"She hath become very devoted to Your Highness; she is very lonely."
"What was her husband?"
Lady Sunderland smiled.
"An incident."
Mary smiled too, then moved back to the bureau.
"I must get back to bed; I have a sore throat which I must nurse." She coughed, and moistened her lips. "I am as hoarse as a town-crier." She laughed again unsteadily and rang the silver bell before her. "I never pass a winter without a swelled face or a sore throat."
The Dutch waiting lady entered, and Mary gave her the letters.
"See that they go at the earliest—and, Wendela, you look tired, get to bed immediately."
With no more than this she sent off her refusal of three kingdoms. When they were alone again she rose and suddenly embraced Lady Sunderland.
"Do you think I shall come back to Holland?" she asked under her breath.