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should have spoken, but there was a kindliness in him and I sensed he would be tolerant and understand a point of view which might not be his own. I should certainly not have mentioned it on our first meeting, but I had already tried to speak of it to Don Francisco, who had brushed it aside.
    I said: “There is something, Your Majesty.”
    He took my hand. “Charles…” he said reproachfully, and I immediately felt able to confide in him.
    â€œIt is the ceremony…”
    â€œOh, the ceremony! What fuss! For myself, I could happily dispense with such encumbrances.”
    â€œYour Majesty…Charles…I could not be happy if there was not a Catholic ceremony.”
    For a moment he dropped his bantering mood. Then he smiled and said: “You need have no fear. Our marriage will be regarded throughout the world as a true marriage.”
    â€œIt would not be so to me,” I said.
    â€œAh,” he replied. “They have made an ardent papist of you, have they? Papists are so earnest.” He laughed. “You remind me of my mother. You and she will be good friends when you meet, I’ll swear. As for this Catholic ceremony…you see, my dear, you are Queen of this country and you must be married according to the religious observances of the place. But you say you will not be happy…and I cannot allow you to be unhappy. I will tell you how we will resolve this matter. There shall be a ceremony here in this bedchamber. It shall be as you wish, and the other one will take place as arranged on the same day. It means you will have to marry me twice. Could you bear that?”
    I felt my lips tremble. I was going to weep because I was so touched, so happy.
    â€œYou are all that I hoped for…and all that I dreamed,” I said emotionally.
    He looked at me in mock dismay. “Do not have too good an opinion of me, I beg you. I fear you will find me a somewhat sinful fellow.”
    â€œOh no. You are the kindest and best man in the world.”
    He leaned toward me and kissed my cheek. He was sober suddenly. He said: “You shame me.” Then he was merry again. His gravity seemed always to be fleeting, as though his gaiety was waiting impatiently to break in on it.
    â€œSo,” he went on, “that little matter is taken care of. There is nothing now for you to be anxious about. All you have to do is get well. I am impatient for these ceremonies to be over.”
    When he left me, I lay back in a daze of happiness.
    Donna Maria came in and looked at me.
    â€œI never heard of such,” she was muttering. “I can guess what your mother would say if she knew that a man not yet your husband had visited you in your bedchamber…and you abed!”
    I pulled the bedclothes up to hide my face and stifle my laughter.
    It was the laughter of happiness as much as amusement.
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    I RECOVERED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY and it was arranged that the ceremony should take place without delay.
    There was a great deal of secrecy about the Catholic nuptials, and I realized what a concession it was that it should have been allowed to take place.
    It was to be held in my bedchamber. The Lord Aubigny, an almoner of Queen Henrietta Maria, was to perform the ceremony. Francisco de Mello was to be there with three of his trusted servants, and Donnas Maria and Elvira. The only other witness was to be the Duke of York, and I was pleased to see him again. He had made me feel so welcome on my arrival and he had seemed sympathetic and to understand my urgent desire that it should take place.
    Charles was as charming as ever. He was less earnest than I, and I felt more and more grateful that he should have granted my wish, which could not have been easy. If he had refused, I should have been most unhappy. He had understood this and was determined to please me. What a wonderful husband I should have!
    After the ceremony Charles kissed me. He whispered: