Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-03-23

His fame rested on several remark able predictions which had been full filled to the letter, and I really think the man had some wonderful powers They said he was half Jew, half gyp- sy, and, if there is alchemy in the mix ing of blood, that combination should surely produce something peculiar The city folk were said to have visited him in great numbers, and, notwithstand- ing the priests and bishops all con- demned him as an imp of Satan and follower of witchcraft, many fine peo- pie, including some court ladies, con- tinued to go there by stealth in order to take dangerous, inquisitive peep into the future.
 Mary had long wanted to see this Grouche, at first out of mere curiosity. but Henry, who was very moral-with other peoples consciences-would not think of permitting it. Two ladies, La dy Chesterfield and Lady Ormond, both good and virtuous women, had been de- tected in such visit and had been dis graced and expelled from court in the most cruel manner by order of the king himself.
 Now, added to Mary's old time desire to see Grouche, came longing to know the outcome of the present momentous complication of affairs that touched her so closely.
 She could not wait for Time to unfold himself and drop his budget of events as he travelled, but she must plunge ahead of him and know beforehand the stores of the fates, an intrusion they usually resent. I need not tell you that was Mary's only object in going, nor that her heart was as pure as a babes, quite as chaste and almost as innocent. It is equally true that the large proportion of persons who visited Grouche made his soothsaying an ex- cuse. The thought of how wretched life would be with Louis had put into Marys mind the thought of how sweet it would be with Brandon. Then came the wish that Brandon had been a prince or even a great English noble- man. and then leaped up, all rainbow hued, the hope that he might yet, by reason of his own great virtues, rise to all of these and she become his wife. But at the threshold of this fair castle came knocking the thought that per haps he did not care for her and had deceived hes to gain her favors. Then she flushed with anger and swore to herself she hated him and hoped never to see his face again. And the castle faded and was waited away to the realms of airy nothingness. 1E
 Ah, how people will sometimes lie to themselves, and sensible people at thatl
 So Mary wanted to see Grouche, first, through curiosity, in itself stronger motive than we give it credit for; sec ond, to learn if she would be able tc dissuade Henry from the French mar riage and perhaps catch hint how to do it, and last, but by no means least to discover the state of Brandon's heart toward her.
 By this time the last named motive was strong enough to draw her any whither, although she would not ac- knowledge it, even to herself, and in truth hardly knew it, so full are we of things we know not of.
 So she determined to go to see Grouche secretly and was confident she could arrange the visit in such way that it would never be discovered.
 One morning met Jane, who told me with troubled face that she and Mary were going to London to make some purchases, would lodge at Bride well House and go over to Billings gate that evening to consult Grouche. Mary had taken the whim into her willful head, and Jane could not dis suade her:
 The court was all at Greenwich, and nobody at Bridewell, so Mary thought they could disguise themselves as orange girls and easily make the trip without any one being the wiser.
 It was then, as now, no safe matter for even a man to go unattended through the best parts of London after dark, to say nothing of Billingsgate, that nest of water rats and cutthroats. But Mary did not realize the full dan ger of the trip and would, as usual, al- low nobody to tell her.
 She had threatened Jane with all sorts of vengeance if she divulged her secret, and Jane was miserable enough between her fears on either hand, for Mary, though the younger, held her in complete subjection. Despite her fear of Mary, Jane asked me to go to Lon don and follow them at distance, un- known to the princess. I was to be on duty that night at a dance given in honor of the French envoys who had just arrived, bringing with them com mission of special ambassador to De Longueville to negotiate the treaty of marriage, and it was impossible for me to go. Mary was going partly to avoid this ball, and her willful per- sistency made Henry very angry. I regretted that I could not go, but I promised Jane would send Brandon in my place, and he would answer the purpose of protection far better than I. suggested that Brandon take with him a man, but Jane, who was ill mortal fear of Mary, would not listen to it. So it was agreed that Brandon should meet Jane at given place and learn the particulars, and this plan was carried out.
 Brandon went up to London and saw Jane, and before the appointed time hid himself behind a hedge near the y,rivofa oyo+a 4hra1Jpb xxyhiob tho erirlc