Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-03-19

eligible to all palace entertainments and would probably have many invita- tions, being favorite with both their majesties. AS to his standing with Mary, who was really the most impor- tant figure socially about the court, could not exactly say. She was such mixture of contradictory impulses and rapid transitions, and was so full of whims and caprice, the inevitable out growth of her blood, her rank and the adulation amid which she had always lived, that I could not predict for day ahead her attitude toward any one. She had never shown so great favor to any man as to Brandon, but just how much of her condescension was a mere whim, growing out of the i'm pulse of the moment and subject to reaction, could not tell. I believed, however, that Brandon stood upon a flrmer foundation with this changing, shifting quicksand of girl than with either of their majesties.
 In fact, I thought he rested upon her heart itself But to guess correctly what girl of that sort will do or think Dr feel would require inspiration.
 
 given by the king and queen included as guests nearly all the court, but Mary often had little fetes and danc- ing parties which were smaller, more select and informal. These parties were really with the consent and encourage ment of the king, to avoid the respon- sibility of not inviting everybody. The larger affairs were very dull, and smaller ones might give offense to those who were left out. The latter, therefore, were turned over to Mary, who cared very little who was offend ed or who was not, and invitations to them were highly valued.
 One afternoon day or two after Brandon's presentation message ar rived from Mary notifying me that she would have little fete that evening in one of the smaller halls and direct ing me to be there as master of the dance. Accompanying the message was note from no less person than the princess herself, inviting Brandon.
 This was an honor indeed-an auto graph invitation from the hand of Ma ry! But the masterful rascal did not seem to consider it anything unusual, and when I haaded him the note upon his return from the hunt he simply read it carelessly over once, tore it in pieces and tossed it away. I believe the Duke of Buckingham would have given 10000 crowns to receive such a note and would doubtless have shown 1t to half the court in triumphant con- fidence before the middle of the night. ITO this great captain of the guard 1t was but a scrap of paper. He was glad to have it. nevertheless, and with all his self restraint and stoicism could not conceal his pleasure.
 Brandon at once accepted the invita- Gtion in personal note to the princess. The boldness of this actually took my breath, and it seems at first to have startled Mary a little also. As you must know by this time, her dignity royap' was subject to alarms and quite her most troublesome attribute-very apt to receive damage in her relations with Brandon.
 Mary did not destroy Brandon's note, despite the fact that her sense of dig nity had been disturbed by it, but after she had read it slipped off into her pri- vate room, read it again and put it on her escritoire. Soon she picked it up. reread it and, after little hesitation, put it in her pocket. It remained in the pocket for moment or two, when out it came for another perusal, and then she unfastened her bodice and put 1t in her bosom. Mary had been so in- tent upon what she was doing that she had not seen Jane, who was sitting quietly in the window, and when she turned and saw her she was so angry she snatched the note from her bosom and threw it upon the floor, stamping her foot in embarrassment and rage.
 "How dare you watch me, hussy?' she cried. "You turk around as still as the grave, and have to look into every nook and corner wherever go or have you spying on me"
 s'I did not spy upon you, Lady Nary" said Jane quietly.
 Don't answer me! I know you did! I want you to be less silent after this. Do you hear? Cough or sing or stum- ble; do something, anything, that may hear you"
 Jane rose, picked up the note and of- fered it to her mistress, who snatched 1t with one hand while she gave her a sharp slap with the other. Jane ran out, and Mary, full of anger and shame, slammed the door and locked it. The note, being the cause of all the trouble, she impatieptly threw to the floor again and went over to the window bench, where she threw herself down to bout. In the course of five minutes she turned her head for one feeting instant and looked at the note, and then, after a. little hesitation, stole over to where she had thrown 1t and picked it up. Going back to the light at the window she held it in her hand a moment and then read it once, twice, thrice The third time brought the smile, and the note nestled in the bosom again.
 Jane did not come off so well, for her mistress did not speak to her until she called her in that evening to make her toilet. By that time Mary had forgot fen about the note in her bosom; so