The Constable,
then thirty-two, had lost his wife, Susan de Bourbon, from whom he
had inherited vast possessions. To these Louise of Savoy, finding her
passion disregarded, laid claim, as being a nearer relative of the
deceased. A marriage, as Chancellor Duprat suggested, would have served
to reconcile the parties, but the Constable having rejected the proposed
alliance--with disdain, so it is said--the suit was brought before the
Parliament and decided in favour of Louise. Such satisfaction as she
may have felt was not, however, of long duration, for Charles de Bourbon
left France, entered the service of Charles V., and in the following
year (1524) helped to drive the French under Bonnivet out of Italy.
II.
_The Regency of Louise of Savoy--Margaret and the royal
children--The defeat of Pavia and the death of the Duke of
Alencon--The Royal Trinity--"All is lost save honour"--
Margaret's journey to Spain and her negotiations with
Charles V.--Her departure from Madrid--The scheme to arrest
her, and her flight on horseback--Liberation of Francis I.
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