with France in the matter of an alliance against Spain--
negotiations which had not thriven with Louis and Richelieu,
possibly because the ambassador was ill-chosen. The instructions
came too late to be of use, but in time to serve as a pretext for
Buckingham's return to Amiens. There he sought an audience of the
Queen-Mother, and delivered himself to her of a futile message
for the King. This chimerical business--as Madame de Motteville
shrewdly calls it--being accomplished, he came to the real matter
which had prompted him to use that pretext for his return, and
sought audience of Anne of Austria.

It was early morning, and the Queen was not yet risen. But the
levees at the Court of France were precisely what the word
implies, and they were held by royalty whilst still abed. It was
not, therefore, amazing that he should have been admitted to her
presence. She was alone save for her lady-in-waiting, Madame de
Lannoi, who was, we are told, aged, prudent and virtuous.
Conceive, therefore, the outraged feelings of this lady upon
seeing the English duke precipitate himself wildly into the room,
and on his knees at the royal bedside seize the coverlet and bear
it to his lips.

Whilst the young Queen looked confused and agitated, Madame de
Lannoi became a pillar of icy dignity.

"M. le Duc," says she, "it is not customary in France to kneel
when speaking to the Queen."

"I care nothing for the customs of France, madame" he answered
rudely. "I am not a Frenchman."