[1632.]

By the treaty of Vic, Charles of Lorraine was, as we have shown, compelled to refuse all further hospitality to his royal brother-in-law; while Gaston found himself necessitated to submit to a separation from his young wife, and to proceed to the Spanish Low Countries, where Isabella had offered him an asylum. The amiable Archduchess nobly redeemed her pledge; and the reception which she accorded to the errant duke was as honourable as that already bestowed upon his mother.

The Marquis de Sainte-Croix, who had recently arrived from Italy to command the Spanish forces in Flanders, was instructed to place himself at the head of all the nobility of the court, and to advance a league beyond the city to meet the French prince; while the municipal bodies of Brussels awaited him at the gates. He was lodged in the state apartments of the palace, and all the expenses of his somewhat elaborate household were defrayed by his magnificent hostess.

“I am sorry, Sir;” said Isabella gracefully, as Gaston hastened to offer his acknowledgments on his arrival; “that I am compelled to quarrel with you on our first interview. You should have deferred your visit to me until you had seen the Queen your mother.”

“Madam;” replied the Prince; “it will be infinitely more easy for me to justify myself for having previously paid my respects to yourself, than to recognise in an efficient manner the debt of obligation which I have incurred towards you.”