The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1903-04-02
THE PRINCETON UNION THURSDAY APRIL 3. 1908
more tenaciously. Turning to Brandon
the princess said:

more tenaciously. Turning to Brandon.
the princess said:
Master Brandon, am glad to see
you, and regret exceedingly that our
friend of Buckingham should so thirst
for your blood" She then led him to
the king and queen, to whom he made
his bow, and the pair continued their
walk about the room. Mary again al
luded to the skirmish at the door and
said laughingly:
II would have come to your help, but
I knew you were amply able to take
care of yourself. I was sure you would
worst the duke in some way. 1t was
better than mummery, and was glad
to see it. do not like him."
The king did not open these private
balls, as he was supposed at least not
to be their patron, and the queen, who
was considerably older than Henry,
was averse to such things. So the prin-
cess opened her own balls, dancing for
few minutes, with the floor entirely
to herself and partner. 1t was the hon
or of the evening to open the ball with
her, and quite curious to see how men
put themselves in her way and stood
so as to be easily observed and, per-
chance, chosen. Brandon after leaving
Mary had drifted into a corner of the
room back of group of people and
was talking to Wolsey-who was al
ways very friendly to him-and to Mas
ter Cavendish, quaint, quiet, easy lit
tie man, full of learning and kindness,
and a warm friend to the Princess
Mary.
1t was time to open the ball, and
from my place in the musicians gal.
lery l could see Mary moving about
among the guests, evidently looking for.
partner, while the men resorted to
some very transparent and amusing
expedients to attract her attention. The
princess, however. took none of the
bidders, and soon, I noticed, she espied
Brandon standing in the corner with
his back toward her.
Something told me she was going to
ask him to open the dance, and I re.
GREETED it, because knew it would set
every nobleman in the house against
him, they being very jealous of the
'lowborn favorites," as they called the
untitled friends Of royalty. Sure
enough, I was right. Mary at once be-
gan to make her way over to the cor
ner, and heard her say, Master Bran
don, will you dance with me-"
1t was done prettily. The whole girl
changed as soon as she found herself in
front Of him. In place of the old time
confidence, strongly tinged with arro-
gance, she was almost shy, and blushed
and stammered with quick coming
breath, like burgher maid before her
new found gallant. At once the court
iers made way for her, and out she
walked, leading Brandon by the hand.
Upon her lips and in her eyes was a
rare, triumphant smile, as if to say:
"Look at this handsome new trophy
Of my bow and spear"
I was surprised and alarmed when
Mary chose Brandon, but when I turn
ed to the musicians to direct their play
imagine, if you can, my surprise when
the leader said:
master, we have our orders for the
first dance from the princess"
Imagine also, if you can, my double
surprise and alarm nay, almost my
terror-when the band struck up James
"Sailor Lass" I saw the look of sur
prise and inquiry which Brandon gave
Mary, standing there demurely by his
side, when he first heard the music,
and heard her nervous little laugh as
she nodded her head, Eyes, and STEP
ped closer to him to take position for
the dance. The next moment she was
in Brandon's arms, flying like a sylph
about the room. A buzz of astonish-
ment and delight greeted them before
they were half way around and then
great clapping of hands, in which the
king himself joined. It was a lovely
sight, although I think a graceful wo-
man is more beautiful in La Galliard
than any other dance or, in fact, any
other situation in which she can place
herself.
After little time the doWager Ouch
| ess of Kent, first lady in waiting to the
queen, presented herself at the must
clans gallery and said that her males
ty had ordered the music stopped, and
the musicians, Of course, ceased play
ing at once. Mary thereupon turned
quickly to me.
master, are our musicians weary
that they stop before we are through? ''
The queen answered for me in a high
voiced Spanish accent: II ordered the
music stopped. I will not permit such
an indecent exhibition to go on longer"
Fire sprang to Mary's eyes and she
exclaimed: IF your majesty does not
like the way we do and dance at my
balls, you can retire as soon as you
see fit. Your face is a kill-mirth any
way" 1t never took long to rouse her
ladyship.
The queen turned to Henry, who was
laughing, and angrily demanded:
"Will your majesty permit me to be
thus insulted in your very presence?"
"You got yourself into it. Get out of
it as best you can. have often told