Windsor was nearly eight leagues from London, and at that time was
occupied only by the girls and a few old ladies and servants, so that
news did not travel fast in that direction from the city. It is also
probable that, even if the report of the treaty and Brandon's release
had reached Windsor, the persons hearing it would have hesitated to
repeat it to Mary. However that may be, she had no knowledge of either
until she was informed of the fact that the king and the French
ambassador would be at Windsor on a certain day to make the formal
request for her hand and to offer the gifts of King Louis.
I had no doubt Mary was in trouble, and felt sure she had been making
affairs lively about her. I knew her suffering was keen, but was glad
of it in view of her treatment of Brandon.
A day or two after Brandon's liberation I had begun to speak to him of
the girls, but he interrupted me with a frightful oath: "Caskoden, you
are my friend, but if you ever mention their names again in my hearing
you are my friend no longer.
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