She sat in the
next room, which was very large, in a black velvet chair, with arms,
upon a black velvet carpet, with a state of the same. She had caused a
low chair, without arms, to be set at some distance from her, about
two yards on her left hand, on which side stood all the noblemen; on
her right, all the ladies of the Court.
After making my reverences due to her Majesty, according to custom,
and said those respects which became me to her Majesty, she sat down;
and when I presented my daughters to her, she having expressed much
grace and favour to me and mine, bade me sit down, which at first I
refused, desiring to wait on her Majesty, as my Queen's mother; but
she pressing me again, I sat down; and then she made her discourse of
England, and asked questions of the Queen's health and liking of our
country, with some little hints of her own and her family's condition,
which having continued better than half an hour, I took my leave.
During my stay at Court I several times waited on the Queen-Mother;
truly she was a very honourable, wise woman, and I believe had been
very handsome. She was magnificent in her discourse and nature, but in
the prudentest manner; she was ambitious, but not vain; she loved
government, and I do believe the quitting of it did shorten her life.
After saluting the ladies and noblemen of the Court, I went home as I
came.
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