During these three years also suitors were frequent, and among them her old lover, Philibert of Savoy, was the most pressing. Courtenay, to whom she had for political reasons once betrothed herself, had died in exile at Pavia, so, as far as she herself went, Elizabeth was free to marry whom she chose; but though all her life she liked the excitement and attentions which went hand in hand with a marriage, when it came to the point she could not make up her mind to forfeit her liberty. It was also clear to her that if, during Mary's lifetime, she took a foreign husband, and went to live abroad, her chance of sitting on the throne of England was gone for ever. At this period Elizabeth made up for the 'Seven Lean Years' of her Puritanical garments by clothing herself and her suite in the most splendid of raiment, for which she constantly ran into debt. During the last year of Mary's reign she was constantly in and about London, and once we have notice of a visit of the queen herself to Hatfield, when the choir boys of St. Paul's sang and Elizabeth played on the virginals. Soon, however, the queen was too weak for any such journeys. Philip was away, engaged in the war between France and Spain, and Mary remained at home, to struggle with her difficulties as best she might. She knew quite well she had not long to live, and declared Elizabeth her successor, entrusting to her maid of honour, Jane Dormer, the crown jewels, which were to be delivered to the princess. To these she added three petitions: that Elizabeth would be kind to her servants; that she would pay her sister's private debts, and that she would support the old faith, now established by law; which, of course, Elizabeth could not do, or her throne would have been instantly forfeit. Then Mary died, knowing that she had failed in all she had attempted; and, amidst the welcoming shouts of the English people, the Elizabeth whom you all know was proclaimed queen. FINIS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Transcriber's Notes: Punctuation errors repaired. Varied accents were retained except as noted. For example, Schönbrunn castle is spelled this way in "His Majesty the King of Rome" and as Schönbrünn in "Une Reine Malheureuse." Page x, "Naploeon" changed to "Napoleon" (Even Napoleon himself) Page 55, "directy" changed to "directly" (and directly after he added) Page 99, "chateâu" changed to "château" (the château of Fontainebleau) Page 112, "perect" changed to "perfect" (she had perfect freedom) Page 137, "familar" changed to "familiar" (as familiar to her) Page 146, "enbroidered" changed to "embroidered" (scarlet liveries embroidered) Page 188, "deliever" changed to "deliver" (I deliver it to you) Page 194, "Stanelys" changed to "Stanleys" (The Stanleys all agreed) Page 204, "litttle" changed to "little" (when the little duke)