catherine Queen of England — More public appear- ance — English sails sighted — Lord Sandwich as ambassador — Sandwich enters Lisbon — After two tedious days — The dowry — Sandwich in a difficulty — Donna Luiza's breach of contract — Catherine's departure — Her " family "—Farewells— The pro- cession — Leaving the shore — Catherine embarks — Her com- fortable accommodation — Trying delays — First sight of Eng- land — Preparations at Hampton Court — A state visit. . 54

CHAPTER V

THE MARRIAGE

Catherine receives the Duke— Favourable first impressions — Catherine's costume — Arrival at Portsmouth — At the Domus Dei — Catherine's new ladies — Choosing frocks — Charles's un- avoidable delay — Efforts to hurry Parliament — The start from London — Charles at Portsmouth — The meeting — Charles's impressions — Catherine's appearance — Conclusive evidence — Catherine falls in love — The Catholic marriage — The public ceremony — Catherine's consent— Bridesgroomsman's perqui- sites — Curious inaccuracy — Charles's behaviour — His happiness —The "Guarda Infantas"— Golden days 83

CHAPTER VI

HAMPTON COURT

The journey — At Hampton Court— The honeymoon— A vision of past days — The morning reception — The Versailles portrait — London's presentation — Bewildering surroundings — Charles still devoted — Lady Castlemaine at Richmond — Household appointments— Catherine's indignation— Harmful advisers — A fatal mistake— An audacious attempt — The Court convulsed — Clarendon's remonstrance— Charles's confidences— Charles's arguments — His firm resolve — Muzzling courtiers — A repulsive task — Catherine's anger — Her love for Charles — Renewed arguments— Renewed provocation— Royal quarrels — War still raged — Catherine's patience — The "family" dismissed— Diego Silvas imprisoned —Arrival of Henrietta Maria— Her kindness to Catherine— In the presence-chamber— A return visit. . 109