The Queen's Favourite: A Story of the Restoration
"She never weeps; she never moans," said Patience. "Ah, madame, she will bring you sunshine and good luck!"

"She never weeps; she never moans," said Patience. "Ah, madame, she will bring you sunshine and good luck!"

As she spoke she unwrapped the child and placed her upon the ground. A beauty, a perfect beauty she was, and the princess clapped her hands.

As she spoke she unwrapped the child and placed her upon the ground. A beauty, a perfect beauty she was, and the princess clapped her hands.

"Oh, you must keep her, Mother, you must keep her!"

"Oh, you must keep her, Mother, you must keep her!"

"I have no choice in the matter. She is my dearest friend's child. Yes, I must keep her, Patience."  And from that hour Agnes was the Princess Henrietta's daily companion.

"I have no choice in the matter. She is my dearest friend's child. Yes, I must keep her, Patience."  And from that hour Agnes was the Princess Henrietta's daily companion.

This princess had also been born in sorrow and nurtured in it.  She had no playfellows. She had led the dreariest life that any child could lead until this baby came; but from that hour her whole nature changed. She laughed, she played, she danced with her; there was noise, there was life, in that dark apartment. Whatever ills others had to bear, Agnes never suffered. Patience was always there, and Patience sufficed for her, and often for the princess too. They occupied a tiny chamber leading out of the queen's room, and this was their haven of rest, their playroom.

This princess had also been born in sorrow and nurtured in it. She had no playfellows. She had led the dreariest life that any child could lead until this baby came; but from that hour her whole nature changed. She laughed, she played, she danced with her; there was noise, there was life, in that dark apartment. Whatever ills others had to bear, Agnes never suffered. Patience was always there, and Patience sufficed for her, and often for the princess too. They occupied a tiny chamber leading out of the queen's room, and this was their haven of rest, their playroom.

Sometimes even the queen would come in there and sit down and talk to Patience, not as to a subordinate, but as to a friend, and that is saying a great deal for Queen Henrietta Maria, whose pride and arrogance 
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