persistency made Henry very angry. I regretted that I could not go,
but I promised Jane I would send Brandon in my place, and he would
answer the purpose of protection far better than I. I suggested that
Brandon take with him a man, but Jane, who was in mortal fear of Mary,
would not listen to it. So it was agreed that Brandon should meet Jane
at a given place and learn the particulars, and this plan was carried
out.

Brandon went up to London and saw Jane, and before the appointed time
hid himself behind a hedge near the private gate through which the
girls intended to take their departure from Bridewell.

They would leave about dusk and return, so Mary said, before it grew
dark.

The citizens of London at that time paid very little attention to the
law requiring them to hang out their lights, and when it was dark it
_was_ dark.

Scarcely was Brandon safely ensconced behind a clump of arbor vitæ
when whom should he see coming down the path toward the gate but his
grace, the Duke of Buckingham. He was met by one of the Bridewell
servants who was in attendance upon the princess.

"Yes, your grace, this is the gate," said the girl. "You can hide
yourself and watch them as they go. They will pass out on this path.
As I said, I do not know where they are going; I only overheard them
say they would go out at this gate just before dark. I am sure they go
on some errand of gallantry, which your grace will soon learn, I make
no doubt."