at my beautiful little Jane, and had seen him
try to kiss her a few days before, as I have told you. This annoyed me
very much, but I thought little of it, as it was his habit to ogle
every pretty face. When urged, Jane said between her sobs: "He tried
to kiss me and to--mistreat me when Wolsey left the room at Bridewell
House. I may have been used to detain him, while Mary met Master
Brandon, but if so, I am sure she knew nothing of it."

"And what did you do?"

"I struggled away from him and snatched this dagger from my breast,
telling him that if he took but one step toward me I would plunge it
in my heart; and he said I was a fool."

"God keep you always a fool," said I, prayerfully. "How long has this
been going on?"

"A month or two; but I have always been able to run away from him. He
has been growing more importunate of late, so I bought a dagger that
very day, and had it not one hour too soon." With this she drew out a
gleaming little weapon that flashed in the rays of the candle.

This was trouble in earnest for me, and I showed it very plainly. Then
Jane timidly put her hand in mine, for the first time in her life, and
murmured:

"We will be married, Edwin, if you wish, before we return from
France." She was glad to fly to me to save herself from Henry, and I
was glad even to be the lesser of two evils.

As to whether my two friends met or not that day at Bridewell I cannot
say; but I think they did. They had in some way come to an
understanding that lightened both their hearts before Mary left for
France, and this had been their only possible opportunity. Jane and I
were always taken into their confidence on other occasions, but as to
this meeting, if any there was, we have never been told a word. My
belief is that the meeting was contrived by Wolsey upon a solemn
promise from Brandon and Mary never to reveal it, and if so, they have
sacredly kept their word.

On the 13th of August, 1514, Mary Tudor, with her golden hair falling
over her shoulders, was married at Greenwich to Louis de Valois; de
Longueville acting as his French majesty's proxy. Poor, fair
Proserpina!...

Note.--Maidens only were married with their hair down. It was "the
sacred token of maidenhood."--Editor.

_CHAPTER XX_

_Down into France_

So it came to pass that Mary was married unto Louis and went down into
France.

[Again the editor takes the liberty of substituting Hall's quaint
account of Mary's journey