passed
objects on the way, told me of what Brandon had said at this place
and that. She laughed and dimpled exquisitely in relating how she had
deliberately made opportunities for him to flatter her, until, at
last, he smiled in her face and told her she was the most beautiful
creature living, but that "after all, 'beauty was as beauty did!'"

"That made me angry," said she. "I pouted for a while, and, two or
three times, was on the point of dismissing him, but thought better of
it and asked him plainly wherein I did so much amiss. Then what do you
think the impudent fellow said?"

"I cannot guess."

"He said: 'Oh, there is so much it would take a lifetime to tell it.'

"This made me furious, but I could not answer, and a moment later he
said: 'Nevertheless I should be only too glad to undertake the task.'

"The thought never occurred to either of us then that he would be
taken at his word. Bold? I should think he was; I never saw anything
like it! I have not told you a tenth part of what he said to me that
day; he said anything he wished, and it seemed that I could neither
stop him nor retaliate. Half the time I was angry and half the time
amused, but by the time we reached Windsor there never was a girl more
hopelessly and desperately in love than Mary Tudor." And she laughed
as if it were a huge joke on Mary.

She continued: "That day settled matters with me for all time. I don't
know how he did it. Yes I do...." and she launched forth into an
account of Brandon's perfections, which I found somewhat dull, and so
would you.

We remained a day or two at Windsor, and then, over the objections of
our chaperons, moved on to Berkeley Castle, where Margaret of Scotland
was spending the summer.

We had another beautiful ride up the dear old Thames to Berkeley, but
Mary had grown serious and saw none of it.

On the afternoon of the appointed day, the princess suggested a
hawking party, and we set out in the direction of the rendezvous. Our
party consisted of myself, three other gentlemen and three ladies
besides Mary. Jane did not go; I was afraid to trust her. She wept,
and, with difficulty, forced herself to say something about a
headache, but the rest of the inmates of the castle of course had no
thought that possibly they were taking their last look upon Mary
Tudor.

Think who this girl was we were running away with! What reckless fools
we were not to have seen the utter hopelessness, certain failure, and
d