Quick as a flash came the answer: "I can not say of what consequence
the Princess Mary is about the court; it is not my place to determine
such matters. I am sure, however, she is not here, for I doubt not she
would have given a gentle answer to a message from the queen. I shall
continue my search." With this, he turned to leave, and the ladies,
including Jane, who was there and saw it all and told me of it,
awaited the bolt they knew would come, for they saw the lightning
gathering in Mary's eyes.

Mary sprang to her feet with an angry flush in her face, exclaiming:
"Insolent fellow, I am the Princess Mary; if you have a message,
deliver it and be gone." You may be sure this sort of treatment was
such as the cool-headed, daring Brandon would repay with usury; so,
turning upon his heel and almost presenting his back to Mary, he spoke
to Lady Jane:

"Will your ladyship say to her highness that her majesty, the queen,
awaits her coming at the marble landing?"

"No need to repeat the message, Jane," cried Mary. "I have ears and
can hear for myself." Then turning to Brandon: "If your insolence will
permit you to receive a message from so insignificant a person as the
king's sister, I beg you to say to the queen that I shall be with her
presently."

He did not turn his face toward Mary, but bowed again to Jane.

"May I ask your ladyship further to say for me that if I have been
guilty of any discourtesy I greatly regret it. My failure to recognize