"I must tell you that we landed here last Saturday, after having been in great peril and distress at sea for the last ten days. But God kept me from harm, for which I am very thankful. Next Thursday we start for Copenhagen, which is a day's journey from here. I have been rather ill, and feel weak still, but hope soon to be well. Madame, if I could choose for myself I should be with you now; for to be parted from you is the most grievous thing in the world to me, and the more so as I do not know when there is any hope of seeing you again. So I can only beg you, my dearest aunt and mother, to keep me in your heart, and tell me if there is anything that you wish me to do, and you shall always be obeyed, God helping me. That He may give you a long and happy life is the prayer of your humble and dutiful niece "ISABEAU.[16] "August 7, 1515." Two days later Isabella continued her journey to Hvidore, the royal country-house near Copenhagen. There she was received by King Christian, who rode at her side, a splendid figure in gold brocade and shining armour, when on the following day she made her state entry into the capital in torrents of rain. On the 12th of August the wedding was celebrated in the great hall of the ancient castle, which had been rebuilt by King Christian's father, and was followed by the coronation of the young Queen. But Isabella was so much exhausted by the fatigue which she had undergone, that before the conclusion of the ceremony she fell fainting into the arms of her ladies. Her illness threw a gloom over the wedding festivities, and seemed a forecast of the misfortunes that were to darken the course of her married life and turn her story into a grim tragedy. FOOTNOTES: [1] L. Gachard, "Voyages des Souverains des Pays-Bas." i. 455. [2] "Bulletins de la Commission Royale d'Histoire," 2^{ième} série, v. 113-119. Jehan Le Maire, "Les Funéraux de Feu Don Philippe." [3] E. Le Glay, "Correspondance de l'Empereur Maximilien I. et de Marguerite d'Autriche," i. 203. [4] Le Glay, i. 393. [5] Le Glay, i. 241. [6] Calendar of State Papers, Henry VIII., i. 369. [7] Le Glay, i. 165. [8] Le Glay, i. 281, 399-441. [9] Le Glay, ii. 205. [10] H. Ulmann, "Kaiser Maximilian," ii. 484, 498. [11] Le Glay, ii. 252; A. Henne, "Histoire du Règne de Charles V.," i. 96. [12] Le Glay, ii. 383. [13] Le Glay, ii. 256. [14] J. Altmeyer, "Isabelle d'Autriche," 53. [15] Le Glay, ii. 257. [16] Altmeyer, "Isabelle d'Autriche," 43. BOOK II CHRISTIAN II., KING OF DENMARK, THE FATHER OF CHRISTINA 1513-1523 I.