the position
allowed only one horse to attack them. Two men on foot would have been
less in each other's way and much more effective. The men, however,
stuck to their horses, and one of them pressed the attack, striking at
Brandon most viciously. It being dark, and the distance deceptive, the
horseman's sword at last struck the wall, a flash of sparks flying in
its trail, and lucky it was, or this story would have ended here.
Thereupon Brandon thrust his sword into the horse's throat, causing it
to rear backward, plunging and lunging into the street, where it fell,
holding its rider by the leg against the cobble-stones of a little
gutter.

A cry from the fallen horseman brought his companion to his side, and
gave Brandon an opportunity to escape with the girls. Of this he took
advantage, you may be sure, for one of his mottoes was, that the
greatest fool in the world is he who does not early in life learn how
and when to run.

In the light of the sparks from the sword-stroke upon the wall, brief
as it was, Brandon recognized the face of Buckingham, from which the
mask had fallen. Of this he did not speak to any one till long
afterward, and his silence was almost his undoing.

How often a word spoken or unspoken may have the very deuce in it
either way!

The girls were nearly dead from fright, and in order to make any sort
of progress Brandon had to carry the princess and help Jane until he
thought they were out of danger. Jane soon recovered, but Mary did not
seem anxious to walk, and lay with her head upon Brandon's shoulder,
apparently contented enough.

In a few minutes Jane said, "If you can walk now, my lady, I think you
had better. We shall soon be near Fishmonger's Hall, where some one is
sure to be standing at this hour."

Mary said nothing in reply to Jane, but, as Brandon fell a step or two
behind at a narrow crossing, whispered:

"Forgive me, forgive me; I will do any penance you ask; I am unworthy
to speak your name. I owe you my life and more--and more a thousand
times." At this she lifted her arm and placed her hand upon his cheek
and neck. She then learned for the first time that he was wounded, and
the tears came softly as she slipped from his arms to the ground. She
walked beside him quietly for a little time, then, taking his hand in
both of hers, gently lifted it to her lips and laid it upon her
breast. Half an hour afterward Brandon left the girls at Bridewell
House, went over to the Bridge