t I came here only to learn the
worst. Shall we ever get home alive, do you think?"

They hurried on, the man behind them taking less care to remain unseen
than he did when coming. Mary's fears grew upon her as she heard his
step and saw his form persistently following them, and she clutched
Jane by the arm.

"It is all over with us, I know. I would give everything I have or
ever expect to have on earth for--for Master Brandon at this moment."
She thought of him as the one person best able to defend her.

This was only too welcome an opportunity, and Jane said: "That is
Master Brandon following us. If we wait a few seconds he will be
here," and she called to him before Mary could interpose.

Now this disclosure operated in two ways. Brandon's presence was, it
is true, just what Mary had so ardently wished, but the danger, and,
therefore, the need, was gone when she found that the man who was
following them had no evil intent. Two thoughts quickly flashed
through the girl's mind. She was angry with Brandon for having cheated
her out of so many favors and for having slighted her love, as she had
succeeded in convincing herself was the case, all of which Grouche had
confirmed by telling her he was false. Then she had been discovered in
doing what she knew she should have left undone, and what she was
anxious to conceal from every one; and, worst of all, had been
discovered by the very person from whom she was most anxious to hide
it.

So she turned upon Jane angrily: "Jane Bolingbroke, you shall leave me
as soon as we get back to Greenwich for this betrayal of my
confidence."

She was not afraid now that the danger was over, and feared no new
danger with Brandon at hand to protect her, for in her heart she felt
that to overcome a few fiery dragons and a company or so of giants
would be a mere pastime to him; yet see how she treated him. The girls
had stopped when Jane called Brandon, and he was at once by their side
with uncovered head, hoping for, and, of course, expecting, a warm
welcome. But even Brandon, with his fund of worldly philosophy, had
not learned not to put his trust in princesses, and his surprise was
benumbing when Mary turned angrily upon him.

"Master Brandon, your impudence in following us shall cost you dearly.
We do not desire your company, and will thank you to leave us to our
own affairs, as we wish you to attend exclusively to yours."

This from the girl who had given him so much within le