off for as many to-morrows as possible the thing that should be left
undone to-day.




_CHAPTER IX_

_Put not your Trust in Princesses_


I thought the king's dance that night would never end, so fond were
the Frenchmen of our fair ladies, and I was more than anxious to see
Brandon and learn the issue of the girls' escapade, as I well knew the
danger attending it.

All things, however, must end, so early in the morning I hastened to
our rooms, where I found Brandon lying in his clothes, everything
saturated with blood from a dozen sword cuts. He was very weak, and I
at once had in a barber, who took off his shirt of mail and dressed
his wounds. He then dropped into a deep sleep, while I watched the
night out. Upon awakening Brandon told me all that had happened, but
asked me to say nothing of his illness, as he wished to keep the fact
of his wounds secret in order that he might better conceal the cause
of them. But, as I told you, he did not speak of Buckingham's part in
the affray.

I saw the princess that afternoon, and expected, of course, she would
inquire for her defender. One who had given such timely help and who
was suffering so much on her account was surely worth a little