In The Shadow - стр. 19
When Lady Guise heard that Brigid was taken ill, that she seemed to have had a fit of fever, she hurried to her, forgetting the King and Queen and breakfast. She had been cruel to her daughter, and had never found an affectionate word for her, but now that her daughter was on her deathbed, the maternal love that had been hiding deep in her soul engulfed her whole being. She spent the whole day in Brigid's room, never leaving her side, undressing her herself and changing her into her nightgown, wetting her forehead with wet cloths, and praying fervently. It was not until evening, when Brigid had ceased to toss and turn in bed, that Lady Guise allowed herself a little rest in the armchair by the fireplace, and as soon as she sat down she fell asleep. Like her husband, this woman was suffering every second from the loss of her beloved son, and the possible loss of her daughter made her exactly what a mother should be – loving and caring.
– Is the father very angry? – A faint smile appeared on Brigid's lips: she had never in her life seen her mother so… So close, so tender to her.
– He is not angry, my child! He is not angry at all! How can he be? We nearly lost you! – Lady Guise smiled broadly, and a tear of joy ran down her cheek: her daughter was alive! God had spared her!
– But he so wished me to go down and smile at the King…
– Oh, forget it! Your life is far more precious to us than all the kings of the world and all their treasuries! I know we have been hard on you, at times, too much… But we are your parents, and we love you. – These words came with some difficulty to Lady Guise, for it was the first time she had ever told Brigid of her motherly love.
– I will try to get well as soon as possible…" the girl began, clutching her mother's hand tightly.
– 'The King has gone away,' her mother said briefly.
– Gone? So soon? – Brigid was surprised.
– After breakfast, he and his retinue continued on their way. There was an unpleasant scene between Henry and the Queen, and he was so angry that he left the castle at once.
– Poor Catherine! – Brigid wrinkled her nose, feeling genuine pity for the Queen. – It's all because of Anne Boleyn, isn't it?
– I don't know how it started, but he suddenly rose from his seat, accused Catherine of disrespect, took this Boleyn girl under his arm and left the hall. And in an hour they were all gone… But you need not worry about the Queen: she knows Henry's temper. – Lady Guise was silent, not wanting to tell her sick daughter about the insolent smirks of the Boleyn family watching the scene. – You need to rest. So do I… Just for a little while, I promise I'll be back to you in a few hours… Alienor demanded to be allowed to care for you, but your father wouldn't let her in.
– That's a wise decision. What if she gets infected? She is in surprisingly good health, but she should pray for my soul, Mother," Brigid smiled again. She did not want to let her mother go, now that she had changed her attitude so much, but she realised that she needed rest. – Go, Mother, I feel better. If you are afraid for me, leave the maid with me for the night.
Lady Guise kissed her daughter's forehead, carefully fluffed the pillows beneath her head, and, giving Brigid another kiss in which she put all the love she had awakened in her, left the room.