propose it." All this he presently repeated to the king, and
moreover, assured him an example of the highest severity, in a
case so nearly concerning himself, would serve as a warning that
others might take heed of offences committed against his regal
dignity.

News of this marriage spread throughout the court with rapidity,
and caused the utmost excitement; which in a little while was
somewhat abated by the announcement that the king's youngest
brother, Henry, Duke of Gloucester, was taken ill of small-pox.
This young prince, who is described as "a pretty boy," possessed
parts which bade fair to surpass his brothers. He was indeed
associated by his family with their tenderest memories, inasmuch
as he had been with his father on the sad day previous to his
execution. On that melancholy occasion, Charles I. had taken him
upon his knee, and said to him very tenderly, "Sweetheart, they
will cut off thy father's head," at which the boy shuddered and
turned pale. "Mark, child, what I say," continued the unhappy
king, "they will cut off my head, and, perhaps, make thee a king;
but mark what I say, you must not be made king as long as your
brothers Charles and James are alive, for they will cut off thy
brothers' heads when they catch them, and cut off thy head at
last; and therefore I charge you not to be made a king by them."
To which the lad replied very earnestly) "I will be torn in
pieces first." Sometime after the death of his father he was
allowed to join his family in France, and, like his brother
James, entered the army of that country. On the restoration, he
had returned with the king, and, three months later, this "prince
of very extraordinary hopes" died, grievously lamented by the
court, and especially by his majesty, who declared he felt this