When Knighthood Was in Flower

ce, O

of affairs when I r

ve that I had left such a matter to two foolish girls, one of them as changeable as the wind, and the other completely under her control. I could but think of the d

strong and bitter, and my mental pain so great, that I resolved if my friend died, either by disease contracted in the dungeon or by executi

ving Brandon to perish-Brandon, to whom they both owed s

hood went to the nether side of the universe, there to remain forever. I would retrieve my fault, in so far as it was retrievable, and save Brandon, who was worth them all put together. I would tell Mary and Jane what I thought of them, and that should end matters between us. I felt as I did

umor to be balked, so I thrust aside the guards, and, much to everybody's fright, for I was wild with grie

r sister, the Lady Mary, and Lady Jane Bolingbroke were returning alone, after dark, from a visit to the soothsayer Grouche, of whom your majesty has heard. I had been notified of the Lady Mary's intended visit to him, although she had enjoined absolute secrecy upon my informant. I could not go, being detained upon your majesty's service-it was the night of the ball to the ambassadors-and I asked Brandon to follow them, which he did, without the knowledge of the princess. Upon returning, the ladies were attacked by four ruffians, and would have met with worse than death had not the bravest heart and the best sw

ed a little at

ights in their streets. If Brandon committed such a crime, and, I understand he does not deny it, I cannot help him, however much I should like to do so. But this nonsense about my sister! It can

r purposes other than to listen to his soothsaying. Not in this case, God knows, but there are slanderous tongues, and Brandon was willing to die with closed lips, rather than set them wagging against one so dear to you. It seems that these ladies, who owe so much to him, are also willing that he should die rather than themselves bea

moment in thought

, my sister, shall go to France and enjoy life as best she can with her old beauty, King Louis. I know of no greater punishment to inflict upon her. This determines me; she shall coax me out of it no longer. Sir Thomas Brandon, have my horses ready, and I will

ld go first to the lord mayor and then to Wolsey, but after we crossed the Bridge he passed down Lower Thames street and turned up Fish-street Hill into Grace Church street on

ring talk on statecraft, for the rest of the day. Then the good bishop would have in a few pretty London women and a dance would follow wi

"Your majesty gave me your royal word that you would go to the lord mayor first, and this is the road to my lord bishop of Lincoln. In all the years I have known your majesty,

one little farthing whether they pleased h

u disturbed my dinner, and my stomach called loudly for one of Mistress Cornwallis's puddings; b

ding humbly by your royal side, and the othe

eled about and started

how I hoped the Blessed Virgin would forget him in time to come, and leave his soul an ex

too glad to liberate Brandon when he heard my story, which the king had

doubt of my word, but that friendship would often drive

d or denied by the princess and her first lady in waiting. I knew Jane and was willing to risk her truthfulness without a doubt-it was so pronounced

this world comes from thoughtlessness. Cultivate thought and y

man do than pledge his life for his friend? W

der for Brandon's pardon and release. This was done at once, and we, that is, I, together with a sheriff's

imed: "Ah! Caskoden, is that you? I thought they had brought me up to hang me, and was glad for the change; but I suppo

train the tears

oked, continued hurriedly: "The king sent me to France upon an hour's notice, the day after your arrest. I know only too well I shou

to blame, my friend; all I ask is that

ere dear to me as words of l

ut I will describe him no further. Suffering had well-nigh done its work, and nothing but the hardihood gathered in his years of camp life and war could have saved him from death. I bathed and

te of paradise," he said,

ed just off Cheap and sold small arms, and very soon he was with us. Brandon and I both knew him well, and admired his learning and gentleness, and loved

nce of us in knowledge of remedies. The Moor at once gave Brandon a soothing drink, which soon put him into a sweet sleep. He then bathed him as he slept, with some strengthening lotion, made certain learned signs, and spoke a few cabalistic words, and, sure enough, so strong were the healing remedies and incantations that the next morning Brandon was another man, though very far from

to go back with

the king's bed-chamber and the tragedy at Billingsgate, he and I had many

etermination to leave England. That was what I feared if I allowed the matter to go to the point of being sure of her love. I only wanted it before, and very easily made myself believe it was impossible, and not for me. But now that I know she loves me it is like holding my breath to live without her. I feel every instant that I can hold it no longer.

f that trouble

who receives the full measure of her best. Other women, again, have nothing to give but their best, and when they have once given that, they

oubt as the certainty of it that troubles me." Then, starting to his feet: "If I thought she had lied t

t you. Her love has come to her through a struggle against it because it was her master. That is

, who, with them, won a royal husband and elevated herself to the throne beside the chivalrous Edward. This sweet plebeian heritage bubbles up in the heart of Mary, and will not down, but neutralizes the royal poison in her veins and makes a goddess of her." Then with a sigh: "But if her faults were a thousand

was evidently

cruel neglect, I wondered if her beauty would so easily atone for her faults. I may as