The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-05-28

~ riage of Louis de Valois and
Mary Tudor was a settled fact. All it
needed was the consent of an eighteen
year-old girl-a small matter, of course,
as manageable women are but COM
modities in statecraft, and theoretically,
at least, acquiesce in everything their
iege lords ordain.
Wolsey, whose manner was smooth
as an otter's coat, had been sent to
fetch the needed "yes," but he failed
Jane told me about it.
Wolsey had gone privately to see the
princess and had thrown out a sort of
skirmish line by fattering her beauty.
but had found her not in the best hui
NOR.
eyes, yes, my lord of Lincoln, l know
how beautiful I am. No one knows bet
ter. I know all about my hair, eyes,
teeth, eyebrows and skin. tell you l
am sick Of them. Don't talk to me
about them. 1t won't help you to get
my consent to marry that vile old crea-
ture. That is what you have come for,
of course. I have been expecting you.
Why did not my brother come?''
II think he was afraid, and, to tell
you the truth, 1 was afraid myself
answered Wolsey, with smile This
made Mary smile, too, in spite of her
self and went long way toward put
ting her in a good humor. Wolsey con-
tinued: His majesty could not have
given me a more disagreeable task.
You doubtless think 1 am in favor of
this marriage, but I am not"
This was as great lie as ever fell
whole out of bishops mouth. II have
been obliged to fall in with the kings
views on the matter, for he has had his
mind set on it from the first mention
by De Iongueville."
"Was it that bead eyed little mummy
who suggested it?'
Eyes, and if you marry the king of
France you can repay him with usury.''
"'Tis an inducement, by my troth.'
Il do not mind saying to you in con-
fidence that I think it an outrage to
force a girl like you to marry a man
like Louis of France, but how are we
to avoid it?''
By the Eve" Wolsey put himself in
alliance with Mary, and the move was
certainly adroit.
How are we to avoid it? Have no
fear of that, my lord; will show you.'
ooh, but my dear princess; permit
me. You do not seem to know your
brother. You cannot in any way avoid
this marriage. I believe he will i'm
prison you and put you on bread and
water to force your consent. am sure
you had better do willingly that which
you will eventually be compelled to do
anyway; and, besides, there is another
thought that has come to me. Shall
speak plainly before Lady Jane Boiling
brOke?'
II have no secrets from her,"
every well. 1t is this: Louis is old
and very feeble. He cannot live long,
and it may be that you can by a ready
consent now exact a promise from your
brother to allow you your own choice
in the event of second marriage. You
might in that way purchase what you
could not bring about in any other
way"
How do you know that l want to
purchase aught in any way, Master
Wolsey? I most certainly do not in
tend to do so by marrying France"
Il do not know that you wish to pur-
chase anything, but woman's heart is
not always under her full control, and
1t sometimes goes out to one very far
beneath her in station, but the equal of
any man on earth in grandeur of soul
and nobleness of nature 1t might be
that there is such a man whom any
woman would be amply justified in
purchasing at any sacrifce-doubly so
If it were buying happiness for two"
His meaning was too plain even to
pretend to misunderstood, and Mary's
eyes flashed at him as her face broke
INTO dimpling smile in spite of her.
Wolsey thought he had won, and to
citnch the victory said, in his forceful
manner: "Louis XII. will not live a