w cruelly he disgraced and crushed poor Lady
Chesterfield, who was in such trouble about her husband, and who went
to Grouche's only to learn if he were true to her. Henry seems to be
particularly sensitive in that direction. One would think it was in
the commandments: 'Thou shalt not go to Grouche's.' It may be that
some have gone there for other purposes than to have their fortunes
told--to meet, to--but I need not say that I--" and she stopped short,
blushing to her hair.

"Well, I knew I could do nothing with Henry if he once learned of that
visit, especially as it resulted so fatally. Oh! why did I go? Why
_did_ I go? That was why I hesitated to tell Henry at once. I was
hoping some other way would open whereby I might save Charles--Master
Brandon. While I was waiting, along came the Duke of Buckingham, and
as I knew he was popular in London, and had almost as much influence
there as the king, a thought came to me that he might help us.

"I knew that he and Master Brandon had passed a few angry words at one
time in my ball-room--you remember--but I also knew that the duke was
in--in love with me, you know, or pretended to be--he always said he
was--and I felt sure I could, by a little flattery, induce him to do
anything. He was always protesting that he would give half his blood
to serve me. As if anybody wanted a drop of his wretched blood. Poor
Master Brandon! his blood ..." and the tears came, choking her words
for the moment. "So I told the duke I had promised you and Jane to
procure Master Brandon's liberty, and asked him to do it for me. He
gladly consented, and gave me his knightly word that it should be
attended to without an hour's delay. He said it might have to be done
secretly in the way of an escape--not officially--as the Londoners
were very jealous of their rights and much aroused on account of the
killing. Especially, he said that at that time great caution must be
used, as the king was anxious to conciliate the city in order to
procure a loan for some purpose--my dower, I suppose.

"The duke said it should be as I wished; that Master Brandon should
escape, and remain away from London for a few weeks until the king
procured his loan, and then be freed by royal proclamation.

"I saw Buckingham the next day, for I was very anxious, you may be
sure, and he said the keeper of Newgate had told him it had been
arranged the night before as desired. I had come to Windsor because it
was more quiet, and m