Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1903-11-02


Mary might. In case of Henrys obsti-
macy. be detained. then revictual and
reman the ship and out through the
North sea FOR their former haven. New
Spain.
In case Of Hcnry's consent. how they
were TO live in a style fit for prin-
cess Brandon did not know unless Hen
~ should open his heart and provide
for them, n doubtful contingency upon
which they did not base much hope.
At "a pinch they might 20 down into
Suffolk and live next to Jane and me
on Brandon's estates. To this Mary
readily agreed. and said it was what
she wanted above all else.
There was one thing now in favor Of
the kings acquiescence. During the
last three months Brandon had become
very necessary to his amusement. and
amusement was his greatest need and
aim in life.
Mary and I went to London to see
the king, having landed at Southamp-
ton for the purpose of throwing off the
scent any one who might seek the ship.
The king was delighted to see his sis
ter. and kissed her over and over again
Mary had as hard game TO play as
ever fell TO the lot Of woman. but she
was equal to the emergency if any wo-
man ever was. She did not give Henry
the slightest hint that she knew any
thing Of the Count of Savoy episode,
but calmly assumed that Of course her
brother had meant literally what he
said when he made the promise as to
the second marriage.
The king soon asked: But what are
you doing here? They have hardly
buried Louis as yet, have theyY
Il am sure do not know" answered
Mary, land | certainly care less.
married him only during his life and
not for one moment afterward, so l
came away and left them to bury him
or keep him, as they choose; l care not
which"
But began Henry. when Mary in
terrupted him, saying. Il will tell you
| had taken good care that Wolsey
should be present at this interview.
So we four - the kim. Wolsey. Mary
and myself-quietly stepped into a lit
tie alcove away from the others and
prepared to listen to Mary's tale. which
was told with all her dramatic elo-
quence and feminine responsiveness.
She told Of the ignoble insults of Fran
els, of his vile propOsals-insisted up
on, almost 10 the point Of force-care-
fully concealing, however, the offer TO
divorce Claude and make her queen.
which proposition might have had its
attractions for Henry. She told of her
Imprisonment in the Palace des Tour
nelles and of her deadly peril and
many indignities, and the tale lost
nothing In the telling. Then she fin
ished by throwing her arms around
Henry's neck in a passionate flood Of
tears and begging him to protect her.
to save her, save her, save her, his lit
tie sister!
1t was all such perfect acting that
for the time l forgot it was acting. and
a great lump swelled up in my throat.
1t was, however, only for the instant.
and when Mary, whose face was hid
breast, smiled slyly at me from the
midst Of her tears and sobs, burst into
a laugh that was like to have spoiled
everything. Henry turned quickly up
on me, and tried to cover 1t by pre-
tending that = was sobbing. Wolsey
helped me out by putting a corner Of
his gown to his eyes, when Henry. see
a On of Cd
the fever aRl swell with indignation.
lie put Mary away from him and.
striding up and down the room, ex-
claimed In voice that all could hear:
The dog, the dog, to treat my sister
so! My sister! My fathers daughter!
My sister! The first princess of Eng
land and queen of France for his mis-
tress! BY every god that ever breathed.
I'll chastise this scurvy cur until he
howls again. swear it by my crown,
If 1t cost me my kingdom" and so on
until words failed him. But see how
he kept his oath, and see how he and
Francis hobnobbed not long afterward
at the Field Of the Cloth of Gold.
Henry came back to Mary and began
to question her. when she repeated the
story for him. Then it was she told of
my timely arrival. and how, in order to
escape and protect herself from Fran
els. she had been compelled to marry
Brandon and fee with US.
She said: II so wanted to come home
to England and be married where my
dear brother could give me away, but
was in such mortal dread of Francis.
and there was no other means Of es-
cape, So
Gods death! If had but one other
sister like you, l swear before heaven
Id have myself hanged. Married to
Brandon! Fool! Idiot! What do YOU
mean? Married to Brandon! Jesu!
You'll drive me mad! Just one other
like you in England, and the whole
damned kingdom might sink. I'd have
none of 1t. Married to Brandon with
put my consentr'
N