that it
was given simply to pacify the girl, and without any intention
whatever of its being kept; but that, in case of the death of King
Louis, Henry intended again to use his sister to his own advantage.

To be a beautiful princess is not to enjoy the bliss some people
imagine. The earth is apt to open at any time, and Pluto to snatch her
away to--the Lord knows where.

Mary again poured out her soul on paper--a libation intended for
Brandon. I made a dozen attempts, in as many different ways, to
deliver her letters, but every effort was a failure, and this missive
met the fate of the others. De Longueville kept close watch on his
master's rival, and complained to Henry about these attempts at
communication. Henry laughed and said he would see that they were
stopped, but paid no more attention to the matter.

If Mary, before her interview with Henry, had been averse to the
French marriage, she was now equally anxious to hurry it on, and
longed to go upon the rack in order that Brandon might be free. He, of
course, objected as strenuously as possible to the purchase of his
life by her marriage to Louis, but his better judgment told him--in
fact, had told him from the first--that she would be compelled
eventually to marry the French king, and common sense told him if it
must be, she might as well save his life at the same time.
Furthermore, he felt a certain sense of delight in owing his life to
her, and knew that the fact that she had saved him--that her
sacrifice had not all been in vain--would make it easier for her to
bear.

The most beautiful feature of the relations between these two lovers
was their entire faith in each other. The way of their true love was
at least not roughened by cobble-stones of doubt, however impassable
it was from mountains of opposition.

My inability to deliver Mary's letters did not deter her from writing
them; and as she was to be married in a few days--de Longueville to
act as proxy--she devoted her entire time to her letters, and wrote
pages upon pages, which she left with me to be delivered "after
death," as she called her marriage.

At this time I was called away from court for a day or two, and when I
returned and called upon Brandon at the Tower, I found him whistling
and singing, apparently as happy as a lark. "You heartless dog,"
thought I, at first; but I soon found that he felt more than
happiness--exaltation.

"Have you seen her?" I asked.

"Who?" As if there were