After the ceremony Claude quickly bound up Mary's hair, and the queens
departed from the chapel in their coach. We soon followed, meeting
them again at St. Denis gate, where we found the best of horses and
four sturdy men awaiting us. The messenger to Dieppe who had preceded
us would arrange for relays, and as Mary, according to her wont when
she had another to rely upon, had taken the opportunity to become
thoroughly frightened, no time was lost. We made these forty leagues
in less than twenty-four hours from the time of starting; having
paused only for a short rest at a little town near Rouen, which city
we carefully passed around.

We had little fear of being overtaken at the rate we were riding, but
Mary said she supposed the wind would die down for a month immediately
upon our arrival at Dieppe. Fortunately no one pursued us, thanks to
Queen Claude, who had spread the report that Mary was ill, and
fortunately, also, much to Mary's surprise and delight, when we
arrived at Dieppe, as fair a wind as a sailor's heart could wish was
blowing right up the channel. It was a part of the system of
relays--horses, ship, and wind.

"When the very wind blows for our special use, we may surely dismiss
fear," said Mary, laughing and clapping her hands, but nearly ready
for tears, notwithstanding.

The ship was a fine new one, well fitted to breast any sea, and
learning this, we at once agreed that upon landing in England, Mary
and I should go to London and win over the king if possible. We felt
some confidence in being able to do this, as we counted upon Wolsey's
help, but in case of failure we still had our plans. Brandon was to
take the ship to a certain island off the Suffolk coast and there
await us the period of a year if need be, as Mary might, in case of
Henry's obstinacy, be detained; then re-victual and re-man the ship
and out through the North Sea for their former haven, New Spain.

In case of Henry's consent, how they were to live in a style fit for a
princess, Brandon did not know, unless Henry should open his heart and
provide for them--a doubtful contingency upon which they did not base
much hope. At a pinch, they might go down into Suffolk and live next
to Jane and me on Brandon's estates. To this Mary readily agreed, and
said it was what she wanted above all else.

There was one thing now in favor of the king's acquiescence: during
the last three months Brandon had become very necessary to his
amusement, and