She would find in Christendom other heirs, and doubted not to put her inheritance in such hands as would retain the firmest hold of it.

She cared not, after taking this revenge, what became of her body.

The quickest death would then be the most agreeable to her.

And she assured her that, if he persevered, she would disown him for her son, would give him her malediction, would disinherit him, as well of his present possessions as of all he could expect by her; abandoning him not only to her subjects to treat him as they had done her, but to all strangers to subdue and conquer him.

It was in vain to employ menaces against her: the fear of death or other misfortune would never induce her to make one step or pronounce one syllable beyond what she had determined.