small.

"I am glad to learn that you knew nothing of it," said Henry,
addressing me; and I was glad, too, for him to learn it, you may be
sure.

Then spoke Wolsey: "If your majesty will permit, I would say that I
quite agree with you; there has been witchery here--witchery of the
most potent kind; the witchery of lustrous eyes, of fair skin and rosy
lips; the witchery of all that is sweet and intoxicating in womanhood,
but Master Brandon has been the victim of this potent spell, not the
user of it. One look upon your sister standing there, and I know your
majesty will agree that Brandon had no choice against her."

"Perhaps you are right," returned Henry.

Then spoke Mary, all unconscious of her girlish egotism: "Of course he
had not. Master Brandon could not help it." Which was true beyond all
doubt.

Henry laughed at her naivete, and Wolsey's lips wore a smile, as he
plucked the king by the sleeve and took him over to the window, out of
our hearing.

Mary began to weep and show signs of increasing agitation.

After a short whispered conversation, the king and Wolsey came back
and the former said: "Sister, if I promise to give Brandon his life,
will you consent decently and like a good girl to marry Louis of
France?"

Mary almost screamed, "Yes, yes; gladly; I will do anything you ask,"
and fell at his feet hysterically embracing his knees.

As the king stooped and lifted her to her feet, he kissed her, saying:
"His life shall be spared, my sweet sister." After this, Henry felt
that he had done a wonderfully gracious act and was the
kindest-hearted prince in all Christendom.

Poor Mary! Two mighty kings and their great ministers of state had at
last conquered you, but they had to strike you through your love--the
vulnerable spot in every woman.

Jane and I led Mary away through a side door and the king called for
de Longueville to finish the interrupted game of cards.

Before the play was resumed Wolsey stepped softly around to the king
and asked: "Shall I affix your majesty's seal to Brandon's pardon?"

"Yes, but keep him in the Tower until Mary is off for France."

Wolsey had certainly been a friend to Brandon in time of need, but, as
usual, he had value received for his friendliness. He was an ardent
advocate of the French marriage, notwithstanding the fact he had told
Mary he was not; having no doubt been bribed thereto by the French
king.

The good bishop had, with the help of de Longueville, s