lt sure were exaggerated; but to
treat her as he would the queen--who was black and leathery enough to
frighten a satyr--with all respect due to her rank, but with his own
opinion of her nevertheless, safely stored away in the back of his
head.

Coming up to the group, Brandon took off his hat, and, with a graceful
little bow that let the curls fall around his face, asked: "Have I the
honor to find the Princess Mary among these ladies?"

Mary, who I know you will at once say was thoroughly spoiled, without
turning her face toward him, replied:

"Is the Princess Mary a person of so little consequence about the
court that she is not known to a mighty captain of the guard?"

He wore his guardsman's doublet, and she knew his rank by his
uniform. She had not noticed his face.

Quick as a flash came the answer: "I can not say of what consequence
the Princess Mary is about the court; it is not my place to determine
such matters. I am sure, however, she is not here, for I doubt not she
would have given a gentle answer to a message from the queen. I shall
continue my search." With this, he turned to leave, and the ladies,
including Jane, who was there and saw it all and told me of it,
awaited the bolt they knew would come, for they saw the lightning
gathering in Mary's eyes.

Mary sprang to her feet with an angry flush in her face, exclaiming:
"Insolent fellow, I am the Princess Mary; if you have a message,
deliver it and be gone." You may be sure this sort of treatment was
such as the cool-headed, daring Brandon would repay with usury; so,
turning upon his heel and almost presenting his back to Mary, he spoke
to Lady Jane:

"Will your ladyship say to her highness that her majesty, the queen,
awaits her coming at the marble landing?"

"No need to repeat the message, Jane," cried Mary. "I have ears and
can hear for myself." Then turning to Brandon: "If your insolence will
permit you to receive a message from so insignificant a person as the
king's sister, I beg you to say to the queen that I shall be with her
presently."

He did not turn his face toward Mary, but bowed again to Jane.

"May I ask your ladyship further to say for me that if I have been
guilty of any discourtesy I greatly regret it. My failure to recognize
the Princess Mary grew out of my misfortune in never having been
allowed to bask in the light of her countenance. I cannot believe the
fault lies at my door, and I hope for her own sake that her highn