He was busily engaged in writing despatches at a side-table lit by wax candles, nor did he lay aside his work till the documents were signed and sealed; then he turned round and faced his visitors.
He was clad in a plain purple cassock, the only sign of his exalted rank. His handsome face was wan and pale. Alas! his health was fast failing, as all men knew.
"Welcome, my sons," he said; "the Queen is anxiously awaiting your arrival, though the hour grows late; we will go to her at once," and rising he led the way to the royal apartments.
Various corridors and chambers were traversed; they were quite empty save for the halberdiers who kept guard in the palace.
"Stay here a moment," said the Cardinal in a low voice, as they reached a richly furnished ante-chamber, at the end of which rich curtains hung.
Through these the Cardinal passed; a minute later he rejoined the envoys, saying—
"Her Majesty will see you, weary as she is in mind and body; follow me."
They entered Queen Mary's boudoir, the two ladies-in-waiting leaving the room on the Cardinal's signal.
Mary was reclining on a soft couch; she rose to a sitting posture as she saw the young men, and graciously extended her hand, which they kissed as they fell on one knee.
She was very pale, and there were marks of acute suffering in her drawn and wasted face.