The Duel of the Queens

“She is the greatest lady in the world,” said George Buchanan, tutor in Latin to the young queen of Scotland soon to be queen of France.“She is the loveliest lady in all the world,” responded Ronsard, poet of beautiful women and all lovely things. “I have heard her French Majesty, Queen Catherine, declare: ‘That little Scots whippersnapper of a queen has only to smile to turn the heads of all my good Frenchmen. It is a folly, but so it is!’ ”“If her Majesty made that remark the whole world may swear it is true. For there is no love lost——”“S-sh!” said the Bishop of Orkney with a discreet finger on narrow lips. “Her French Majesty has been a loving mother to our little queen ever since her own French mother sent her to France from Scotland, a hunted baby fleeing from the Scots lords in English pay. But, gentlemen, you commend her for beauty and rank. Now, I who am a churchman commend her for wits and learning. She is the most brilliant little lady for her young years in all the world.”