Page:Life of Louis Philippe, late king of the French.pdf/17

Rh his brothers a free passage to Minorca, they proceeded thither, expecting to find means of passing over to Spain, where their parent was in exile. From the convulsed state of Spain at this time, their expedition proved fruitless, and they returned to England again, taking up their abode at Twickenham. Here the Duke of Orleans engaged in the study of political eeonomy, &c.; and at times made excursions to the seats of the nobility, where he might have enjoyed himself, but for the illness of his brother, the Duke of Montpensier, whose health, since his first arrival in England, was gradually sinking. His somewhat weakly constitution was deranged by long confinement in prison, and, notwithstanding every effort to save him, this amiable prince died 18th May, 1807.

The health of Count Beaujolais was also affected by the same treatment as that of his brother, and he was ordered by his physicians to proceed to a warmer climate. The change, however, was unavailing, for he died shortly after his arrival at Malta.

The Duke, almost broken-hearted by these bereavements, passed from Malta, whither he had accompanied his brother, to Messina, in Sicily, and visited King Ferdinand of Naples. During his residence at Palermo, he won the affections of the Princess Amelia, and having obtained the consent of the king and the Duchess of Orleans (who was released from her imprisonment in Spain, and allowed to come to Sicily), the marriage took place in November, 1809.

About six months after this event, the Duke of Orleans was offered a military command by the regency of Spain, to assist in expelling the French invaders. As he was anxious to pursue an active life, he accepted this offer; but, to the disgrace of the Cortes, they refused to fulfil their promise; and, after spending some months in endeavouring to gain redress, the Duke returned to Palermo, where, on his arrival,