not easy. The City was in a state of extreme agitation.
The slightest cause sufficed to bring a crowd together. No foreigner
could appear in the streets without risk of being stopped, questioned,
and carried before a magistrate as a Jesuit in disguise. It was,
therefore, necessary to take the road on the south of the Thames. No
precaution which could quiet suspicion was omitted. The King and Queen
retired to rest as usual. When the palace had been some time profoundly
quiet, James rose and called a servant who was in attendance. "You will
find," said the King, "a man at the door of the antechamber; bring
him hither." The servant obeyed, and Lauzun was ushered into the royal
bedchamber. "I confide to you," said James, "my Queen and my son;
everything must be risked to carry them into France." Lauzun, with a
truly chivalrous spirit, returned thanks for the dangerous honour which
had been conferred on him, and begged permission to avail himself of the
assistance of his friend Saint Victor, a gentleman of Provence, whose
courage and faith had been often tried. The services of so valuable an
assistant were readily accepted. Lauzun gave his hand to Mary; Saint
Victor wrapped up in his warm cloak the ill fated heir of so many Kings.
The party stole down the back stairs, and embarked in an open skiff.
It was a miserable voyage. The night was bleak: the rain fell: the wind
roared: the waves were rough: at length the boat reached Lambeth; and
the fugitives landed near an inn, where a coach and horses were in
waiting. Some time elapsed before the horses could be harnessed. Mary,
afraid that her face might be known, would not enter the house. She
remained with her child, cowering for shelter from the storm under the
tower of Lambeth Church, and distracted by terror whenever the ostler
approached her with his lantern. Two of her women attended her, one who
gave suck to the Prince, and one whose office was to rock his cradle;
but they could be of little use to their mistress; for both were
foreigners who could hardly speak the English language, and who
shuddered at the rigour of the English climate. The only consolatory
circumstance was that the little boy was well, and uttered not a
single cry. At length the coach was ready. Saint Victor followed it on
horseback. The fugitives reached Gravesend safely, and embarked in the
yacht which waited for them. They found there Lord Powis and his wife.
Three Irish officers were also on board. Th