"That he has," I replied. "There is nothing too good to say of him."

I knew that Mary, with her better, clearer brain, held the king almost
in the palm of her hand, so I thought to advance Brandon's fortune by
a timely word.

"I trust the king will see fit to favor him, and I hope that you will
speak a word in his behalf, should the opportunity occur."

"What in the name of heaven have we to give him?" cried Mary
impatiently, for she kept an eye on things political, even if she were
only a girl--"the king has given away everything that can be given,
already, and now that the war is over, and men are coming home, there
are hundreds waiting for more. My father's great treasure is
squandered, to say nothing of the money collected from Empson,
Dudley, and the other commissioners. There is nothing to give unless
it be the titles and estate of the late Duke of Suffolk. Perhaps the
king will give these to your paragon, if you will paint him in as fair
a light as you have drawn him for me." Then throwing back her head
with a laugh, "Ask him."

"It would be none too much for his deserts," I replied, falling in
with her humor.

"We will so arrange it then," went on Mary, banteringly; "Captain
Brandon no longer, but Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. How sounds
it, Master Caskoden?"

"Sweet in my ears," I replied.