3 _Antiquités de Paris_, vol. ii. p. 688. III. _The retirement of King Henry to Bearn--Margaret’s intercourse with her brother--The inscription at Chambord--Margaret’s adventure with Bonnivet--Margaret’s relations with her husband--Her opinions upon love and conjugal fidelity--Her confinements and her children--The Court in Bearn and the refugee Reformers--Margaret’s first poems--Her devices, pastorals, and mysteries--The embellishment of Pau--Margaret at table and in her study--Reforms and improvements in Bearn--Works of defence at Navarreinx--Scheme of refortifying Sauveterre._ Some historians have stated that in wedding his sister to Henry d’Albret, Francis pledged himself to compel Charles V. to surrender his brother-in-law’s kingdom of Navarre. This, however, was but a political project, of which no deed guaranteed the execution. Francis no doubt promised Margaret to make every effort to further the restitution, and she constantly reminded him of his promise, as is shown by several of her letters. However, political exigencies prevented Francis from carrying out his plans, and in a diplomatic document concerning the release of the children whom Charles held as hostages the following clause occurs: “Item, the said Lord King promises not to help or favour the King of Navarre (although he has married his only and dear beloved sister) in reconquering his kingdom.” (1) The indifference shown by Francis for the political fortunes of his brother-in-law, despite the numerous and signal services the latter had rendered him, justly discontented Henry, who at last resolved to withdraw from the Court, where Montmorency, Brion, and several other personages, his declared enemies, were in favour. Margaret apparently had to follow her husband in his retirement, for Sainte-Marthe remarks: “When the King of Navarre, disgusted with the Court, and seeing none of the promises that his brother-in-law had made him realised, resolved to withdraw to Bearn, Margaret, although the keen air of the mountains was hurtful to her health, and her doctors had threatened her with a premature death if she persevered in braving the rigours of the climate, preferred to put her life in peril rather than to fail in her duty by not accompanying her husband.” (2) 1 Bibliothèque Nationale, MS. No. 8546 (Béthune), fol. 107. 2 _Oraison funèbre_, &c, p. 70.