She felt, however, that the two great
questions, the marriage of herself to Louis, and Brandon to any other
person, were, as she called it, "settled"; and was almost content to
endure this as a mere putting off of her desires--a meddlesome and
impertinent interference of the Fates, who would soon learn with whom
they were dealing, and amend their conduct.
She did not understand the consequences for Brandon, nor that the
Fates would have to change their purpose very quickly or something
would happen worse, even, than his marriage to another woman.
On the second morning after leaving Bristol, Brandon reached London,
and, as he expected, was sent to the Tower. The next evening Lady
Mary arrived and was taken down to Greenwich.
The girl's fair name was, of course, lost--but, fortunately, that goes
for little with a princess--since no one would believe that Brandon
had protected her against himself as valiantly and honorably as he
would against another. The princess being much more unsophisticated
than the courtiers were ready to believe, never thought of saying
anything to establish her innocence or virtue, and her silence was put
down to shame and taken as evidence against her.
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