there are those here present," he added, turning round and facing the courtiers, "who will not hesitate to give their lives for their rightful king." "What matters that to you, ma tante? If blood has to be shed in a good cause, there is no regretting it; and there are those here present," he added, turning round and facing the courtiers, "who will not hesitate to give their lives for their rightful king." A murmur ran through the crowd, and the whole assemblage bowed low in acquiescence. One voice rose above the others: A murmur ran through the crowd, and the whole assemblage bowed low in acquiescence. One voice rose above the others: "His majesty speaks like Solomon; we are ready to shed the last drop of our blood for our royal master. Long live King Charles!" "His majesty speaks like Solomon; we are ready to shed the last drop of our blood for our royal master. Long live King Charles!" People said that Queen Henrietta Maria had grown hard in her trouble. At the present moment the softening element of joy crept into her heart and brought tears to her eyes. People said that Queen Henrietta Maria had grown hard in her trouble. At the present moment the softening element of joy crept into her heart and brought tears to her eyes. "Grand merci, grand merci to you all!" she repeated; and the king, taking her hand, led her to her seat, himself occupying the fauteuil which had been hastily brought for him. "Grand merci, grand merci to you all!" she repeated; and the king, taking her hand, led her to her seat, himself occupying the fauteuil which had been hastily brought for him. A whispered word to Henrietta, repeated by her to the gentlemen of her household, and the crowd of courtiers disappeared, leaving the king and his aunt alone. Even Princess Henrietta and her little companion were dismissed. A whispered word to Henrietta, repeated by her to the gentlemen of her household, and the crowd of courtiers disappeared, leaving the king and his aunt alone. Even Princess Henrietta and her little companion were dismissed. What took place between the royal aunt and nephew was only known some years later; but the queen was well satisfied with the result of their conversation, for the strings of the king's
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