Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-01-19


@ arrangement, at least, the mar
Se rage Of Louis de Valois and
Mary Tudor was a settled fact. All 1t
needed was the consent Of an eighteen
year-old girl-a small matter. OF course,
as marriageable women are but COM
modities in statecraft, and theoretically,
at least. acquiesce in everything their
Hege 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 sort OF
skirmish line by fiattering her beauty,
but had found her not in the best hu'
NOR.
Eyes, yes, my lord Of Lincoln, I know
how beautiful l am. No one knows bet
ter. I know all about my hair. eyes,
teeth, eyebrows and skin. l tell you l
am sick Of them. Don't talk to me
about them. 1t won't help you to get
nv consent to marry that vile old crea-
ture. That is what you have come for,
of course. l have been expecting you.
Why did not my brother comeT
81 think he was afraid, and. to tell
you the truth, was afraid myself"
answered Wolsey, with a smile. This
made Mary smile, too, in spite OF ner-
self and went a long way toward put
ting her in a good humor. Wolsey con-
tnued: "His majesty could not have
piven me q more disagreeable task.
You doubtless think I am In favor OF
this marriage. but I am not"
This was as great lie as ever feii
whole out of bishops mouth. Il 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 Longueville."
"Was it that bead eyed little mummy
who suggested 1T?
"Yes, and If you marry the king OF
France you can repay him with usury.
.'Tis an inducement by my troth."
81 do not mind saying to you IN con-
fdence that I think it an outrage to
force a girl like you to marry man
IKE Louis of France, but how are we
to avoid it?'
BY the 1--WE" 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; I will show you"
"Oh, but my dear princess; permit
me. You do not seem to know your
brother. You cannot In any way avoid
this marriage. believe he will I'm
prison you and put you on bread and
water to force your consent. I 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 l
speak plainly before Lady Jane Boiling
broker
81 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 promise from your
brother to allow you your own choice
In the event Of a second marriage. You
might in that way purchase what you
could not bring about In any other
way"
"How do you know that want to
purchase aught in any way. Master
Wolsey? most certainly do not In.
tend to do so by marrying France"
II do not know that you wish to pur-
chase anything. but woman's heart Ii
not always under her full control. and
It 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 man whom any
woman would be amply justified In
purchasing at any sacrifce-doubly 20
II 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
clinch the victory said. In his forceful
manner: Louis XII. will not live Q
year; let me carry to the king your
consent, and guarantee you his prom-
iss - to a second marriage"
In an instant Mary's eyes shot tlra,
and her face was like the blackest
stormcloud.
Garry this to the king: That l will
zee him and the whole kingdom snnk
In hell before l will marry Louis Of
France. That is my answer once and
for all. Good even. Master Wolsey."
And she swept out of the room with
head up and dilating nostrils. the very
picture Of defiance.
After Wolsey had gone Jane said to
Mary: Don't you think it would have
been better had you sent softer an
swer to your brother? believe you
could reach his heart even now If you
were to make the effort. You have not
tried In this matter as you did In the
Others"
"Perhaps you are right, Jane. l will
go to Henry"
Mary waited until she knew the king
was alone. and then went to him.
On entering the room she said:
Brother. sent hasty message to you
by the bishop Of Lincoln this morning,
and have come to ask your forgive
ness"
"Ah, little sister, thought you would
change your mind. Now you are a
good girl"
"Oh. do not misunderstood me. l