y classic custom, relaxed his fatigues, mental or bodily, in th

ir the room, otherwise splendid, contained, "when you left me to seek Edwa

ed his squires, leaned thoughtfully against the wall, dressed for the banquet,

ave you brought hither Edward

s brows-"A priso

garded him wit

ve carried Edward from his camp, and severed him from his troops; you have placed him in the midst of your own followers; you have led him, chafing and resentful all the wa

fled to the Woodvilles, that he was bent upon violating the pledge given in his name to the insurgent commons, I vowed that he should redeem my honour and his own, or th

history hereafter, will cons

, despises the gownsmen who sit in cloistered ease, and write about what they know not." The earl paused, and then continued: "I confess, however, that I have had a s

rom the Lor

people; but I design this solely for his welfare. Ah

ng all hearts fr

est, priest, thou mistakest me. I am rash, hot, haughty, hasty; and I love not to bow my knees to a man because they call him king, if his life be vic

d, and the countess appeared. Warwick seemed glad of the

range swoon, and ready

ou art reconcil

e, sister?" sai

t not for my

said the prelate, a

s him, and smoothed her hair, and tenderly kissed her brow. "My letter vexed thee, I know, for thou lovest Edward, and blamest me not for my love to him. It is true that he hath paltered with me, and that I had stern resolves, not against his crown, but to leave him to his fate, and in these ha

to Isabel, for I fear

ght fingers have ofttimes buckled on my mail; let them place on my breast this badge of St. George's chivalry; and, if angry thoughts return, it shall remind me that the day on which I wo

of imperious nature and fiery will, he preferred even imbecility in a woman to whatever was energetic or determined; and hence perhaps his indifference to the more dazzling beauty of Isabel. After the feast, the numerous demoiselles, high-born and fair, who swelled the more than regal train of the countess, were assembled in the long gallery, which was placed in the third story of the castle and served for the principal state apartment. The dance began; but Isabel excused herself from the pavon, and the

h his haughtiness to his peers, had well played amongst his knights the part of host, and said, in a whisper, "Edward is in a happy mood- let

r concede too much than be too stubborn. But look you, all I demand is satisfa

ay, "but that call is everything to provoke qua

ved with the parting refection, or livery, the earl said, with his most open smile, "S

ss frankly; "for if you and I are left alone, the Saints help both o

rew himself upon the gorgeous coverlid of the bed, and lying at lazy length, motioned to the prelate to seat himself at the foot. The archbishop obeyed. Edward raised h

ess, dear sir and cousin,-confess that we are like two skilful masters of

y, in opining that I deemed myself equal to so grand a duello. If t

"Let us leave word-making, and to the point, George. Warwick is displeased because I will not abandon my

our Grace errs. I never coveted oth

es, now I begin to comprehend thee. What offence have I given to the Church? Have

of late that too much severity hath helped to aid, by Lollard bows and pikes, the late rising. My lady, the queen's mother, unjustly accused

cannot banish my lady's kindred, but I will bind your House still more to mine. I have a daughter, failing male issue, the heiress to my crown. I will betroth her to your nephew, my beloved Montagu's son. They are children yet, but their ages not unsuited. And when I return to London, young Nevile shall be Duke of Bedford, a title hitherto reserved

ckly; whenever he pass to Abraham's bosom, who but you should have the suffrage of the holy college? Thou knowest that I am somewhat in the good favour of the sovereign pontiff. Command me to the utmost. Now, George, are we friends?" The archbishop kissed the gracious hand extended to him, and, surprised to find, as by magic, all his schemes fr

!" exclaimed Edward, reddening, and starti

ks, by your Grace's full consent, he pledged himself to the insurgents of Olney to the honourable dismissal of the lords of the

e archbishop, and lay both hands on his shoulders, as, looking him full in th

, si

ll. I am almost without an armed retinue. I am at the earl's merc

hink so of Warwick? Sir

and disdain to give up loyal servants to rebel inso

he goodly army now at sleep within and around these walls will vanish into air, and that yo

d. The prelate continued,

chevaliers enough to do the same. The Duchess of Bedford will but suit the decorous usage to retire a while into privacy, to mourn he

ng; "but I have my pride as well as Warwick. To

arwick and revered by all. Since your marriage she hath lived secluded from all state affairs. As so nearly akin to War

thou knowest how my

nowest how her jud

your Grace will be spared

ick consen

rust

conference." Edward was left alone, and his mind

ambassador; and yet it were all over with the Woodvilles if he did! These men know not how to manage me, and well-a-day, that task is easy eno' to women!" He laughed gayly to himself as he thus concluded his soliloquy, and extinguished the tapers. But rest did not come to his pillow; and after tossing to and fro for some time in vain search for sleep, he rose and opened his casement to cool the air which the tapers had overheated. In a single casement, in a broad turret, projecting from an angle in the building, below the tower in which his chamber was placed, the king saw a solitary light burning steadily. A sight so unusual at such an hour surprised him. "Peradventure, the wily prelate," thought he. "Cunni

red the king. "These Neviles are fatal t