with the gout; I thanked him, and accepted his proffer. The next
morning he sent me ten troopers well armed, and when I had gone about
four leagues, as we ascended a hill, says some of these, 'Madam, look
out, but fear nothing.' They rid all up to a well-mounted troop of
horse, about fifty or more, which, after some parley, wheeled about
into the woods again. When we came upon the hill, I asked how it was
possible so many men so well armed should turn, having so few to
oppose them; at which they laughed, and said, 'Madam, we are all of a
company, and quarter in this town. The truth is, our pay is short, and
we are forced to keep ourselves this way; but we have this rule, that
if we in a party guard any company, the rest never molest them, but
let them pass free.'

I having passed all danger, as they said, gave them a pistole each
man, and so left them and went on my journey, and met my husband at
St. Dennis, God be praised! The 20th day of October, my then only son
died of the small-pox; he lies buried in the Protestant Church, near
Paris, between the Earl of Bristol and Doctor Steward. Both my eldest
daughters had the small-pox at the same time, and though I neglected
them, and day and night attended my dear son, yet it pleased God they
recovered and he died, the grief of which made me miscarry, and caused
a sickness of three weeks.

After this, in the beginnings of November, the King came to visit his
mother, who was at her own house at Combes, two leagues from Paris,
and thither went my husband and myself. I had not seen him in almost
twelve years: he told me that if it pleased God to restore him to his
kingdoms, my husband should partake of his happiness in as great a
share as any servants he had. Then he asked me many questions of
England, and fell into discourse with my husband privately two hours,