Page:Margaret of Angoulême, Queen of Navarre (Robinson 1886).djvu/61

46 young Navarre, with the King himself, should fall into a long captivity. But these were all impatient then to fight the Emperor, because the traitor Bourbon was sheltered in his army.

The presence of Bourbon in the Imperial camp was, indeed, the strongest motive that Francis had to continue the campaign. For the situation was in the highest degree difficult and desperate. Germany, Spain, and England were banded together against France; which, after a definite success against the Emperor's army under Bourbon and Pescara, might with all honour have proposed an advantageous peace. But Francis could not rest till the traitor was punished—till the traitor was punished and beautiful Milan reconquered.

So, in an evil moment, he led his armies south. Louisa, who strongly disapproved of this rash venture; Margaret, anxious and grave, with her husband and her brother both in Italy, remained at Lyons with the poor consumptive Queen. Claude was dying in great resignation at twenty-five years of age. Before the armies reached Milan, the King received the news that she was dead. He who had neglected her living, felt a genuine pang at her death. "I had not thought," he cried in naive remorse, "that the bonds of marriage were so hard and difficult to break. Could I buy her life with mine, she should live again." But Claude was beyond all care and kindness. She left her three little boys, François, Henri, and Charles, and her three little daughters, the pious, loving Charlotte, beautiful Magdelaine, and wise little Marguerite, in the custody of their father's sister. Henceforth, Margaret was to them as a mother; and the most touching and charming of her letters are those