Henrietta Maria, however, died there on 10th September 1669,[271] to the deep grief of Madame her daughter, to whose family her young niece was next transferred; and she remained with her for many months. Anne was still at St Cloud at the time of her aunt’s sudden and tragic death, but the small English princess became, on this event, a somewhat inconvenient visitor in the disorganised household of Monsieur. She was therefore sent back to England, after spending a considerable time in France, a visit which was kept more or less a secret at home, on account of the strong prejudices which existed in England against all French influences. The experiment does not seem to have materially benefited the child’s health, but at any rate back she came. Her parents despatched Colonel Villiers and his wife to bring home their little daughter, and the pair accordingly embarked at Rye for Dieppe on 2nd July, thereafter reaching the former port on their return journey on the 23rd of the same month, but whether the weather was unfavourable or not, the party did not land on English shore till the 28th.[272] There is a piece of information which reads oddly in the light of subsequent events: “Lady Anne was presented on her departure from France with a pair of bracelets set with great diamonds, valued at ten thousand crowns, by the French King.” One can fancy the child bridling over her magnificent ornaments, and thinking how kind and splendid was the stately, gracious King, with the long, dark eyes and perfect manner, who clasped them on her chubby wrists as if she were a woman grown. Footnote 271: Madame—Julia Cartwright (Mrs Ady). Macpherson’s “Original Papers.” Footnote 272: “Calendar of Domestic State Papers.” 27th June 1670: “Their Royal Highnesses have sent Col. Villiers and his lady to France to fetch their daughter.” Colonel Villiers was of the Duke’s bedchamber, and his wife governess to the children. Neither he nor any one else could have foreseen the fierce struggle of forty years later, when the old feud would be revived, when the armies of each were to be face to face on many a stricken field, when Blenheim and Malplaquet and Ramilies were to bear a bitter significance in French ears, and when the splendid Roi Soleil of these early days of glory would perforce veil his lofty crest before the stubborn, invincible troops of the little stolid English cousin.