Chapter IV: Isabelle De Lorraine

Child marriages--“The Pride of Lorraine”--A mailed
fist--Duchess’s bare feet--Satin skin--Cardinal matchmaker--Ten
considerations--Woman’s wit supreme--A charming boy--Jean “sans
Peur”--“Polluyon”--A Sovereign’s oath--“Noël! Noël!”--First
free Parliament in France--Veterans--Antoine de Vaudémont--“You
may go!”--Bulgneville--René a prisoner--Insecurity of life--The
Duke’s terms--Two boy hostages--La Tour de Bar--René’s
parole--Money the crux--René at Naples--The Golden Rose--A
royal artist--Music and song--Duchess Margaret dies--“Le Roi
est mort, vive le Roi!”--The sword of Lancelot--A very young
widow--Isabelle leads an army--Alfonso in check--King René
free--Women of Genoa--On the throne--A troubled land--“Cette
vraie Amazone!”--Fortune did not smile--“Too much blood”--A
dastardly outrage--Peace--Princess Marguerite betrothed--Black
armour--Jehanne de Laval--Black buffaloes--Grey hair--Splendid
tournaments--Ordre du Croissant--Double nuptials--Henry VI.
of England--Ferri carries off Yolande--Cupid’s “Lists”--The
spectre of war--Death of Queen Isabelle--“My heart has lost its
love!”--“Amour et Foy” 94-142