a little hesitation, stole over to where she had
thrown it and picked it up. Going back to the light at the window, she
held it in her hand a moment and then read it once, twice, thrice. The
third time brought the smile, and the note nestled in the bosom again.

Jane did not come off so well, for her mistress did not speak to her
until she called her in that evening to make her toilet. By that time
Mary had forgotten about the note in her bosom; so when Jane began to
array her for the dance, it fell to the floor, whereupon both girls
broke into a laugh, and Jane kissed Mary's bare shoulder, and Mary
kissed the top of Jane's head, and they were friends again.

So Brandon accepted Mary's invitation and went to Mary's dance, but
his going made for him an enemy of the most powerful nobleman in the
realm, and this was the way of it.

These parties of Mary's had been going on once or twice a week during
the entire winter and spring, and usually included the same persons.
It was a sort of coterie, whose members were more or less congenial,
and most of them very jealous of interlopers. Strange as it may seem,
uninvited persons often attempted to force themselves in, and all
sorts of schemes and maneuvers were adopted to gain admission. To
prevent this, two guardsmen with halberds were stationed at the door.
Modesty, I might say, neither thrives nor is useful at court.

When Brandon presented himself at the door his entrance was barred,
but he quickly pushed aside the halberds and entered. The Duke of
Buckingham, a proud, self-important individual, was standing near the
door and saw it all. Now Buckingham was one of those unfortunate
persons who never lose an opportunity to make a mistake, and being
anxious to display his zeal on behalf of the princess stepped up to
prevent Brandon's entrance.

"Sir, you will have to move out of this," he said pompously. "You are
not at a jousting bout. You have made a mistake and have come to the
wrong place."

"My Lord of Buckingham is pleased to make rather more of an ass of
himself than usual this evening," replied Brandon with a smile, as he
started across the room to Mary, whose eye he had caught. She had seen
and heard it all, but instead of coming to his relief stood there
laughing to herself. At this Buckingham grew furious and ran around
ahead of Brandon, valiantly drawing his sword.

"Now, by heaven! fellow, make but another step and I will run you
through," he said.

I saw