Page:The Queens of England.djvu/528

 478 THE QUEENS OF ENGLAND. deviations from conjugal duty, and to have supported with a stoical indifference the presence of his mistresses. Accom- modating herself to her situation, she strove, by encouraging every gayety which might be agreeable to the king, to win his regard, while she was degrading her own attachment by the line of conduct she pursued. Such a life was not one of happiness, nor what Catherine had expected, and her health began to give way amidst the constant self-denial she was required to exercise. During the summer a brief interval of pleasure was afforded her by the arrival of the queen-mother, Henrietta, from France, who treated her with great respect and affection, and who seemed to inspire Charles and his courtiers with the same feelings. There was much public pageantry and merriment. The joy, however, was but evanescent. One of the queen's many mortifi- cations was that of not becoming a mother of an heir to the throne, which she had fondly hoped might have endeared her to her fickle husband. Amid these many troubles Catherine was attacked by a dangerous fever, during which her life was twice given over by the physicians, and in which, during her paroxysms of delirium, she raved repeatedly about her children, fancying she had three, and expressing much fear lest her boy should turn out an ugly one. The king, who was by her side throughout her illness, to soothe her said, "No ; he was a very pretty boy," to which Catherine answered, "Nay, if he be like you he is a very pretty boy indeed, and I should be very well pleased with it." On another occasion her first words on waking were, "How are the children ?" Had the poor queen indeed be- come a mother, her affectionate heart might have received, in the exercise of her maternal duties, some consolation for the neglect of Charles and the insolence of his mistresses. The queen's illness, however, called forth a latent tenderness in the king, for which Catherine was so grateful that it seemed to compensate for all her sufferings ; indeed to the tenderness Charles showed, her recovery was mainly attributable. Waller has thus alluded to the tears shed by the king during his at- tendance on Catherine— her case being then considered hope- less : He that was never known to mourn So many kingdoms from him torn ; His tears reserved for you. more dear. More prized than all those kingdoms were. For when no healing art avail'd. When cordials and elixirs fail'd, On your pale cheek he dropp'd the shower. Revived you like a dying flower.