When Knighthood Was in Flower

Fierce

ith others, to her parlor for card playing. But we spent two evenings, with only four of us present, prior to the disastrous event

troublesome dignity, and part of the time it was Mary-simply girl. Notwithstanding these haughty moods, anyone with half an eye could see that the princess was gradually

spite of himself, and almost without his knowledge, the girl had grown wonderfully sweet and dear to him. He now saw his danger, and struggled to keep himself beyond the spell of her perilous glances and siren song. This modern Ulysses made a masterful effort, but alas! had no ships to carry him away, and no wax

s capricious as a May day; but it was love-love as plain as the sun at rising. She sought Brandon upon all occasions, and made opportunities to meet him; not openly-at any rate, not with Brandon's knowledge, nor with any connivance on his part, but apparently

warm with the spark of her grandfather's fire-and then sink into the west and make room for another sun to-morrow. But with Brandon's stronger nature the sun would go till noon and there would burn for life. The sun, however, had not reached its noon with Brandon, either; since he had set his brain against hi

, in truth, it seemed she did not care to hide. When others were present she would restrain herself somewhat, but with only Jane and myself, she could hardly maintain a seemly reserve. During all this time Brandon remained cool and really seemed unconscious of his wonderful attraction for her. It is hard to understand why he did not see it, but I really believe he did not. Although he was quite at ease in her presence, too much so, Mary sometimes thought, and stra

bly at least, occupy his evenings, and did honestly what his judgment told him was the one thing to do; that is, remain away from a fire that

at least, would go down in the attempt. His trouble, however, did not make a mope of him, and he retained a great deal of his brightness and sparkle undimmed by what must have been an ache in his heart. Though he tried, without making it too marked, to see as little of Mary as possible, their meeting once in a while could not be avoided, especially when o

me afterwards that Mary's conduct upon coming up to him was pretty and curious beyond the naming. At first she was inclined to be distant, and say cutting things, but when Brandon began to grow restive under t

d him-but Jane did not at first take the hint and kept close at her heels. Mary's impulsive nature was not much given to hinting-she usually nodded and most emphatically at that-so after a few failures t

given to such spasms; so with this emphasized hint she walked on ahead, half s

e, but began the

know you won't. With all your faults, you don't tell even little lies; not even to a woman-I believe. Now there is a fine compliment-is it not?-when I intended to scold you!" She gave a fluttering little laugh, and, with

s-," bega

ur duties. Tel

no intention whatever of doing anything of the so

it was not onerous. "You might as well come to it and tell the truth; that you do not l

ho was on the rack. "Please do not think it. I cannot bear to h

me the re

sullen and ill-humored, although, of course, it was not so intended. He had been so perilously near speaking words which would probably have lighted, to their destruction-t

ily: "Leave you? Do I hear aright? I never thought that I, the daughte

Brandon; but she was go

explanation would be, but felt that it was best for them both th

to say nothing of her royal pride, wa

heart he were dead. This was the first time he really knew how much he loved the girl, and he sa

own. Caution and judgment still sat enthroned, and they told him now what he knew full well they would not tell him after a short time-that failure was certain to follow the attempt, and disaster sure to follow failure. First, the king would, in all probability, cut off his head upon an intimation of Mary's possible fondness for him; and, seco

w it-not as a matter of vanity, but as a matter of fact-yet love had blinded her where Brandon was concerned, and that knowledge fai

areful not to do. An angry porcupine would have been pleasant company compared with Mary during this time. There was no living with her in peace. Even the king fought shy of her, and the queen was almost afraid to speak. Probably so much general dist

rmth of her heart, which was striving to reassert itself, and the d

o come to the strongest of us, had resolved to quit his place at court and go to New Spain at once. He had learned, upon inquiry, that a ship would sa

eeing from death itself. And to think what a heaven it would be. You are right, Caskoden; no man can withstand the light of that girl's smile. I am unable to tell how I feel toward her. It sometimes seems that I can not live another hour without see

s I told him how I should miss him more than anyone else

to do, knowing full well she woul

of her ill-humor toward Brandon as still remained were frighte

there was an exhilaration about his presence which almost intoxicated her and made life an ecstasy, yet she did not know i

e her for the night, and to retire. She then found that Mary had robed herself and was lying in bed with her head covered, apparently asleep. Jane quie

eard a sob from the other be

you weeping

es

the matte

g," wit

me to come

and lay beside Mary, who gent

spered Mary, shyly confes

ded Jane, "but he will

believe

is consolation Mary soft

hed, but Jane could see that she was on the lookout for some one all the time,

luxuriously furnished little apartment with a well-selected library. Here Bra

e, took his place in a secluded little alcove half hidden in arras draperies. There w

as there or not, but she was there and he was there, which is the only thing to the po

w bow was backing himself out most deferentially, to

large enough for us both, I will go. I would not disturb you." She spoke with a tremu

taking his arm and drawing him to a seat beside her on the cushion. She could have drawn down the

met. I am going to be friends with you whether you will or not. Now what do you say to that, sir?" She spoke with a fluttering little laugh of uneasy non-assurance, which showed

rayers, "Lead me not into temptation"? He had done his part, for he had done all he could. Heaven had not helped him, since here wa

ession-women are better skilled i

ace and flashing eyes that caught a double luster from the glowing love that made her heart beat so fast. Her gown, too, was the best she could have worn to show her charms. She must have known Brandon was there, and must have dressed especially to go to him. She wore her favorite long flowing outer sleeve, without the close fitting inner one. It was slit to the shoulder, and gave entrancing glimpses of her arms with every movement, leaving them almost bare when she lifted her hands, which was often, for she was as full of gestures as a

while sitting there in the intervals between her speech, the oddest, wildest thoughts ran through his brain. He wondered how he could escape. He thought of the window, and that possibly he might break away through

wer me, sir! I will have no more of this. You shall treat me

ere only a burg

I am not. It can't be helpe

dear lady-I beg you

question; am I not kind

and so condescending to me that I can only thank you, thank you, thank y

much less so keen-eyed a girl as she-and it gave her confide

o much? Kind? Have I always been so? How about the first time I met you? Was

ed it almost took me off my feet," and they both laughed in remembering the scene of their first meeting. "No, I can't say your kindness showed itself very strongly in that first

erously near, he thought; and he said to himself: "

good," laughingly returned Mary. "I can b

you try,"

ttle pout. "Don't you know genuine out-and-out goodness wh

ecognize it; but-

and I will not-not even to be good. This," placing her hand over her heart, "is ju

her eyes upon him all the time, and his strength and good resolves were oozing out like win

I was unkind to you, and you were kind to me, bu

don't know when I am kind to you. I should be kinder to myself, at lea

d to ask you about. Jane tells

had never entered her head, however passionate her feelings toward him. She also knew that speaking a thought vitalizes it and gives it force; so, although she could not deny herself the pleasure of being near him, of seeing him, and hearing the tones of his voice, and now and then feeling the thrill of an accidental touch, she had enough good sense to know that a mutual confession, that is, taking it for granted Brandon loved her, as she felt almo

think I shall. I have volunteered with a ship that sails in

t she also felt a sense of relief, somewhat as a conscientious house-breaker might feel upon finding the door securely

y be able to go away and feel that my brother and sisters are secure in their home-my brother is not strong-but I know it is better for me to go now, and I hope to find the money out there. I could have paid it

uch more than I need. Let me pay it. Please tell me how much it is and I will hand it to you. You can come to my room

y once," and he looked into her eyes with a gaze she could not stand even for an instant. This was gr

y have no excuse to remain? Is that it?

the debt. How much is it and to whom is i

ady Mary,

d put her hand coaxingly upon his arm. With an irresistible impulse he took the hand in his and lifted it to his lips in a lingering caress that

oward the river. Thus they sat in silence, Brandon's hand resting listlessly upon the cushion between them. Mary saw the eloquent movement away from her and his speaking attitude, with averted fa

s again-if

satisfy now; it must be all, all! And he caught h

he was on his breast with her white arms around his neck, paying the same tribute to the little blind god that he would have exacted from the lowliest maiden of the land. Just as th

t or two, then fell upon his knee

elp me!"

d with her hand and as she fondled the cu

us both; fo

don't! I pray you," he said w

when he turned he saw that she had stopped, and was

e had always despised Adam for throwing the blame upon Eve, no matter how much she may have deserved it, and continued:

, and tears were falling over her fl

ny one; neither could I

e; it is like suicide or any other great, self-inflicted injury

erent from other men, and-and I, too, a

er to him and rested with the support of his arms about her. Her eyes were cast down in silence, and she was evidently thinking as she

mething you

onded with emphas

mething you wi

her head sl

Tell me and I

her head s

it? I can

to hear me say tha

t. But-oh!-do you wi

s: "Yes." And the black curving lashes we

e known it so long already, but I am

to him and hid her

ked-and the fair face came up, red and rosy, with "

randon, as he almost pushed her from him.

began to flow again; "no! never." And falling upon his knees, he ca

een them even better than he. Evidently it seemed farther look

up this store of agony to last me all my days. Why did I ever come to this court? God pity me-pity me!" And h

ut it, and of his intention to go to Bristol and there await the sail

ges for a tournament at Richmond, and could furnish no good excuse to withdraw them

too, that there be no leave-taking, bu

"I shall have to kill some on

e he arose looking haggard enough, but with his determination

one, ordered it differently, and