Louise of Savoy was indeed now displaying courage and ability. News
shortly arrived that the King had been transferred to Madrid, and
that Charles demanded most onerous conditions for the release of his
prisoner. At this juncture Francis wrote to his mother that he was very
ill, and begged of her to come to him. Louise, however, felt that she
ought not to accede to this request, for it would be jeopardising
the monarchy to place the Regent as well as the King of France in
the Emperor's hands; accordingly she resolved that Margaret should go
instead of herself.

The Baron of St. Blancard, general of the King's galleys, who had
previously offered to rescue Francis while the latter was on his way to
Spain, received orders to make the necessary preparations for Margaret's
voyage, of which she defrayed the expense, as is shown by a letter she
wrote to John Brinon, Chancellor of Alençon. In this missive she states
that the Baron of St. Blancard has made numerous disbursements on
account of her journey which are to be refunded to him, "so that he may
know that I am not ungrateful for the good service he has done me, for
he hath acquitted himself thereof in such a way that I have occasion to
be gratified." (1)

1 Génin's _Lettres de Marguerite, &c_., p. 193.--Génin's
Notice, _ibid_., p. 19.

Despite adverse winds, Margaret embarked on August 27th, 1525, at
Aigues-Mortes, with the President de Selves, the Archbishop of Embrun,
the Bishop of Tarbes, and a fairly numerous suite of ladies. The Emperor
had granted her a safe-conduct for six months, and upon landing in Spain
she hurried to Madrid, where she found her brother very sick both in
mind and body. She eagerly caressed and tended him, and with a good