arles Brandon to dismount the
fairest maiden and the most renowned princess in Christendom. It was
done most gracefully. She was but a trifle to his strong arms, and he
lifted her to the sod as gently as if she were a child. The nobles
envied Brandon his evident favor with this unattainable Mary and hated
him accordingly, but they kept their thoughts to themselves for two
reasons: First, they knew not to what degree the king's favor, already
marked, with the help of the princess might carry him; and second,
they did not care to have a misunderstanding with the man who had cut
out Adam Judson's eyes.

We remained at Windsor four or five days, during which time the king
made several knights. Brandon would probably have been one of them, as
everybody expected, had not Buckingham related to Henry the episode of
the loose girth, and adroitly poisoned his mind as to Mary's
partiality. At this the king began to cast a jealous eye on Brandon.
His sister was his chief diplomatic resource, and when she loved or
married, it should be for Henry's benefit, regardless of all else.

Brandon and the Lady Mary saw a great deal of each other during this
little stay at Windsor, as she always had some plan to bring about a
meeting, and although very delightful to him, it cost him much in
royal favor. He could not trace this effect to its proper cause and it
troubled him. I could have told him the reason in two words, but I
feared to put into his mind the thought that the princess might learn
to love him. As to the king, he would not have cared if Brandon or
every other man, for that matter, should go stark mad for love of his
sister, but when she began to show a preference he grew interested,
and it was apt sooner or later to go hard with the fortunate one. When
we went back to Greenwich Brandon was sent on a day ahead.

_CHAPTER VII_

_Love's Fierce Sweetness_

After we had all returned to Greenwich the princess and Brandon were
together frequently. Upon several occasions he was invited, with
others, to her parlor for card playing. But we spent two evenings,
with only four of us present, prior to the disastrous events which
changed everything, and of which I am soon to tell you. During these
two evenings the "Sailor Lass" was in constant demand.

This pair, who should have remained apart, met constantly in and about
the palace, and every glance added fuel to the flame. Part of the time
it was the princess with her troubleso