"That is a secret, sister. You will find out soon enough, and will be falling in love with him, no doubt. I have always looked upon you as full of trouble for me in that respect; you will not so much as glance at anyone I choose for you, but I suppose would be ready enough with your smiles for some one I should not want."
"Is the stranger one whom you would not want?" asked Mary, with a dimpling smile and a flash of her brown eyes.
"He most certainly is," returned the king.
"Then I will fall in love with him at once. In fact, I don't know but I have already."
"Oh, I have no doubt of that; if I wanted him, he might be Apollo himself and you would have none of him." King Henry had been compelled to refuse several very advantageous alliances because this fair, coaxing, self-willed sister would not consent to be a part of the moving consideration.
"But can you not tell me who he is, and what his degree?" went on Mary in a bantering tone.
"He has no degree; he is a plain, untitled soldier, not even a knight; that is, not an English knight. I think he has a German or Spanish order of some sort."
"Not a duke; not an earl; not even a baron or knight? Now he has become interesting."
"Yes, I suppose so; but don't bother me."
"Will he be at the dance and banquet to-night?"