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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/32874-8.txt b/32874-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..902e129 --- /dev/null +++ b/32874-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9708 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of With Ring of Shield, by Knox Magee + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: With Ring of Shield + +Author: Knox Magee + +Illustrator: F. A. Carter + +Release Date: June 18, 2010 [EBook #32874] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH RING OF SHIELD *** + + + + +Produced by Al Haines + + + + + + + + + +[Illustration: Cover art] + + + +[Frontispiece: Knox Magee] + + + + + +WITH RING OF SHIELD + + + + "_On he came, and, to my great surprise and pleasure, + struck he my shield with the sharp point of his lance_. + + "_Ah! my brave sons, ye all do know the pleasure 'tis + when, with ring of shield, ye are informed an enemy hath + come to do ye battle_." + + + + +BY KNOX MAGEE + + +_Illustrated by_ F. A. CARTER + + + +GEORGE J. McLEOD + +_PUBLISHER ---- TORONTO_ + + + + +COPYRIGHT, 1900 + +BY + +R. F. FENNO & COMPANY + + + + +CONTENTS + + + I. Sir Frederick Harleston + II. The Maidens + III. A First Brush with the Enemy + IV. The Taking of Berwick + V. From Berwick to Windsor + VI. The King's Gifts + VII. The Ball at the Castle + VIII. The Duel + IX. The King's Death + X. I am Sent to Ludlow + XI. Some Happenings at Windsor + XII. Gloucester Shows his Hand + XIII. The Flight from the Palace + XIV. I Reach Westminster + XV. Michael and Catesby + XVI. My Dangerous Position + XVII. At the Sanctuary + XVIII. Richard Triumphs + XIX. A Message is Sent to Richmond + XX. Before the Tournament + XXI. The Tournament + XXII. A Midnight Adventure + XXIII. The Arrest + XXIV. In the Tower + XXV. Michael and I + XXVI. The House with the Flag + XXVII. The Field of Bosworth + XXVIII. Conclusion + + + + +Illustrations + + +Knox Magee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _Frontispiece_ + +"Both our lances flew into a thousand pieces." + +"The signal was then given." + +"I am to blame, and I alone should suffer." + +"Always remember thy mother and this, her advice." + +"Ha, thou blond varmint." + +"I climbed wearily to the top." + +"Come on, ye pack of cowards." + + + + +With Ring of Shield + + +CHAPTER I + +SIR FREDERICK HARLESTON + +In these days, when the air is filled with the irritating, peevish +sounds of chattering gossips, which tell of naught but the scandals of +a court, where Queens are as faithless as are their lives brief, +methinks it will not be amiss for me to tell a story of more martial +days, when gossips told of armies marching and great battles fought, +with pointed lance, and with the bright swords' flash, and with the +lusty ring of shield. + +Now, my friend Harleston doth contend, that peace and quiet, without +the disturbing clamour of war's dread alarms, do help to improve the +mind, and thus the power of thought is added unto. This, I doubt not, +is correct in the cases of some men; but there are others, to whom +peace and quiet do but bring a lack of their appreciation. I grant +that to such a mind as Harleston's, peaceful and undisturbed meditation +are the fields in which they love to stroll, and pluck, with tender +hand, and thought-bowed head, the most beautiful and most rare of +flowers: but then, such even-balanced brains as his are few and far +between; and even he, so fond of thought and study, did love to dash, +with levelled lance and waving plumes, against the best opponent, and +hurl him from his saddle. + +And there is Michael, which ever thinks the same as do myself, and +longs for fresh obstacles to lay his mighty hand upon and crush, as he +would a reed. + +It is of those bygone days of struggle and deep intrigue that I now +shall write. I do hope that some of ye--my sons and grandsons--may, +after I am laid to rest, have some worthy obstacles to overcome, in +order that ye may the better enjoy your happiness when it is allotted +unto you. Still do I pray, with my old heart's truest earnestness, +that no one of my blood may have as great trials as I went through; but +in which I had the noble assistance and sympathy of the best friends +ever man was blest with. I shall now tell of my meeting with the first +of these, and later in the tale I shall tell ye of the other. + +I, Walter Bradley, then a faithful servant of his Majesty King Edward +IV, was sitting one evening in my room at the palace of the aforesaid +King, at Windsor, engaged in the examination of some of mine arms, to +make sure that my servants had put them all in proper order for our +expedition into Scotland, with the King's brother, the Duke of +Gloucester. A knock came at my door and, upon opening, I beheld Lord +Hastings, then the Chancellor of the Kingdom, and at his side a +gentleman which I had not before seen. This stranger was a man of +splendid physique, about mine own height; long, light brown, waving +hair; blue eyes, that looked me fairly in mine own; sharp features; and +yet, with all his look of unbending will, and proud bearing, he had a +kindly expression in his honest eyes. + +"This is my young friend, Sir Frederick Harleston, just now arrived +from Calais," said Hastings, as they both entered at mine invitation, +and he introduced us to each other. + +The Chancellor stayed but until he got our conversation running freely, +and then he spoke of some business of state that did demand his +immediate attention, and left us to become better acquainted. + +Of course the expedition into Scotland was the chiefest subject of our +conversation; and I learned from Harleston that he too did intend +accompanying the Duke, as the King had that day granted him the desired +permission. + +"And what kind of man is Duke Richard?" asked my new acquaintance, when +we had at length discussed the other leaders of our forces. + +"Hast thou never seen him?" + +"Ay, I have seen him, though I am unknown to him; but I mean what kind +of man is he inwardly, not physically?" + +"As for that, I do not care to speak. Thou, no doubt, hast heard of +some of his Royal Highness' acts; men must be judged but by their acts, +and not by the opinions of such an one as I," I replied cautiously; for +I hesitated to express mine own opinion--the which, in this case, was +not the most favourable--to one which I had but just met. Remember, my +dears, those were times in which a silent tongue lived longer than did +a loose one. + +Harleston's color heightened, but with a smile, he said:--"Thou art in +the right. 'Twas impertinent of me to ask thee, who know me not, a +question of that sort. I had forgot that this is England, and not +Calais; for there we discuss, freely, the King, as though he were but a +plain man." + +The frankness of this man, together with his polite and gentlemanly +speech, made me to feel ashamed of my caution, so I said:--"Duke +Richard hath never been popular with the friends of her Majesty the +Queen; though of late he hath made himself liked better by them, than +he was for many a long day." + +"But he is a valiant soldier, is he not?" + +"Ay, verily, that he is. He is as brave as the lions upon his banner, +and besides, he knoweth well the properest way in which to distribute +his forces in the field. There it is that the good qualities of +Richard do show up like stars in a deep, dark sky." + +"Then the sky is truly black?" asked Sir Frederick, with a smile. + +I could not help but laugh at the way I had at last unconsciously +expressed mine opinion of the Duke, after having declined to do so, but +a breathing-space before. I cared not now that I had spoken my mind of +Richard; for the more I looked into the honest face before me, the more +did I trust to his discretion. + +Then our conversation changed to the gossip of the court, of which I +told him all. The only part of this in which he showed interest was +when I spoke of the King's health. + +"I fear," said he, "that his Majesty's reign is nearing an untimely +end. When a man hath lived the life that the noble Edward hath, and +kept up, with unbated vigor, his licentious habits, even when his body +hath broken down, it doth take but little to blow the candle out. Some +morning we shall awaken to find that Edward IV is dead, and his infant +son is our new king." + +"Yes, that is what we must soon expect, for kings must die as well as +subjects; especially, as thou most wisely saidst, kings which insist +upon living a life of three score and ten years in a trifle more than +two score." + +"And then God help poor England," said my new acquaintance devoutly. + +"Why dost thou take such a pessimistic view of the situation in case of +King Edward's death?" I asked; for the solemn manner in which Harleston +had last spoken strangely thrilled me. + +He regarded me thoughtfully whilst one might, with leisure, tell a +score, ere he did answer my question; then he said:--"It hath ever been +a rule of mine, as it evidently is of yours, to not speak mine opinions +unto strangers; but on the contrary to let the other party speak his +mind most freely. I have found this plan to be of exceeding worth in +enabling me to gather most useful information, without a payment in +return." + +I felt my face flush red, and I was about to express, in no mild +speech, mine opinion of his action in thus obtaining from me all the +information that I did possess, and then, when I did ask him to explain +the meaning of his own remarks, to thus answer me. + +He took no notice of my movement or look, but continued speaking in +that same quiet voice, that never did seem to be disturbed by passion, +and yet had in it something of a force that ever made it to command +attention. + +"Many years have I spent in France, and therefore a stranger have I +come to look on as a foreigner. Now that I am returned again unto my +native land methinks that I will let my judgment take the place of mine +old rule, and speak out freely to those whom I take to be honest. Thee +do I place in this class, which I do regret is very small." + +I was prodigiously surprised that a stranger would thus speak unto me +as though I were some disinterested outsider of whom he was speaking. +Again did I flush up and commence to attire myself in my dignity; but +Harleston's honest and inoffensive look of candor did again disarm me, +and he continued, uninterrupted, with his speech. + +"For several years have I been acquainted with my Lord Hastings, whilst +he was the governor of Calais. From him did I learn much of the +situation here; but never did he speak of the characters of those in +power; for Hastings, though a proper man, is still a politician and, as +such, must keep his opinions to himself. It is a pleasure to me then +to be permitted to thus discuss the probabilities of England's future +with one not bound by the bonds of policy." + +I bowed, and he continued:-- + +"So far as I can see, if the King dies ere the Prince of Wales be old +enough to take full charge of the government, the people shall be +obliged to choose a protector to rule in the young king's stead, until +such time as the child doth come unto years of proper judgment." + +"True," I assented. + +"Do then but cast thine eye over the congregation of eager applicants +for this seat of power, and thou shalt behold one whose advantage over +the others doth raise him to a vast height above their heads, and +consequently his chances of success in this great competition are +assured; that one can be no other than Richard, Duke of Gloucester." + +"Ay, truly, there is no other with sufficient power to rule England, in +case the King should die." + +"Now if Gloucester doth come thus into power will he not desire to have +his revenge upon those which have ever been his enemies?" + +"'Tis like he will." + +"And will not this lead to uprisings throughout the land? Yea," he +continued, "we have had one example of the troubles, and bloody wars +brought about through the King dying and leaving a child to grasp with +its weakly hands the sceptre and the sword of chastisement. Pray God +we do not have another, and yet I fear that it will be unavoidable. I +have expressed mine own poor opinion, without its being prejudiced by +any others' thoughts; see whether I shall be right or wrong." + +Now such a view of that which might soon happen had never been taken by +me; and yet I had spent several years at court, and thought myself well +acquainted with all the intrigues and possibilities of court life. And +here was a young man--in fact not older than myself--which had never in +his life lived at court, prophesying as to what the future would bring +forth. His words were indeed bold, and yet I could not deny that they +were reasonable, and liable to be fulfilled. + +I now did admire this handsome and thoughtful stranger, and therefore +methought it a duty put upon me to give him some warning that might +serve to keep that well-shaped head, for a little longer space, upon +its broad, square shoulders. I therefore said:-- + +"Thine opinions, I have a fear, stand in some likelihood of being +proven true; yet do I pray with my full heart that they may be wrong. +However, whether thou art right or wrong--the which time will +prove--let me now warn thee, which art a stranger here, to keep those +thoughts to thyself. There are those about this place--the more's the +pity--whose shoulders are not bent by the weight of honor they carry, +but from their habit of holding their ears to the keyhole." + +"Thanks for thy kind intent," he replied. "After I have had some +little experience at court I do hope that I may acquire the habit of +smiling whilst, with my dagger, I kill my partner in the conversation. +This, I have heard, is the fashion of the Duke of Gloucester; and if I +do prove a true prophet all good courtiers must soon adopt it." + +That night as Harleston was leaving my room I promised to see him early +in the morning, and show him through the castle and parks. + +As we shook hands at the door I felt as though I had known him for +long, and that we had ever been the best of friends. + +That, my dears, was how I became acquainted with Sir Frederick +Harleston, who, since that day, hath ever been close by my side, +through many harsh experiences, as well as through many sunny days of +happiness. + +Now we are sailing, side by side, down the mighty river, travelled by +all wearing the fleshly habit. The great unknown sea of oblivion is +now near at hand, and soon we shall both cross the bar and sail forth +upon its smooth and peaceful surface. + +But there I go passing over sixty years as lightly as a swallow doth +skim the bosom of smooth waters. And indeed the waters o'er which I am +skimming are not smooth, but rough and troubled. Come, come, Sir +Walter, settle down and tell the tale of days before your hair had lost +its raven hue. My head, as ye all know, is now well capped with snow; +but yet the head itself doth still retain a deal of its wonted fire. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE MAIDENS + +The next morning after Harleston had come unto my rooms I called at his +apartments to see how he did like the way that he had been placed. I +found him in the act of completing his toilet, and therefore, as he had +not broken his fast, I invited him to come and breakfast with me; which +invitation he did readily accept. + +During our meal he asked me many questions as to the manner in which +people conducted themselves at court, to which questions I gave him +very complete answers, so that he might be able to manage without any +breach of etiquette, which thing to do, at Edward's court, was not so +easy as one might imagine. + +"Now, in regard to your ladies," said he, "do they insist upon being +worshiped, as do the ones of France, or are they cold and chilling, as +are the fogs of mine almost forgotten native land?" + +"Thou shalt have an opportunity for the satisfying of thyself as to +that same, to-day; for I am about to take thee with me to see two of +England's fairest primroses; the one, my cousin, Lady Mary Atherby, to +whose tender care I will leave thee, and the other, Lady Hazel +Woodville, to whose mercy I do entrust my soul--if she be pleased to +take the present at my hands." + +"Do these ladies live at court?" + +"Yes," I replied. "They are both ladies-in-waiting to the Queen. And +now, having done all the damage we can to the present repast, what dost +thou say to a stroll through the park, where we are like to meet the +ladies, and there satisfy thy curiosity as to their dispositions?" + +"With all my heart," said he. "I have never been known to be elsewhere +than in the front rank in such an attack, though ever do I meet with a +repulse." + +We then strolled forth into the park, and wandered through the walks, +among the grand old trees, for some time, without meeting anyone. + +"I fear that we are not destined to fall in with the enemy," said +Harleston, after we had walked in silence for some time. + +"Fear not," I replied; "we shall soon commence the encounter; for +there, unless mine eyes do deceive me, is the first sign of danger." + +"Thou meanest that fair outpost yonder, where those two oaks do meet +above the path?" + +"The same," I replied; "but it now looketh as though there are others +there before us." + +While this conversation was going on we had gradually approached a +bench, placed behind a clump of bushes, through which we saw some fair, +fresh, faces, watching our approach. Upon the bench, and talking with +the girls, were two men, in which, as we drew closer, I recognized the +Duke of Gloucester and the Duke of Buckingham. Richard was dressed--as +was his wont--in the extreme of fashion and in the richest of +materials. Buckingham, though not so showily attired, was +magnificently dressed in black, figured velvet, with dark maroon +facings. + +After saluting the Prince, the ladies, and Buckingham, I introduced my +new friend to them all. I then said unto his Royal Highness--"Sir +Frederick, here, hath but yesterday been made a brother officer, by his +Majesty." + +"Yes," said Harleston, "the King did command me to report to your Royal +Highness for service with thee in your expedition into Scotland." + +"Much am I joyed, Sir Frederick, to have thy noble assistance in our +chastisement of the insolent Scot: for England can ill afford to spare +any brave knight from her expeditions, now that they have become so +thinned out by our late, unhappy wars," said the Prince, with that +heartiness he so well could use, and of which he knew the power. + +"But let me warn ye both," he continued, with a mock gravity and a +quick glance at the maidens, "that ye shall have short time in which to +enjoy the pleasures of the court; for we march next week. Therefore +make the most of your opportunities." + +Buckingham, who ever smiled, but said little, though he was no mean +orator, merely agreed with the Prince's remark, and with a pleasant bow +they left us, the limping Prince leaning on the arm of Buckingham. + +"Thank God!" I cried, with a sigh, when the two were out of earshot. + +"Is he not most disrespectful?" laughed Hazel, as she turned to +Harleston. + +"Nay, of that I cannot judge, fair lady," replied he, with a smile. +"The customs of the court I have yet before me to master. 'Tis +possible that ere I have been here a week I will commend Sir Walter's +act." + +"Indeed thou shalt," cried both of the girls at once. + +"Oh! those two are simply unbearable," said Hazel with a force that +left no doubt as to her opinion. But then she hath ever been one which +feared not to express her dislikes, and they are ever as passionate as +are her likes. + +"And so, Sir Frederick, thou hast come all the way from France merely +for the pleasure of marching off to battle and slaughtering poor +Scotchmen, or of being killed thyself?" said gentle cousin Mary. +"Alas, when will ever you men learn that there are other things to live +for, in which there is more glory, far, than in the cruel wars and +slaughters." + +Both Hazel and I did laugh at the little maid for the solemn way in +which she said this; but Harleston did not smile, and on the contrary +listened with attention. Mary without noticing us continued--"Look at +Lord Rivers and behold what he hath accomplished: introduced printing, +and by that one act hath done more real good for England than if he had +won the greatest of all battles." + +"I quite agree with thee, Lady Mary," Sir Frederick replied; "but +battles are also necessary, in order that our homes and country may be +protected, and that we may be permitted to enjoy those luxuries such as +is the one which Lord Rivers hath taken the pains to introduce." + +"Mayhap thou art right; I never looked at it in that way before; but +still I do not like them," said Mary, wrinkling her little forehead, +and shaking her pretty head in the most bewitching way, and causing +some little golden curls to dance and lightly kiss her cheeks. I could +tell by the look on Harleston's face, that he did envy those curls +their position. And who would not? Had ye but seen Mary at that time, +ye should have been changed from freemen into Mary's slave, and that +quite freely, that is, had the Lady Hazel not been there: for had she +been ye would love the one on which your eyes first fell. + +Whilst the afore-put-down conversation was taking place we had been +walking slowly through the park; and now Hazel and I began, gradually, +to drop behind. Of course we had naught whatever to do with this; it +must have been that Harleston and Mary did quicken their pace. + +"What dost thou think of my new friend?" I asked, when they were out of +ear-shot. + +"Quite an acquisition to the court," Hazel replied. "Indeed 'tis time +we had another handsome gentleman at court," (here my chest did begin +to swell, and at least two inches were added unto my stature, which did +not need it;) "besides the King," she added. + +Since that day I have had the greatest sympathy with Lucifer. Verily, +I never fell from such a height before, nor since. I have been thrown +from my horse in battle, and had hundreds ride over me, yet have I felt +better than I did that morning in the park. I stopped and stared at +her, with my mouth open, like a bumpkin gazing at an army passing. + +Now at that time (and I say it without conceit) there were few men at +court who would not have been glad to change their looks with Walter +Bradley; therefore the blow did fall with more stunning force. When I +had somewhat recovered myself, I walked on, wishing every woman at the +bottom of the sea, and swearing revenge on her, which was now walking +by my side; yet cursing myself, silently, for having made a fool of +myself by showing my surprise. Hazel, instead of laughing, which would +have made me feel better, wore the most innocent look that it is +possible to imagine: yet methought the look was overdone. However, I +was now determined not to show my disappointment any more; so I +continued the conversation, using the same subject. + +"I do not believe Harleston need fear the Scottish arrows; for, unless +I be a false prophet, he will leave the most vital part of his body, +namely, the heart, here at Windsor. And yet," I continued, becoming +bolder, and heaving a heavy sigh, "he shall not be the only one to do +so." + +"No," she replied; "the Duke of Gloucester said he was leaving his +heart here." + +"To whom said he that?" cried I, for the one danger of this accursed +court life was the chance of men in high places casting a jealous eye +on the maidens of the court. + +"I heard him tell the Queen that he would leave his heart with the King +and his family," answered Hazel, and she laughed at my apprehension of +the danger which I thought threatened her. + +"Why dost thou like to torment me so?" I asked. + +"Because thou art so easily teased." + +Why, oh why, did the Creator arm these fair creatures with such a power +to make us happy or miserable, good or bad, send us to Heaven or to +Hell, make us sensible men or the veriest of fools as best doth please +their whims? + +"But look, here cometh the Queen," said my fair companion. "I fear I +shall get a scolding for leaving her, to walk with thee." + +"Tell her that the Duke of Gloucester kept thee talking with him, the +which is the truth," I said. + +But when we met her Majesty, who was walking with her daughters and +some others of her suite, she most kindly did receive us, and no +thoughts of scolding were in her gracious mind. When we had spoken for +some time, the Queen enquired as to where Mary was. + +"She came on ahead of us, your Majesty," replied I, "and I had surely +thought that thou must have met her." + +"Do thou go, Hazel dear, and when thou hast found her, tell her that I +wish to speak to her." + +Hazel courtesied, I bowed, and we passed on, searching for Mary and +Harleston. + +"The Queen is the best mistress that any servant could wish for," said +Hazel, when we had gone a few paces. "She is never angry, and so kind; +she treats both Mary and me as though we were her own daughters." + +I did not wonder that the Queen did use them both go well; for who +could help loving either of those dear, dainty maidens? + +We had not gone far ere we met Mary and Harleston returning. + +"They seem to be getting on famously," observed Hazel; "for they are so +preoccupied that they do not see us coming." + +When they came near, Mary, who had evidently been listening with great +attention to something that Harleston was telling to her, burst forth +into her rippling, childlike laugh. Then, as she caught sight of us, +she stopped suddenly and said:-- + +"Oh, here they come now!" Then, as we met them:--"We thought that ye +must have turned back; so we were just coming to search for you." + +"And what has Sir Frederick been telling thee that was so amusing?" I +asked. + +"Oh!" replied Harleston, "the Lady Mary hath been completing mine +education, which thou, Sir Walter, didst start last night, and then I, +in order to, in some small way, repay part of the debt, was telling her +some of the stories that I had heard in France, where indeed they are +most expert in story-telling, though not so accomplished with regard to +the truth." + +Here Hazel delivered the Queen's message, and we all started back to +the Palace, laughing and chattering, like nothing more than school +children. Upon reaching the castle I found some orders from Duke +Richard, the fulfillment of which did keep me busy for the remainder of +the day. + +The next few days, Harleston and I spent in making ready for the march; +so we did not see much of the ladies. However, the morning before we +left Windsor, we met them in the park, whither we had gone in search of +them. When they beheld us, they came forward to meet us, and methought +that Hazel did not look as happy as was her wont; but it may have been +that I was hoping to see her look sorrowful, and therefore, I did +imagine it. + +"We have come to receive the benediction," said Sir Frederick. + +"And also a charm that will give unto us both charmed lives," I +laughingly put in. + +"Indeed thou needst not to laugh, Walter," said Mary, solemnly, and +with reproof in her tone and manner. "I know that thou dost not +believe in such things, and therefore they are worthless to thee; for +in order to be protected by these mysterious benefactors, one must have +unquestioned faith in their ability to protect. Now, Sir Frederick," +she continued, with a slight hesitation, "if thou art not so skeptical +as Walter there, and if thou wilt promise to keep it safe, and not to +lose it, I will lend thee a charm that will indeed protect thee from +all harm. I always have it with me, and nothing hath ever harmed me." + +"'Twould truly be a fiendish fate which could send harm unto one so +fair," said he. Then, as she did hand unto him, the charm (which was a +scarf of scarlet silk, and had been given to her by her father, who had +obtained it from a Turk,) he thanked her, and placing his hand over his +heart, he swore to protect it as he would his life, and never to permit +a thought of doubt, as to its ability to protect, to cross his mind. + +"Wilt thou not give unto me a charm that I may take with me, Lady +Hazel?" I asked, coaxingly, when we had gone some little way. + +"Thou dost not believe in them, and therefore, as Mary doth say, it +would do thee no good," she replied, with a toss of her pretty head, as +much as to say, "Now, thou wouldst be skeptical." + +"Do but give it me, and I do hereby swear to trust in it, and no doubt +as to its virtues shall ever cross my mind; yes, this do I swear by all +the saints of paradise." Now this did I consider an exceeding fine +speech, and therefore I was not prepared for the reception that it did +receive, which was a burst of laughter, and clapping of the hands from +Hazel. + +"Excellent! excellent!" laughed she; "Oh, Sir Walter, thou hast missed +thy calling; thou wouldst have made such a splendid priest; thou saidst +those words with such a religious tone, and looked so saintly." Then, +as I showed my disappointment and annoyance, "Come, come," she added, +"do not sulk; here is my glove, which I do now command to protect thee +through all the dangers of this war. Now, am I not kind to thee?" + +I nearly went wild with delight. I kissed that glove so fondly that +Hazel had to warn me not to eat it, as it would not protect me if I +did. And then I said a lot of things which all my male readers either +have said or are only awaiting an opportunity to say. Presently I was +interrupted in my avowals by coming suddenly upon Harleston and Mary, +who were sitting on a bench beside the path. + +"Is Sir Frederick telling thee some more stories, Mary?" asked Hazel, +when we saw them. + +"Not the kind I heard Walter telling thee, just now," replied Mary, as +she looked at me, with a wicked little smile playing over her fair +features. Then, as I reddened to the ears, both Harleston and Mary +burst out a-laughing, and I, after stammering out some explanation +about some messages I was leaving with Hazel, to deliver to the +Queen,--which set them laughing louder than ever, thought it best to +keep quiet. + +However, as we were bidding good-by to the girls, Hazel said something +that made me to forget mine embarrassment. It was just as we were +leaving them that she called me back and said, as she kept her eyes +staring fixedly at the ground:--"Remember, Walter, I think a great deal +of that same glove, and do not want any harm to come to it; therefore +try and keep it out of danger." + +"Oh, fear not; I now do know that I shall return again." And ere she +could prevent me I seized her hand and kissed it. + +I went back to my rooms with my toes scarce touching the ground. + +Our time was now but short; and soon we did mount our horses and set +out in the train of the Duke of Gloucester, on our march to Scotland, +and had soon left the castle behind. + +However, so long as we could see the left wing, we watched two scarfs +waving, to which we waved our lances in return. + +And so we rode off to the wars. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +A FIRST BRUSH WITH THE ENEMY + +Now I will not weary ye, my children, with a description of our march +unto Scotland, as it was a wearisome one, without any adventures which +might have relieved the tediousness of so long a journey. Indeed there +was nought for us to do, but march all day, and when night did come, +thank Heaven that we could forget our weariness in well earned rest and +sleep. + +At almost every town along the line of march we were joined by +reinforcements; so, by the time we neared the border, we had an army +strong enough to take a considerable fortress. However, as we did +approach nigh unto Berwick, which place was the object of our attack, +we learned that it should require all of our forces to subdue so +formidable a stronghold. When within a few miles of this place, that +hath been so many times the scene of struggle between our nation and +our ever irritating neighbours of the North, and which, some score of +years before, had been turned over unto our enemies, by that gentle and +weak-minded King Henry VI, Duke Richard of Gloucester, on this, his +second expedition unto this place--his first having miscarried--sent +unto the garrison a messenger, under a flag of truce, to demand the +surrender of Berwick, unto the army of its rightful owner. Whilst he +was gone, the army went into camp; for although it was still early in +the day, our leader had decided, in case the Scots did refuse to +surrender--which, in all probability, would be their reply--that we +were not to begin the attack until the morrow, in order that his army +might have an opportunity to rest after their long, hard, march. + +Oh, such a delightful evening did follow that long and weary day of +labour. We were among that magnificent border scenery, where nature +doth seem so busy with her work of carving herself into most fantastic, +and yet admirable, ruggedness. How, in the evening, doth she cast her +beauteous, drooping, eye aslant across her work; and her gentle breath +dies out in hushed and satisfied, yet modest, admiration. The setting +sun did seem to paint a hill, then step a vale and touch another with +its golden brush. + +Here may be seen many a place where nature's liquid emery hath ground +the rocks asunder, and still some sparkling remnant goes trickling down +the groove. + +On this evening Harleston and I did take our usual walk through the +camp and, as the night was glorious, it did tempt us to stray further +from headquarters than might be considered safe. In fact, past the +outposts did we go, and sat us down upon a hill that had seemed bolder +than its comrades, so that we might the better see the surrounding +country. + +As we sat there, our backs were turned towards the camp, and our faces +were tinted with the fading colors of the western sky. To right and +left were hills and hollows of varying height and depth, but all having +in common, shrubs and trees in unfailing irregularity, growing side by +side, above and beneath each other, in the same disorder as had their +seeds been flung there by the hand of the hurrying angel which did sow +the whole of the earth's broad face. At our feet, and betwixt us and +the sister to the hill on which we now were seated, was a smooth and +undeceiving mirror, set, with bashful caution, between these obscuring +hills, that nature's pardonable vanity might not with ease be gazed +upon by the ignorant eye of man. + +"I wonder when we shall be back at Windsor," said Sir Frederick, in a +gentle tone, after we had sat in silence for some time, gazing at the +soul-inspiring sight. + +"Surely thou art not beginning to be homesick?" I asked; for this was +the first time that I had heard my companion speak of the castle, since +we had left it. + +"Oh, no," he replied, "yet I wish that I might be there," and with this +methought he did sigh. + +Now, Heaven knows, no man could have wished to be in Windsor more than +did I at that moment: yet, I had not liked to say so, for fear +Harleston might think that I did relish the lazy life at court, more +than I did that of the camp. But now that he had broken the ice it was +the one subject on which I wished to talk. + +"Well, Sir Frederick, and what dost thou think of her, now that thou +hast had time to well consider?" I asked, coming out boldly. + +"She is indeed perfection," he replied. And then, as though to +himself:--"Eyes like the sky's deep and unfathomable blue, and hair +like nothing more earthy than a sun-reflecting piece of well polished +gold." + +"Nay, not so; her hair is dark, and her eyes are hazel as her name," +said I, in surprise;--and then, after staring at each other for a +moment, we both did see our mistakes, and burst out a-laughing. + +So Harleston and I sat talking on a subject that was very dear to us, +until we did hear the bugles calling, which warned us that it was time +to return and retire. We arose and started down the hill, and back to +camp, both feeling in musing, more than talking, mood. We had not gone +far, however, when my companion called my attention to something behind +a clump of bushes, glistening in the moonlight. + +"If I am not mistaken, there is danger yonder; for if ever I did see +the glisten of a headpiece, I see it now. We had better put that hill +between us and the enemy, if such they be, for, without our armour, a +doublet doth afford but faint resistance to the steel head of an arrow." + +We at once started to cross the low hill that Harleston did refer to. +We had just reached the top, when two or three arrows struck the rocks +at our feet. + +"A good shot, for the distance, upon mine honour," cried Sir Frederick, +as we leapt down behind the shelter of the friendly hill. We ran +quickly along the ravine in the direction of the camp, but Harleston, +suddenly stopping, said:--"Suppose we see from whom we are running, +before we do go any further. If they be but a few archers or +men-at-arms, two good knights should drive the rascals before them as +doth the wind the crisp, dry leaves; ay, though we wear not our full +armour. What dost thou say, Bradley, shall we try conclusions with +them?" + +Readily did I consent to the adventure; for never in my life have I +been known to require a second invitation of this sort. We concealed +ourselves behind some shrubs, and there we awaited our pursuers. +Presently we beheld them approaching at a run; and, as they neared our +hiding place, we could see what we should have to face. They were +three men, armed with swords such as are used by the Scotch, and which +they do manage more after the fashion of a club, than any other weapon +one could compare their use with. Their bows they had evidently thrown +aside, for their empty quivers still hung at their sides. However, +they also carried a small, round shield, and this did give them an +advantage over us, who had nothing but our good swords with which to +protect ourselves. When they came near the place where we were +concealed they stopped and held a short consultation. + +"I saw them stop about this place," said one. + +"No, methinks they went further on," said another. + +"Well, we had better search here anyway," added the third, "for it will +not be safe for us to venture much more close unto the outposts." + +And then they did commence to search the shrubbery all around us. +Nearer did they draw to where we waited, swords in hands. Presently +one came and thrust his sword into the bushes behind which we were +hiding. That was the last thrust he ever made. I was upon him in a +moment, and buried my sword up to its hilt in the fellow's chest. He +sank to the ground, but as he did so he uttered a gurgling yell, the +which did bring his companions unto that spot. + +"Now, Harleston, we shall have some sport," I cried out, as I did +engage with the first of these new arrivals. My friend quickly met the +other, and we fell to in a lively fashion. I soon forced my man to +give ground, despite the difficulty I found in getting past his shield. + +"Now, my brave Scot, I have thee in the right place," said I, as I +prepared to give him his quietus. Then, just as I did step forward, to +run the knave through, my foot slipped on one of those accursed stones, +and I sat down as nicely as I could have done in mine own rooms at the +castle. The fellow aimed a savage blow at my head, but, dropping the +point of my sword to the ground and raising the hilt, I caught the +stroke upon it. Then, reaching swiftly forward, I grasped him by the +ankle and hurled him to the ground. Ere he could move I was upon him +and, seizing his own dagger, I stabbed him to the heart. + +When I had done for my man I turned to see how my friend was +progressing with his. They were still at it for dear life and Sir +Frederick did seem to be bothered with the way the Scotchman used the +little shield. This fellow was much larger and more thick of frame +than the one with which I had been engaged, and did seem to be giving +Harleston all he could do to hold his ground. Still would I not +interfere, for well did I know that my friend would rather die than +have assistance when fighting against a single foe. At length the +Scotchman made a swinging, backhand stroke, full at Sir Frederick's +neck. It was a savage blow, and I did greatly fear me that I had lost +a good comrade. Harleston, however, dropped quickly to one knee, and +as his opponent's blade whistled harmlessly over his head he plunged +his sword into his adversary's side. + +"Well done!" cried I. "A pretty piece of work, upon my soul, was that +fall of thine." + +"I see that thou hast settled with thy man," said he; "but this one did +compel me to use mine artifice." + +With this we took their swords, as remembrances of this night's work, +and walked slowly back to camp, glad at having been the first to draw +blood, and for having found something to relieve the monotony, after +our long and tedious journey. + +When we reached camp we learned that the messenger had returned with an +answer from the Scots, which message was evidently a refusal to comply +with the Duke's demand; for we did at once receive orders to be in +readiness to commence the attack at sunrise. + +When we retired, Frederick and I occupied--as was our wont--the same +tent; and the last thing I heard, as I fell into a peaceful sleep, was +the sounds of the anvils of the armourers, as they worked, getting +everything ready for a day of battle. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE TAKING OF BERWICK + +The next morning, just as day was breaking, we were aroused by our +squires, who, after bringing us our breakfasts, of which we ate +heartily, got our armour and laid it out and ready. So soon as we had +finished with our repast, we were buckled and laced into our harness, +and then, as everything was ready for the march, we did set forth. + +We had not travelled above a mile when our advance guard sent us word +that a strong force of the enemy was coming towards us, evidently with +the intention of attacking our right flank. This was the part of the +army in which Harleston and I were to play our part; we having been +sent there with a body of other knights to add somewhat to its +strength, the which was somewhat weak in comparison with the left wing, +which was led by the Duke of Albany, who was a brother of the Scottish +King, James, against whom he was now about to fight--but then, royal +brothers are ever longing to kill each other. + +As we came over the brow of a hill we could see a considerable body of +knights and men-at-arms, preceded by a stronger force of archers, +coming slowly towards us, as the messenger had said. + +Our archers were now thrown out in front, the knights followed, and the +men-at-arms brought up the rear. As we were drawing near unto the foe +we beheld their main body advancing on our centre, which was led by the +Duke of Gloucester himself. Soon we were engaged, and then we had not +time to see how the Duke did receive the Scotchmen; for indeed we were +too busy with the receiving of them, or rather their arrows, which +poured down on either side like rain. + +When this long distance battle had gone on for a short space we thought +it time that we knights should take part, and not let all of the glory +go to the archers. Therefore, the command was given to swing to the +right, past them, and take the enemy in the flank. Around, as on a +hinge, swung the double ranks of mail-clad figures, and then, when we +had cleared our archers, we placed our lances in the rests, and came +down upon the enemy like a thunderbolt. They, however, had seen us +change position, and, though they be thick-skulled knaves, they did +divine our object, ere our plan was carried out. Their knights dashed +forward at the same time as did we, and we met before their archers +with a crash that was heard for the distance of a mile. + +I had singled out a knight, which, by his size, and the way he sat his +horse, led me to think he should be a foeman worthy of my steel. In +this I was not disappointed; for when we met in the front rank, each +had aimed at the centre of the other's shield, and it is seldom that I +have ever had so heavy a shock. Both our lances flew into a thousand +pieces, as though they had been made of straw. Mine opponent's horse +was forced back upon his haunches, and he was like to lose his seat. +But he did recover himself with such dexterity as did show him to be a +knight of great ability. I had scarce time in which to draw my sword +ere he was upon me, hacking at my head so rapidly as to take all my +time, and the use of all my knowledge, in defending myself. Round and +round we rode, striking furiously at each other, which blows we guarded +with equal quickness. Neither had any advantage, as we seemed to be +both of nearly equal strength and skill. After forcing him closely he +at length began to give ground, though whether from necessity or guile +I do not know. I aimed a terrible blow at his head; he caught it upon +the hilt of his sword. The force of the blow was so great that my +weapon was broken in two, and I was unarmed. Verily I thought mine end +had come, and that I should never see the Lady Hazel again. To my +surprise the knight called out, in French, something to the effect that +we should meet again, and rode off. + +[Illustration: "Both our lances flew into a thousand pieces."] + +"That accounts for it," said I; "he is a Frenchman; and had he been a +Scotchman, I had now been a corpse." + +The enemy was now commencing to give way in places; yet the fight was +still a goodly one. + +Sir Frederick was nowhere to be seen; so I quickly secured a sword from +a poor knight, who had still the head and part of the shaft of a lance +sticking in his side, and then did I plunge into the fight once more. +I forced my way through a struggling crowd of the enemies' foot +soldiers, cutting them down as I went; when suddenly I espied a knight +on foot, surrounded by a score or more of these rascals. + +"To the rescue!" cried I, and dashed into the circle. The knight was +standing beside his horse, which was dead, and making great strokes +with his sword, in all directions. Thus he had kept a circle clear +around him. Several corpses in that deadly circle told why the rest +stood back. But, just as I came up, one of the knaves did venture to +make a dash forward, when the brave champion's head was turned. I was +upon him in an instant. "Ha! thou coward ruffian, take that!" I cried, +as, with a straight downward stroke, I cleft his head from top to chin. +Just then some of our men-at-arms came up, and the few Scots which +escaped us did so by their fleetness of foot, and their knowledge of +the country's many hiding-places. + +"Thou art not too soon," said Harleston, for it was he, as he opened +his visor and wiped his brow. "Indeed I was hard pressed by that pack +of hyenas." + +I quickly secured a horse for my friend, and again we plunged into the +thick of the fight. We soon became engaged with three knights which +were like to have done for us, had not,--when we were sorely +pressed--an arrow struck one of their horses, causing it to fall. The +rider fell with his leg underneath, and so was unable to take any +further part in the fight. I pressed my opponent from the first, and +soon had him at my mercy. I gave him an opportunity to surrender, but +as he refused to do so, I waited until his arm was raised for a blow, +when, with my shield held over my head, I drove my sword straight under +his arm, where the armour divides. I heard my point strike his harness +on the other side, as it went through his body, so great was the force +of the blow. + +Hot and furious was now the fight. The enemy were fleeing in all +directions, and our gallant troops were pressing them full hard. Loud +blew the trumpets, the signal for the continuance of the slaughter. +Berwick itself must now be carried whilst our blood was still at fever +heat. I looked around to see how fared my friend, in his contest with +the knight with whom I had seen him engaged. No sight could I see of +either of them; but there was Harleston's horse straying riderless +about the field. I recognized it by the peculiarity of its housing. A +great sadness did then possess me, for I did greatly fear that my dear +friend must have fallen at the hand of his opponent. "Indeed he must +be dead," said I; "else how could his steed be riderless?" Then did I +swear a great and savage oath of vengeance. "For his life an hundred +Scots shall die, and still shall he be but poorly paid for." Thus did +I think; for during the short time in which I had known Sir Frederick I +had learned to love this noble knight, better far than I would a +brother. + +Our forces came on, eager to avenge the loss of their comrades which +had fallen that day, and these amounted to a considerable number. Now +and then a small body of the foe were driven to bay, and seldom were +they spared. I seemed to be changed into a demon, with the thirst for +blood. Every one of the enemy that did fall into my hands, I +slaughtered, and felt a savage delight in doing it. Ah! the fierce +delirium of victory. + +When we reached the walls of Berwick a white flag was flying from the +Citadel; so the battle was over, and we were stopped from pursuing the +fleeing foe. Berwick was taken, and the war was ended; though we did +not know this latter at that time. That evening we took possession of +the fortress, and the flag of England replaced that of the Scots. + +After I had had my quarters allotted to me, and was just getting out of +mine armour, who should walk into my room but my dear friend. He was +still in his complete harness, and was covered with sand and blood, +from head to foot. + +"The saints be praised that thou art still alive!" cried I, as I rushed +and grasped him by the hand. "I was sure thou must be dead, and many a +poor Scot has paid dearly for my thought. But where, in the name of +Heaven, hast thou been rolling?" + +"Do but wait a moment and I will tell thee all," he replied. Then, +when we were seated, he told me what had happened him. "You saw that +knight, with whom I did engage when the three attacked us?" he asked. + +I nodded, and he went on:--"He is a Frenchman, and he hath a knack of +breaking his opponent's sword with the hilt of his own. He broke mine, +as I aimed a blow at his head; but, before he could strike, I closed +with him, and, putting mine arms around his waist, I threw myself from +my horse and dragged him with me. Of course he fell on top, which +shook me up a little and, as the ground was soaked with blood, I +naturally do not look so clean as I might." + +"And what about the Frenchman?" I asked; "didst thou kill him?" + +"Oh, no," he replied, "he struck his head heavily on the ground, and as +he was badly stunned, I took off his helmet to see what he did look +like, and also to give the poor devil some air, which I was in much +need of myself. He was a handsome man, and evidently he belongs unto a +wealthy house; for his armour was richly inlaid with gold." + +I then told Harleston of my encounter with the same knight earlier in +the day, and when he had heard that the Frenchman had spared my life, +he was glad that he had not given him his _coup de grace_. + +The next morning, as we were dressing, a knock came at our door, and, +upon opening it, a soldier handed unto me a message which, upon +reading, I found to be an order from the Duke of Gloucester to prepare +myself for a journey, and to report to him in an hour's time. I at +once guessed my destination, which I thought to be Windsor; and in this +I was not mistaken; for, on presenting myself at his Royal Highness' +quarters, I was handed a packet and commanded to reach the castle in +the shortest possible time. I then asked the Duke if Harleston might +accompany me. He thought for a moment ere he answered, and then +said:--"Yes, by Saint Paul, take the whole army, and thou wilt! we do +not need them here; these Scotchmen will not dare to draw a sword, +after the lesson we taught them yesterday, eh! Bradley?" and he slapped +me on the shoulder. Of course I agreed with his Royal Highness, which +is ever the proper thing to do, when dealing with a Prince. + +Half an hour later Harleston and I were on our way to Windsor. + +"Not so long a campaign as we had thought," said I, when we were fairly +on the road. + +"No," he replied; "my dream of last night is being now fulfilled." + +And so we rode on, with our faces turned southward. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +FROM BERWICK TO WINDSOR + +On this ride from Berwick to Windsor we had but one adventure to break +the monotony of our journey, and that was of so little importance that +I will not describe it at any great length. It was as we were nearing +York, and passing through a great forest which lines that road on +either side, like two great rustic walls placed there to screen +Nature's lowliest children from the murderous hand of man, for a +considerable distance, that we were attacked by a band of highwaymen, +with which this forest doth abound. Indeed 'tis said that here they do +grow upon the trees like poisonous fruit. We had been riding hard all +day, and, as the evening was drawing nigh, we were walking our horses, +in order to give them a rest in the cool of the forest, ere we should +make our final effort, for that day, and dash into York at a gallop. +Suddenly, about five score yards in front of us, two horsemen did ride +out, one on each side of the great road, with drawn swords in their +hands. They started to come in our direction, so we thought they meant +mischief. Then two more followed, and these were dressed as were the +first. We now became convinced that we were the attraction which +seemed to be drawing these gentlemen of the greenwood. I glanced over +my shoulder, and there, about the same distance behind us as were the +others in front, were four more men, dressed in exactly the same manner +and also carrying their swords in their hands. + +"We are in for a skirmish now," said I. + +"Yes," replied Harleston; "but if we be careful we can do for them yet. +If they do attempt to stop us, cut down the one on the right, and I +will do the same on the left, then dash forward and see if we cannot +pass the others. The ones behind we need not bother with. However, +use great caution and do not show signs of resistance too early in the +game." + +"I'll watch thee for the signal." + +When the first two men were within a few paces of us, they suddenly +wheeled their horses straight across the road, thus compelling us to +stop. + +"And what might you want, sirs?" asked Harleston, in his sweetest tone. +The manner in which he spoke did seem to take their breath away; for +they did nothing but stare for a moment. Then the first to recover +himself answered:-- + +"All that thou hast, and be damned quick about the giving it." This in +a voice that told, in the plainest terms, the life these fellows lead. + +My companion fumbled with his purse for a moment, which example I +followed. The two knaves eyed the bags as the wolf doth gaze in greedy +admiration at a lamb. Then, when the outlaws were off their guards, +our swords did leap from their scabbards, and we cleft their heads as +though they had been made of putty--which, mayhap, they were. We now +drove our spurs into the flanks of our horses and dashed at the other +two. They waited until we were within a score of yards of them, and +then they changed their minds, and did not seem to relish the idea of +meeting the same fate as their fellows; for they turned their horses +into the greenwood, and disappeared along one of those many narrow +paths, with which these forests are burrowed, and which they know as +well as I do the corridors of the palaces at Westminster or Windsor. +We did not attempt to follow them, but rode on at full speed for the +distance of a mile, and when we at length slackened our pace and looked +back, not one of the six was to be seen. + +They had evidently thought to overawe us by a great show of numbers and +the copious use of bluster; but after two of their number had fallen +the courage of the rest did forsake them, and they lost their appetites +for our purses, for which they should have to pay such a price. + +So we rode into York, nothing the worse for our little adventure which +had helped to make us forget the weariness of our long, hard ride. +When we had entered our inn, and were preparing us for our supper, a +great crowd gathered about the door; for the news had soon leaked out, +who we were and what our business was; for around inns every one doth +know one's business better than that person does himself; for what they +do not know they guess at. So we gave them the news of the great +victory our army had won, and told them that the Duke of Gloucester now +occupied Berwick. When they heard this they went wild with delight, +and we had to shut ourselves in our rooms to keep from being carried, +on their shoulders, all over the city; so great was the admiration of +this sturdy, simple, congregation of England's stalwart sons. + +Bonfires were lighted wherever they could find sufficient open space in +which to build them. Processions were continually marching through the +streets, singing and cheering. + +We had intended staying here for a few hours, in order that we might +get some much needed sleep; but we soon found this to be outside the +bounds of possibility, on account of the uproar which was increasing +every moment. + +My friend and I, after cursing our folly in telling them the good news, +decided to not wait for a longer time than should be necessary for us +to get some supper and a change of horses, and then proceed on our +journey. + +Needless to say, we did eat ravenously, after the long ride we had had. +When we had refreshed ourselves, all that it was possible for us to do, +we mounted our horses and set out through the surging, screaming, +half-drunken mass of humanity and made our way slowly towards the city +gates. + +One drunken fellow, which did recognize us as being the persons who had +brought the good news, caught my horse by the head and insisted upon +our joining him in a friendly bowl at a near by inn. When I tried to +persuade him to let me go, and to excuse the duty that did make our +presence with him impossible, he said:-- + +"No, by the Virgin, your Royal Highness shall not pass out of the old +city of your father without drinking with some of its citizens. Were +his Royal Highness, thy father, alive he would not pass out till he had +made the whole town drunk, and so shall not you. Stay and revel with +us, for this is a glorious day for England,--glorious day," and he did +lean his head against the neck of my horse, and seemed inclined to +spend the night thus. + +I spurred my steed sharply and, as he bounded forward, the poor +tradesman was thrown to the ground; but as we rode on we could still +hear him calling out to "his Royal Highness," so long as he could make +himself heard above the uproar that was going on around us. He +evidently thought that I was the Duke of Gloucester, and he was most +determined to show his patriotism and loyalty, by giving us what he +considered a glorious time. + +We were permitted to pass through the gates, when we had told our +business; and so we rode forth from the city and on to the moon-lit +road, upon a long night's ride, through alternate wood and open country. + +All that long night we rode on, now dozing in our saddles, and then +waking with a start, when an owl would break the stillness of the +forest with his unearthly noise, which seemed to us to be in keeping +with bats, serpents, brimstone, and all the general sounds of Hades, +more than the peaceful quiet of our weary ride through the forest. +Then, after cursing all these hideous disturbers, we would spur our +horses on, and let the cool breezes, as they played against our faces +and whistled past our ears and through our hair, refresh us and help to +drive away those heavy veils that did seem ever to be settling down +upon our brains and blotting out our consciousness with their soothing +folds. + +The wolves, as they howled in the distance, seemed to be humming some +unearthly lullaby, in keeping with the scene and with our feelings; and +so weird-sweet did it sound that we would surely have gone to sleep, +had not our horses, which had better sense than their riders, quickened +their paces at each of these, to us, melodious outbursts. How we kept +our seats that night hath ever since been, to me, a mystery; for I have +but scant recollection of that agonizing ride from York. + +When we entered Northampton, early the next day (for this was the road +we came), we had to be lifted from our saddles, so stiff were we, after +that awful night. Here we did refresh ourselves with wine and food, +and had about an hour's sleep. Then we were rubbed with strong waters, +the which did greatly refresh us, and then, mounting our seventh pair +of horses, we did set out for Windsor. + +We stopped but twice before we reached our destination, and then only +whilst we could get some refreshments and changes of horses. + +We reached Windsor that evening, and were so exhausted that we had to +be assisted into the palace, and to the King's apartments. When I saw +the King, however, I remembered my mission, and this did seem to revive +me; for I rushed forward and, dropping to one knee, presented the Duke +of Gloucester's message to his Majesty. So soon as we had entered the +room Harleston, regardless of etiquette, flung himself into a chair and +was sound asleep almost the instant that he touched it. When I had +handed the packet unto the King my duty was done and I had no ambition +to support me further. Mine ears did ring; the room began to whirl all +around me; weights then did seem to hang upon my weary eyelids; my head +sank lower; and there, at the King's feet, I fell into a heavy sleep. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE KING'S GIFTS + +When I awoke I was in mine own sleeping room, undressed and in bed. My +servant was standing by my bedside. The sun was shining into my room, +and it was evidently well on in the day. I had to think for some +moments before I could tell where I was. Then it all came to me like a +flash of light. I remembered that terrible ride; kneeling at the +King's feet, and from that moment everything was a blank. + +I asked my servant what hour it was. + +"Upon the stroke of three, sir," he replied. + +"Is Sir Frederick Harleston yet stirring?" + +"I think not, sir." + +"Go call him, and ask him to breakfast with me, in my sitting room." + +I dressed myself as quickly as my stiff limbs would permit, and soon +Sir Frederick joined me at breakfast. + +Whilst we were yet at our meal a page brought us word that the King did +desire to see us in his apartments. We hastily followed the messenger +and soon found ourselves in the presence of his Majesty, who did +receive us most cordially. + +"Ah! my dear Bradley, I hope thou hast quite recovered from the effects +of thy journey." Then, looking at Harleston, he said:--"And thou, Sir +Frederick, art not so sleep-weary as thou wast yesterday e'en? By the +saints, we thought that ye both were done for! Ye would not even keep +from dreamland for the sake of a flagon of wine. Truly, ye were +greatly exhausted; and no small wonder, when one doth take into account +the time ye made." + +We bowed respectfully, in acknowledgment of this compliment, and he +continued:-- + +"I hope that ye will now give me a description of the battle; for my +brother doth send me the result only." + +After we had described the battle, as well as might be, the King, with +a complimentary expression of his thanks for our services, gave unto +Harleston and me each a suit of the best of Spanish armour, richly +inlaid with gold. I had seen the King wear suits like these, and I did +guess that they were his Majesty's own. This surmise proved to be +correct, for, as we hastened to thank him for his magnificent gift, he +said:-- + +"I know that you will not prize them the less when ye learn that both +of those suits have been worn by us." + +We could not thank his Grace sufficiently for this marked favor: nor +did he want our expressions of gratitude; for he stopped us with a wave +of his hand:-- + +"No more, no more, I pray," said he. "The only thing that I do wish +you to do is promise me that, in case anything should happen me, ye +will ever be as true and faithful to my son, which is now Prince of +Wales, as ye have been to me. Stand by him through his youth, and +should any one--no matter who--wrong him, I wish ye now to swear to do +all in your power to avenge his wrongs. Now, gentlemen, are ye willing +to do this for your King?" + +So there we swore, on the cross of his sword, to do that which the King +had asked of us; and when we bowed ourselves out of the royal presence +and went in search of the girls the thought furthest from our minds was +that we should ever be called upon to fulfil our oaths made to our King +that day. + +Suddenly, as we were making our way slowly through the halls, Harleston +quickened his pace and, without one word, left me, and hastened +forward, almost at a run. + +"I hope that our hard ride hath not turned my dear friend's mind," +thought I, as I hurried after him. But when I turned a corner in the +corridor I learned the reason of his haste. There, a few paces down +the hall, and retreating from me, but with Frederick gaining rapidly +upon them, were Hazel and Mary, walking arm in arm, unconscious of +their pursuers--for by this time they had two. I reached them almost +as soon as did Harleston, so great was my anxiety lest I should be +considered negligent in finding them. When the maidens, hearing the +hasty steps behind them, turned and beheld us, both did utter little +screams of surprise. Then Mary quickly recovered herself and said:-- + +"Oh, dear Cousin Walter, I am so glad to see thee safe returned." And +then, as though less concerned, "And thee, Sir Frederick. I hope thou +hast come through the journey well, even though thou didst not have one +of those grand campaigns that you so glory in." + +I left it to him to explain to her that we did have one of those +glorious "campaigns," of which she so sarcastically spoke; for I did +turn to greet the dearest maid which ever drew the breath of life. + +"Walter, I am glad that thou hast returned safe," said she, after I had +told her when we did arrive, and how we came to be returned before the +others. "Thou knowest,"--although I did not--"I had such a fearful +dream about thee." + +"Almost a confession," thought I. + +"Methought I saw thee attacked by foes hidden in ambush, and thou wert +fighting desperately for thy life. Then, in battle, I saw thee +struggling against fearful odds, and then you seemed to be unarmed, and +at the mercy of your foes. But in this dream I did awake to find +myself in a tremble of excitement, and glad that it was but a dream. +Yet it did trouble me, not to see what became of thee when thou wert in +these great dangers; for I feared that mine awakening, ere I did see +that which did happen, meant that thou wert killed." + +"Well, Lady Hazel, thy dreams were true. Verily some angel did show +unto thee the adventures I went through. Joyed am I, too, that thou +wert kept in ignorance of my fate; for then thou hadst not been so +pleased to see me now. And wert thou greatly troubled when thou didst +see me beset by dangers?" And I drew a trifle closer unto her side. + +"Art anxious to know?" + +"Ay, Ay, so anxious, Lady Hazel," and I seized her pretty hand. She +drew it quickly from my grasp, and motioned with her head in the +direction of Mary and Harleston. + +"Well, then," she said gently, "I was greatly troubled, for I knew not +whether thou hadst been killed or no; and if thou wert dead I should +then greatly miss one of my best friends," and her dark and beauteous +eyes drooped, and she did seem to be greatly engaged in examining her +dainty little slipper, as it nervously tapped the floor, and tempted me +to drop on my knees and kiss that pretty foot. I was on the point of +dropping on my knee and telling her how I did worship her, when I did +hear Mary titter behind me as though she had read my thought. It had +ever been my misfortune to have someone, or something, prevent me from +taking advantage of a golden opportunity, such as was this, when it did +present itself. + +Then Mary and Harleston strolled off down the corridor, and I thought I +should have another chance to complete the story I had started so well +that morning, some weeks before, in the park. But it was too late. My +tongue would not put into words the thoughts that I was dying to +express. So I cursed myself for a dumb idiot, and was compelled to +postpone my declarations until Erato saw fit to untie my stammering +tongue. + +Hazel seemed amused at mine annoyance, and laughed and blushed in my +gloomy face. + +We strolled on and into the library and, as the others were there, we +sat and talked and told the girls all about the campaign and our little +adventures and our ride from Berwick, and then they did tell us +everything that had happened at court whilst we were away, and which is +generally known as court gossip and, as it could not interest you, my +dears, I will not put it down. + +"See, I did not lose the charm thou gavest me when I left," I said, as +I drew it from its hiding-place, over my heart. + +She noticed the locality in which it had been carried, and her color +heightened as I coolly put it back in its place, after I had let her +see it. + +"Art not going to return it?" she asked in a tone which assured me that +she did not wish me to. + +"Oh! no, I cannot tell what dangers may yet beset me; so I must keep it +still, that I may come safely through." + +To this she raised no objection; so it stayed there till another day, +of which I will tell ye later. + +Now I think I hear some one say, as he doth read these lines:--"Was he +not simple, not to see that Hazel loved him?" To this I reply in +advance, by reminding him to look back over his own experience--if he +hath been so fortunate as to have had one--and try to recall how he did +act, under the same trying circumstances. Then, if his memory will be +as fresh as is mine, he will remember the times when he was almost sure +that his lady loved him; yet, was there not a most tormenting +uncertainty, and a doubt that he might be over confident, and so, by +speaking too soon, he feared he might lose all? This I know was mine +experience, and I preferred, like a general with an uncertain force, to +wait until I should find some traitor within the strong fortress that I +was to take, and so make sure of victory by one short, quick stroke. I +now felt that I was winning over part of her garrison; still did I +prefer to make still more certain that I was not deceiving myself with +false hope. + +Nor you, ye ones which have yet to experience this most perplexing, and +yet most delightful of engagements, be not too hasty in your judgment +of one--not the least distinguished of your house--for when ye are +placed in the position in which he here found himself, if you do not +feel, or act, any more foolish than did I, ye may congratulate +yourselves for having conducted the enterprise in the most advantageous +manner. However, in this case--but there, I am getting ahead of my +story. + +When I look back from the mountain of peace and happiness, upon which I +am now sitting, and across the vale of years gone by, to that other, +sun-topped hill of youth, I do not regret that I am no longer young. +For in that valley, which separates the mountains, I see dark clouds, +and storms, and armies marching and engaged in deadly contest. I hear +the cheers of the living intermingled with the prayers and curses of +the dying. Foul murders are being committed; dark plots being laid and +executed by those which struggle in that dark and troubled valley. And +through all this do I see that same group of young people, struggling +with the rest. Another and grand soul hath been added unto their +number; and their united trials seem, to my old eyes, to rank first in +importance. Then, on the near side, those dark and heavy vapors, with +which the depression is filled, are torn asunder by the united force of +a giant arm betwixt two flashing swords, and the five walk out and take +their seats upon this glorious hill, which is the goal of all; and yet, +which so few do reach, whilst wearing the fleshly garment. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE BALL AT THE CASTLE + +About a week after our return to Windsor I learned that there was to be +a grand ball given by the King, in honor of our victory over the Scots. +I at once found the girls and told them the good news. + +"Ah!" cried Hazel; "will it not be delightful to be able to have some +life at court, after all this quiet and monotony, with every one away +and no music, but that which Mary and I do make for ourselves?" And +she clapped her hands, and smiled and courtesied to me, as though I +were her partner in the dance. + +"Not a great compliment to me, nor to Sir Frederick neither, when thou +dost say there is no one at court," said I; for I did not altogether +relish Hazel's superabundance of delight at the prospect of the change. +But the dear one was in one of those teasing fits of hers; so I knew +full well it was useless to say much. + +The only answer she did vouchsafe to my remark was a provoking little +toss of her pretty head. She looked so lovely as she skipped about the +room, that even an over-exacting lover could not help but be +good-natured; even though he did try to be otherwise. + +Mary was equally joyed when she heard that we were to have the dance. + +"But when is it to be?" asked Hazel, stopping suddenly in the midst of +her solitary performance and joining Mary and me. + +"This day week, and the Duke of Gloucester and most of the court will +have returned by then; so we will have a lively time. But here doth +come Sir Frederick; so, Mary, thou hadst better inform him and give him +the first chance to pick out his dances." Mary blushed; but however, +she did go and meet Harleston, at which both Hazel and I laughed +heartily. + +Indeed it was a goodly sight to see those two standing side by side; +the one tall, handsome, and built in the mould of a slightly reduced +Hercules; and the other, small, dainty, and lovely, as a sweet flower +growing beside an oak. I could see by the way in which Mary was drawn +to him that it would take but a word from him, and she would surrender. +And as for him,--well, he was hopelessly entangled in the silken meshes +of love's all-powerful net from the first day on which he did lay eyes +upon this beauteous lily-of-the-valley. + +But why do I look to them for a picture? Had Harleston but cast his +eyes in our direction (the which he did not) he should have beheld as +great a contrast, and, to be modest, at least one as pleasing to the +eye. + +"And how many sets am I to have?" I asked of Hazel. + +"Well, I shall consider, and take note of thy conduct, and, if it be +good, I may give unto thee the second,--and the--" + +"Nay, nay, by mine honour, I do insist upon having the first, and the +second, and a great many more." + +"Oh, Walter, such an appetite as thou hast developed." + +"But remember, I have been fasting for a long time." + +Then she wrinkled her little snow-white forehead, and seemed weighing +the matter very deliberately. "Well," she said, after she had appeared +to consider at great length, "thou mayst have the first; but I will +_not_ promise thee any more before the dance, and if I do like that +one, mayhap I will give thee some others." + +I knew full well what that meant; so I said no more, but made up my +mind to have more when the time did come round. And the time soon did +come; for in those days of happiness and youth the sun scarce seemed to +stay in the heavens for more than an hour at a time; so quickly did +those days of dreams pass by. And yet, though it may sound like a +contradiction, the sun seemed ever to be shining; for we had it in our +hearts. Oh, had we but known the clouds that were to pass over,-- But +there, I must draw the rein again, or I shall be telling the end of my +story ere I shall have come unto it. + +So the days flew past like sunbeams, and the evening when the great +ball was to take place at length arrived. + +Both Harleston and I had engaged the best tailor in London, and when we +walked into the great audience hall that night there was not a soul in +the place which could compete with us, for elegance of dress--except, +perhaps, the Duke of Gloucester. And let me here put it down; that +room contained all the best of fashion that English tailors could +produce. The secret of our success lay in the fact that it was +Gloucester's own tailor which did make our garments; he being not over +busy whilst the Duke was absent in Scotland. + +As the King (for some reason then unknown to us) had not yet arrived, +the ladies and gentlemen, after having been presented to the Queen, +were standing about, in groups of four or more, gossiping and making +all manner of remarks as each of the guests arrived. + +After we had been presented to her Majesty, and saluted the girls, we +walked to the far end of the hall, where Gloucester, Buckingham, and a +fellow by the name of Sir William Catesby, a lawyer, with whom I shall +have to deal later on, were standing. The Prince was giving some +instructions to the musicians as we came up, but when he saw us he +turned, and in that voice, as smooth as the finest silk, he said:--"Ah! +Bradley, my dear friend, I am delighted to see thee here this evening, +and thee, Harleston. I have heard how swift were my messengers, and I +assure you both that it shall be none the worse for you that it was so." + +We thanked his Grace for his pretty speech, in which, however, I could +not help but detect some insincerity; but could not, at that time, +imagine what his object could be--for this man ever did have one,--when +he acted in this manner. However, I learned it later. + +Just then the King did enter, leaning upon the arm of Lord Hastings. +He looked very pale and his magnificent form seemed tottering as though +with age, and yet Edward was still a young man. I could scarce believe +mine eyes, so greatly was he changed since last I had seen him. "If so +short a time can work such a marvel, he must be nearing his end," +thought I. Then Harleston's prophecy, when first I had met him, +flashed through my mind, and I wondered if it were going to be +fulfilled. "But yet, he may be suffering from some temporary attack, +and it will soon pass off." Thus did I try to convince myself that all +was well. + +But Harleston nudged me with his elbow, and said, in a voice that no +one else might hear:--"Dost thou observe the King? If he doth live a +month it shall greatly surprise me; for if the stamp of death be not +upon that brow, then there is no such thing." + +Then Gloucester and Buckingham came forward and, when his Majesty was +seated upon his throne, enquired as to how he did, and kissed his hand, +as though they loved him; when, at the same time, I verily believe, one +of them at least had been happy had the King been dead. + +Every one remarked upon the great change in the noble Edward, and +hastened forward to enquire as to his health; when, if they did use +their eyes, they could see their answer writ in bold letters upon that +pale, yet handsome face. + +His Majesty did not seem to like these enquiries; for he frowned on +some which expressed their hope that he was not ill. When my friend +and I paid our homage to him, however, he smiled and spoke most kindly +unto us. This action of the King's did not seem to please some of +those which had met with a reception less warm; for I observed on the +faces of some of these lords and others, sneers and smiles; then would +they turn to each other and converse, and look in our direction, and +shrug their shoulders, as much as to say:--"It matters not; those upon +whom he smiles to-day may be in the Tower to-morrow." + +But to this we paid little attention; for it was but natural for them +to feel jealous, after their cold reception. + +When the presentation of the guests had been completed, King +Edward--though it must have cost him an effort,--spoke in a clear +voice, and told them the object of this entertainment, which was given, +said his Majesty, in honor of his Royal brother, the Duke of +Gloucester, and the brave nobles and knights who had assisted him in +gaining a victory over our enemies, and so adding another jewel to the +crown of England, by the acquisition of Berwick. Then came a surprise. +The King turned to Gloucester and said: "My brother informs me that +Scotland was assisted, to a great extent, in her unlawful and hostile +acts against us, by our ancient foe--France. Several French noblemen +of importance were taken prisoners on the field of Berwick; which is +strong evidence against that disturber of the peace of nations, across +the Channel. + +"In a few short months we hope to see ye gathered in this same room, +for the purpose of celebrating our victory over France." + +Then, as the King ended this speech, which appeared greatly to exhaust +him, we all did break into a roar of applause, which did not stop until +his Majesty raised his hand, which did command our silence. Then +another motion from the King, and the musicians started up. + +The Duke of Buckingham led the Queen to the centre of the room, and +started the ball in earnest. The scene that followed, reminded me of +one rock starting to slide from the top of a hill: presently, as it +goes, others do join it in its journey, and soon the whole hillside is +one sliding mass. So soon as her Majesty and Buckingham had completed +a measure, others joined in, and in but a few short moments the whole +hall was swaying back and forth, first this way, then that, yet ever in +harmony, like the waves as they rush upon the shore and then recede, +and come back again, with the same delightful time, but ever with a +restful variation. + +Needless to say, I was not long in finding my delightful partner. +However, I was not pleased when I came up to find that fellow, Catesby, +endeavoring to persuade her to give unto him my dance. I was close +beside him ere he knew it, and then I heard him say (the which, had he +the manners of a dog, he had left unsaid) "Methinks, Lady Hazel, thy +partner must have forgotten thee." + +"Thou shouldst not think of matters which do not concern thee, Sir," I +said, quietly, in his ear, as I took Hazel by the hand and led her +forth. + +"And such a trifling matter," said the impudent knave, as he shrugged +his shoulders and walked off. + +Had he struck me a blow upon my cheek he could not have more insulted +me. Verily, I boiled with indignation, and swore a great oath, to +myself, that I would make him eat those words, the first time that I +should have an opportunity. So greatly was I occupied with thinking of +the pleasure I would have when my good sword should be sticking through +his body that Hazel, at last, had to pull me by the sleeve, in order to +attract my attention. + +"What is the matter with thee, Walter? Thou art walking as though in a +dream; and an evil one at that, judging from the expression on your +face. I do hope that my little presence is not so unpleasant as to +make thee look like that." + +This recalled me to my senses; so I apologized for my conduct, and +joined with the others, in their gaiety. + +When I look back at that night, and see that fairy form passing through +the movements with me, it doth seem, unto mine old eyes, like a dream +enacted by the mind, where angels appear in mortal form and glide +around us, with their feet touching nothing more substantial than the +air. And indeed it was a dream, and one that can never be too oft +repeated. Ah, that was indeed a happy night; and so many years ago. + +Hazel had not heard my remark to Catesby, nor--by some happy +chance--his insolent retort, which latter had, to mine ears, sounded +loud enough for the whole great room to hear. But that must have been +on account of the sting it carried for me. Be that as it may, she had +not heard; and for this I was thankful; for had she, it should have +worried her, and the evening had then been spoiled for both of us; and +I would not have had that happen for a kingdom. + +When we had finished our set I asked Hazel if I might have the next. + +"No, Walter," she replied; "I have already promised it to Sir William +Catesby; although I do not think much of lawyers," she added. + +Of course this made me to boil again; but I did not say so, to Hazel, +for fear she might be frightened. All I said was:--"I detest that +fellow, and do not like to see thee dance with him." + +"Well, 'tis much more disagreeable to me," she answered; "and thou +mayst be assured that I will not dance with him again to-night." + +"Nor any other night," thought I, "if I may but get my sword betwixt +his ribs." + +When the next set did start, as I had no desire for dancing with any +other woman, after having danced with that dainty flower, I strolled +into one of the adjoining rooms, and sat myself down in a comfortable +seat, behind the open door; so that I might not be disturbed in my +meditations, which made my heart to beat the faster the further I let +them run. For the one thought in my mind was how and when I had better +declare myself unto the dear maid which I so madly loved, and get her +promise to some day make me the happiest man on earth, by meeting with +me at that trysting place, where the most high ambitions of love are +realized, namely, the altar of Holy Church. Just as I had fully made +up my mind to have Hazel give me a definite answer the first time I +should catch her alone (and now I felt certain what that answer would +be) Gloucester and Buckingham walked into the room; the former leaning +upon the arm of the latter, as was his wont, when the two were +together. I saw them through the opening where the door hangs to the +wall; but they evidently thought that they were the sole occupants of +the room; for, the moment they entered, I heard the Prince say in a low +tone:--"As we are alone here I may say that which thine ears alone +should hear." Then, before I could make a move, and make known my +presence (for Heaven truly knows I have never had any desire to play +the eavesdropper) he continued: "His Majesty's time is short; dost thou +not see the seal of death upon his brow?" + +"Indeed, my lord, methinks that thou art right," replied the other. + +"Then, Buckingham, we may play our hand. Our time is coming; watch and +be prepared for a bold stroke. + +"Hereford, thine own by right of birth, but now usurped by yon grasping +brother of mine, is a grand earldom, is it not, Cousin?" + +I could not hear Buckingham's reply, and in another moment some others +did enter, and the two, after speaking to them pleasantly, left the +room. + +"Now what in the devil's name means all this?" thought I. "His +Majesty's time is short." "Hereford is a grand earldom." These two +remarks kept ringing in mine ears and, although I could not at that +time tell what they did mean, yet was I convinced that there was some +deviltry afoot which meant no good unto the Queen, in case the King +should die; for Gloucester ever did dislike both her and her favorites. +However, my reflections were brought to an end by the musicians, who +started playing for the next set. + +I at once made my way to the crowd, and found Hazel and led her forth +and joined in the dance. I danced next with Mary, and Harleston took +my late partner, so it was a fair exchange. The next two sets I went +through with other ladies whose names I do not now recall and, as they +have no bearing on this tale, it matters nothing. However, both these +ladies seemed prodigiously relieved when our dances were finished; for +I was too much engaged with taking care of a whirl of thoughts, with +which my mind was struggling, to be very talkative. When I had led the +last of these unto her seat, I had fully made up my mind what my course +of action was to be. So I walked over to that fairest of maids, and +asked her if she were not tired dancing. + +"In faith I am, Walter," she answered; "and, when I saw thee coming, I +feared that thou didst want me to go through a set with thee; and then +I should have been afraid to refuse, for thou art such a sensitive and +fiery mortal thou mightst have been offended." + +I led her into the smaller room, where I had been sitting when I heard +Gloucester's remarks to Buckingham, and where I was now going to make +some remarks myself, and personal ones at that, but not to Buckingham. + +How fiercely my heart thumped, as though it were striving to burst +through my ribs and fly unto its little mate. + +When we were seated all my fine speeches seemed to have forsaken me, +and I sat there as mute and dumb as the Tower of London. Now why this +should be I know not, for this was the opportunity I had so long +awaited. At length the dear maid began to be uneasy and, as she told +me afterwards, to suspect what was the matter. Then I saw my time was +come, and if I were to say anything I should have to do it now; so I +started in recklessly, as a sailor throws himself from his sinking +ship, into those tempting waves, and, no matter how great his +confidence may be, yet he knows not if there be rocks beneath the +swells or no. + +"Hazel," said I, "thou hast known me long, and I that same have you, +and ever since the day when first thou earnest to court, I have felt it +mine especial duty to watch over and protect thee, shouldst thou ever +need it. This latter you have never guessed; for what right had I to +so appoint myself your guardian? + +"Until to-night my tongue would never put into words the pleasant +agonies with which my heart hath for so long been bursting. But +to-night, since I have started, I feel as though my tongue were a bell, +rung by mine uncontrollable heart strings, and, as that thumping engine +doth swing back and forth, my tongue rings out the universal notes,--_I +love thee_. For thy happiness and pleasure I would freely give my +life, and then rejoice at having served thee. I can say no more; for +my heart smothers me; so I lay it at thy feet. Do not spurn it, but +give another to fill its place, and one that will be more faithful unto +its keeper." + +During this speech, which was the outburst of mine overloaded soul, the +dear one sat with her precious head bent as that of a dainty flower +before the hot blast of summer. Her hand toyed nervously with a tassel +which hung from her waist. Her bosom rose and fell so quickly that it +seemed like the ripples on the beach; and her whole frame quivered with +emotion,--and so did mine. + +When I had finished she did not speak for a moment, and I began to fear +that I had frightened her with my passionate declaration. But +presently she raised her eyes to mine, and they were full of tears. +Then she laid her head upon my shoulder, and sighed and smiled, both at +once, as though her happiness had forced out her tears, and the smiles +were sent to dry them. + +"There is my hand, Walter," she said, "and with it goes my heart. Take +both of them, for they belong to thee. In faith, the latter thou hast +had some time. I am sure thou wilt be kind to them; for I know thou +lovest me truly. + +"Oh, Walter, when thou speakest to me, with mine ears I hang upon the +flower of thy so earnest speech, and they drink in the precious +sweetness from its bloom." + +I kissed away love's dewdrops from her cheeks, and now I say it truly, +without the recklessness of youth, there has been only one other moment +in my life in which I have felt such heart-expanding joy. But I shall +tell ye of that anon. + +So there we sat and spoke those words which are so dear to lovers, +until that set was over, and we were reluctantly compelled to go back +and join the others in the ball-room. + +So soon as I had taken Hazel unto her place near by the Queen, I +started in search of Harleston. I found him engaged in conversation +with my lord Hastings. As I came up he turned and exclaimed:--"Ah! the +lost is found. I had surely thought that thou must have grown tired of +the dance and gone to bed." + +The High Chamberlain here left us, and took his place beside the King. + +"Frederick, I have something of importance to say to thee. Kindly come +with me to another room, so that we may not be overheard; as that which +I am about to tell is of a private nature." + +So we entered the room which had that night been the scene of two so +important conversations. When I had made sure that we were quite alone +I motioned Harleston to a chair, whilst I remained standing before him. + +"My friend," said I, when he was seated, "I have two communications of +importance to make. The first I know thou shalt be pleased to hear, +the other is not so pleasant; for it may mean great trouble to us all, +if mine interpretation of what I overheard be correct. The first is +this,--" and there I stopped and stood first on the one foot and then +on the other, and felt my face get red, for all the world like a small +boy making a confession when he has done something wrong. Why I should +feel like this I know not, unless it be one of the many peculiarities +of that very eccentric person known as Master Human Nature, of whom we +know so little. + +My friend regarded me with the faintest suspicion of a smile playing +around the corners of his mouth, and also showing itself in a barely +perceptible twinkle in his eyes. + +At length he said:--"Well, Walter, what is it? Out with it man, or +thou shalt never know whether I will be glad to hear it or no." + +"Well, then,--_I have told her_," I almost whispered. + +"Told her what?" he asked, laughing outright at mine embarrassment. + +"Why,--why,--that,--that,--" + +"What in the devil's name is the matter with thee?" cried he, not +giving me time to finish. + +"That I love her,--Hazel,--Lady Hazel Woodville, Lady-in-waiting on her +Majesty the Queen," I answered; thus trying to give the impression that +I had made it perfectly clear before, but that his skull was too thick +to permit my meaning to pass through. + +"Bravo, bravo! my dear friend," cried he, as he sprang to his feet and +grasped my hand and slapped me on the shoulder. "Thou didst get it out +at last. Why, Bradley, I knew it the moment thou didst start to +hesitate and fidget so. Those symptoms, following those dreamy fits, +from which thou hast been suffering of late, are the surest indications +of that peculiar disease of the heart which so sadly affects the mind. +One is almost sure to catch it when one doth come in frequent contact +with fair maidens. Now the one with which thou hast been associated so +much is simply a human moon, to make men mad. Therefore, my dear +fellow, I was quite certain that thou wouldst soon cry out for it. But +tell me," he said, more seriously, "what did she say?" Then before I +could tell him:--"I need not ask; 'tis writ upon your smiling +countenance." + +He had scarcely finished his congratulations when in walked Hazel and +Mary, arm in arm. When they came up to us, my dear maid's face was +crimson with blushes, and Mary's contracted with joyous smiles. + +"Hast thou told him yet?" asked Hazel, glancing in Harleston's +direction. + +I nodded. "And doth Mary know?" I asked. + +"I just told her," she whispered. + +Then Harleston and Mary came up to us, and as my little golden haired +cousin took my hand and congratulated me for having won the dearest +maid in Christendom, Frederick reached across, and taking Hazel's hand, +wished her all happiness, and said some pleasant things of me, the +which I shall not put down. + +So there we stood and talked and laughed--for laughter is ever waiting +to burst forth, when the heart is light and young, and filled with +love's tender passion--till we heard a commotion in the ballroom. We +rushed out to see what was the cause of these unusual sounds. The +scene we beheld prodigiously surprised us. Every one was hurrying in +the direction of the throne, and making all sorts of exclamations. I +left Harleston to look after the ladies, and hurriedly I made my way +through the crushing guests, until I was near the King. His Majesty +was hanging over the arm of his chair; and leaning his head upon the +shoulder of Hastings. He appeared to have fainted; for he was deadly +pale, his eyes closed, and the lids trembling like the wings of a +wounded bird. Some evidently thought that he had already died, or was +just dying; for they were wringing their hands and muttering prayers, +when they might have been of more service had they stood further back, +and so allowed the King to get some fresh air, which--in these cases--I +do consider a better physic than most men's prayers. + +Presently the Physician Royal, which had been sent for by the Queen, +arrived. He at once ordered every one, no matter of what rank he might +be to stand aback. Then he had a bench brought forward, and two +gentlemen carried the King and laid him at full length upon it. +Vigorously did they rub his hands and face, and then they bled him. +Then the noble sufferer did show some signs of recovering. Hastings +and Stanley did now lift up the bench, with its Royal load, and carried +it from the room. The Queen followed, wringing her hands and weeping. + +The great ball was over, much before its time. + +The guests stood, for some time, talking in little groups; most of +their conversation being scarce above a whisper; for there is something +which doth awe us, when the great are thus struck down. + +I went back to the girls and Frederick; but a dampness had fallen upon +our happiness and made us to feel quiet. + +We remained only a short time, and then made our ways unto our several +apartments. + +Thus in sadness ended the entertainment given by his Majesty, King +Edward, the fourth of that name, in honor of our victory over the +Scottish king. But in the hall I did kiss Hazel ere I did let her go +that night. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE DUEL + +When I reached my room I sat down for a moment and thought. Then I +arose and walked about the room, and thought, of nothing but my great +happiness, and my good fortune in having at last accomplished that +which I had for so long desired. + +Was it not delightful to be certain that some day my darling Hazel was +to be the mistress of Bradley House, which had stood without a mistress +for so long a time. + +I pictured to myself how I would have the place altered and brightened, +that it might be in better keeping with its fair inmate. I could even +hear her light-hearted song, as she fluttered about the house, and +played among the flowers, like a gayly-colored butterfly. I saw us +strolling through our park. Her fair hand was resting on my shoulder, +and mine arm did encircle her fairy waist. The sun was pouring through +the trees like streams of fine gold. The birds were singing all around +us, and all nature seemed trying to keep in harmony with our love and +add unto our happiness. Now and then would I stoop and pick a flower +and place it in her beauteous, dark brown hair. Then did I see my +father's faithful old servant, Dickon, come shuffling across the lawn +to tell us that it was time for dinner. + +And so my dream goeth on, till it is interrupted by Harleston, who +enters my room. He was dressed in a long flowing robe, and there was +nothing about his appearance that would tell us he had been to a ball +that night. + +"Well upon my soul, Bradley, art thou still sitting up? Why, methought +that I was the only late bird about the Castle. And your clothes still +on. Come, come, Walter, thou must be careful and do not let this flood +of happiness drown thy reason." + +"Fear not for that," I replied; "for the said flood is so thick that my +reason doth float upon the surface." + +"Indeed thou dost put it well. But come now, I must to that which +brought me here at this unseemly hour. When you did take me into that +small room, this evening, thou saidst that thou hadst two +communications of importance to make. So far you have made but one: it +was my desire to hear the other that brought me here to-night." + +"Ah, yes, I had forgot," I replied. "Now the second is this, and I +will not so hesitate in the telling of it as I did with the first." +Then I told him all I had overheard, and how I came to be the unwilling +listener. + +When I had finished he said:--"Thou mayst thank Heaven that thou didst +overhear that same conversation; for it doth give us the key unto the +puzzle which Richard will present to England, in case the King doth not +recover. The Queen should be warned," he continued. + +"And yet it might avail nothing. In case we warned the Queen, and the +King recovered, we might find our heads upon the block for having +interfered. It is a dangerous matter to play with royalty; for," I +continued, "his Majesty King Edward is a good and kind master, but he +is also one which doth not like his family matters pried into. When he +is roused he is the very devil in human form. We have the Duke of +Clarence for an example. We had better think of his grave of malmsey, +and so profit by the picture, and hold our peace." Methought it better +to warn him; for I began to fear that my dear friend's honesty might +lead off his better judgment, and so he might fall into disfavor with +the King, should his Majesty recover, and this was ever but the first +step in the ladder leading up the scaffold. + +"Perhaps thou art right," he said. "I shall at least keep mine own +counsel so long as the King doth live; for I have no desire to have my +head decorate the walls of the Tower." + +"And now, my friend," said I; "there is another matter that I wish to +speak with thee about." Then I told him of my tilt of the tongue with +Catesby, and asked him to arrange matters so that we might have a +meeting at his earliest convenience. + +"I do not like to see thee fight him," said Sir Frederick, when I had +finished the asking of my request; "for he is a friend of my Lord +Hastings, and though I detest the fellow, yet do I treat him with +civility on the Chancellor's account. However, Walter, after what has +passed, there is nothing left but the swords; at which game methinks +that thou hast little to fear from any man in England." + +"Thou art wrong there, my friend, for this Catesby is the pupil of a +great French swordsman, and there are few in England which dare to +stand before him. However," I continued, with some pride, "it shall +never be said of a Bradley that he quietly did rest with an insult +still hanging to his cheek, and never burning it." + +"Well, thou shalt have fair play at least," said my friend, "and though +he may have studied the art of swordsmanship with a score of Frenchmen, +yet have I no doubt as to the result. I have seen thee use the foils +enough to feel satisfied that Catesby shall have no advantage over +thee; and besides, he hath not more than half thy strength." + +"Yea, that is true." + +"But no matter how thou mayst feel towards him be sure and do not kill +him; for he stands in great favour with Gloucester, whom we cannot now +afford to offend. Run him through the arm or shoulder and thine honour +will be satisfied." + +I knew my friend was talking thus in order that he might lend mine arm +more confidence. But this was not necessary; for even though Catesby +were a skilled swordsman, yet did I account myself his match at the +game, and besides it was true what Harleston said, I had more strength, +which is not the least thing to be taken into account in these affairs. + +Early the next day Sir Frederick saw Catesby and gave him my challenge. + +"And so," said the lawyer, "your friend grows tired of this life and +desires to join the saints?" + +"Indeed, sir," my friend replied, "the chances of your going to another +world are equally good; though whether thy companions there will be +saints or no, I cannot tell." + +To this retort Catesby made no reply. + +The place and time of our meeting were settled. At sundown that +evening we were to meet near the far end of the Little Park, where a +large oak doth stand alone. This time and place were decided on in +order to make certain that we should not be interrupted; for this spot +was never frequented at that hour. + +That evening, at about the half of an hour before the appointed time I, +accompanied by Harleston, set out by a round about way, so that when +Catesby and his second should go to the meeting place no one Would +suspect our object. They, however, having taken the more direct and +therefore shorter path, had reached the spot and were waiting when we +arrived. + +Sir Richard Ratcliffe was to act as Catesby's second. + +The spot chosen was one which seemed made by nature purposely for such +contests. For the distance of about a score of feet all around the +great oak--which arose in the centre like an ever watchful sentinel +guarding that portion of the park--the ground was clear and level as a +round green table. As I looked up at that fine old veteran which had +braved the storms of centuries, and still showed no other signs of its +contests than his battle scarred old features, methought of the many +engagements he had watched, and the tales of bloodshed he might tell if +he but could. + +The sun was no longer shining where we stood, but the top of the great +tree still caught his last gleams as he sank below the horizon. As the +last of these rays left the old oak our time was up, so we began to +strip for the encounter. We took off our cloaks, belts and doublets, +and gave them unto our seconds, who laid them in two heaps, one on each +side of the open space. I rolled up my right sleeve to the shoulder, +and Harleston handed unto me my naked sword. My friend and Ratcliffe +spoke together in whispers, for a moment, and then the latter, standing +with his back to the tree, said in a loud clear voice:-- + +"Gentlemen:--Sir Frederick Harleston and I have agreed, in your behalf, +in case either of you should be disarmed, or placed in a position where +it should be impossible for you to defend yourself, the fight shall be +stopped until such time as ye shall again be upon an equal footing. +Both Sir Frederick and I do insist that this rule shall be observed, +otherwise we do refuse to act. Should either of you take advantage of +your opponent's being unarmed or placed _hors de combat_, and so take +his life, the one so breaking this rule shall be proclaimed a coward +throughout the length and breadth of England. This shall be his +punishment for his unknightly conduct. Have I made all perfectly +clear?" + +We both replied in the affirmative, and agreed to be bound by this +rule, which was a very humane and fair one. + +Ratcliffe then took his place behind Catesby, and Harleston behind me. + +The signal was then given, and we approached each other cautiously, +each looking for an opening. Then our swords came together with a +sharp click, and slid along each other like two icicles being rubbed +together. The moment I felt his sword against mine I knew that I had +not been misinformed when I heard that Catesby was a pupil of one of +the greatest swordsmen in Europe. His wrist was like steel, and his +point began to play on either side of mine with such rapidity as warned +me to stand on the defensive until I got more used to his ways. +Suddenly he lunged with murderous and savage swiftness, his point aimed +at my heart. I met him with a quick and firm guard, and for the next +few moments we did content ourselves with sounding each other with an +occasional lunge. Then he changed his tactics, in the twinkling of an +eye, and flew at me like lightning. His sword seemed everywhere at +once. I felt a sharp sting in my sword arm, as his weapon scratched +it. Then I felt it higher up and near unto my shoulder. I slowly +began to give ground, as it had been the part of a fool to stand still +in an attack of this kind, which I knew could be of no long duration. +In this I was right; for seeing that he could not reach my chest, and +that he was soon wearing himself out with this furious pace, he slowed +his attack somewhat and made more careful lunges. I now saw that I +could, in a short time, wear down his strength, by keeping a cool head +and a wary eye. Soon I touched him lightly on the shoulder, and had +the satisfaction of seeing his shirt stained with his blood. This, +however, seemed to refresh him; for he made another of his fierce +attacks, which again compelled me to give ground. In this I did not +divine his object, which was to force me back against the tree. As I +stepped back to avoid a lunge more savage than the others, I felt my +heel strike the tree. This put me something off my guard. He seized +the opportunity, and drove his sword at my chest with all the remaining +strength in his villainous body. I stepped aside, and gave him my +straight point in the right shoulder, near the neck. However, I had +not been quick enough; for I felt a sharp twinge in the fleshy part of +my left arm, as he nailed it to the oak. His sword snapped off short, +and I was left pinned to the tree, as I have seen boys do with +butterflies. Catesby fell, bathed in blood; but methinks it were more +from exhaustion than from his wound that he did fall; for the latter +was but little more serious than mine own. Sir Frederick pulled at the +blade with his handkerchief wound around his hand, and at length set me +free. Catesby soon regained consciousness, and we were bandaged +carefully with cloths that had been brought for the purpose. + +[Illustration: "The signal was then given."] + +As I saw him walk off, leaning on the arm of Ratcliffe, I regretted +that I had not given him my point lower down. + +But there came a time when I would have given ten years of my life for +the same opportunity of ridding the world of this accursed villain. +But ye, my children, shall judge of that later on in this story. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE KING'S DEATH + +Mine arm was quite sore and stiff for some weeks; but as I had at that +time no duties to attend to, it did attract but little attention. I +kept to my rooms most of the time, but occasionally took a walk through +the park with my fair Hazel by my side. + +She was greatly alarmed when she learned that I had been wounded; and +she lectured me most severely for so exposing myself to such "foolish +dangers," as she was pleased to call them. + +"For you know," said she, looking up at me with her head held to the +one side, and her face most serious, "if thou shouldst be killed, it +would kill me too; so, for my sake, promise me that thou wilt fight no +more those fearful duels. Heaven knows 'tis bad enough when thou, as a +soldier, hast to fight battles; but this murder should not be permitted +in a Christian land." + +"But, my darling," I replied, "when one man doth insult another the one +which is insulted must avenge himself." + +"Yes, but if men would ever learn not to insult each other there should +be then no cause for these horrible affairs." + +I attempted to argue the point with her; but found it of no avail. Had +I been the age I now am I might have saved my breath. + +"However," she said, after I had given up the task of trying to +convince her that I was right, "I am glad that thou didst wound him." + +"Why?" I asked. + +"Well," she said, slowly, and at the same time watching me closely, +"that night of the ball--" and she stopped there long enough for a very +pretty blush to cover her face, as a veil, "the impudent fellow had the +temerity to try and make love to me." + +"What?" I cried, as I grasped my scabbard, and started my wound to pain +afresh. "I'll kill the knave the first time I see his sneering face!" + +"No, no, Walter, do nothing of the kind. That was the reason I did not +tell thee ere this; I knew it would set thee mad. Oh, dear! thou hast +such an evil temper. He is now punished enough; so promise me that +thou wilt do nothing to bring about another duel;" and she laid her +hand on mine arm, and coaxed me so nicely that I had to make the +promise; though later I did regret it. + +Since the night of the ball the King's health had been getting worse +with every day that passed. His Majesty, seeing that he had not long +to live, now called a meeting of the different factions who were ever +jangling with each other, for the purpose of reconciling them; for he +feared, that when he should be dead, their quarrels might lead to great +strife in the kingdom, and endanger the rule of his son. + +These parties, as ye must all know, were, first--the Queen and her +favorites, secondly--Buckingham and the most powerful of the ancient +nobility--to which party belonged my Lord Hastings--and +thirdly,--Gloucester himself, for the reason that he did not wish to be +connected with--and so be dependent on--either of the other parties. + +When all these were come unto his bedside, the King addressed them +thus:--"You all must know that I am about to leave this fair kingdom, +where I have had such strife and yet such happiness, to join that other +land to which spirits alone can go. Before I leave it is my pleasure +to have ye all at peace with one another. In case this strife should +continue, it will surely lead to great troubles for poor England, which +we all do love so dearly. Therefore, my faithful subjects and friends, +bethink ye of your duty. Here in this room, before ye leave my +presence, I wish to see ye all embrace each other and swear by my +death-bed to live in peace together. + +"My brother Richard, I charge thee to look after my children, which +shall soon be fatherless, and may God deal with thee as thou dost deal +with them. I wish thee to be the protector of my son Edward, and to +assist him in his government until such time as he doth come unto years +of discretion." + +So there by his bedside they went through the forms which the King did +ask of them. I say, went through the forms; for that was all they did. +I do not believe that one of those present ever intended to keep the +oath he there made to the King; for their conduct after his death is +sufficient evidence of their insincerity. + +'Twas told to me afterwards, by one which saw all that which I have +here described, that as Richard left the room, with his handkerchief to +his eyes, it was to hide his laughter rather than his tears. And I do +believe this to be so; for I consider it impossible for that man ever +to have had the tenderness of heart necessary to produce one tear. Be +that as it may, he was not long in demonstrating his love and charity +towards his brother's children. + +One morning, some days after this bedside gathering, when I met Hazel +in the park, as was now my wont, her eyes were red with weeping. + +"Come, come, my fair one, thou must not look so unhappy, or else I +shall fear that thou hast ceased to love me. Now tell me what is the +matter, that I may console thee." + +"Hast thou then not heard the news?" she asked. + +"I have not," I replied, "it must be evil news indeed, to make thee so +unhappy." + +"The King is dead," she said. + +"When did he die?" + +"About an hour since;" and then she wiped her eyes again. + +"Why dost thou weep so for the King?" I asked; for I did not like to +see Hazel weeping because another man had died. + +"Oh, thou stupid!" she cried out impatiently; "cannot you see that it +is on the poor Queen's account? I love her as I did my own dear, and +now dead, mother; and when I see her in such sorrow it maketh me to +feel as if 'twere mine own." + +I felt abashed for not having seen this for myself; but men are so +thick headed, in these matters, that they can never know the way a +woman looks at things until she doth explain herself. Now I had rather +face a regiment, single handed, than see a woman weep; so I stood there +as on a pillory, saying nothing, but feeling uncommon uncomfortable. + +Presently she looked up sharply, and said,--"Well, what art thou +staring at? Is there anything about me that does not please thee?" + +To this I made no reply, as I knew silence to be the best remedy for +these little outbursts of temper. Remember, my dears, at that time +Hazel had considerable fire in her make up. And I would not give an +old gauntlet for a maid which had not; for this I do consider to be the +very salt of one's character; and what is a fine dish without it be +seasoned properly. + +When I had stood quietly for some moments, I saw some signs of +relenting begin to betray themselves in a softening of the face. "Is +the storm passed?" I asked. This brought a smile. All the temper had +vanished, and she was more loving than ever. + +"Thou must not think badly of me because I was cross with thee, dear," +she said, looking up at my face in the most coaxing and bewitching +manner--of which she so well knew the power: "I felt so sorrowful when +I saw the dear Queen weeping and wringing her hands in despair, that I +did not know myself. Thou wilt forgive me, wilt thou not, Walter?" + +Then I made a great show of granting her pardon, that I might have a +good reason for a certain show of tenderness. + +'Twas like a little whirlwind in a dusty road, when the particles of +sparkling sand have settled back to their proper level the way is more +smooth than ever. + +When we were seated upon a bench beneath a fine old oak, which stood in +a place more private than its brethren, as though its dignity had made +it to hold itself aloof from their society, like the head of some most +ancient house keeps ever from the vulgar herd, she asked me how I +thought the King's death should affect the kingdom. + +"Ah! my dear," I replied, "that is the question which I have been +trying to answer since some time before his Majesty did leave us. If +Gloucester can be honest all shall be well; for he is a man of great +ability and can, if he will, keep the little King firmly seated on the +throne. What I do fear is, that, when he tastes the sweets of ruling, +he may not be willing to give it up; but like a tiger, when he once +hath tasted blood, must needs have more. Young Edward, in his hands, +will be as wax, and moulded to the form that best suits Gloucester. +The King need not fear his humbler subjects, but must still hold a wary +eye upon his uncle." + +I did not think it well to tell her the conversation I had overheard +the night of the great ball; for it could have done no good, and should +but have alarmed her. + +"And dost thou then think that the Duke of Gloucester is not honest?" +asked Hazel. "Why, he seems to be most honourable and just, so far as +I have seen." + +"So far as thou hast seen," I replied. "That distance is not great. +My father--rest his soul--saw this same Richard stab to the heart, +without provocation, and in the coldest blood, young Edward, son of +Henry. I've heard my father, with tears upon his cheeks, tell the tale +of that foul deed. + +"The young Prince, after Tewkesbury, was brought before King Edward and +his brothers. + +"'What meanest thou, so to rebel against the laws of England and her +Sovereign, by thus taking up arms to disturb the peace of this thy +native land?' asked our now dead King. + +"'Proud and rebellious York,' replied the youth; 'by what right dost +thou question us, thy true and lawful Sovereign? Hadst thou the +loyalty equal to thine impertinence, thou wouldst now be at our feet, +craving our pardon for this show of force before us, England's only +King.' + +"My father said 'twas grand to see the young Prince, as he did finish +this speech, so full of dignity and power. His face was flushed with +excitement, and with pride; and as he raised his hand to Heaven, as +though asking of the powers there to bear him out, he looked as though +he were inspired. + +"Then Richard of Gloucester, now our _pro tem._ ruler, unable to look +upon this righteous indignation, with his steel gauntlet, struck young +Edward on that tender cheek. This proud bud of the noble flower of +Lancaster could ill brook this insult; especially from one of a rival +house. His hand flew to his dagger. Gloucester, who knew full well +that this was but an impulse, pounced on the Prince, as doth the tiger +on its tender prey, buried his weapon in that noble flesh, and, as the +body fell upon the ground, he spurned it with his armoured foot. +This," I continued, "doth show the tenderness of Richard, and the +treatment that they may expect, which do not please his Highness, the +Protector. His words and his actions are of but distant kin." + +"Then dost thou not think he will be bound by his oath, made to the +King before his Majesty deceased?" asked Hazel. + +"Indeed who can tell?" I replied. "Mayhap a year will show, mayhap +two. He may be honest, and he may be not. Which course he doth find +to be most profitable, it is mine opinion, he will follow." + +Thus we spent most of the morning, discussing the policy of the new +Protector; and methinks the surmises we made that morning in the park +turned out to be as true as the great majority of the prophecies which +are, even now, so prevalent in this glorious and enlightened reign of +his most gracious Majesty, King Henry, of that name the eighth, which, +despite his faults--and we all must have our own--is a most noble +master. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +I AM SENT TO LUDLOW + +So the King was buried, with a great show of pomp, and much mourning, +in the splendid chapel of Windsor Castle, by those which had followed +him through his career of alternate sunshine and shadow. Many of these +friends, who had basked in the rays of the sun of York, when the sky +was clear, but who, when a cloud had come across its brilliant disk, +found more congenial weather elsewhere, were now the loudest in their +lamentations, as they followed the noble Edward's body to its last +resting place. + +The Queen scarce ate or slept for many days or nights; but walked her +rooms, and wept and prayed. 'Twas a sad sight, as Hazel told me, to +see her wander from one room to another, and gaze upon the articles +which Edward so had loved. But when the King's body had been buried +she seemed to cast off her sorrow as she would a garment. It was now +her duty to protect the interests of her son. He must be brought from +Ludlow Castle, whither he had been sent by his father, that his +presence there might awe the Welsh, and keep them from revolting; for +this was a habit that they had always had, and one which seemed hard +for them to forget. + +"Would that I had a faithful messenger to carry a letter to my brother. +I cannot tell who may be trusted. My son, Dorset, might be sent; but +yet I need him here to counsel me." + +"I know of one whom you may trust," said Hazel, who was present when +the Queen had thus spoken to herself. + +"Thou hast ever been a true girl, Hazel, and I love thee well. Tell me +who this champion is, for well would I like to see a true man about +this court." + +"Sir Walter Bradley, may it please your Majesty. He it was which +brought the news of the taking of Berwick, and who was rewarded by the +late King, your husband." + +"Ah, yes! I do remember me," said the Queen. "He should be a swift +messenger. I will send for him at once." + +So I was sent for, and found, and brought into the Queen's apartments. + +"Sir Walter, thou hast been recommended to me as one of my only too few +faithful friends." As I glanced hastily in Hazel's direction, her +Majesty smiled as though she had read my heart. "I wish thee to be the +bearer of a letter unto my brother, Lord Rivers, which now resides at +Ludlow Castle. This business concerns my son, your King, and is +therefore of great importance. I shall have the packet ready to-morrow +morning; so thou wilt not have much time for thine adieux." And again +she glanced at Hazel, and then at me, smiling the while, with that +sweet smile which could have sent me through fire and water to serve +this most excellent, and yet unfortunate, Queen. + +"I shall be ready and waiting for thine instructions, Madam," I +replied, as I bowed myself from the room. + +Hazel followed me into the next apartment, with an anxious look upon +her dear face. "Is thine arm yet healed enough for thee to make this +journey, Walter dear?" she asked. "I had forgot thy wound, until I saw +thee try to open the door, just now. I was so proud to have thee +chosen as the Queen's messenger, when there are so many upon whom she +hath conferred favours, and yet which she doth not trust, that I +thought not of thy wound. Had I not better tell the Queen, and have +her choose another?" + +"Not for the world, my dear. It is too great an honour to fling to one +side on account of a scratch, when one is chosen from so many which are +more worthy of her trust. Besides, my wound is almost well." This +latter was not in strict conformity with the scripture, which commands +us to speak the truth; but it was necessary for me to keep her from +saying anything to the Queen that might put a stop to my going. + +I hastened to my rooms and instructed my servant to have everything in +readiness for my journey in the morning. Then I went in search of Sir +Frederick. I found him in his room, seated near the window, and poring +over a volume of Virgil. + +"Well, well!" cried I, "a pretty occupation for a soldier. For the +love of Heaven leave such matters to the priests. I had too much of +that ere I did buckle on the sword." + +"My dear Bradley," he replied, "one can never have too much of such +material. + +"Do but listen:-- + + "'_Jamaque ibat dicto pareus et dona Cupido + Regia portabat Tyrüs, duce laetus Achate!_'" + + +"Stop, stop! if thou dost have any love or respect for me!" I cried. +"If thou goest on with that I shall surely die. The only Latin line +that I do consider worth remembering was writ by one of those great +pagans, and goeth somewhat in this manner:--'_Dulce et decorum est pro +patria mori_.' That," I continued, "is a line for every soldier to +remember. + +"But come, leave the myth of a masquerading ancient for another time; +for now, my friend, I must talk of other things, which are more real." +Then I told him of the Queen's commission. + +"Dost thou not desire to have a companion on this journey?" he asked. +"Though, if I do go, this time thou must promise to not ride so fast as +we did on our trip from Scotland." + +"No, Frederick," I replied, "methinks it best that thou shouldst remain +here. Your company, as thou knowest, would be greatly appreciated by +me; yet do I think that thou couldst serve her Majesty better wert thou +to stay at Windsor. All the nobles are now flocking unto Gloucester's +side, and she thinks that they do aim at lessening her influence over +the King. If it be possible for thee to serve her I know that thou +wilt do so. Heaven knows she doth need all the assistance she can get, +if she has to cope with Gloucester." + +"And of what use can I be against men of such power?" he asked. + +"Perhaps none; yet thou mayst in some way serve her." + +The next morning, after I had said farewell to Hazel, the Queen, Mary +and Harleston, I set out on my journey, accompanied by three picked men +of my command. Two of these fellows were men which had served under me +ever since I had been at court, and had proven to be, both, most +excellent swordsmen and trusty servants; that is so far as most of +these men are trusty--the which is not an over strong recommendation. +The third was a mighty Irishman, by the name of Michael O'Brien, which +had come to Windsor shortly after our return from Scotland. I knew +nothing of him; but he had a face of exceeding honesty, and besides, +his giant strength was equal to that of four soldiers of the general +kind. + +My trip was quite uneventful and monotonous. + +In order that I may let you know the length of time that it doth take +for news to travel in the country I will tell ye a little incident, by +way of illustration. + +When we reached Tewkesbury, near which Edward had won his battle, and +where Henry's son was murdered, it was the time of day when we must +needs rest and refresh ourselves. When I had entered an inn--which +seemed the best afforded by the town--and was seated at table a sedate +looking old gentleman came and sat himself down on the side opposite to +me. + +"I crave thy pardon, young sir, for my freedom in thus addressing thee, +who are, to me, a stranger; but I perceive, from the trappings of thy +horse, that thou dost come from court. Indeed at one time I did know +the names of most all of the grand court ladies; for I have not always +lived in these God forsaken parts," added the old man, with some show +of pride. "But all this is beside the mark," he continued. "When I +espied thee I came over to thee that I might enquire concerning the +health of his Majesty." + +"He hath not yet been brought to Windsor, or Westminster, and, as he +now resides at Ludlow, of his health I cannot speak." + +"But when went he unto Ludlow?" asked the inquisitive old man. + +"Now that I do not remember," I replied; "but, as I think, it was some +months before his father died." + +"My dear young sir, his father died some twenty years ago." + +I stared at him for several moments, thinking he must be mad. Then I +saw what was the matter. "Why, hast thou not heard that his Majesty, +King Edward IV is dead?" I asked, in surprise. + +"Not until this moment," he replied. + +So now, my children, ye can see how long it took for news to travel in +those days, of which I am writing. True, the people are becoming more +progressive now, but it is surprising still to learn how long it doth +take for news to reach those distant parts, even yet. + +We stayed that night in Tewkesbury. + +The next evening we rode into the town of Ludlow, and entered the +Castle. + +I was admitted into the presence of the young King, who was, at that +time, but twelve years of age. As I was ushered in I beheld the little +King, and his uncle, Lord Rivers, sitting near his Majesty, by the +casement. I went forward, and kneeling at young Edward's feet, I +kissed his hand and said:--"Hail to your Majesty!" + +At first he did not seem to comprehend my words; for he showed surprise +on his fair young face. Then, as Rivers sprang to his feet, the boy's +face became deadly pale, and he almost gasped out the words:--"Is my +father dead?" + +I did not answer; but stood with bowed head, mine eyes upon the floor; +for I could not bear to hurt this young innocent with my cruel news. + +The poor boy burst into a flood of tears, and buried his head beneath +the arm of his uncle, who spake most kindly unto him, and tried to +quiet him with soothing words. + +Meantime I walked to the far end of the room and there, I feel no shame +in the telling of it, I wiped mine eyes, which were by no means dry. +The sight of this poor little fatherless King stole my manhood from me, +and I wept. + +I have no recollection of any other man ever having raised himself so +much in mine estimation, in so short a time, as did Lord Rivers, when +comforting our little Sovereign. I had always heard that he was a +kind-hearted gentleman, and one of great refinement and education; but +I had never known him, except most slightly. The kind and gentle +manner of the man drew me to him at once. + +"Weep not, my dear," said he. "I know how thy heart must ache for the +loss of so noble and kind a parent. Be assured, Edward, we all do feel +the loss most keenly. But think of thy poor mother, and how she must +ache at heart. Remember, now it is your duty to comfort her. A great +responsibility hath fallen upon thee. Think of that and call up thy +courage and determination. Remember the motto which I taught to +thee:--'Do but screw up thy resolution, and all things can be +overcome;' yea, even thy sorrow." + +So he kept on, until he had quieted the child, which sat himself down +and, resting his chin upon his hand, gazed thoughtfully out of the +window. I could read the boy's thought. He was looking far away to +Windsor, and the Palace there. He saw his mother and his dear father +as he had last seen them. His sire took him in his arms and kissed +him, ere he mounted his little palfrey to ride to Ludlow with his +uncle. And now all should be changed. When he should arrive at the +Palace his mother alone would meet him, and there would be tears in her +eyes. I knew his mind was drawing the sad picture: and yet, had he but +known what the reality was to be, he had rather stayed where he was, +safe with his uncle, on the borders of Wales--of which he had +heretofore been the Prince, but was now its King--than to have returned +unto his mother. Then his Majesty moved, and this did break my +reverie. I remembered my mission; so I walked across the room to +Rivers, and handed him the Queen's letter, with an expression of regret +for my forgetfulness. He waved mine apologies aside, with the best +show of grace, thus showing his smooth and gentle nature. Indeed, +during all the too short time I had the pleasure in being in this man's +company I never saw him lose temper: and yet, remember, he was one of +England's ablest warriors. + +"What meaneth this?" he broke out suddenly. "'Levy an army, and march +to London with the King, my son,'" he read aloud. "Why, Sir Walter, +are things not well at Windsor?" + +"As well as may be, under the circumstances," I replied. "His Royal +Highness, the Duke of Gloucester, was appointed Protector by the late +King, shortly before the noble Edward's death." + +"So her Majesty informs me," he interrupted. "How acts Lord Hastings?" + +"He seems to be uncommon friendly with the Prince, my lord." + +"So I thought, so I thought," said he, speaking more unto himself than +me. + +"And what about Buckingham?" he asked, as he stopped suddenly in his +walking back and forth across the room, with his head bent upon his +chest, and his hands clasped behind him. + +"He seems most friendly with the Duke of Gloucester; in fact they are +inseparable." Then did I think it wise to tell him of the conversation +that I had overheard. So I beckoned him to come unto the far end of +the room, that the young King might not be alarmed by what I had to +tell. I repeated it word for word as I had heard it; for it was so +graven upon my memory that it can never be erased. + +He listened attentively until I had finished, and then said in that +quiet manner which so well became him:--"Bradley, there may be trouble +afoot; however, we cannot be too cautious. I need not warn thee to +keep thine own counsel. This is a dangerous time for England; one +false step might cause irreparable damage." And then he asked me every +question he could think of; and had ye but known him you might have had +some idea of that number, which was indeed great. + +The King kindly invited me to sup with them that night. Sir Richard +Grey, one of her Majesty's sons by her first husband, was also present +at supper. + +Soon after the meal the young King retired; but we sat up late, and +discussed the affairs of state, and laid plans for the levying of the +forces to escort the King to London. Lord Rivers and Grey both seemed +to fear that Richard did intend to take the young King away from their +control and influence, unless they took a sufficient force to make such +a step impossible. On this I did not express an opinion; for who could +tell what move a man like Gloucester might make. + +The next morning orders were sent out through several counties to raise +troops. + +When these commenced coming in, Lord Rivers, Sir Richard Grey and I +were kept busy inspecting them and getting them properly equipped. + +By the end of one week we had an army of above ten thousand men ready +to march with our little Sovereign, and others were coming in with +every hour that passed. + +One evening we held a council at which it was decided to start for +London on the second day following. + +The next day, about the hour of noon, a gentleman arrived at the Castle +and requested an audience with the Lord Rivers. We were at dinner when +he arrived; so he was informed that his audience would be granted so +soon as my lord had finished his repast. + +The gentleman sent back word that he came from Windsor, as the +messenger of the Queen. + +When Rivers heard this he arose hurriedly and ordered him to be +admitted at once. + +Imagine my surprise when in walked Harleston. + +He had never met Lord Rivers, so I presented him. + +He handed a packet to his lordship, with the words:--"From the Queen, +my lord." + +Rivers tore open the packet in great excitement, and as he read its +contents I saw a cloud of disappointment pass over his brilliant +features. Grey went over to his uncle, and read the letter over the +other's shoulder. When he had finished, his features wore the same +look as did his uncle's, except that they also showed strong traces of +anger. + +"Well, Bradley," at length said Rivers, "our work hath been for nought. +We are commanded, here, to have the army disbanded, and to take only a +sufficient retinue to support the dignity of our young King." + +"Then things have brightened?" I asked. + +He shook his head sadly. "No, on the contrary, the prospect looks much +darker. I only hope that I may be mistaken; but I do fear we shall +have trouble in England, unless the nobles cease their wrangling." + +Shortly after he and Grey retired, and, as Harleston had not yet dined, +we sat at table; and whilst he ate he told me of the doings at court +since I had left. And these, as you shall hear, were of importance to +the kingdom. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +SOME HAPPENINGS AT WINDSOR + +I now go back to relate that which happened at Windsor, after I had +left for Ludlow. What I am now about to put down was told to me, +partly by Harleston, as we sat in my rooms in Ludlow Castle, and partly +by Hazel, when next I saw her. + +I had only been gone one day when Gloucester called to see the Queen. +When he was admitted he saluted her Majesty in the most respectful and +kindly manner, and spoke in that smooth and diplomatic way of which he +so well knew the potency. "My dear sister," said he, "I have not come +to thee before to-day, because I knew full well how useless, and even +cruel, it is to speak of affairs of state to one whose heart hath so +recently been caused to bleed, by the loss of a husband which was, and +whose memory ever shall be, so dear to thee, and to us all. But now, +my poor widowed sister, it is thy duty to bethink thee of thy son. He +should be sent for, and be conducted here forthwith, in order that he +may be crowned with proper expediency and pomp. Methought it was not +well to let this matter stand too long; for we must not forget that +Lancaster still doth cast a longing eye upon the crown of England. +'Twas but yester e'en I heard that they were corresponding with that +bastard, which calls himself the Earl of Richmond." + +"Then I did well when I sent word unto my brother to levy a strong +force and conduct my son to London," said the Queen, with a look of +anxiety. + +Gloucester seemed taken aback for a moment; but, quickly recovering +himself, he said:--"I did not know that your Majesty had so instructed +Lord Rivers; and indeed I do not know that this is the wisest course. +The people of the City may not like to see this armed force thus march +on London, as though the King's person were not safe without this +strong protection. Thinkest thou it had not been better to have +consulted with Lord Hastings, and some others, before taking a step so +important to the peace of the kingdom? When didst thou so instruct thy +brother?" + +"But yesterday I sent him a letter by a trusted officer," answered the +Queen, quite innocent, and put off her guard by the oily tongue and +kindly manner of this deceitful hypocrite. + +"What dost thou say? Shall we sound Lord Hastings, and have the +benefit of his opinion before Lord Rivers doth proceed too far with his +preparations?" + +The Queen, suspecting nothing, walked into this trap, set with such +cunning by the Duke (for well he knew the view that Hastings would take +of such a measure) and consented to this course. + +So soon as Gloucester had left the Queen he despatched two messengers, +one to Buckingham, and the other to Hastings. + +When these noblemen arrived they were conducted into the presence of +the Protector. "Well, my friends," said Gloucester, when he had +greeted them, "the Queen hath gained a march on us. Her Majesty seems +determined to still rule England. She now intends to do it through her +son, the young Edward, as she hath heretofore done through her husband, +the older one." + +"What dost thou mean, my lord?" asked Hastings; who, though an honest +man, yet disliked the Queen, or rather, was jealous of her power. + +Then Gloucester told them of his interview with the Queen, and the +message she had sent to Lord Rivers. + +When he had finished speaking, Buckingham broke out:--"By Heaven!" said +he, "if her Majesty has Rivers march on London, as though it were the +stronghold of a band of outlaws, he shall be met with a force stronger +than his own." Then speaking to Lord Hastings, he said, whilst he +pointed to Richard:--"Here sits the Lord Protector, which was appointed +the guardian of the King by the boy's late lamented father; and the +Queen and her brother take it upon themselves to assume his office, and +to issue orders for the raising of an army, without his consent, or +even knowledge; 'tis monstrous! What sayest thou, my Lord Hastings? +Should they not be made to answer for this insult to our Royal +Protector?" + +Then Richard put in a cunning word for himself. "Yes, it seems as +though I am quite forgot. By Saint Paul, I have no love for the +office; but sith it was put upon me, by my dear dead brother, I do +consider it my duty to fulfill the trust he then reposed in me." + +This last stroke brought Hastings to their side. "By the light of +Heaven!" cried he, "unless this order be countermanded, myself will +return to the government of Calais, and the whole damn kingdom may rot +ere I will ever serve under a government led by the Queen and her +upstart kinsmen." + +"Then, my friends, ye think it best for me to inform the Queen that we +do not consider it a wise step on her part to thus make show of force, +which the people of the City would consider a slur upon their loyalty," +said Richard, in his softest tones. + +"Indeed, my lord, had I the saying of it, I would not put it in such +gentle terms," said Buckingham; "what dost thou say, Lord Hastings? +Were it not better that we tell the Queen and her following, in no +fixed, courteous phrases, that we--the ancient nobility of +England--will not put up with such treatment at their hands?" + +To this the Chancellor replied in the affirmative; so Richard made +another call upon the Queen and, after telling her the result of his +conversation with Hastings (he having taken care not to mention +Buckingham's name) asked the Queen what answer he might have the honor +to take to the Chancellor. + +Now whilst Gloucester had been consulting with Buckingham and Hastings +(which conversation I have just put down, and which I had from +Harleston, who got it from a page, which had been concealed in the room +whilst they were talking) the Queen had been consulting with her son, +the Marquis of Dorset, and was therefore resolved to hold firmly unto +her plans. + +"Tell Lord Hastings that I will not countermand the order I have sent +unto my brother." + +"But, madam, he threatens to return to Calais unless this be done." + +"What! doth he threaten? Let him go to Calais, and there may he abide; +methinks that England can manage without him better than can he without +her;" and the Queen, as she said these words, arose and looked like a +defiant lioness defending her cub. + +"It is my poor opinion that thou art making a mistake in thus opposing +a man of such influence; however, I will tell Lord Hastings that your +Majesty hath fully made up your mind to not withdraw the order." + +Hazel, who was present during this interview, told me that Richard, as +he said this speech, looked so kind and gentle that it was well nigh +impossible for her to believe what I had told her of his cruelty. + +This wrangling went on for a whole week. + +Gloucester was always careful to not bring himself into any of these +disputes; but to place himself as the messenger from one side to the +other. + +At length one day Gloucester brought word to the Queen that Hastings +had decided to himself take up arms and forcibly prevent Lord Rivers +from escorting the young King to London, with an army. + +This was the final blow. The poor Queen could resist no longer; so she +consented to write to her brother and instruct him to bring only a +sufficient retinue to sustain the dignity of the King, who was to be +brought unto Westminster Palace, where the Queen would be ere her +little son did there arrive. + +Harleston was chosen as her messenger; so that was how it came about +that he followed me to Ludlow. + + * * * * * + +Now I will tell of other matters which happened whilst I was absent +from court; and this part, although it does not bear on history, was of +the utmost importance to me; for it was but the prologue to the history +of my greatest troubles, as ye shall learn anon. + +The second morning after I had left Windsor, Hazel, feeling quiet, as +she afterwards told me, strolled out into the park, that she might be +alone. She seated herself in a secluded place beneath a beech tree, +whose fresh new garments were fluttering in the soft and tender breeze +of Spring. Bright and young were they, as she; yet why did not she +feel as bright as did those green, fluttering young leaves o'er head? +Still she did not, and her heart felt heavy and weary. Remember, this +was the day after Gloucester's two interviews with the Queen, and she +felt an inspiration which told her that trouble was brewing. + +Looking back, she thought how happy her life had been before King +Edward's death had cast a gloom o'er everything. She could not help +thinking that the life at court would now be very different. Instead +of the Queen having her way, the nobles, no longer held in check by the +firm hand of Edward, would have control of everything. Here was the +King scarce buried, and already Hastings had commenced to show his +authority. All the life would be gone from the court, and instead of +the round of amusements that the Queen had kept agoing, every thing +should now be quiet, morose and cold. + +How she did wish that I were back. She wondered when I would return, +and if I still intended to remain at court, or would I ask her to +fulfil the promise she had made me, to some day meet me at the altar. +Indeed she wished the time would soon fly past till I should again +return. + +With these and kindred thoughts she had been so taken up that she had +not heard the sound of approaching footsteps. + +"Oh! I am so tired of this life at court. I wish I were away from +it," said she, speaking aloud. + +"Indeed I agree with thee, Lady Hazel. 'Tis not the life which best +suits thee nor me." + +She turned with a start and there, leaning over the back of the bench +upon which she was sitting, stood Catesby. A smile was upon his face +as he noted her startled expression. His right arm he still carried in +a sling, and the sleeve of his doublet hung loose at his side. + +"Well, sir, by what right dost thou come aspying upon ladies?" asked +Hazel, as she arose and gazed upon him haughtily, and curled her lip in +scorn. + +"'Twas Cupid led me here, fair lady. Deform not that lovely mouth with +such a scornful sneer; those lips of thine were never made for other +purpose than the tender work of kissing." Then, as she turned her back +and started to leave him, he hurried around the bench and stood in +front of her, thus compelling her to stop. + +"Stand aside, thou impudent cur, or thou shalt regret thine act," said +Hazel, as she commenced to be frightened. + +"Why, thou wilt not kill me with those flashes from thine eyes?" asked +the scoundrel, as he stood and smiled in her face. + +"No, but thou shalt answer for it to the one which made thee to wear +thine arm, as best becomes thee--in a noose, and where thy neck should +be." + +"Ho, ho! sets the wind there? I might have known so much," said he, as +he sneered, and shrugged his one sound shoulder. + +"Be assured sir, thou shalt know more ere thou hast heard the last of +this," said my dear maid, as she again turned to leave the knave. + +"Nay, not so fast, my fair one. In sooth you escape not so;" and he +tried to seize her by the arm. + +But Hazel was now thoroughly frightened, and she avoided his hand and +commenced to run. He sprang after her and caught her firmly by the +wrist; but she, seeing that she was fairly caught, struggled like a +tigress, and broke loose. Hotly did he pursue her, and again tried to +seize her arm. She, however, swung quickly around a large oak. In +following he struck his wounded shoulder against the tree; the wound, +but partly healed, must have broken open afresh, for, with a groan, he +fell down in a faint, as though by the hand of God. Hazel got but a +glimpse of him as he fell; for she slackened not her pace until she +reached her room and threw herself upon her bed, and burst out aweeping. + +Gentle cousin Mary at last succeeded in comforting her; but after that +the dear maids did not again walk in that park, until some great +changes had been wrought at court, and throughout all England; and +then, when they did go, they were guests, without attachment to the +court. + +Mary had told Harleston all about Hazel's experience with Catesby; so +it was from him that I heard it. + +When he had finished I leaped to my feet and swore an oath, which +methinks it best not to set down in writ, as it might not have a good +effect upon the morals of some of my younger grandsons. + +"Calmly, my friend, calmly," said Frederick, in his quiet way; "have +patience; thou shalt yet have an opportunity for making the scoundrel +pay dearly for his act." + +"Hell and furies! Harleston, speak not to me of being calm. Do but +think of that dear girl being subject to such insults. By Heaven I +swear I shall never rest in peace until I have caused his death!" and I +tore about the room, stamping my feet, and overturning whatever +furniture I did come across. "Heaven, why are such dogs permitted to +live? Harleston, I would give my right hand to but have that low-lived +knave by the throat." Here I clasped my hands, in a grip of steel and +tried to imagine that I held him by the neck. 'Twas my wounded arm +that stopped me from this practice. + +When my passion had somewhat abated my friend asked me when I thought +it likely that Lord Rivers would take the King to London. + +"Indeed I know not," I replied; "but one thing is certain, and that is +if he does not start at once I will set out alone. I cannot bear to +think of what might happen unto my poor dear girl, whilst I am away +from her side. That Catesby dare do anything; and that rogue, +Gloucester, would back him up in all his villainy; for he hath been +mighty friendly with the accursed dog of late. I know not what his +object may be; but as I think, he doth intend to use him in order that +he may win Hasting's friendship." + +We spent the greater part of that afternoon in walking through the town +of Ludlow, which Harleston had never seen before. + +That night we sat up until a late hour, and talked of all the strange +actions of those in power, and made surmises as to what the next move +should be; but even our most pessimistic predictions fell far short of +the reality. + +When at length I fell asleep I had fully made up my mind to ask Lord +Rivers, early the next morning, for his permission to leave for London +that day, as I had private business to attend to. + +However, many strange things did happen ere I did again see Hazel. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +GLOUCESTER SHOWS HIS HAND + +When I asked Lord Rivers for permission to return to the court before +he should start with the King, he replied:--"Why, Bradley, we are to +leave to-morrow morning; and unless your affairs cannot wait one day +more, I would have you accompany his Majesty." + +"In that case, my lord," said I, "one day more can make but little +difference, so I shall wait. I did not know your lordship did intend +to set out so soon." + +Early the next morning--in fact ere day-break--we started for London +with a goodly train, though not an army. Almost every man in the +King's retinue was a gentleman, he having but a small body of +men-at-arms. This made it possible for us to travel at a rapid pace, +as the whole following was mounted. + +About a score of gentlemen went first; then followed the King, riding +betwixt his uncle and his half brother. Harleston and I rode +immediately behind his Majesty, and we were followed by a score of +other gentlemen, and the men-at-arms brought up the rear. + +At every hamlet which we did pass through, the people lined each side +of the road and cheered and blessed their young King. The boy, pleased +with these demonstrations, soon wore an empty purse, in place of its +being well filled, as when we started on our journey. + +I had thought our progress should have been greater, and therefore was +impatient with what I considered its slowness, though in reality we +were travelling rapidly, considering the number of the retinue. + +Messengers were sent ahead to inform the authorities of the different +towns that their young Sovereign would soon pass through, so that the +townsfolk might have a passing glimpse of the child. In several of +these places we were compelled to stop for refreshments, and then the +King acknowledged, most briefly, the demonstrations in his honour. +Then would we hasten on, that we might make up for the time thus lost. + +On the fourth afternoon a horseman, covered with dust, as though he had +ridden hard and far, met us. When he drew rein he dismounted and +kneeled in the road before the King, with a great show of respect. +When asked his business, he arose and replied by handing a packet unto +Lord Rivers, with the words:--"From his Royal Highness, the Duke of +Gloucester." + +Rivers hastily opened the missive and, after glancing hurriedly over +its contents, said to the messenger:--"Tell His Royal Highness, with my +compliments, that his wish shall be carried out." + +The messenger re-mounted and--as fast as his steed would carry +him--rode back the way he came. + +"What says the letter, uncle?" asked his Majesty, when we were again on +our way. + +"He informs me that he and the Duke of Buckingham, attended by a noble +train, await your Majesty at Northampton," replied his uncle. + +So we rode on in silence for some time, till Rivers again spoke. "I +fear, Edward," said he, "that Northampton will be over crowded, if we +all do go there. The night will then be fallen, and we shall be +compelled to spend it there, in case we go. Methinks it would be +better for thee and thy retinue to take the road to Stony Stratford, +and there spend the night, whilst I, and some few others, go to the +Prince and explain this change of plan." + +"As thou wilt, uncle," returned the King. So it was decided that the +King should proceed by another road to Stony Stratford. Lord Rivers +then asked Harleston and me to accompany him to Northampton. + +When we came to the parting of the ways, and the young Edward was to +separate from his uncle, he put his slender arms around River's neck +and embraced him most affectionately. Little did he guess what was in +store for his dear relative and teacher. + +The sun was now getting low, so we proceeded rapidly on our journey. + +When we were yet about a mile from Northampton we were met by +Gloucester and Buckingham, attended by about a score of gentlemen of +their following. The sun had been for some time set, and the earth was +busily engaged with drawing on her black sleeping-robe. We rode almost +into the Prince's party ere we did recognize them. Rivers at once made +himself known, and thus addressed Gloucester:--"I must ask pardon from +your Royal Highness for having taken the liberty of sending the King on +to Stony Stratford, there to spend the night. I feared Northampton +could not accommodate his Majesty's retinue--which is large--together +with thy following, and his Grace of Buckingham's." + +"No excuses are necessary from my Lord Rivers," said Gloucester; and he +smiled most graciously, and extended his hand to the Earl. Buckingham +followed his leader's example and welcomed Rivers as though he had been +a lost brother whom he loved. Then they both received my friend and me +in a polite, and but little less hearty manner. + +"And now," said the Prince, "let us make haste and have our supper. By +Saint Paul! my innards this night seem most rebellious, and call out +loudly for more of life's ammunition. Follow me, gentlemen, and ye +shall not have long to wait." So saying he drove his spurs into his +horse's flanks, and dashed forward in the direction of Northampton. We +followed rapidly; but we had to urge our tired steeds to their utmost, +in order that we might keep the Duke in sight. + +When we at length drew rein it was in front of the best inn that this +city could then afford; though, since that time, more pretentious ones +have been erected. The Royal banner of England floated lazily from its +support in the yard in front of the inn. + +When we had entered Gloucester dismissed all the gentlemen of his +train. Buckingham--as was his custom in everything--followed the +example of the Prince. Harleston and I were about to depart with the +other gentlemen, but Gloucester stopped us with:--"No, by Saint Paul! +ye two shall sup with us; I have not yet forgot how speedy were my +messengers. Richard of Gloucester forgets not his friends. Why, if a +man sups not with his friends, with whom may he eat? What dost thou +say, my Lord of Rivers?" + +"Indeed, my lord, thou dost honour us over much by calling us your +friends," said the Earl. He evidently did not know what to make of the +Duke's open-hearted manner; and for that, no more did I. + +"Why, I am certain ye are not mine enemies; therefore ye must be +friends," said Richard. He was laughing now, and acting as though +Rivers had ever been the best friend he had on Earth. + +"I meant not that, my Lord," said the King's uncle; "I have ever +accounted myself among thy faithful servants." + +"Nay, not so," replied the Prince. "Because it happened that I had the +misfortune to be born so high it does not follow that all men must be +my servants. What! wouldst thou deprive me of the privilege which the +meanest slave may have, take away my dear friends, and turn them into +servants? God forfend!" said he solemnly, as he clasped his hands and +turned his eyes to Heaven. "No, let me to-night be plain Gloucester. +Let no man call me Prince. To-night I'll have none of, 'Your Royal +Highness,' or, 'Your Grace,' or, 'My Lord Duke,' or, 'My Lord,' or +anything that might indicate a title. This must ye swear solemnly, or +I will take it that ye do not love me. Come now, swear that ye four +will not address me this evening by other name than 'Gloucester.'" + +So we all laughingly did what he had asked. I could not explain this +jovial conduct by other means than that the Prince and Buckingham had +been wetting their palates too freely ere they rode forth to meet us. + +We did not leave the table until the bell had rung out the hour of +midnight. + +"Gloucester," said I--for so we all did call him--"wouldst thou not +like a game at dice?" + +"In faith I would that same, my friend," replied the Prince. + +So we went back to the table and played until the sun began to flash +its rays against the fragments of ragged clouds and set them all ablaze. + +I won rapidly from the Duke, and when we left the table my purse +contained every gold piece that he had with him, besides some that he +had borrowed from Buckingham, who did not play. + +Richard took his losses all in good part. + +"Why, Bradley, thou art a veritable giant at the dice. I have been +told that my fortune at the game is good; but thou dost put me to +shame." And so he rattled on, showing nothing but his overflow of +spirit. + +Now and then would he turn to Lord Rivers and enquire how he did fare +with Harleston. + +My friend had no such good fortune as had I. When he left the table he +and Rivers stood about the same as when we started. + +"Thou hast won everything, Bradley, and I shall have to call again on +thee, good cousin, that I may give the honest man which owns this house +a befitting present," and he turned to Buckingham for more gold. + +"But now we must have breakfast and then proceed to join the King at +Stony Stratford," said he, as we left the table. + +Whilst breakfast was being prepared we went to bathe our eyes, which +felt anything but sound after our all night's carouse. Then Harleston +and I strolled forth into the chill, bracing air of morning. + +"I fear we have misjudged the Prince," said I, as we strolled, arm in +arm, about the yard. + +"Remember, Bradley," my friend replied, "he may have an object in +acting as he hath done." + +"What object could he have in thus making us his equals?" I asked. + +"So far I cannot tell," replied my friend, solemnly; "yet when a man of +Gloucester's stamp appears most pleasant he is most dangerous. I may +be doing him a wrong, but I cannot help but fear that there is some +great game about to be played, and Gloucester will play in it a leading +part. I forget not what thou didst overhear the night of the ball. +Remember," he added, "it is not for ourselves I fear; it is for those +far above us." + +"Thou mayst be right," said I, "but, for myself, I must confess I do +begin to not so much dislike the man." + +"Place not great trust in a Prince's smile," returned Harleston. + +By this time the gentlemen in attendance on the Prince and Buckingham +commenced to arrive from their different quarters; so we were compelled +to stop this conversation. We reëntered the house and joined the +others at table. + +Gloucester still continued his friendly manner and all through +breakfast kept up a string of pleasant speeches. + +Buckingham spoke but seldom, but when he did it was ever in the same +strain as the Prince. + +At length Gloucester asked in a careless manner:--"Is the King attended +by a sufficient retinue to sustain the dignity of one in such an +exalted position? Had it not been for the strong opposition of that +most turbulent noble--Lord Hastings--his Majesty should have come with +an army, as the Queen, cousin of Buckingham and I wished," he added, +before Rivers had time for making reply. + +"As for his Majesty's train," replied the Earl, "it is not great in +numbers; but is composed, almost entirely, of gentlemen of no mean +blood. We had an army almost complete when the news came that there +was strong opposition to this plan." + +Methought I noticed a trace of suspicion in Rivers' face as he made +this reply; but if it had been there at all it left as quickly as it +came. + +Harleston, however, gave one quick glance, and mine old opinion of our +host returned with a redoubled force. + +"Well," said Richard, "cousin Buckingham and I have no mean following, +and when it is added to that which already attends his Majesty methinks +that Lord Hastings had best keep his tongue betwixt his teeth, and his +sword in his scabbard, when we enter London. + +"But now 'tis time that we set out for Stony Stratford. No doubt his +Majesty will be impatient to be off to London, and to see his mother." + +We then started forth upon our way; Richard and Rivers riding side by +side, whilst Buckingham rode betwixt Harleston and me. + +It was an ideal morning; the sun was shining clear and bright; the air +was of a coolness which made it comfortable to ride. However, we had +not been long upon the road when a haze climbed up the eastern sky, and +spread its gauzy curtain betwixt the sun and us. At first it was +scarcely perceptible; but it was not long ere the sun had been so +thoroughly draped as to be completely blotted out. + +In the meantime we had been proceeding leisurely on our journey. +Gloucester talked with Rivers in most friendly manner. As we were +directly behind them we could not help but overhear a part of their +conversation. + +"How do we now stand with France?" asked Rivers. + +"Not so friendly as might be," replied the Prince. "Before my brother +died, he had intended making war upon old Louis. This hath angered +them; but soon I do hope to be again on good terms with the old +scare-crow." + +"When dost thou think of having the young King crowned?" asked the Earl. + +"Methinks 'twere good to have it done so soon as all necessary +arrangements can be completed," replied Richard. And so the +conversation ran, until the rain commenced to fall like the tears of +children, in large and scattered drops. This caused us to quicken our +pace, and so made all conversation impossible. Then the rain poured +down in torrents, and caused our clothes to cling unto our backs in a +most uncomfortable manner. The vapour arose from the hot bodies of our +horses, and gave our train the appearance of a phantom cavalcade, as we +dashed forward at full speed, that we might reach a place of shelter. +However, as is ever the case, when at last we came in sight of our +destination--Stony Stratford--the sun had burnt through the clouds +which screened it, and again shone forth in all its splendour. So we +slackened our pace, and the conversation started afresh, as the sun's +rays began to dry our backs, and cheer us with its welcome warmth. + +As we drew near the town in which the young King and his following had +spent the night we noticed a considerable procession filing slowly out +of the place and coming in our direction. + +"What may they be?" asked Gloucester. + +"They must be of the King's train, and they come forth to meet us," +replied Lord Rivers. + +We soon met them. They were led by Sir Richard Grey, and Sir Thomas +Vaughan rode by his side. The others consisted of about a score or +more of gentlemen of the King's train, and a body of the men-at-arms +who had accompanied us from Ludlow. + +"What means this, Lord Rivers; an armed force sent out to meet me, as +though I were an enemy to the King?" cried Richard, angrily. + +"Why, Gloucester, they come--" + +"What! speakest thou to me as Gloucester?" cried Richard, as he turned +fiercely upon the Earl, who sat staring in surprise, as did Harleston +and I, at this strange and unprovoked outburst. + +When Gloucester spoke this last sentence a body of men, with drawn +swords, quickly surrounded Rivers, Grey and Vaughan, and took them +prisoners. + +"Best keep your tongues betwixt your teeth," whispered Buckingham, +first to me and then to Harleston. There was an amused smile upon his +face as he said this. + +Then the whole plot flashed through my mind. This then was +Gloucester's reason for entertaining us so well. We had been used but +as blinds to throw Lord Rivers off his guard, and make him to trust the +Prince. This then was the reason we had been made to be so familiar; +it was in order that Gloucester when he chose to consider it a personal +slight might do so. Harleston was right; Gloucester had an object in +view when he acted so. But for that matter, when did this man ever so +much as speak one kindly word, but for his profit. + +Now, though it takes me some moments to put these things down, it did +not take so many heartbeats for them to be enacted; and remember, my +heart was working fast just then. + +When the swords had been taken from these three gentlemen they were +separated, and soldiers, with naked swords, stationed themselves one on +either side of each prisoner. + +"Now off with the traitorous knaves to Pomfret," commanded Richard. +"There let them close prisoners rest, until thou hearest from me." +This he said to Sir Richard Ratcliffe, who seemed to be in command of +the soldiers which had so suddenly appeared. + +Ratcliffe put himself in advance of the guard and set out on his way to +Pomfret Castle. + +Grey's and Vaughan's escorts now joined meekly in with the train of +Gloucester, and we proceeded leisurely into Stony Stratford. + +I know not when I have, before that day or since, been so disgusted by +the traitorous deceit of a man as I was by Gloucester's. + +So soon as Rivers and his friends had been taken off the Prince again +put on his pleasant habit. He laughed and chatted with Buckingham as +though he greatly relished his contemptible act. + +As we rode along I began to form a plan by which I might inform the +Queen of the arrest of her brother and son; for I now began to fear for +the safety of her Majesty. When Gloucester dare arrest, and throw into +prison, men occupying positions which Rivers, Grey and Vaughan held, it +looked to me as though the Queen herself might be the next person to be +put under restraint. This thought was still tormenting me when we drew +rein in front of the house occupied by the little King. + +When young Edward saw his uncle Richard, he came forward, and the two +embraced with a great show of affection. "Ah, your Majesty, let me be +the first member of our noble house of York to congratulate and welcome +thee on thy return homeward." + +"Thanks, for the welcome, uncle," returned the King; "but for the +congratulations I cannot speak. 'Tis but a sad home-coming, when I +know that my dear father cannot be there to meet me." + +"Think not of that," said his uncle. "Thou knowest that we all must +lose our fathers; the old must pass away, and the young take their +places. Thy grief, no doubt, is great; but bethink you of your duty. +Thou must be prepared to rule this fair kingdom as did thy father, with +an iron hand. A King is ever surrounded by traitors. 'Twas but this +morning that I learned of a plot against thine authority, and, though +some of those connected with the movement have, till to-day, been +friends of mine, yet was I compelled to do my duty and cause them to be +arrested. By Saint Paul! I swear I cannot yet believe them guilty; +though by their acts they have caused the dark eye of suspicion to +frown upon them. + +"To whom dost thou refer, uncle?" + +"Why, to those that thou wouldst least suspect," said Richard. "Thine +own uncle--Lord Rivers--thy cousin--Sir Richard Grey--and Sir Thomas +Vaughan." + +"And where are they now?" asked the young King, with alarm. + +"I had them sent to Pomfret Castle, that they might do no damage to +your Majesty. Of course," he added, "when thou art crowned your +Majesty must do with them as thou thinkest best." + +"Indeed I will release them the moment that I do sit upon the throne," +exclaimed the King, with great heat. + +I heard no more of that which followed, for Richard led the little King +into a private room, whither Buckingham followed them. I then took +Harleston to a place where no one might overhear our conversation, and +told to him my plan of going to London to warn the Queen. + +When I had finished my friend thought for some moments ere he remarked +on my plan. "No, it should be dangerous for thee to go," said he; +"Thou shouldst be missed, and then you might find yourself in the +company of Rivers, at Pomfret." + +"What then dost thou suggest?" I asked. "Her Majesty must be warned." + +"Yes, her Majesty must be warned," he replied, musingly. "Ah! I have +it," said he, speaking rapidly. "Send some faithful servant with a +letter unto the Queen. Do but tell her that the three have been +arrested; sign not thy name, for fear it fall into the wrong hands. A +common soldier will not be missed, whereas Sir Walter Bradley should +be." + +But then I thought of a plan that was better than my friend's; so I +retired to a private place, and wrote the following letter, which is +now--through the person to whom it was addressed not following a part +of mine instructions,--in my possession, and which I hope ye will +always preserve after I have gone to join those whose doings I am +putting down. + + +"_With the King, at Stony Stratford._ + +"LADY HAZEL WOODVILLE; + +"_Lady-in-waiting to Her Majesty the Queen, at Westminster._ + +"Perfectest of maids and truest of sweethearts; I send thee this +message that its contents may not be seen by eyes not to be trusted. +No one can suspect this packet to contain news of the greatest +importance to the kingdom. + +"So soon as thou dost receive this go to the Queen, and tell her that +her brother--Lord Rivers--Sir Richard Grey, and Sir Thomas Vaughan, +were all three arrested, by order of Duke Richard, as we were entering +this place to-day. No offence had been committed by any of these +gentlemen. They were at once sent under a strong guard to the Castle +of Pomfret. Also tell her Majesty that last night the Duke of +Gloucester entertained Lord Rivers, Sir Frederick and me, at supper, +and throughout the evening he showed us all prodigious favours. +Therefore his conduct is all the more difficult to understand, if he +doth mean to be just. + +"I send this by a servant which--though I have not known him long--has +hitherto been faithful; though now it doth seem hard to trust anyone. + +"Pray God that the clouds of trouble may soon pass over, and the sun of +happiness again shine forth. + +"I expect to soon be again upon the road to London; but our progress, +methinks, will not be great. + +"Destroy this letter when thou shalt have read it. + +"I remain, dearest, thy servant unto death,-- + +"WALTER." + + +When I had finished this letter I went in search of one of the men +which had gone with me to Ludlow. He was the gigantic and good natured +Irishman, whose honest and determined face made me to select him in +preference to either of his companions, who were better known to me. + +"Michael," said I, when I at length found him, "I wish thee to take +this packet, and set out for Westminster Palace at once. Spare not thy +horse. When thou hast come into the Palace enquire for the Lady Hazel +Woodville. Hand her this packet. That is a part of thy duty. The +other part is for thee to make sure that thou speakest not of thy +message or journey, to anyone." + +"In faith, yer honour, ye may dipind on me fer speed and a close mouth. +Oi'll be thare as soon as could the divil, with all his wings; and as +fer sacrecy, uh! sure, the damned thumb screws thimsilves could no more +draw a wourd through moy teeth than, as the priests sez, ye could pull +a camel through the houle in a nadle." + +I could not help but smile at the extravagance of his speech; but I put +down my head as I fumbled with my purse, for it is not good policy to +laugh at one which is about to carry your life in his hand. "Here is +gold for thee, that thou mayest not want for aught upon thy way," and I +handed him the full of my hand of Gloucester's easily won gold pieces. +I knew that this would lend him the wings of Mercury, and would tie his +mouth more tightly; and so it did. + +"Hivin bliss yer honour!" said he. "Whoy, Oi can buy out the houle o' +London with sich a fortune." + +So the faithful fellow mounted his horse and rode off at such a goodly +pace as left no doubt in my mind that my message would reach Hazel in +time for the Queen to take whatever action she might think best. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE FLIGHT FROM THE PALACE + +Hazel was with Mary in their own apartments when she received word that +a messenger desired to see her. + +"Bid him give thee the message, and do thou bring it here," said Hazel. + +The servant went out, but soon returned. "The soldier, madam, doth +refuse to put the packet into other hands than thine," said the maid. + +"What may this mean?" thought Hazel. "Surely this must be of vast +importance," said she to Mary. + +"Mayhap 'tis best that thou shouldst see him," said Mary. + +The two maids walked down the passage to where the man was standing, +cap in hand, and as motionless as a pile of armour. However, when he +saw the ladies approaching he started forward and, dropping on one +knee, he handed the packet to the proper maid, though how he knew her I +cannot understand. But then those fellows about the Palace have naught +to do but learn who people are and all about them. + +"Here is a gold piece for thee," said Hazel, as she reached it toward +him. + +"No, yer ladyship," he replied, "Oi thank thee much fer thoine offer; +but moy master hath alridy given me so much o' the pricious stuff that +it's thinkin' Oi am to know what to do with it." With this he saluted +them smartly and walked away. + +"What is it, Hazel?" asked Mary, when Michael was gone. + +Hazel, however, was so deeply engaged with the reading of my letter +that she did not hear her companion; so Mary leaned on her friend's +shoulder, and read it for herself. + +Neither said anything until they had read twice what was writ. "What +can it all mean?" asked Mary, at last. Then she read aloud, as though +the sound of her voice might make the meaning clearer, as it sometimes +doth. + +"Hush!" said Hazel, as she put her hand over her friend's mouth; "dost +thou not see that he commands me to keep this most secret? Come, let +us to the Queen, and tell her all." + +So they went to her Majesty's apartments; she was talking with her +daughter Elizabeth when they entered. "What causes thee to look so +troubled, Hazel?" asked the Queen, the moment that they had entered; +for my dear girl was badly frightened by the contents of my note. + +"I have just received a letter which is of great import to thee," +answered the maiden; and she handed the Queen the open packet; for her +fear had robbed her of any bashfulness she might have felt in having +her Majesty see the manner in which I did address her. + +The Queen read and reread the letter through, from first to last. At +length she seemed to realize the terrible meaning of it all. "Oh! that +accursed, hump-back knave, to dare to lift his hand against those which +guard and protect the King! No peace shall I now have. He will not +stop with Rivers. I shall be the next to feel his tyranny. But I will +match him yet!" she cried. + +"Send for my son, the Marquis of Dorset," said she, as her eyes flashed +and her face became as though carved from marble. + +When Dorset arrived, and heard from his mother what had happened to his +uncle and his brother, he showed his anger less; but in his cold grey +eyes, and firm cut mouth, one might read even greater determination +than his mother possessed together with all her quickness of perception. + +"Methinks, mother," said he at length, "that thou hadst best leave the +Palace, and take refuge in the Sanctuary yonder. Take with thee my +dear sisters and our little Prince. Whilst he is not in the power of +the boar young Edward shall be safe." + +"You counsel well, my son," replied the Queen. "Let us then make +haste, and be in safety ere the traitorous cur arrives. Girls, ye must +accompany us. Go and make ready, with all expediency, for in haste +alone now lies our safety." This latter she addressed to Hazel and +Mary, who had remained in the room whilst these things were taking +place. + +"Oh, Richard," said the Queen, as though he were there before her, +"thou shalt suffer for this act of thine! Thou thinkest that by taking +from the King the only man in England capable of training his gentle +mind in the properest course thou shalt be able to infuse thy murderous +thoughts into this helpless innocent, and so use him to thy profit. +The curse of poor old Margaret is now falling upon me, and her prophecy +is coming true. But yet," she added, as though to herself, "she cursed +him also. Oh, why hath not her curses first fallen upon him; I never +did her wrong. Ah, yes, this is my punishment for having caused poor +Clarence's death. Would to God it had been this limping dog that I had +asked for, dead. Then all should have been well. Clarence was gentle, +and never did me harm. 'Tis indeed God's curse for my climbing to +great heights upon the necks of others that has now fallen upon my +head, and bent it low. Where I have stepped on others, now others step +on me. It is just, oh Lord, it is just. But oh! merciful Father," +cried she, as her spirit began to give way, "let all thy wrath fall +upon me; for I am the guilty one. Let not the jealousy of Richard +bring harm unto others than me. I am to blame, and I alone should +suffer." As she finished this speech she stood erect, her face turned +heavenward, and her arms upraised in entreaty. As she stood thus her +noble form lost none of that queenly dignity which must ever have +marked her as a Queen among women. + +[Illustration: "I am to blame, and I alone should suffer."] + +"Come, come, mother, thou must not give way thus. Gloucester would +rejoice indeed, if he knew that he had so affected thee," said Dorset, +as he advanced and put his arm around his mother's neck, and patted her +tenderly upon the shoulder. "Besides," he continued, gently, as he led +her to the window, "we are losing valuable time. We know not when +Gloucester may arrive; and when he does, it is then too late for thee +to leave the Palace." + +"Thou art right, my son," said her Majesty. "Indeed 'tis weakness in +me to thus give way. All mine energies must now be set aworking, that +I may cause that traitor's downfall." As she spoke she walked rapidly +to a door leading to some of her servant's quarters. This she opened, +and called within:--"What ho! Jane!" Then as some one made answer, +she continued:--"Have all my belongings put into boxes at once; all my +jewels carefully put together in their case. All things must be in +readiness within the hour." + +"It shall be done, your Majesty," came from the inner room. + +The girls then hastened to their apartments, to get their belongings in +readiness for their departure; whilst Dorset went to give orders to his +following to be prepared to escort her Majesty. + +Within the time specified by the Queen all arrangements had been +completed, and they were ready to cross over to the Sanctuary. + +Though the distance is short--in fact, the two buildings join--yet they +were escorted by a body of armed men. Hazel told me after that they +looked more like Queen Margaret going to battle, in the time of +Warwick, than the good Queen Elizabeth on her way unto a Sanctuary. + +The little Duke of York laughed and chatted as they were collecting his +toy weapons. "Wait, Lady Hazel, until I grow up and am a man, and can +hold a lance in rest. Then I will ride a tourney; and when I am +proclaimed the champion of the day I shall make thee my Queen of +Beauty, and thou shalt put a wreath upon my head. Oh, thou needst not +laugh!" he cried, as Hazel smiled at this confident young gentleman; +"remember, I shall soon be old enough to wear mine armour, and break a +lance; I'm nearly nine already," he added, as he straightened his +little body, and threw back his head with as bold a toss as could any +old champion produce. + +"And wilt thou not make me thy Queen of Beauty?" asked Mary, as though +she did feel the slight. + +"Now come, Lady Mary, do not be cross with me; I'll make thee a Queen +of Beauty too; for I shall ride lots of tourneys, and be the champion +every time. Uncle of Gloucester is going to teach me how to hold my +lance, that I can dismount a knight; so I cannot be other than a great +champion, when I have such a teacher; for ye know uncle of Gloucester +is the greatest lance in the world. Is he not, sister?" And he turned +to the Princess Elizabeth, as though seeking support with which to prop +up his idol. + +"Nay, that I cannot tell," answered his eldest sister. "Thou hast a +greater knowledge of these things than have I." And she smiled sadly +on the young innocent. + +"'Tis very true," said the little Prince, with a wise nod, as they set +out after his mother, "we men know more of those things; yet 'tis the +ladies that do inspire us and lead us on to such great feats." + +The Princess, Mary, and Hazel, could no longer restrain their laughter. +This greatly offended the little Duke. He lowered the butt of the +little whip which he did carry, no matter what his occupation, and +charged, with all the speed he could succeed in forcing from his little +body. He struck his brother, Dorset, fairly between the shoulders, +which gave that nobleman such a start that he scarce kept his feet. +Then the little Prince turned and looked back at the girls, with a +satisfied smile, which plainly said:--"Now, ye would laugh at me? Was +not that course run right well and knightly?" + +By this time they had reached their destination; so, after dismissing +their following, they were all admitted to the Sanctuary. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +I REACH WESTMINSTER + +When we reached Westminster, and neared the Palace, Lord Hastings, +attended by a large following, among which I espied Catesby, came forth +to meet us. As we did near them they lined the road on either side and +cheered the King as we passed between these rows of English oaks. +Hastings himself joined in with us and rode with Buckingham, behind the +King and Gloucester. When we arrived at the Palace and dismounted +Hastings approached Richard and whispered something which I did not +catch, though I was standing just behind the Duke. + +"When did she go?" asked Richard. + +I could not hear what Hastings answered. + +"And took the little Duke along?" cried the Prince, in a voice that +plainly showed his annoyance. "Now by Holy Paul!" he continued, "this +is indeed too much. Her Majesty doth forget herself." + +"What is it, uncle, that my mother does forget?" asked the young King, +who had overheard this last remark. He looked Richard firmly in the +eye as he spake and held his head so high and spoke with such a dignity +as had proclaimed him a King right royal, even had he been dressed in +the garb of a rag monger. + +"Ah, your Majesty, thy mother, I am sad to say, hath not stayed to +greet her son and King; when I said she had forgot herself I meant to +say that she had forgot her duty, which was to stay and welcome thee, +after thy long absence from her sight. And besides not being near +herself, which were in itself strange, she hath taken with her all of +thy dear sisters, and his Grace of York, thy brother." + +"No doubt my mother had good cause for her act, and I do not wish to +hear her criticized," said Edward, with great heat. "But uncle," he +asked, in a more gentle tone, when he saw the look of pain on +Gloucester's face, "whither hath she gone?" + +"To the Sanctuary over yonder, so my Lord of Hastings tells me." + +"But why should she take Sanctuary, as though this were a time of war +and bloodshed?" + +"Nay, that I cannot tell your Majesty. 'Twas this strange act that +made me to say--more in surprise than with premeditation--that thy +Royal mother had forgot herself; for which offense I crave my master's +pardon," said Richard with prodigious meekness. He stood with +uncovered head before the little King and looked, so to perfection, the +saint which thinks he hath transgressed, and humbly prays for pardon, +that not one there--besides some few who knew the man--but thought him +the meekest soul in England. + +"Indeed, mine uncle, I meant not to be cross with thee; when I spoke I +knew not the hurt that my words did carry to thee; and besides, now +that I understand the matter, I wonder not that thou didst express thy +surprise. Indeed 'tis strange that my mother so should flee to +Sanctuary, as though her son were to be considered as her enemy." + +This, no doubt, was the object Gloucester had aimed at when he sued so +meekly for his pardon. He desired to win the King over to his side, +and make him to believe that 'twas from her son she fled. It was now +more easy for me to read his object in his manner, since his treachery +with Rivers and the others. + +We then entered the Palace, where Richard called a council to decide +what measures should be taken in order that the Duke of York might be +brought to keep company with his brother. + +"For," said Gloucester, "'tis an insult to his Majesty, to thus fly +from him as though he had the plague. Indeed his Royal Highness of +York must be returned at once to his proper place, beside his brother. +If this news be bruited abroad," continued he, "'twill make England +precious ridiculous in the eyes of all Europe." + +Cardinal Bouchier and the Bishop of York were present at this council. + +"And what course wouldst thou advise me to pursue, that I may succeed +in releasing the little Duke from his involuntary imprisonment?" asked +Richard, speaking to the Cardinal. + +"Ah! your Royal Highness, it may be very difficult, indeed, to change +the mind of the Queen. Thou knowest as well as I how wilful is her +Majesty, when she hath once made up her mind." + +"Let her not dare to match her strength against me," cried Gloucester, +who now spoke more freely, as the King had left the room. "By Saint +Paul! if she doth not hand the boy over unto his legal protector I +shall be compelled to take him by force, which I do not like to do." + +"Ah! good my lord, commit not the sin of using force on those who have +taken refuge in God's place of protection, where the vilest criminal +need fear no harm!" cried both the Churchmen, with one voice. + +"Yes," returned Richard, with his cunning smile, "but, most reverend +sirs, the Duke of York hath committed no offence, and therefore he has +not the rights of Sanctuary; and, on that account, the Queen must +expect force, if she consents not to return him when politely +requested, by two such worshipful gentlemen, to do so." + +If the Churchmen were looking for some excuse to enable them to agree +with Richard they now had found one. "Ah! your Royal Highness, who but +thyself could have thought of such a reason?" + +"Who indeed?" thought I, but with a different meaning. + +"The point is well taken," consented the Bishop of York. "The Prince, +thy nephew, having committed no sin, has--under the customs of Holy +Church--no right nor reason for taking Sanctuary; and besides," he +continued, "I understand that he hath no desire to remain in seclusion, +and is but detained there by her Majesty, his mother." + +"This she hath no right to do," broke in Richard. "Was not I appointed +the protector of these children, by my Royal brother? And does the +Queen take it upon herself thus to assume mine office?" With this +Gloucester arose and walked back and forth across the room; his left +arm drawn up, and his thumb stuck in his belt, as was his usual custom. +With his right hand he played with his dagger; drawing it partly from +its richly jewelled sheath, and then returning it with a sharp "snick," +thus keeping time with his limping step. As he walked he kept up a +continual string of sharp speeches against the Queen, like the +discharge from a company of archers, each arrow having its mark to +strike. "Ha! Saint Paul, one might think the Protector of England an +office of but little weight. Old Louis will have grand amusement at +our expense. The King's brother not at the coronation, but hidden +away, as though his Majesty were a tyrant. 'Tis monstrous! And the +sacrilege of this act. A boy, not yet nine years of age, which could +never have committed an offence, hidden in a house of God as though it +were a fortress. Ha! my Lord Cardinal," said he, as he stopped +suddenly before that most reverend gentleman, "the slight is as great +to thee as it is to me. What sayst thou? Shall we submit meekly, +whilst others walk over us and break the laws of our several charges; +or shall we demand the person of the Duke, and, if he be not handed +over gently, then rescue him by force?" + +"Most certainly I do agree with his Royal Highness, and think 'tis an +outrage for the Queen to take the stand she hath," said the Bishop, who +evidently desired to curry favor with Gloucester by agreeing with him. +"Of course," he added, methought a little nervously, "if her Majesty +consents to quietly restore the little Duke, so much the better; then +no precedent need be set for using force to obtain those which have +taken refuge in a Sanctuary." + +"And what says my Lord Hastings?" asked Richard, as he turned to that +nobleman, who had not yet expressed his opinion. + +"I am of the same opinion as these most holy gentlemen. If her Majesty +can be persuaded to hand over the Duke, peacefully, so much the better; +if not, why then use force," replied the Chancellor. + +During all this conversation Catesby--who was present--stood beside +Hastings, as a dog by its master. Whenever he caught mine eye he +stared so impudently that I had much ado to restrain myself from +walking across the room and letting the low-lived hound feel the weight +of my hand. All that which Harleston had told me of his insults to +Hazel was brought to my mind with double its former force, and almost +drove me mad. + +"Oh, I will twist thy neck for thee at the first opportunity," said I, +not knowing that I said it half aloud, till Harleston, who was standing +at my side, poked me in the ribs with his elbow. + +"Hush!" said he, "or thou shalt be overheard." + +This recalled me to myself, and I took good care thereafter not to +think aloud when in the presence of men that I regarded as mine enemies. + +The moment that Catesby saw Harleston check me he leaned over the +Chancellor's shoulder and whispered something in his ear. I know not +what it was; but it must have referred to us, for Hastings turned at +once and eyed me suspiciously. His gaze was anything but pleasant; for +he clearly showed his displeasure at something, by his long and +frowning look. + +"Another debt I owe thee, Master Catesby," said I, taking good care, +however, that I did not pronounce the words by other agents than my +mind. + +So it was there decided that the two Churchmen should go together, and +try to persuade the Queen to hand over the Duke of York to them. In +case this failed they were to inform her that Gloucester would have him +taken from her by force. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +MICHAEL AND CATESBY + +Though Harleston and I were both anxious to go at once unto the +Sanctuary, and see the girls, yet my friend, who thought it might +arouse suspicion were we to be seen there by the Cardinal and the +Bishop, persuaded me to wait until the following day. "For," said he, +"I do believe that fellow Catesby already suspects us of being in some +way connected with the Queen's flight. Methinks 'twas in reference to +that he whispered to Hastings, and which caused Lord William to look on +us so unpleasantly." + +"I believe that thou art right," I replied. + +We were sitting in my room when this conversation took place. Just +then a knock came at the door. I feared that we might have been +overheard, so I thought the best plan should be to open, without any +show of mystery. I therefore called out, without changing my +position:--"Come in!" I scarcely know what I expected to see when the +door should open; yet methinks I had not been surprised had it been +either Lord Hastings himself, or a body of yeomen sent to arrest me. +Remember, my dears, after the example I had seen as we were entering +Stony Stratford my mind was in a fit state to expect something of this +kind. It was with a sigh of relief, therefore, that I did recognize +mine Irish messenger, which had so well fulfilled his mission. The +enormous fellow completely filled the door, as he stood upon the +threshold, cap in hand, awaiting a further command ere he did enter. + +"Ah! Michael, it is thou." + +"Divil anither," he replied, without moving a muscle. + +I smiled at his serious humour, and asked him to enter and close the +door; for I knew from his manner that he had something to communicate. +"And now, Michael, I must thank thee for the speedy way in which thou +didst fulfil thy mission." + +"Uh! yer honour, it's no thanks Oi desarve fer doin' moy dooty," and he +shifted from one foot to the other and struck his boot with his cap, as +though my thanks but made him to feel uneasy. With all his giant +strength he was at heart but a great boy. + +"But what is now thy business with me? If there be aught that I can do +for thee thou hast but to ask and it is done, Michael." + +"No, yer honour, it is not that," he replied. "Oi came but to till +thee, sor, that thoine armour--which was rusted some--hath bin clained +and is now ridy fer wear," said he, quickly, as he eyed Harleston +closely. + +"What in the devil's name art thou talking about? Why, I have no +armour that is rusted." + +"No, not now, sor," said he, with that same serene face. When he had +finished this, however, and saw Harleston's head thrown back, as my +friend stared at the ceiling, in an effort to refrain from laughing, +Michael raised his eyebrows, and jerked his head in Frederick's +direction. + +"Ah! so that is the difficulty," said I, laughing. "'Tis my friend +thou fearest. Ah, Michael, I am proud of thy discretion," I continued, +as I walked over to where he stood, and slapped him on that shoulder +which stood out like a block of iron draped with cloth. And indeed one +might as well have struck a piece of steel as that shoulder with its +shirt of mail beneath the rough coarse jacket. "However, thou needst +not fear to speak out boldly before Sir Frederick, as I have no secret +that is unknown to him." + +"In that case, sor, Oi must pray thoy pardon," said he, speaking to +Harleston; "but in these toimes, whin great min, as will as the common +folk, turn out to be divils it be moighty hard to pick out the honest +soul." + +"Indeed thou art right, Michael, and it shall be well for thee to +continue to trust but those that thou knowest full well to be true and +honest men," said my friend, which admired this frank admission of +suspicion. "Thou art an honest fellow, and I like thee well; but be +careful of this," he continued,--"be sure that thou dost practise thine +honesty with great caution. Honesty, now-a-days, seems to be the +shortest road to the block; unless thou art cautious enough to be +honestly dishonest." + +"Oi understand not thoy wourds," said Michael, as he scratched his +head, with a puzzled look; but for a moment only. "Uh!" said he, "Oi +think that Oi have a hould on what yer honour manes, and Oi'll profit +by yer advice, sor." + +"But come," said I, "What is it that thou wishest to tell me? For well +do I know that story about mine armour to be but a disguise." + +"In faith it was, sor, and Oi now craves yer pardon fer the tillin' of +a loie to yer honour." + +"It had been granted ere thou didst ask. Come, to thy news." + +"Will, sor, it was jist after Oi had delivered thoy missage, and was +walkin' along the hall on moy way to look after moy horse, which was +sore toired, that Oi mit his honour, Sor William Catesby. As Oi took +off moy cap to him, he stops me, and sez he:--'Whare didst thou come +from?' + +"'From Oireland, yer honour,' sez Oi. This Oi said that Oi moight have +toime to git a good loie through moy thick skull. + +"'Thou needst not have tould me that,' sez he, and he began to laugh, +though fer the loife o' me Oi know not yit what so playzed him." + +I glanced at Harleston. His head was thrown back in his chair, as was +his habit whilst sitting and listening to anything that interested him. +I could see by his amused smile that he was not surprised at Catesby's +laughter. No more was I. + +"What said you then?" asked I, as I saw Michael looking at me in +surprise. No doubt he was wondering what I saw to so amuse me. + +"Uh! thin Oi said:--'But yer honour axed me, so Oi had to till thee.' + +"'Oi mint not whare wast thou born, but whare hast thou come from jist +now?' sez he. + +"'Uh! yer honour manes whare am Oi jist after lavin', this minit?' sez +Oi. + +"Thin he nodded, and still kipt on a smoilin'. + +"'Bad luck to me fer a stoopid clown,' sez Oi. 'Oi moight have known +what yer honour mint, without kapin' ye standin, explainin' the houle +o' this toime.' + +"Now all this whoile, sor, Oi was warein' out what little brains the +good Lord gave me (and Oi think he moight have bin moure liberal or +ilse kape me out o' the way o' sich confusin' quistions) to troy and +foind a somethin' raisonable excuse fer bein' thare. At last Oi saw +that Oi had gained all the toime that moight be, without makin' him +angry, so Oi said the first thing that came to moy tongue. + +"'Uh! sor,' sez Oi, 'some wan's stray dawg came in at the oupen door, +so Oi came after to troy and put the baste out.' + +"'Thou lookest strangely besmeared with mud. Didst thou git that with +chasin' of the dawg?' sez he, and he oyed me loike the divil. + +"'Uh! sure, yer honour, Oi was jist a gittin off o' moy horse whin Oi +saw the baste inter,' sez Oi. + +"'And whare moight you have bin on thoy horse?' sez he. + +"'Whoy, upon his back, sor,' sez Oi. + +"'Nay, nay,' sez he, 'Oi mane from whare didst thou roide to-day, fer +from thoy looks thou hast bin beyond the city gates?' + +"'Yis, yer honour,' sez Oi, 'thou hast found me out; but Oi pray thee +do not report me to moy master, whin he returns.' + +"'And who is thoy master?' sez he. + +"'Sor Walter Bradley, and it playze yer honour,' sez Oi. + +"Now methought, sor, that this would put him off the scint; fer by the +close way he quistioned me Oi filt sure he must be on it. But whin Oi +mintioned thoy name, sor, he wint into a divil of a timper, indade he +did, yer honour. And thin he turned on me and called me sich avil +names as made it hard fer me to hould back moy hand from brakin' the +head o' the spalpeen; fer indade, sor, he is no gintlemin, with all his +foine airs, and knoight though he be." + +"And what said he of me?" I asked. "Surely he had a bad word for me." + +"Uh! yer honour, Oi would not repate his insults fer the wourld. +Indade its ashamed o' moysilf Oi am fer not crackin' his skull with moy +fist, fer what he said o' thee. The raison Oi did not, was because Oi +feared to do it without thoine order. Do but say the wourd and he is a +corpse, sor." + +"No, do the knave no harm, Michael; for it should but cause thy death. +Indeed thou art right, he is a disgrace to knighthood; still, he is a +friend of my Lord Hastings, whose vengeance would fall on thee." + +"Sure methinks his lordship should thank me fer riddin' him o' sich a +noosance," said Michael, with a shrug of his shoulders which clearly +showed his contempt for Catesby. + +"But did he question thee any further?" I asked. + +"Did he quistion me anny further, yer honour? Hivins, sor! Oi should +think he did that same," said Michael with a force that left no room +for doubt in my mind. + +"'Uh!' sez he, whin he had stopped his foul talk about thee, sor; 'Oi +belave thou hast jist ridden from Northampton, thou villain,' sez he; +as though he had anny roight to call an honest man a villain, But +thin, mayhap he gits other folks mixed up with hissilf, whin he gits +excoited loike," added Michael with prodigious solemness. + +I was compelled to laugh, despite the anxiety I felt about this matter. + +"'Northampton?' sez Oi, in surprise loike, as though Oi had nivir heard +o' sich a place. + +"'Didst thou not roide from Ludlow to Northampton with the King?" sez +he. + +"'From whare, sor?' sez Oi. + +"'From Ludlow, thou stoopid varlet,' sez he; and he raised his hand as +though he filt loike hittin' me a blow on the ear. + +"'Uh! yer honour,' sez Oi, 'it's makin' sport o' poor common souldier +thou art doin'. Hivin knows, sor, whare that place ye spake o' may be; +but fer moy part, yer honour, Oi nivir heard o' it afore.' + +"'Oi know not what to make o' thee,' sez he, after he had stood a +starin' at me whoilst a man moight brathe about the quarter o' a score +o' toimes. + +"'Mither-o'-Gawd!' sez Oi, a prayin' loike, 'dount lit him make me into +anny thing loike hissilf.'" + +This was too much for Harleston. He lay doubled up in his chair like a +wizzled leaf in the fall of the year, and shaking as though the leaf he +resembled was an aspen. He made no sound, but I could see it was all +that he could do to refrain from bursting forth into one roar. + +"Go on, Michael," said I, when I had somewhat recovered myself; for I +too was bursting with pent up laughter, "What did he then say?" + +"Uh! sure sor, he saw that Oi was but a poor fool, and that he could +not git anny news out o' me, so he shrugged his shoulders loike a +damned Frinchmin and walked on. But still he kipt alookin' back as +though he didn't know whither to belave me or not." + +"Ah, Michael, thou art indeed a true soldier and a faithful servant. +From this time forth I do desire thee to attend me as my squire. In +field of battle, or in the lists, do thou attend me; for well do I know +that a truer heart or a stronger arm in England there is not." + +"Thou art right, Bradley," said Harleston, with a hearty warmth, "and +hadst thou not made this man the offer that thou hast just made I would +have asked him to serve me." + +Poor Michael stood speechless before us. First would he look at me, +and then to my friend. He could not speak his thanks in words; but he +did it with such an eloquence by his looks as had been more than +sufficient, even had I done him the greatest favour in my power. But I +believe to this day that I could not have better pleased him had I been +the King and made him my Lord High Chancellor. + +"But, sor," said Michael, when he had somewhat recovered himself, and +knelt and, despite mine efforts to prevent him, kissed my hand, "Oi 'am +not wourthy o' sich an honour. Sure, sor, Oi can lay on a hard blow +and sich loike, but as fer attindin' on a gintlemin, in a proper way +loike, uh! bad luck to me, Oi'd be but a disgrace to thee, sor." + +"Come, come, Michael, thou must not be too modest," said I. + +"Remember this advice that now I give thee," said Harleston. "If thou +wouldst rise in this world that is filled with the gusts of +opportunities do not let modesty nor fear close up thy wings of +advantage. But spread them rather, that they may catch these eddying +gusts, and thou be borne upon them to the heights of greatness." + +Michael stood and stared at Harleston, with his mouth open, for a +breathing space. Then said he in surprise:--"But, yer honour, divil a +wing have Oi to moy name, and Oi dount want thim jist yit, seein' that +one must go through purgatory ere he begins to grow thim." + +Evidently Harleston's speech was beyond the depth of Michael's +understanding. + +"Uh! sor," said he, when he had expressed his opinion of the wings of +advantage, "Oi was about to finish about Sor William whin yer honours +spoke to me so koindly. + +"What, was there more?" + +"Thare was, sor. Oi walked down the hall till Oi came to a corner, +and, as he had koind o' made me inquisitive loike, by his quistioning +o' me so close, Oi jist stipped around the corner and stopped to look +back to see whare he wint, sor." + +"Yes, and where did he go?" I asked with interest. + +"Sure, sor, he wint straight up to the door whare the ladies came out +o', and he stops thare, sor, and he looks back to see if thare was anny +one behoind him loike. Will, sor, Oi was out o' soight by the toime +his eyes had rached the place whare Oi was hidin'. Whin Oi looks out +agin he was not thare; but the ladies' door was open." + +"Death and damnation!" I almost shrieked. Then turning to +Michael:--"Go on, go on!" I cried. + +"He was ounly in fer the space o' whoilst ye moight brathe about a half +a score o' toimes, thin out he comes, with a koind o' disappintment on +his face. + +"'Must be in the park,' sez he, as he started fer the door. 'Damned if +she'll escape me this toime.' + +"Oi gits out as fast as moy long legs could carry me. But Oi waited +outsoide and saw him go into the park, astrollin' along at his aise +loike. + +"As soon as he had got out o' soight Oi takes after him, afollowin' the +same path that he took. He wint all over the houle damned place, +alookin' here and alookin' thare, as though he ixpicted to foind some +wan. Mither-o'-Gawd! sor, had the ladies bin thare he'd o' found some +wan behoind him afore anny harm could o' come to thim fair craters; +fer, yer honour, avin though he be a knoight, Oi'd not trust him as far +as Oi could throw him with a browken arm." + +"Thou art right there," said Harleston; "he hath fallen to the lowest +depths, and needs must soon be called upon to answer for his conduct." + +"Fallen! Harleston; dost thou say fallen?" I cried; "Why, the dog hath +never been aught but what he is. 'Tis but the influence that he hath +obtained with Lord Hastings that is now lending him more audacity." + +"Will, sor," continued Michael, when again I told him to proceed with +his story, "he discouvered not the ladies in the park. Thin, yer +honour, he starts back, and it did give me the divil o' a toime to kape +out o' soight o' the varmint. Jist as he come in soight o' the court +yard he yills out as though some wan had struck him with a dagger--bad +luck that some wan didn't--'What the divil manes this?' sez he, so loud +that Oi could hear him, and he starts off at a run, as though the houle +Palace was afoire. + +"'Uh! murther!' sez Oi, and Oi takes after him. + +"Whin Oi came close enough, Oi saw the Quane, Gawd bliss her, and all +o' the Princesses, and the little Dooke o' York and his Hoighness, the +Marquis o' Dorset, and the Lady Hazel and the Lady Mary, and thare was +a strong body o' souldiers walkin' all around thim and protictin' thim +loike. + +"Sor William stood alookin' after thim as they wint across the yard, +and all the whoile he was standin' he was acursin' and aswearin' as +will as a bitter man moight. + +"Oi lift him astandin' thare whoilst Oi wint and took care o' moy horse. + +"Whin Oi came back near the place whare he had bin, Hivin hilp me if he +wasn't still astandin' thare, with his head down, alookin' at his fate! +"'Uh!' sez he, as Oi came within ear-shot o' his tongue, 'the Dook will +give me the divil fer this. It must have bin that knave o' an +Oirishman that brought her the news o' her brother's and son's fate. +It would not be so bad if they hadn't taken little York,' sez he, still +atalkin' to hissilf, though he ought to be ashamed o' hissilf fer +spakin' to sich a knave. + +"Thin Oi thought it was toime fer me to git out o' soight, as he moight +not loike to be caught atalkin' to hissilf loike--and Oi dount blame +him a bit nather. So Oi jist gits behoind the gate that goes down that +soide alley, and Oi waits fer anny thing more that's comin'. + +"'Bradley shall pay for this,' sez he; 'he must be the wan which hath +warned the Quane,' sez he. 'Oi had bitter go and till Hastin's,' sez +he, after he had agin stood soilent fer some toime. 'Oi wounder what +Lord William will think o' Richard's plan.' + +"'If it's wan that thou dost agray with,' sez Oi to moysilf, the same +as Sor William sez to hissilf, 'and he be an honest man, he'll have a +damned poor opinion o' it,' sez Oi. + +"Thin Sor William goes on agin, amumblin' to hissilf, so that Oi could +hardly hear him. 'If he knows what is good fer him he'll agray with +Dook Richard, and lind him his support. Still,' sez he, after stoppin' +agin, 'if Hastin's was remouved loike Oi moight some day be the +Chancellor moysilf,' sez he, and he straightens hissilf up and rached +up into the air as though he was a-tryin' to catch a floy, though +agoin' so slow that anny smort baste, loike a floy, could git away +afore he got within soight o' it. Thin, whin he thought he had +whativir he was after, he straightins his arm out to the houle o' its +lingth, and houlds it thare, with his head athrown back, as though he +was his Houliness the Pope at Rome. + +"'Ah! wilth, power, and ivirythin',' sez he, and he smoiled loike the +divil. + +"'Ah! Bradley, thoy toime is drawin' short. Whin Oi till Richard the +part that thou hast takin aginst him methinks Oi see thoy head upon the +block, whare Rivers', Grey's and Vaughan's soon shall be.' + +"Lord, sor, Oi did have the divil's own toime to kape from killin' the +murtherin' spalpeen! + +"Whin he had finished his big talk he started off, and had his sarvant +git his horse ridy, and he sits out fer somewhare as though the divil +hissilf was at his hales--and its moysilf that am thinkin' he's in the +varmint's heart. + +"Oi thin waited with fear and trimblin' fer yer honour to return, and +as soon as Oi saw thee come to thoy rooms Oi followed thee at once, +sor, that Oi moight warn thee not to trust that knave, who is full, +intoirely, of all that belongs to Hill, as is plainly seen by his mane +lookin' face." + +When Michael had finished his somewhat lengthy, yet to me the +interestingest story that I might hear, both Harleston and I sat for +some time without speaking. At length I addressed Michael. "Thou hast +done better than I could have wished for, and indeed thine information +is of the greatest use to me. I cannot thank thee, nor repay thee, +sufficiently for this service; but if I fall not into the snares of +this scheming villain thou shalt lack for naught that is in my power to +give thee." + +"Uh! sor, thou hast given thanks that Oi do not desarve; for Oi have +but done my dooty to moy master. But Oi till thee this, sor,--In case +annything should go amiss with thee, through that spalpeen, Oi hare +take moine oath that Oi'll have the loife o' that varmint fer it." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +MY DANGEROUS POSITION + +"Well, Harleston," said I, after Michael had left us, "here is the +position in which I now find myself placed. Methinks thou wilt agree +with me when I say that my prospects are anything but of the brightness +of the sun. + +"The Queen hath fled from her home and hath taken refuge in a Sanctuary +for reason of her fear of Gloucester. The young King, her son, is in +the power of the man from whom she hath fled. Catesby, who is +evidently in the service of Richard, hath good reason for his belief +that I warned the Queen and thus have been the cause of her taking +refuge. Richard hath some scheme in hand, the object of which we know +not. The death of Rivers, Grey and Vaughan, is evidently decided upon +merely because they are friends to the Queen. Gloucester is bent on +gaining possession of the King's little brother, for what purpose we +know not. What chance then have I of escaping the tusks of the boar?" +asked I, when I had finished this somewhat gloomy list of facts. + +"My dear friend," replied Harleston, "however strange it may sound, I +must say methinks thou hast naught to fear from Catesby's telling to +Richard the part thou hast played in connection with the Queen's +flight." + +"Why?" I asked in surprise. + +"For this reason," replied my friend, "Catesby was evidently instructed +to prevent any messages from reaching the Queen, else why should he so +question Michael, and, when speaking to himself, say that Richard would +give him the devil when he should learn of the Queen's flight?" + +"Well?" I asked, "and what hath that to do with removing the danger +from me?" + +"This," replied my friend in his quiet yet most impressive manner. +"Thinkest thou that Catesby would dare to tell Gloucester that he did +permit a common soldier to carry a message unto the Queen, when he +should have prevented it? No," said he answering his own question, "it +is more likely that he would attribute the warning to Dorset, over whom +he could have no control, and therefore could not be blamed for +allowing him to warn the Queen." + +"That may be so," I cried. "And if it be, why then I still may wear my +head; for if Catesby doth tell Richard I feel a tickling in the back of +my neck which tells me it then must needs be severed." + +"However," said Harleston, "thou art not by any means out of danger. +Remember this," he continued; "some one must have warned Dorset. +Catesby may suggest that thou wert the man which sent the news to him." + +"Then the danger is as great as ever!" I cried in disappointment. +"Come, come, Harleston, thou art becoming as bad as Michael, with thy +surprises and disappointments. Why didst thou raise my hopes only to +dash them again to earth and crush them like an egg?" This I said with +a forced smile; for I tried to accept the inevitable with a philosophy +that I was far from feeling. + +"No," said my friend, with a grave face, "I think thy danger is not +great; for though Catesby may cause Richard to suspect thee of being +the cause of the Queen's flight, he cannot prove it without showing +neglect of duty on his part." + +"Thou art right, my friend," said I, as I grasped his hand and shook it +warmly. "Truly, I know not what I could do without thine advice. + +"But tell me this," I said, as I remembered the incident in the Council +room. "What did Catesby whisper to Lord Hastings that made the +Chancellor frown on us?" + +"Nay, nay, my friend," said Frederick, laughing, "thou must not think +that I can read the thoughts of people." Then he added more +seriously:--"'Tis like he did but tell Lord William that he suspected +thee of being connected with Dorset in the warning of the Queen." + +"Yes, that must have been it. How clear thou dost make everything, +Harleston. I would that I could look on life as calmly, and think more +ere I act. Now who but a prophet could have foreseen any danger in +informing the Queen of her friends' arrest: yet," I added, "I thank God +for having permitted me to succeed in doing it, even though I lose my +head for having done it." + +"Thou must not give me credit for having foreseen any danger in sending +a message by the hand of a servant; for Heaven knows I had no idea that +their plan was so complete as to take precautions to prevent the Queen +from being warned." + +"Still, thou didst think it might be dangerous for me to come myself to +Westminster; therefore, something must have told thee that they did not +wish the Queen to know of her brother's and her son's arrest." + +"Yes," he replied, "but thou dost give me credit that belongs not to +me. The only danger I foresaw was the affront it might give +Gloucester. I did not for one moment think that they would dare to +intercept a message to the Queen." + +"Well, Frederick," said I, "thou seest now that they dare do anything. +When Richard even threatens to take the little Duke from his Mother, by +force, and that when they are in the Sanctuary, which has ever been +considered too holy for force to be used upon it, we need not be +surprised at any move his Highness makes. Harleston, thy prophecy is +being fulfilled." + +"When did I make a prophecy?" asked my friend. + +"Dost thou not remember when first we met, and thou didst say that +Richard, if he were ever made Protector, would be revenged upon those +who did oppose him?" + +"Ah, yes, I do remember me; but since that night my mind and body have +been so occupied that I have not noticed my prediction reaching its +fulfilment. However," he continued, "but part of it, and that the +minor one, is now being played. If this part lasts not too long we +shall live to see the last and bloodiest of the prophecy. Do but, look +back over the history of our race and thou shalt see, wherever a man of +Richard's character--if ever such there has been--came into a position +of power he shone out with the brilliancy of a star. But the star they +all resembled was a falling one, and left a trail of blood behind it, +as it tumbled from its height." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +AT THE SANCTUARY + +That night my sleep was troubled with strange and fantastic dreams. I +know not how many different forms these delusions took; but through all +these tormenting and hideous scenes, in which I seemed to be playing a +troubled part, there was one person present which ever prevented the +final calamity from falling upon my head. No sooner was I saved from +certain destruction in one form than the dream was changed, gradually, +and, after passing through a cloudy stage, again was I struggling +against some fearful monster. Then would this friend, the face of whom +I could not see, stretch forth a mighty arm and brush the awful +creature from my chest, where he was perched, crushing out my life. + +At last even the cords of sleep, with which I had been so securely +bound, could bear the strain no longer; so I awoke to find myself +completely worn out, from my struggles with these phantom foes. + +It was still too early for the inmates of the Palace to be stirring. + +"'Tis well that I awoke when I did," thought I; "for a double reason. +First, had I slept much longer I had surely been strangled by those +accursed monsters; and second, I now may leave the Palace, and proceed +to the Sanctuary, without fear of arousing suspicion, and therefore, of +being followed." For truly, my dears, I began to fear that I might +soon find myself in the Tower, were I to be seen having any relations +with the Queen; and I felt sure that Catesby would give his right hand +to see my headless corpse. + +I hastily dressed myself and repaired unto my friend's quarters. I had +some difficulty in arousing him without disturbing those in the +adjoining apartments; for Harleston admitted that naught but the sound +of the last trump could ever awaken him until he had finished basking +in the sunny smiles of the Goddess of Sleep. As this speech of his +came to my mind I could not help but shudder as I thought of the +treatment that faithfully-worshipped Goddess had bestowed upon me. +Instead of smiling, how cruelly had she frowned. + +At length I succeeded in drawing forth a lazy enquiry as to who I was +and what was my business. + +"Come, Harleston, bestir thyself, for the love of Heaven. Sleeping at +this time of the day? 'Tis absurd," called I, gently, through the +keyhole. + +"Ah! Walter, it is thou," said Harleston, as he opened the door. +"Heigh-ho! why, art thou completely dressed already? What hour is it?" +he asked, as he made a frantic effort to dislocate his shoulders, neck +and jaw, all at one and the same time. + +"'Tis almost sun up, and we must be stirring and proceed unto the +Sanctuary before the others do arise, that we may not be observed." + +"Ah! a good idea, Bradley. One moment and I will be with thee," he +said, as he began hastily to dress. He was soon ready, so we crossed +over. + +The Queen, her family, and the girls, were at matins when we asked to +be permitted to enter; so we were compelled to walk up and down before +the door, and bide our time as best we could until her Majesty had +finished her devotions; for at that time it was even more difficult to +obtain admittance to the Sanctuary than it had been at any other, on +account of her Majesty being within its sacred walls. + +At the end of what seemed to us an age, but what in reality must have +been but a very short space, for anxious love makes the moments into +hours, the slide in the door was pushed back and a not unpleasant voice +asked what names we might wish to send unto the Queen. + +"Sir Frederick Harleston and Sir Walter Bradley, but late returned from +Ludlow with the King, pray to be admitted to the presence of the Queen, +as we have information that is of importance to her Majesty," said I. + +Again the sliding panel was closed, and again were we compelled to +struggle with our impatient spirits. But this time it was not for +long. Presently the slide was opened to the width of a lady's hand. +To this opening was applied an eye, beautifully draped with long and +curling, dark brown lashes, through which that orb--the true +transmitter of the workings of the soul--sparkled with expectancy and +love, like a precious jewel held in a gentle shadow. And indeed what +jewel could equal it in preciousness? For it belonged to Hazel. Then +the door flew open, and we were locked in each other's arms in a +shorter space of time than one might draw a breath in. + +Seldom, if ever, had that holy house been the scene of such a meeting. +Verily, it is a wonder that we were not struck dead for daring to thus +demonstrate our love in that cold, consecrated edifice, where one is +scarce expected to draw a breath, except for the purpose of praying. +But mayhap this house had become used to unholy men, during the wars of +the white rose with the red. Be this as it may, nothing of harm befell +us for our conduct. + +"Oh! my dear, fair flower," I cried, as my lips touched her on the +forehead; "great is my joy at seeing thee, as is my sorrow that thou +shouldst be compelled to thus seek safety from those accursed +scoundrels which now surround our King." + +"Walter, dear, I think not of that, now that thou art again returned to +me. But come," she said suddenly, as she remembered my mission, "the +Queen awaits thee anxiously; so let us go to her at once. Afterwards +we may talk, as I have much to tell thee." + +"Hast thou no word for Sir Frederick?" I asked, as we started down the +corridor. + +"Ah! Sir Frederick, thou must forgive me;" said Hazel, in confusion, +"but I was so surprised and--" + +"Yes, yes," interrupted Harleston, with a smile, "I quite understand. +Indeed, Lady Hazel, thine oversight carries not with it the sting of +slight; for, under the circumstances, I had been a churl indeed to have +been offended by such a pretty show of love's one-heartedness." + +This brought a succession of crimson waves to Hazel's lovely face, +adding to its beauty as does the evening sunlight to the rose. + +"But how knowest thou so much of these things that thou dost speak of?" +she asked, as she looked up at Harleston's face with her head held to +the one side and a smile of triumph playing about her mouth. "Surely +one could not discourse so learnedly on any subject without having had +practical experience." + +Harleston was fairly taken aback; but as he attempted to stammer out +something in reply we came to her Majesty's room; so Sir Frederick was +permitted to escape Hazel's criticism of his explanation. + +We were admitted to the Queen's presence by her son, the Marquis of +Dorset, who met us at the door. + +"Ah! my friends," said he, pleasantly, "I am indeed pleasured that ye +have come. Her Majesty and I have been awaiting your arrival with +great anxiety; for we would hear from your lips the recital of that +unhappy and treacherous event which took place at Stony Stratford." + +"Yes," said the Queen, "well would I like to hear a fuller description +of that which happened to our dear relatives and friends, than was +given in your letter to me, or rather to Hazel," she corrected. + +Harleston here left me to be spokesman, whilst he, by some admirable +manoeuvring, made his way unto the other end of the room, where was +sitting Mary, apparently most busily engaged in stitching upon a piece +of tapestry. Whilst faithfully I told the story of Gloucester's +treachery, which I have already put down, and therefore need not +repeat, my friend approached Mary, who appeared not to see him until he +stood before her. I say she appeared to not see him; and yet this is +not exactly correct. I should say she tried to appear to have not seen +him. But what then caused that hand of lily whiteness so gently to +tremble, like an aspen leaf? And that bosom of Venus' mould to rise +and fall so quickly, if it were not that the heart beneath had buried +in its core the fire-pointed arrow shot by that lovely tyrant, Cupid, +with such unerring accuracy as had put Robin Hood to shame? + +When at length she did look up it was with the pleasant smile with +which she would greet a friend from whom she had parted but an hour +before. Evidently Mary was becoming more timid, and using the greater +care to conceal her feeling the more hopelessly she felt herself +entangled in love's silken meshes. As is ever the case with those of +proud spirit, when they are fairly trapped, they play the indifferent, +to conceal their real feelings from the eyes of their captors, or the +curious. However, ere I had finished the telling of the tale to the +Queen, Mary had changed her manner as she would a garment, and stood +before Harleston, looking up in to his face, as though drinking in his +every word. I know not what was the tale he was unfolding; but of one +thing I am certain, and that is, it was not the same as I was telling +to the Queen. This could I see by the expression upon Mary's face, +which reflected nothing if not pleasure. + +When I had finished with my story, the Queen, in her gentle look, +thanked me for the service. "But oh! Sir Walter, I have yet greater +trouble than the fate of those at Pomfret," said her Majesty, after +sitting with folded hands and gazing with fixed eyes into vacancy. + +"Yes, madam, and what may be worse than the evil fate of those we +love?" I asked, though I knew full well what would be her answer. + +"Yestere'en," she said, "Cardinal Bouchier, accompanied by the Bishop +of York, came here to see me. When admitted the Cardinal fawned, as is +his custom, and with oily tongue informed me that my late husband's +hump-backed brother desired my little Prince, the Duke of York, to be +permitted to attend his brother's coronation. + +"'Go back to him that sent thee and say that the Queen, the little +Prince's mother, hath the Duke of York in her own keeping, where he +prefers to be, instead of with his uncle.' + +"'But, madam,' said the Bishop, 'the little King desires to have his +brother with him, that he may not be lonely.' + +"'He should be permitted to come and tell his mother so, instead of +resting as a prisoner, the which mayhap he is," I replied. + +"'Nay, madam, truly,' said the Bishop, 'it is the King's own will that +doth not permit him to come and see your Majesty.' + +"'And why, sir, may I ask?' Then, without waiting for his answer, I +continued:--'Ah yes, I understand. His Highness, the Protector, hath +poisoned the boy's mind against his mother. A fit act for his Royal +Highness.' + +"'No, madam, I am sure that thou dost wrong the Duke, who is filled +with all respect and love for your Majesty,' put in the Cardinal. + +"'Ay, my Lord Cardinal,' I replied, 'well hath he shown his love for me +and mine. Look at the prisoners at Pomfret, which never did offence to +Gloucester, except that the love they bore my late lamented husband and +his family hath stirred up anger in his savage bosom.' + +"'Nay, indeed, your Majesty, thou dost abuse and misjudge the Duke of +Gloucester,' said the Cardinal. 'As I understand the matter, it is +this,' he continued; 'Lord Rivers, Sir Richard Grey and Sir Thomas +Vaughan, were suspected of some plot against the King's freedom, and +Duke Richard, when he learned of it, caused these three gentlemen to be +detained until after the King is crowned, when it shall be for his +Majesty to decide whether they shall be set at liberty or no.' + +"'A pretty tale indeed is this about a plot to gain control of the +King's person,' I replied with scorn. 'My Lord Cardinal, no one knows +better than dost thou that my brother would be the last to so conspire +against my son. 'Tis but a lie, devised by that accursed Richard!' I +cried, as mine indignation began to gain ascendency over my better +reason, 'to shield his own black treason. Well do I believe, my Lord +Cardinal, that this limping villain desires but to gain control of both +my sons, that he may work his will upon them; and God, or rather the +devil, and himself do know what that may be. And be assured of this, +Master Cardinal!' I almost shrieked, to such a state of fury had this +rehearsal of my wrongs aroused me, 'I shall not permit my tender son, +the Duke of York, to fall into the hands of that traitorous cur, so +long as this Sanctuary stands to protect the gentle babe. Gloucester +hath already, through treachery, obtained control of one of my pretty +children; but so long as his mother can protect the other be thou +assured, good Cardinal, that hump-backed Gloucester shall not control +him.'" + +The Queen, as she said these words, in her excitement arose from her +chair and, standing like a statue before me, her head thrown a little +aback, her nostrils slightly distended, like those of a horse that hath +just scented fresh-spilled blood, and her whole pose bespeaking +resolution and defiance, looked like some angry Goddess about to hurl +destruction upon those which had been the cause of her anger. Verily, +my children, this was indeed a Queen. + +My soul was so filled with admiration for this noble and unfortunate +woman that I needs must kneel at her feet and kiss the hem of her gown. + +"Arise, Sir Walter," said her Majesty, tenderly; "I do not deserve such +homage. This trouble is but God's punishment for so neglecting his +commands, when I was in a position of power. Ah, my friend, sorrow +doth tame the haughty spirit and maketh us to realize that we must live +for other purposes than the fulfilment of our ambitious dreams. + +"Thou mayest think it strange in me to thus take thee into my +confidence and tell thee of my troubles. But this, I tell thee, Sir +Walter, is the reason. Thy father was ever a faithful servant and +friend of my dear husband's house; and had King Edward lived thou hadst +been raised to considerable power. Thou hast proven thy loyalty to me, +even in my trouble, when those which have received, at my hand, the +greatest honours have deserted, what seems to them, a sinking ship. +Besides all this, my soul must needs pour out its grief on some +sympathetic ear. Therefore I tell thee this story of the troubles of a +Queen which, whilst her husband lived, had scarce to express a wish, +and the policy of an empire changed as does the wind. To-day she seeks +safety for herself and family within the precincts of a Sanctuary, than +which place, where is safer? And even it is not." + +"Come, madam, thou must not yet despair," said Dorset, tenderly, as he +saw tears rushing unto his mother's eyes. "Surely Gloucester dare not +do harm to the little Duke." + +"Ah, my son," replied the Queen, "well do I know that thou dost speak +thus to lighten my heart with hopes of safety for my little Prince. + +"But Sir Walter has not yet heard all of my conversation with the +Churchmen. When I had finished my declaration that Gloucester should +not have my son, so long as Westminster would protect me," continued +the Queen, as she again took her seat, "the Cardinal, with a look of +great sorrow, which methinks was feigned--for well do I believe him to +be of Gloucester's party--again spoke:--'Then, your Majesty,' said he, +'it is only left for me to deliver the rest of the Protector's message. +Believe me, madam, I would rather have my tongue torn from my throat +than be the bearer of such a message unto your Majesty.' + +"'Come, cease thy snivelling, and deliver thy message,' said I. 'Thou +art but a lackey messenger, and therefore thou art not responsible for +aught that thy master doth say, of insult though it be.' This offence +to him mayhap was not good policy, but methinks it had made but little +difference even had I spoken in more gentle tone," said the Queen, +addressing herself to me. + +"'Well then, madam,' said the Cardinal, with a great show of offended +dignity; though how he came by it I know not, 'hear the complement of +the Lord Protector's message. In case thou dost still persevere in +thine obstinate refusal to deliver the young Duke into the hands of his +duly appointed guardian, his Royal Highness, the Duke of Gloucester, +his aforesaid Royal Highness, the Protector, by this act of thine, and +by no desire or willingness of his, must needs obey the wishes of the +King and take the aforesaid little Prince from this place by force; +which act, in any other case than this, shouldst be a sacrilege, and an +offence most grievous unto Heaven.' + +"'What! tellest thou me that Gloucester dare to take from a Sanctuary +one that hath taken refuge there?' I cried. + +"'Indeed, madam, he surely will,' replied the Cardinal. + +"'And wilt thou, a Cardinal, permit such an insult to a house of God?' +I asked. + +"'Ah! your Majesty, thou dost not understand the circumstance,' he +replied, with a smile that had cost him his head, before that hump-back +came to power. + +"'And what strange circumstance, Master Cardinal, is my son placed +under, that so permits of armed force, without the fear of God's +indignation, to take him from a Sanctuary?' I asked. + +"'It is this,' he replied. 'Your son, the Duke of York, is of too +tender years to be, and in fact is not, guilty of any offence. +Therefore he hath not the right of Sanctuary, which right, according to +the strict interpretation of the rules of Holy Church, belongs solely +to those standing in the fear of our Country's laws. This rule,' he +continued, as though he shamed to say the words, 'Duke Richard will see +fit to resort to, in case your Majesty should be obstinate.' + +"'And in this hath he thine approval and help?' I cried. + +"'Nay, madam,' he replied, 'I am but the lackey messenger, and +therefore am far beneath the honour of being consulted in this matter.' + +"'Leave me, thou insolent cur!' I cried; 'How darest thou to stand +before my face and mock me? A pretty servant of God art thou, to side +with one who hath the position of power, against what thou knowest to +be right. Be assured, sirrah, that thou shalt be reported to thy +master, the Pope at Rome, for thy disgraceful conduct in thus seconding +a powerful villain against a defenceless woman. Now leave me, thou +knave, and tell that slave of Hell, the Lord Protector, to send to me +to-morrow, and he shall have mine answer, as to whether he shall have +my little son or no!' + +"Then, sir, he left me," said her Majesty, quietly, as she heaved a +great sigh, as though even the memory of this Churchman's departure +were a relief to her. "But here's the day come around when I must give +my final answer to Gloucester's messenger;" she continued, "and which +it is to be I am not yet determined. If I do refuse to hand my dear +son over to the boar, he, verily do I believe, will carry out his +threat, and tear him rudely from me. 'Twas with the thought of getting +advice from thee--for thou hast had good opportunities for observing +the hump-back's habits lately--as to what course I had best take, that +I did so anxiously await your coming." + +"Ah, madam," I replied, "thou dost honour me over much by asking advice +of one which hath had so little experience. Yet, since thou hast so +honoured me, I needs must tell the truth. Therefore do I say this:--My +natural impulse is to offer what resistance thou canst, in case the +Duke doth make use of force. Yet, what little of the cooler stream of +reason I have within my blood doth tell me how vain must be the effort +to save the little Prince from falling into the Protector's hands, +backed as that villain is by such powers as the nobles that surround +him. + +"Now, shouldst thou grant the Duke's request and hand the little Prince +over to his Highness, his position could not be worse than it now is, +granting of course, that the Duke of Gloucester dare to carry out his +threat, which, I am sad to say, I fear he would not hesitate to do. +Then, if thou dost decide to oppose force by force, the result of +which, unhappily, must be a victory for the Protector, the little +Prince might not receive the same consideration that he should were he +to go to his uncle peaceably." + +"Ah, yes, Sir Walter, thou art right," replied the Queen; "yet I had +hoped to hear that my tender babe had still a chance of escaping the +tusks of the bloody boar." + +"May I crave thy pardon, madam?" said Harleston, who had approached +whilst the Queen was speaking. "Methinks I have a plan which, if thou +hast time to carry it out, may yet keep the little Prince from falling +into the hands of his uncle." + +"Let me hear it, for the love of Heaven!" cried the Queen, to whom any +suggestions of a chance of saving her son from Gloucester was as a +voice from Heaven. + +"Well, madam, it is this," continued Harleston. "With all expediency +let thy son be conducted from this place, without the knowledge of the +Duke of Gloucester. No doubt my Lord of Dorset knows of some place, +either within the kingdom or across the channel, where the little +Prince need have no fear of falling into the Protector's hands." + +"Now, by my soul, that is well thought of!" cried the Marquis, as, in +his delight, he slapped Frederick on the shoulder. + +"Oh! I thank thee, sir, for those words of hope!" cried the Queen as +she started from her seat and, in her excitement, grasped my friend by +the hand, as though he were an equal. + +Frederick dropped to his knee and touched her fingers gently with his +lips. + +"But come, we must make haste!" said her Majesty, "and have my little +son away from here before Gloucester doth send hither for him. Do thou +go, my son," said she, speaking to the Marquis, "and assemble as many +of thy followers as thou canst, whilst I prepare young Richard for the +flight." + +"Again, madam, may I crave permission to offer a suggestion?" +interrupted Harleston. + +"Indeed I long to hear what thou hast to say," replied the Queen. "And +if thine advice shall be as good this time as it was last much +unquietness of spirit shall it save me." + +"Then, madam," said my friend, "I would advise that thou shouldst send +no other than my Lord of Dorset, to escort the little Prince. Were he +to be surrounded by a body of armed men he needs must attract +attention, and therefore could easily be followed. But, madam, if he +goeth unattended, except for one gentleman, no curiosity will be +aroused, and then he will leave no trail behind, that may guide his +pursuers, in case the Duke of Gloucester has him searched for, which +'tis like he will." + +"Again art thou right," replied the Queen. "And yet," she said, as a +troubled expression came into her face, "it likes me not to send my +little son so far, without a stronger guard." + +"Still, mother, Sir Frederick's plan is safer than if we took a +regiment," put in Dorset. "Besides," he continued, "I promise thee +that no harm shall come unto my little brother so long as I can wield a +sword. And be assured, good mother, that every drop of my heart's +blood shall be spilled ere Gloucester shall wrench him from me." + +"Cold comfort for a mother," said the Queen, with a sad smile. "Then, +if I lose one son, I must needs lose another. But come," she said +suddenly, "whilst we talk here precious moments, which might be used in +flight, are passing by. Go, my son, and make thee ready with all speed +for thy journey, whilst I go to prepare thy little brother." + +She followed Dorset from the room, and we were left with the girls, +alone. + +Then it was that Hazel told me of the happenings at court whilst I was +absent therefrom. + +The Queen was not long gone. When she returned she was accompanied by +her little son, the Duke of York. He was fully dressed for the road. + +"Mother, I do not like to leave thee," said he, as they entered. + +"Nay, my darling, no more do I desire thee to go," returned his mother, +tenderly. "But, Richard, my pet," she continued, "thou goest with thy +brother, so thou needst not to be lonely. Besides, thou shalt not be +for long separated from us--I hope," she added. + +"But wilt thou follow me shortly, mother dear?" + +"I hope to soon be with thee, Richard," replied his mother. Then, as +the boy began to cry, she said:--"come, my little man, thou must show +thyself to be the true son of a King. Be brave, and do as thy mother +doth direct thee; then I shall be proud of my little son." + +This had the desired effect upon the proud spirit of his noble father, +that was so easily discernible in this young offshoot of the proud +house to which he belonged. + +At this moment Dorset entered, fully equipped and ready for the road. + +The Queen took the Marquis, Harleston and me, to the far end of the +room, leaving the little Duke with Hazel and Mary, from whom he seemed +most sad to part. + +"Thou hast not yet told me where thou art taking Richard," said her +Majesty, in a low voice, to Dorset. + +"Nay, mother, that have I not," replied he; "for the reason that I yet +know not what place of safety can be reached the most easily; and +besides I do think it best that no fixed place should be set. When I +have come unto some shelter, I shall leave my little brother in good +hands, and return again to thee." + +"Methinks that thy plan is a good one," said his mother, after a pause; +"but what thinkest thou of it, Sir Frederick?" she asked, as she turned +to her new-found counsellor. + +"In my poor opinion," replied Harleston modestly, "it is the only +course left open. However, methinks 'twere best to put the channel +betwixt the little Prince and his uncle, the Protector; for well do I +believe that he will have all England searched, so anxious is he, +madam, to obtain possession of your son." + +"Fear not;" said Dorset, "Gloucester must search with great diligence, +indeed, if he be to find the little Duke. But come," he continued, "we +must take to the road at once, lest we be interrupted by foul Richard's +messenger." + +'Twas a sad sight for the eye to gaze on, that parting of the Queen and +her little son. As her Majesty clasped the child in her gentle arms, +and pressed him to her heart, the strong love of the mother struggled +with the cold dignity of the Queen, that had been worn to bind down +that ruler of the world--love--and, as is ever the case, love +conquered, and the mother sobbed aloud. + +"Richard, my dearest treasure, no matter what may happen to thee, +always remember thy mother and this, her advice," said the Queen, as +her tears fell fast. "Be brave, but gentle, proud, but not haughty, +firm, but not obdurate, generous, but not prodigal, and above all," she +concluded, as she released the Duke from her protecting arms, "forget +not to revenge any wrong that may be inflicted upon any of your family. +That is Heaven's especial favour to the son of a King. Yea, 'tis even +a command." + +[Illustration: "Always remember thy mother and this, her advice."] + +"But why, good mother, dost thou speak as though I never more might see +thee?" asked the poor child, as he struggled vainly to restrain his +tears, and show his courage. + +"Nay, my dear, thou dost not understand my words. I did but mean that +thou shouldst leave me with a full store of advice to help thee through +the world; for no one can foresee what may happen to us ere thou dost +again join us. Of course we trust that all things will be well, but, +in these times, who but a prophet can foresee that which may happen +within the next revolution of the sun." + +Then, after bidding their sisters and us all farewell, Dorset and young +Richard made their exit and departure from the Sanctuary, by an +unfrequented way, that they might avoid the danger of being seen by +eyes to which they might be known. + +As Dorset placed the boy upon his palfrey the child gave way +completely, and, turning to his mother, with outstretched arms, a world +of sadness in his tear-dimmed eyes, he cried out, like the wail of a +soul but new-condemned to an eternity of woe:--"Oh! mother dear, send +me not from thee. Let me abide with thee and with my sisters; for now +I feel within my bosom here something that maketh me to feel that if I +leave thee now I ne'er shall see thee more!" + +"Nay, nay, my dearest, God, the King of Kings, will not be so cruel. +He will again unite those which truly love him and keep his +commandments. Break not one of these by not obeying thy mother. Go +with thy brother, my dear, and thus escape the danger that here must +soon o'ertake thee, if thou dost tarry. Go, go! our prayers follow +thee, and may God protect thee and still have thee in his keeping!" + +Dorset seized the palfrey's rein and started on his journey. The Queen +mother stood gazing after them, and her lips still muttered prayers. +Soon they were lost to view, as they turned a corner in the path. + +As the Queen slowly re-entered the Sanctuary the bell from the chapel +began to toll for some poor soul whose body was about to be returned to +mother earth, to be the food of worms. As the bell rang out, like a +soul-rending cry of anguish, the Queen started as though she had been +stabbed. "A bad omen," I heard her mutter, as she leaned upon mine arm. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +RICHARD TRIUMPHS + +When Gloucester discovered how he had been duped by the Queen his +feelings can better be imagined than described. However, he was too +clever a man, by far, to show his disappointment openly, or even to let +the world know that he had been outwitted. He had the audacity to have +the statement quietly circulated, in such a manner as to give to each +person the impression that he was the trusted possessor of a state +secret, that an attempt had been made to abduct the Duke of York, but +that it had miscarried. "Therefore," said the Duke's friends, "it has +become necessary for the Lord Protector, in the proper fulfilment of +his duties of the high office with which the people have honoured him, +to take every precaution to prevent another attempt of the same kind +from being more successful." + +"Yea," said the gossips, who were no doubt paid by the Protector, "'tis +even feared that the King himself may be the object of their next +attempt. Therefore the good Lord Protector, in his wisdom, and by +reason of his great solicitude for the safety of the King--his lord and +master--hath deemed it best that both the young King and his little +brother, the Duke of York, be placed in safety, within the strong walls +of the noble Tower that Cæsar,--though a heathen, was yet no doubt the +instrument of God,--laid the foundations of. And, unquestionably, the +Lord foresaw just such a necessity for such a strong place of safety +when he compelled that ancient pagan to thus work for his ends." + +When my friend and I heard this news, my children, our hearts were +indeed sad. Remember, my dears, we knew not whether the statement that +the little Duke had been taken by Gloucester were true or no. At first +we thought it but a device of Gloucester's to hold the confidence of +the people; but upon more careful consideration we came to the +conclusion that even the Protector could scarcely have the audacity to +thus risk the consequences of such a deception being discovered, which, +according to the rules of all common sense, it must in time be. This +conclusion in no wise served to relieve our feelings of disappointment +and sorrow, on the Queen's account. We could not help but feel in some +measure responsible for the revenge of Gloucester for the attempt made +by the Queen to have her son escape him; for such we considered the +confinement of the Princes to the Tower. + +However, on the day following the King's removal to the prison we again +visited the Sanctuary, or rather some of its inmates, and were rejoiced +to learn that the Queen had received a letter from Dorset, which +informed her of the successful manner in which they had escaped, not +only capture, but even suspicion. Consequently we found the Queen in a +most happy state of mind. This contentment was doomed to be short +lived, for we were reluctantly compelled to inform her of her son's +imprisonment and of the reports circulating about the Duke of York's +attempted abduction. + + * * * * * + +However, we had no great time in which to wonder what was Gloucester's +object in thus causing the young King to be placed under restraint, and +the report to be circulated that his brother kept him company. + +The next news to startle the court, and cause consternation among the +friends of the Queen and exultation in the ranks of her adversaries, +was the condemnation of the three unhappy prisoners at Pomfret--Rivers, +Grey and Vaughan. + +Again was it our unhappy duty to be the bearers of this most heavy news +to that poor woman of woe, the unfortunate wife of the great Edward. + +"What new sorrow do ye bring me now; for well do I know that +countenances painted thus heavy with the brush of sadness must be but +the dark covers to another book of woe?" said her Majesty, as my friend +and I, whose sole duties now seemed to be the bearing of heavy news, +were shown into her presence. + +"Uncommon bad news we bring, madam;" I replied; "yet it is such as we +might all have expected, and therefore do I hope that your Majesty may +bear it better than thou couldst have done had it been unexpected." + + * * * * * + +When we had finished the relation of this latest tale of Richard's +vengeance on the faithful to the Queen her Majesty seemed stupefied +with grief. She sat as one who hath just received a heavy blow with +the flat side of a sword,--dazed and benumbed and still incapable of +raising protest against the causer of the pain. Then with her hand she +feebly tried to brush away from before her eyes some cloud that did +obstruct her vision. A look of hopeless resignation then settled on +her features, and two silent tears ran slowly down her cheeks. A heavy +sigh, like the parting of a soul from its earthy home and comrade, +escaped her, and she asked in a voice in which was nothing but the tone +of resigned indifference:--"When do they die?" + +"This day, madam; even now." + +"I had scarce looked for such expediency," she remarked, without the +least emotion. + +"What do ye think Gloucester's intentions may be with regard to my son, +the King?" she asked in that unnatural voice. + +"Oh, madam," I replied, glad at last to be able to tell her something +not unhappy, "even now the Counsellors are met within the Tower to +decide upon the coronation of his Majesty." + +"And doth Lord Hastings there attend?" + +"He does, madam." + +"And the Protector, I presume?" + +"Ay, madam, the Duke of Gloucester seems bent on having his Majesty's +coronation take place at once; and therefore, at least so says report, +he doth attend in person that his presence there may urge the +Counsellors to set an early day for the ceremony; 'For,' say the +Protector's confidants, 'the Duke desires to have the weight of full +responsibility, that now rests upon his shoulders, in a considerable +measure lightened.' But, madam," I added, "it is for thee to judge the +weight of these reports." + +"Hastings," said her Majesty, without taking any apparent note of my +remark, "though he doth dislike me much, still, methinks, is loyal to +my son, if for no other reason than for the favours the boy's father +showed him, even against my pleasure." + +Then, after sitting silent whilst one might tell an hundred, she spoke +out suddenly, as though she thought aloud:--"Surely his uncle dare not +harm my pretty Edward! Oh, no! not while my little Richard doth remain +to be his avenger," she added, with a smile of satisfaction. + +The Queen had evidently forgot the presence of her woeful messengers, +so absorbed was she in her deep train of thought. + +"A pleasant thing it is indeed to be the widow of a King, and the +mother of a King," she said, again speaking to her heart. "Great, +powerful, respected, happy. Ha, ha, ha! Yes, respected and happy. + +"Hush! fear not; he shall not harm thee. Thou art with thy mother; and +thy mother is the Queen. We had to fly to Sanctuary before, when +Margaret had success. But look how thy father did defeat her, and +again we came to power. Thy father is the King, and a great and +gallant warrior. Again will he trample on his enemies. There, there, +fear not, all things shall be well, all things shall be well. There's +a good pet; go to sleep in thy mother's arms as thou didst years ago," +and she patted an imaginary child in the gentle, soothing way known +only to a mother. + +I glanced enquiringly at Harleston. + +He nodded. + +We walked on tip-toe to the door, and stole softly from the room. + +The sorrow of this woman was too sacred to be looked on by vulgar +mortal eyes. + +"What punishment can be severe enough to repay the causer of such woe +for his accursed acts?" I asked of my friend, when we were alone in the +room adjoining the one we had just left. + +"Fear not," he replied; "his punishment must overtake him. + +"Gloucester is clever. But no man is so clever that he can deceive the +whole world for long. 'Tis possible to do so for a time; and +Gloucester is doing it. But wait," added Harleston; "success is like +everything else in this world; each man has a certain amount allotted +to him when he begins life. If carefully husbanded, and put to a +proper use, it multiplies. But let the possessor use it in an improper +manner and the supply is soon cut off. 'Tis like the pulling of a +heavy boat through the water, by means of a slender line; if pulled +gently, and with great care, success must crown your efforts. But +attempt to force the vessel faster through the water, and the line +parts and the boat is lost. Richard is now attempting to draw in the +ship of power, laden with the cargo of sovereignty. He hath a firm +hold on the line. There are many obstacles betwixt the ship and +Gloucester. By patience, more than that possessed by mortals, these +all might be removed. But Richard, encouraged by his success in +brushing some aside, will pull harder on the line. It cannot bear the +strain of this impatient force. It breaks, and Gloucester tumbles from +his height of audacity, to be dashed to pieces on the rocks of +consequence." + +"Dost thou then think he will dare to usurp the throne, now that the +King's young brother hath escaped falling into his power?" I asked. + +"Why not?" he replied. + +"That which the Queen said methinks is true; Hastings will be loyal; +but after the example we have to-day, the execution of Rivers, Grey and +Vaughan, what may we expect from the Chancellor's influence? Were he +to oppose the Protector he might be the next to post to Heaven. No," +continued my friend, "we must not look for succour, from the tyranny of +Richard, to any source but the whole people. They, when they are all +united, have the power to force him to do right. But no single noble +is sufficiently powerful to cope successfully with Gloucester." + +"But how long must this crime and tyranny endure, ere a period be put +to them?" + +"Not long. Richard is now building a tower of crime. Such structures +are but frail houses in which to dwell. Presently a strong tempest of +popular indignation will sweep across the land; the structure must +fall, and the builder shall be crushed beneath the ruins. He is +building it in great haste; therefore it shall fall the sooner." + +Harleston spoke with such confidence, as though the whole scene had +been enacted before his eyes, that one could not help but believe him +to be right. + +Just then the girls entered. This put an end to our gloomy +conversation, for which I, for one, was glad. The close life of the +Sanctuary was now beginning to make the effects of its work visible in +the paler hues and careworn looks of the girls' faces. + +"Oh, Walter dear, I am so tired of this life of sorrow!" said Hazel, +when we had strolled to that part of the room most distant from Mary +and Frederick. + +"Yes, my fair one, and I can see no reason why thou shouldst forever +share the sorrows and burdens of others, even though they are the +troubles of those which thou lovest well. When the present situation +may change, God alone can tell. + +"Remember the promise that thou didst make, when we lived in happier +times. When our path seemed flooded with the light of Heaven. Then +came this heavy cloud, that seemeth ever to grow blacker. Let us sweep +on from beneath its chilling shadow, and let the sun of love and +happiness, as we stroll among the flowers, beneath the trees of our +joint home, drive away the troubled memories of this heart-chilling +imprisonment within the dreary walls of a Sanctuary, made yet more sad +by the unfortunate family which here takes refuge. Thou canst not help +them by thus sharing their sorrows, and it doth but make two other +souls unhappy." As I spoke these words the scene, drawn by my mind as +I paced back and forth across my room that happy night of the last ball +given by Edward at Windsor, when all my ambitions seemed about to be +realized, and yet when the first clouds were gathering, came again +clearly to my mind. I therefore waited, with the pain of expectation, +for Hazel to answer. + +When, after a short silence, in which she seemed weighing her reasons +both pro and con granting my request, her answer came, and was partly +what I had hoped to hear, and wholly what I had expected. + +"Yes, Walter, the promise that I made to thee that night, when we were +both so light of heart, and which now seemeth such a long time since, I +long to now fulfil. Yet," she continued, with a sigh, "my gratitude +for those which have ever been so kind to me doth whisper to my love +and it bids it wait, for but a little space, and show them some +sacrifice, to repay them for their kindness. Still do I promise thee," +she continued quickly, as she saw my jaw drop in disappointment, "to +wait a short time only; and if, after the King's coronation, the +condition of the Queen's family changes not, then will I ask my dear +foster-mother for her consent to our union taking place at once." + +"Wilt thou indeed?" + +"Ay, indeed; though even this I fear to be selfish in me, and looketh +as though I cared not for the troubles of my friends, when I can be +happy whilst they suffer." + +"Nay, not so," I replied, as some of the reasoning of Harleston came to +my mind. "Life is given but that it may be enjoyed. Some accomplish +this purpose in one way; some, another. Sorrow is sent but that it may +teach us how to enjoy happiness the better. We all must have our +sorrow. Some have more, and some less of this chastening agent's +presence. The reason for this I know not, unless it be that some of us +require a more severe training ere we are capable of following our +especial path in life, without straying off upon by-ways that nature +never intended we should tread. Some, I will admit, seem never to have +found their way. The consequence is, remorseless Nature, who departs +not from her laws, with stern hand of iron scourges him full hard. +Sometimes this drives him to his more fitting path; again it maketh him +to despair, and, filled with spleen and useless stubbornness, he +ploddeth on along a path not suited to his step, when there, within +reach of his sight, had he but turned his head, doth lie his own fair +way. Some few hills there are, of course; but these are suited to his +stature." + +"By my troth thou hast been changed by Frederick into a full-fledged +philosopher," laughed Hazel. "But tell me the lesson that this should +teach to me, and why I should not longer tarry with the Queen." + +"'Tis this," I replied. "Her Majesty's path is now blocked up with +obstacles. 'Tis right that thou shouldst sympathize with her, and +cheer her on. Yea, if it be within thy power to lend to her +assistance, thou art bound by the bonds of love and gratitude to give +it. Still, it is not required of thee, by either of these ennobling +masters, that thou shouldst tread her path thyself. Nay," I continued, +as I saw a look that told me I had gained my point steal o'er her face, +"'tis even wrong for thee to leave the way that Nature chose for thee +to cheer." + +"Thine eloquence hath won me from the doubt that haunted me and made me +to feel ungrateful. But truly, Walter, thou must stop thy bursts of +poetic speeches, lest in the future thy songs do change the minds of +people, and Master Chaucer's wit then be forgot," and she laughed in +mine earnest face, until I joined her in her gaiety. + + * * * * * + +When we reached the Palace imagine our surprise and horror to learn +that Lord Hastings, whilst at the meeting in the Tower, to discuss the +coronation of young Edward, had, through some thoughtless remark +dropped in the presence of Gloucester, given to that most murderous +tyrant a poor excuse for putting on a towering rage and ordering the +execution of the Chancellor. Seized as he sat at the table of the +council he was hurried, by that murderer, Tyrrell, whose list of crimes +were now being added to with lightning swiftness, to the black-stained +block within the courtyard of the Tower, and there his head was severed +from the trunk, and the bleeding trophy carried to the Duke. A fitting +meal it was, indeed, for the vengeance of such a man to feed on. + +This speech of Hastings' that had caused his soul to follow, within so +short a time, the spirits of his rivals, who met their fate at Pomfret, +served also, as I verily believe Richard had foreplanned it should, to +postpone the discussion of the young King's coronation. + +"Richard hath pulled harder on the line," said Harleston, when we had +heard the complement of the news--namely, that Lord Stanley had been +wounded, by accident, during the arrest of Hastings. "Another obstacle +hath been removed from the course of his heavy ship and cargo. The +line still bears the strain. Wait with patience and expectancy: he'll +pull again; observe the result." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +A MESSAGE IS SENT TO RICHMOND + +Harlston's statement, that the line of Richard's success must part, and +that he could not gain the ship's cargo, proved to be wrong. +Gloucester had met with success where'er he turned. + +Hastings' death had been received with but grumblings of discontent and +not, as we had hoped, with clamorous outbursts of bloody insurrection. + +Stanley, for remonstrating with Gloucester, in an attempt to save his +friend, Hastings, from his fate, was now confined within the Tower's +walls. The Archbishop of York and the Bishop of Ely here kept him +company. + +Whisperings there now were of the coronation of a different King from +Edward. Richard's full hand was now being shown to the whole broad +world. Most of those which lived at court had seen it, ere this last +card was laid upon the board. + +Rumours to the effect that young Edward's father's marriage with the +Lady Grey, the young King's mother, had been illegal now had a noble +circulation. 'Twas whispered in the court, and gossipped o'er. 'Twas +the sole story on the tradesman's lips. The urchin in the street had +heard it told, and each ear did either credit or despise the tale, that +Edward, the father of our present King, had been united by the bonds of +wedlock with the Lady Eleanor Talbot, daughter of the Earl of +Shrewsbury, previous to his union with the Lady Grey. This tale, 'tis +scarce necessary for me to say, was but one of many similar inventions +of Richard to throw discredit on the rightful Sovereign, and thus help +him to reach that awful height to which he was determined to climb. + +As my friend and I were one day passing the great Church of St. Paul, +we were attracted by a surging crowd of people trying, as best they +might, to see some poor soul who had just finished doing penance in a +sheet of white, and who now stood, in pitiful abashment, upon the +church's steps. Behold her as she stands there, an object of curiosity +and derision. Hear the coarse jests of the vulgar rabble, who, in +their delight at the sight of fallen power, hurl at her defenseless +ears all the filthy epithets in the vocabulary of the indecent. +Compare her authority of yesterday with her degradation of to-day. Not +one of those who were helped to power and greatness, by this woman, now +speak one word of sympathy or regret. Such a scene should find in Hell +more fitting surroundings for its tragic action. So could I imagine +the condemned souls revel and domineer when a Prince of Darkness hath +been reduced to a lower level. Another triumph for the Protector. +This is Jane Shore, the mistress of the late lamented Edward. +Gloucester, the better to deceive the people, and make them to believe +in his purity and religious ardour, compelled this poor woman, whose +sole crime against the state was that her Creator had given her such +beauty as to cause the amorous Edward to cast a longing eye upon +her--which, with that fiery Sovereign, was ever the prologue to a +history of a woman's loss of character--to thus do penance, draped in a +sheet, before the insulting eyes of the scum of the city's population. + +"Look at the shameless hussy standing, with bowed head, as though she +cared a hair for all this gentle penance. See how she stands, +blushing, as a properer dame might do," said a heartless wretch, +dressed in the garb of a gentleman. + +Harleston stooped and, taking up a stone, he handed it to this fellow, +with these words:--'There, my fine fellow, hurl thou this pebble at the +woman there. 'Tis much to be regretted, sir, that thou didst not live +in the days of Christ. He asked for such an one as thou to hurl the +stone at Mary Magdalene."[1] + +"And who art thou, sir, to criticise my words?" + +"A gentleman," replied Harleston with a slight bow. Then, as the +fellow stared stupidly into his face, my friend again said:--"I +suppose, sir, that thou dost not e'en comprehend the meaning of that +name. I should have used another word. This, then, is the definition +of that article with which you have no doubt often met, and still you +understand not. First, he is a man; second, his speech is courteous, +to those whose manner doth deserve such speech; third, he protects the +weak and defenceless, and doth not insult a helpless woman, as thou +this day hast done; fourth, he is possessed of a quality known by the +name of honour, the which to brush against or attempt to stain means +death to the transgressor or himself; last, and yet first above all +else, he must be brave, and not submit to insult such as thou dost +bear; and 'twould be death for one to strike a blow upon his cheek, as +I now do to thee." And, suiting the action to the word, Harleston gave +him a stinging slap upon the ear that almost caused the other to drop +upon his knees. + +My friend's judgment of the knave was right. He was, as all these +blackguards are, a coward through and through. A plenteous supply of +bluster had he, to be sure, and this he commenced to fling at +Harleston. However, he got not far in his list of compliments; for my +friend, losing all patience with this blackguarding knave, took him by +the ear, that now was the colour of a fiery sunset, and, turning him +about, he placed his knee beneath his doublet tail and hurled him upon +his hands and knees among the legs and feet of the surging crowd about. +I had never known Harleston to act thus before, and greatly was I +surprised to see him so ready to pick up a quarrel. + +When we left the crowd before the Church and continued on our way I +thought to find him still heated with his indignation. But in this I +had again misjudged this man whose brain seemed balanced with such an +exactness. He was as quiet and unruffled as though he had been but +talking with a priest about some books, of which he was most fond. + +"Strange," said he in musing tone, "that men so love to see their +fellows lowered. Why can they not mourn for their sorrows and exult +when others do succeed? Instead of doing this, they glory in another's +fall, and when the downcast tries to regain his feet, cruel and +remorseless blows are heaped upon his head, till the poor creature, +hopeless of success, lies back there where he falls, among the quick +and devouring sands of vice, or other misery. Still he sinks lower, +and, as he disappears, the sands put on their faces of harmlessness and +tempting beauty, to await another victim. And the cold world jeers at +the sufferer's dying struggles, and laughs, and he's soon forgot." + +"Why, my friend, thou art quite mournful," I remarked. + +"Nay, by my troth, mine heart was never lighter. Misunderstand me not. +The picture that my mind now draws is sad, 'tis true. But verily do I +tell thee, Bradley, mine eye enjoys the sight. What song is there so +sweet as that which telleth to our hearts a tale of woe?" + + * * * * * + +Again doth Richard triumph. The ship sails quickly through the water, +brushing aside the difficulties that would impede its progress. +Gloucester steps o'er the rail and takes possession of the cargo. + +Thus, after the disgraceful scene in the Cathedral of St. Paul, when +Doctor Shaw preached his now notorious sermon on the bastardy of young +Edward and his brother, and after the Lord Mayor and the Duke of +Buckingham had wrung from a small gathering of London's citizens an +unwilling consent to the crown being placed upon the head of Richard, +instead of on our gentle, rightful, boyish King, Richard was crowned +with great pomp and ceremony, and ruled England as the rightful heir by +birth, whilst his young nephew lay within the Tower, uncrowned, a stain +attempting to hang upon his name, and treated as a malefactor, who +should have worn the diadem of England. + +Richard's court was now removed to Crosby Place, where the boar +bedecked himself and his surroundings with all the gaudy finery, of +which he was so fond. + +Then whisperings began to circulate, to the effect that both of the +little Princes (for the people all believed that little York was also +there) had been murdered in the Tower. This tale, which soon became +general court gossip, was never contradicted by the friends of our new +King Richard, and therefore it soon came to be believed about the +court, from whence the people had it, and believed. Some said that +Tyrrell, with an order from the usurping King, went to the Tower and +took full charge thereof for but one night. That with him went three +others which, whilst the young Princes slept, smothered them to death. +This was the version most generally believed, and, to my mind, it +indeed seemeth a likely tale, in so far, of course, as it refers to +young Edward; for well did my friend and I know that little York was +far from London at that time; though where he was we knew not. We +dreaded telling to the Queen this news, and therefore waited for some +time before we again visited the Sanctuary. When at length we did go, +we were saved from again inflicting torture on this poor woman. Lord +Stanley, who had been released from his imprisonment but a few days +previous and now had been appointed to the office of Steward at the +Palace, had been there before us and told the Queen the whole sad story +of how her son had, in the night, been murdered whilst he slept. + +This time the Queen was not resigned nor stupefied. Bold determination +and a hunger for revenge were imprinted on her features. + +When I look back to those harsh, cruel days of misery for that woman, I +compare her, in my mind, with those savage tribes which dwell in that +distant land beyond the seas, discovered by that Genoese sailor. 'Twas +told to me, by Cabot and his son, that they, when injured, show but +little spleen; but with deliberation and the greatest care they plan, +with wonderous skill, some grand invention that enables them to have +revenge in the most complete and properest of ways. + +Cold and deliberate was the ex-Queen, as she informed us that she had +sent her son, Dorset (which had returned, after leaving the little Duke +of York in a Sanctuary in France) with a letter to the Earl of +Richmond, who then resided, in exile, at the court of Brittany, asking +him to take up arms in her cause, and his own, and fight King Richard, +with the crown of England as the stake. + +"I have decided on this course," said the ex-Queen, "because I realize +that my son, the Duke of York, may never rule so long as Richard lives. +If Richmond doth accept mine offer, and if he wins the crown away from +the murderous Usurper, then will I make him regent during the minority +of my little Richard. All this I have set forth distinctly in my +letter to the Earl. I also promised him my daughter Elizabeth's hand +in marriage. Such offers, methinks, no sane man would refuse, unless +he be a coward, which 'tis not possible for him to be. 'Tis true he +belongs to the Lancastrian party, which hath ever been our enemies; +but, under the circumstances in which I now find myself placed, I +cannot choose, but must accept that which is best for my poor son's +welfare. Therefore I have asked for Richmond's aid." + +"Madam," said Harleston, when Elizabeth had finished speaking, "I pray +that thou wilt pardon the liberty I am about to take, in making a +remark about thine own affairs. Mine excuse for doing so is that thou, +madam, hast honoured me ere this by asking mine advice." + +"Speak out, Sir Frederick," said Elizabeth. "Well dost thou know that +no word of thine, intended for my help, will be considered as +impertinent." + +"Then, madam, I would ask if thou dost consider it as safe to thus +invite the Earl of Richmond to your aid? Dost thou not fear that +he--should he be successful--will claim the throne as his very own by +right of conquest by the sword? 'Tis but a possibility, madam, but +methinks 'tis worthy of consideration." + +"But how could he claim the throne, having no right thereto?" + +"Richard hath taken it." + +"Ay, true, true, true!" wailed the poor Queen, as she walked about the +room, wringing her hands. + +"Dost thou not think, madam," continued Harleston, "that it would be +better if thou wert to try and win over Buckingham to thy cause?" + +"He is the friend of Richard." + +"Ay, madam; but he is also ambitious. Two such men as he and the +Usurper cannot for long agree. Richard must fear that some day +Buckingham's prestige with the people will be too great. No doubt some +jealousy doth exist already. Have Lord Stanley, in thy behalf, offer +to the Duke some noble inducement to bring him to thy side. The +people, indignant at the murder of thy son, could soon be tempted to +revolt and make up a strong force; drive forth the Usurper from the +throne and place the crown upon the rightful head." + +"But how shall I prevent the Earl of Richmond from coming to mine aid, +now that I have once invited him?" + +"Prevent him not, madam. He shall be of the greatest possible +assistance. He and your brother-in-law, the Duke of Buckingham, united +should face the boar; and then, when victory doth rest upon their arms, +the Duke can hold the Earl in check." + +"A happy thought; I'll act upon it straight away. Ah! Sir Frederick, +what should I do without thine ever sage advice? Pray God the time +will soon come when I can reward my friends, with more than thanks. +When my son cometh to his own thou, Sir Frederick, shalt be his +Counsellor." + +This promise was doomed to never be fulfilled. + + + +[1] Harleston's knowledge of scripture was evidently not great. K.M. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +BEFORE THE TOURNAMENT + +Angry were the people with Richard for his savage murder of the young +and rightful King. Discontent and a proper desire to punish the +criminal for his act were discernible in the sullen manner in which the +Usurper was received where'er he went among them. Scowls, and not +resounding cheers, greeted him as he passed through the streets of +London, as was his almost daily habit. + +Richard was not slow to comprehend the cause, and see what should be +the outcome, of this unpopularity, were it permitted to take a firmer +root in the minds of the people. + +Some people, I know, contend that the best plan for killing discontent +and opposition is to notice them not and they, in time, will realize +their insignificance, and die by cold neglect. To me this seemeth but +a poor device for ridding one of that which doth torment him. Methinks +it is like the neglecting of a weed, in the hope that it will come to +be disheartened by reason of its lack of opposition and wither up and +die. To my poor way of thinking 'tis better, far, to remove the weed, +with all its roots intact. + +Richard was evidently of the same way of thinking; for he at once +proceeded to remove this opposing growth, with all expediency. +Subsequent events shall show whether or no the roots came with the +stalk and leaves. To accomplish his purpose it was necessary for him +to please the people and gain their affection. The most easy and +direct way to do this was to, in some manner, contribute to their +happiness. In what way could this be so well accomplished as by +appealing to the warlike spirit of England, by holding a grand +tournament. Ever hath it been the custom of our country's rulers to +hold these martial gatherings whenever the good will of all classes is +desired. Richard was not slow to follow the example of his +predecessors. Therefore was it given out that our generous-hearted +Sovereign, to in some small way show his appreciation of the honour +done him by the people when they reposed the trust of England's crown +with him, would straight-way give the grandest exhibition of all forms +of war-like skill that ever England gazed with wondering eyes upon. + +Catesby, who had been absent from court ever since the Usurper's +coronation, on some business of Richard's (for now he seemed to be to +Richard the properest man, though to all others a scoundrel) about this +time returned. For this, my dears, I was truly pleasured; for dearly +did I then desire an opportunity to be revenged on him for his insult +to Hazel. I was determined that nothing should now prevent our +meeting; for if he did not willingly enter for the contests I would +openly challenge him to fight, the which to refuse, as ye all do know, +would stamp him as a coward throughout all Christendom. This I knew +well he would not bear; for Catesby, no matter what his failings were, +was no physical coward. + +Long seemed the time whilst we, with the spirit of impatience, were +waiting for the tournament. + +Hazel and I planned and decided on my making some excuse and leaving +the court of Richard, so soon as the jousts should be ended. Settle +down we would and live in peace and quiet within our happy home, far +from the strife and intrigue of the court. 'Tis true I did not promise +to lay aside the sword and shield forever. On the contrary, faithfully +did I promise the ex-Queen to aid her party when the proper time +arrived. And, besides, I had an oath to be fulfilled. + +No longer could I bear to serve the murderous tyrant, even for mine +ends. Indeed he treated me with great civility and some consideration. +Yet ever would there rise before my memory's eye the traitorous scene +at Stony Stratford. 'Twas when Richard smiled I feared him most. +Beware, my children, of a man who smileth on ye all too frequently. +Such men are seldom to be trusted. Never did I fall asleep without the +fear ahaunting me that I should never gaze upon the sun again; but that +the three which murdered our young King would rid our present ruler of +one which visited Elizabeth; for no hope of mine could be so sanguine +as to cause me to believe that I had thus far escaped Richard's +ever-watchful eye. + +At length the day before the commencement of the tournament came +around, and knights and squires all were busy with the work of +preparation. + +The place chosen by the King for the holding of the joust was just +beyond the city's gates, between London and Westminster, and in the +direction of the setting sun, that cast its fiery rays along the bosom +of the earth, that it might point out to each separate champion the +levelest spot for the pitching of his tent. Where'er the ground had +received a wound, and the scar remained, the King of Day, as he settled +down to rest, did paint the surrounding turf and leave a darker spot +upon the earth, to guide the warrior's servants from their putting up +his canvas house. + +My friend and I both occupied the one tent, which was both high and +broad. + +My faithful Michael, and our other servants, bustled about in +preparation for the morrow's work. + +Pennons and streamers of England's noblest sons now floated on the +evening flower-scented breeze, which bore in its fairy arms the sounds +of the armourer's anvils, as the men worked, putting on some fine +completing touches. Some of these pleasant and familiar sounds were +worn to such a thinness as to scarcely have existence, they having +travelled from the far end of the field and, in their flight, visited +the ears of many knights and squires who, fond of this sweet martial +music, consumed a part each one. Others there were ranging in bodily +strength until they reached a rich, full ring, proceeding from before +our own tent door, where our armourers examined the suits given us by +the late King Edward, and which had never since been tested with the +lance. + +The sun at length sank beneath the floor of earth, and the windows of +Heaven began to throw forth their each particular ray of light. As we +sat there, watching those far away, twinkling points, I could not +refrain from wondering why the Saints and Angels there all seem so busy +in the still night time; as can be seen by their passing and repassing +of the windows, in never ceasing numbers, each casting a fleeting +shadow as he goes. As the light on earth kept fading, more shades in +Heaven were drawn aback, as though the kindly folk up there would lend +to us more cheer. + +Then the pale and trouble-featured moon raised up her hairless head +above the earth's surface, and slowly climbed she up the Heaven's arch. + +As the sounds of the armourers and the grooms died out, the nightingale +did make his voice more plainly heard, as he hurled down, from his +perch beside the field, upon our ears, his darts of Heaven's own joy. +Aslanting did the music come, as borne by the gentle evening breeze it +fell, like April's rain, into our ears and drenched our hearts with +sweetness. + +The wide-eyed frogs, far from the field, as they sat on their floating +thrones, flung, from their baggy throats, at the stars, as countless as +themselves, their quavering coward-challenges of battle. Yet no doubt +these were as well meant as some we should hear to-morrow. + +The moon now stood well up the sky and therefore, when the flap was +closed a trifle, shone not far back into the tent. + +The nightingale had ceased to sing. + +The frogs still hurled their insolence. + +Frederick and I, who had been in silence sitting for some time, arose +and walked back under our covering. Michael followed, and, when we had +laid down, stretched his huge frame across the opening. How like a +lifeless statue there he lay; his arms locked o'er his chest. 'Twas +seven feet of Hercules, as broad as two good men. Gazing at this +picture of strength and loyalty, the latter shown in his firm-cut, +honest face, with our shields beneath our heads, my friend and I sank +into sleep. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +THE TOURNAMENT + +After a night of refreshing, sweet oblivion we awakened bright and +strong, well fitted for a day of tilting. It was uncommon early to be +stirring; but Richard had given out that the games should commence +about the hour of ten; therefore it was necessary to rise early, in +order that we might have ample time in which to look over the ground +and judge its character, previous to our arming for the fray. + +Cool and fresh was the morning; but the cloudless sky and bright-faced +sun were indications of a greater warmth when the day should be further +advanced. + +Shortly after we had breakfasted the King, who had spent the night upon +the field instead of at his Palace, rode around the lists, attended by +Buckingham, Stanley, Lovell, Ratcliffe and Catesby. Richard wore not +his armour; but all of the others were fully armed, but for the lack of +their helms; instead of which they wore caps of velvet. + +"Ah! Walter, thou art at last to have an opportunity to slake thy +thirst for vengeance; for Catesby seemeth ready to take to the field at +once," said Harleston, as we stood at the opening of our tent and +watched them as they made their tour of inspection. + +I smiled my satisfaction. + +"Wilt thou ride with headless spear, or wilt thou use the point, and +make thy prize his blood, as well as arms?" + +"I desire not his steed nor arms," I answered. "No, Frederick, I would +rather have the last red drop that now is in his heart than wear King +Richard's crown. Long have I kept me quiet, and but little have I +spoken of the insulting cur since first mine ears did hear of his +black-coward's act. Well dost thou know the human heart, my friend, +and mine the best of all. It must be plain to thee that when the coals +are left upon the hearth, withouten wood to cause a showy flame, they +burn with greater, though more quiet, heat. I made a promise to the +Lady Hazel that I would not challenge him to meet me in a duel. +Therefore have I held my peace, and waited for such an opportunity as +this for working my revenge upon him. If I can kill the knave upon +this field I'll do so with as light a heart as any ever worn by man." + +"Right, right! my friend," cried Frederick. "I wondered how thou, for +this long time since, didst tie down that impatient spirit of thine, +and wait with patience for thy vengeance. Thou art a true knight, Sir +Walter. Mild when not roused; but when thy spleen is stirred thou art +as fiery as the devil," and he grasped my hand and slapped me on the +shoulder, as was his familiar custom. + +The people from the city commenced now to arrive. Some were mounted, +but the majority either rode in carts or came in the less pretentious +style--afoot. + +"By Heaven!" said Frederick, "and they stop not coming in such numbers +we knights shall be compelled to withdraw us from the field and leave +it to the tradesmen." + +"Come," said I, "'tis time that we should arm. What ho! Michael! +where the devil art thou?" Michael, contrary to his habit, did not +appear when I called. I walked to the tent door and called again. +Then, as I looked beyond the barriers that kept the spectators from +crowding into the space reserved for the tents of the knights, I saw +him just leaving two old ladies, after having procured for them +comfortable seats, in a position from where their eyes commanded an +excellent view of the field; and being in that part opposite to where +sat the King. I stood in the doorway, awaiting Michael's return, and +wondering who the old ladies were to whom he showed such attention. + +When Michael, as he hurried back, raised his eyes and beheld me gazing +at him, I heard him mutter, in his short, quick way, which ever so +amused me:--"Hill!" + +When he came up to me he said:--"Pardon sor; but sor, thim ladies, Oi'm +jist after asittin' down, is friends o' a wourthy and gallant knoight +who hath ivir bin most koind to a poor orphan loike moysilf, sor; and +they axed me to foind me a sate fer thim, sor, and Oi hadn't the heart +to refuse thim, sor; though had Oi known that yer honour wanted me so +soon Oi'd have bin a dale quicker than Oi was, sor." + +"I knew not that thou wert known so well among the knighthood of +England," I answered with a smile. "But come, Michael, thou needst not +to crave pardon of Sir Walter Bradley when thou dost serve such a noble +purpose. The ladies, whether known to us or not, come before all true +knights or gentlemen; and 'tis when we pay respect to them that we do +ennoble ourselves." + +"Yis sor," said Michael, as he buckled on my breast plate. "Oi knew +that yer honour would pardon me fer lavin' ye, whin Oi tould what moine +errand was." This as he buckled on a shoulder-piece. + +"Uh! what a pity, sor, to have sich armour, with all that gould in it, +dinted with the pint o' a spear," said he, when he had fastened on all +but my helm. + +The trumpets now sounded a warning blast, and the heralds rode forth +and entered the lists at the southern extremity, all their gay +trappings tossing in the pleasant morning wind. + +Michael, after finishing his employment, by fastening on my sword and +lacing my splendid head-piece, went to the pile of lances, from which +he selected one both straight and heavy, but having no point. + +"Not that to-day, Michael; for the rules of this joust do permit of +pointed weapons." + +"Uh! sure thin, sor, that impudint Catesby 'll take his dinner with his +master, the divil, this day; fer will do Oi know, sor, that he's the +varmint yer honour's after." + +I always forgave Michael for his familiarity; for without it he should +not have been Michael, and never did it harm me. At this remark about +Catesby I merely smiled and said:--"Have a headless spear ready, lest I +do need one also." + +"Oi'll do that same, sor; but Oi'd loike to see yon Catesby's blood +upon the pint o' this, sor," and he motioned with his head in the +direction of mine enemy's tent and patted the point of the lance. The +faithful fellow always looked on Catesby as an enemy common to himself +and me. + +Again the trumpets rang out full merrily, both long and loud. Then the +heralds, which had halted in the centre of the field, separated, one +remaining in the centre and the other two riding with their backs to +one another until one reached the North and the other the South end of +the lists, where each took his especial post. Then the one which had +remained in the centre called out the rules of this passage of arms. + +After the customary prologue, that I ever considered tedious and +unnecessary; for Heaven knows even the balance of these fellow's +speeches is long enough, he at length reached the part that he had set +out to say. + +"Know, all ye true knights and gentlemen of his Most Gracious Majesty +of England, Ireland and of France, or of whatever other Sovereign King +ye may be faithful subjects, that any knight, of proper standing and +untarnished honour, shall here be permitted to enter for these tilts. +All such aforesaid valiant knights and gentlemen, which have not ere +this had their names placed upon the recorder's list, are hereby warned +to do so now, with all expediency, or be content to live without the +honour of taking part in these noble contests. Any untarnished knight +now has the privilege of challenging to combat, either courteous or +martial, any other such knight, whose name is on the record for this +joust. When such a number of these tilts as his Most Gracious Majesty +doth consider to be proper shall have been decided, from amongst the +names contained in the recorder's sheets shall be selected, by means of +draft, two parties of twelve knights each, to which said parties shall +be added one other knight for each party, which knight shall have the +honourable post of leader, each of his particular party, by whom he +shall be drawn. + +"In tilts of courtesy lances without heads must alone be used. In the +more warlike contests both knightly weapons may be used at the +discretion of, and the manner most pleasing to, the combatants. + +"Any contest shall be considered at an end only at such time as his +Majesty, King Richard, shall see fit to signal for its stoppage by the +honourable marshals of the field, or when one or the other of the +opposing champions shall have owned himself up defeated. + +"His Most Gracious Majesty will decide who is the victor in each +separate contest; and to the victor shall go the arms and armour, +together with the charger and its equipment. + +"In the more fiercer contest of the thirteen good knights on each side, +they shall fight with pointed lance and with the sword until his +Majesty doth see good to cause the contest to be stopped. Then will +his Majesty decide which is the winner in the contest. And to the +victors shall go the spoils, the same as in the single contests. + +"God save King Richard!" + +"God save King Richard!" replied the other heralds. + +"God save King Richard!" cried the people, as though they meant the +words they said. + +"God save King Richard!" echoed the city's walls. + +Then the herald at the southern extremity of the lists sang forth the +same long-winded recitation in the self same monotone, that added +nothing to the clearness of the rules, which might have been said in +two score of words. + +When the third had followed the example of his fellows they all three +withdrew from the lists, and the marshals of the field rode forth from +where they had been waiting, drawn up in line, armoured and armed as +though for a day of battle, and took their posts in groups at the four +corners of the field, ready to do their duty. + +My horse, fully caparisoned and impatient, like his master, for the +field, my groom now led to where I stood, by Harleston's side, before +my tent. Hastily mounting I rode down to the barrier gate that gave +entry to the lists. + +My friend overtook me as I reached the gate. He was mounted upon a +splendid charger of a chestnut hue, as I could see from the only +visible part of the animal, namely, his legs. Frederick sat his saddle +like an armoured statue. Verily, my children, and without conceit I +say it, to a spectator we looked as though but few upon that field +would have the courage to touch either shield with any other than a +pointless lance. + +Much then was my surprise when the gate at the end further from where +we waited, with impatient plumes and restless pennants, was, for some +reason unknown to all of us knights which waited at the North, flung +open, whilst ours remained closed. At this opening in dashed a knight +which, when he came sufficient close, I recognized, by his device, to +be none other than mine old foe, Catesby. Straight he rode up to where +I sat, grinding my teeth together, as silently I cursed my fortune for +preventing me from riding forth to meet him, that I might strike his +shield with my lance's point--for verily did I believe he came thus +soon to foil my purpose by challenging me to fight with pointless +weapon. On he came and, to my great surprise and pleasure, struck he +my shield with the sharp point of his lance. + +Ah! my brave sons, ye all do know the pleasure 'tis when, with ring of +shield, ye are informed an enemy hath come to do ye battle. + +Now were the separating bars removed, and, as Catesby rode to the far +end at a gentle trot, I entered with alacrity the field. + +As Catesby passed the centre of the lists he paused for a moment +whilst, with much grace, he saluted the King, and then the ladies. His +example I followed. + +After this came much cheering, and well meant advice, from those which +thought they better understood the game at which we were about to play +than we ourselves did. Most of these warnings came from old warriors +of other days, veterans of our great civil wars. + +The trumpets now rang out from their metal throats the signal for the +fray. Forward we dashed, like two opposing thunderbolts. The hot wind +of the summer's morn whistled past mine ears, and sounded like unto +when one by accident doth irritate the canvas of his tent by scraping +against it with his scabbard's point, causing it to raise its +high-pitched voice in protest against the affront. The space betwixt +us closed up as quickly as when one with haste doth shut the covers of +a book. A crash! a benumbing twinge from finger's tips to shoulder;--a +blow, as from a hammer, on the shield;--the steeds stand up and paw the +air madly, as does a man when struggling in the waters;--my helm's +plumes do bend before mine eyes;--and when the particles of sand are +borne aside by the gentle broom of Nature I hold in my gauntlet's grasp +only a cloth yard's length of shivered spear. As, with a pat upon my +good steed's neck, I brought him to his fore feet, Catesby, whose lance +had met a fate similar to mine own, with brandished sword now dashed +afresh upon me. His lighter weight had enabled him to regain control +of his steed ere I had mastered mine. No time was there for thought. +As he leaped forward I flung with my full force, straight at his iron +head, the remnant of my lance. His horse, affrighted at this strange +weapon, swung from its course to avoid it, and thus saved his master +from the blow. This gave me the respite I wanted, and of which I took +advantage by drawing mine own good sword. + +Loud cheered the crowd of spectators when they saw how equal had been +the tilt; and louder again did they shout when they saw us, with +clamorous blows, hotly engaged in sword play. One voice, clear and +distinct above all others did I hear, and pleased was I when I heard +its rich full ring, as its possessor used to their utmost strength his +mighty lungs. It was Michael. + +I drove my spurs into my horse's flanks and bounded at mine antagonist +with the speed of lightning. He avoided my rush in time to save +himself; but my steed, with his shoulders, struck his in the hind +quarters, and almost bore mine opponent to the earth. As I passed him +in my career I struck at him a backhand blow; but he caught it, with +great dexterity, upon his shield. + +Again did the applause burst forth with all its discordant notes. + +Wheeling quickly around I again rode at him, with my sword swung far +behind my shoulder, determined to beat him from his saddle. I stood up +in my stirrups, and with the full force of my sword arm I drove a blow +fairly at his plumaged head. He caught it right manfully upon his +shield; but the blow was so powerful that he might as well have held up +a frail piece of wood. The keen edge of my sword broke through the +buckler's curving surface and forced the wounded steel protector, and +its supporting arm, with stunning force against their master's head. +He reeled slightly in his saddle; and, ere he could regain control of +his scattered senses, again did my remorseless blade fall on his helmet +crest, with the sound like the driving of an iron spike between a stone +wall's members, by means of a heavy hammer. His horse sprang forward +with its master's senseless body crushed down upon the saddle. Then +the steed swerved from its straight course, and Catesby lurched and +fell headlong, like an armoured scare-crow, all joints and not a bone, +into the dusty lists. + +The King signed to the heralds, and the trumpets warned the marshals to +stop the fight; for in my passion I rode to where mine enemy lay, and, +truly, I would have given him his quietus but for the marshal's +interference. They bore him to his tent, and I saw no more of him that +day. He was not killed however, and this did greatly disappoint me. + +Sharply I spurred my steed till he sprang forward and upward like the +carrier of Valkyrie. Amid the acclamations of the spectators who, as +they ever do, waved their scarfs and bonnets like creatures +dispossessed of reason I dashed up before the King's seat and, pulling +suddenly upon the rein, caused my good steed to paw the air with his +fore feet whilst, with a low bow and a wave of my faithful sword, I +respectfully saluted the Usurper. + +He acknowledged my salute; but methought the smile that he did wear +had, lurking behind it somewhere, a sentiment that, to say the least, +was not favourable to me. + +After saluting mine enthusiastic admirers (which would bestow the same +attentions upon another knight were he to ride out and slay me in the +next tilt) I galloped back to the northern barrier. Here my dear +friend Frederick did warmly shake me by the hand, whilst Michael went +almost mad with delight. So loud, and sometimes profane, were his +remarks about Catesby's defeat that I unwillingly was compelled to keep +him in some check. + +Two other knights now took the field and fought with pointless weapons. +This was but a not interesting combat; as the challenger was, in the +first course run, thrown from his saddle with a considerable force, +after having shown his miserable command of his weapon by altogether +missing his opponent; his lance passing harmlessly past his adversary's +right shoulder. For this exhibition of the lack of all skill he was +prohibited from taking any further part in the tournament, and his name +was stricken from the list. + +Some three or four other pairs of lances were shivered, and then +Harleston gave an exhibition of the most skilled and perfectest way of +unhorsing a knight that ever I had, before that day, seen. He entered +the lists and rode, with stately ease and graceful respect, past the +ladies and the King, until he reached the spot where Sir Thomas +Falstone was sitting his horse in a listless fashion, as though he felt +assured that no one there would dare to touch his shield. For Sir +Thomas was considered one of the first, if not the very first, lance in +England at that time; he having been chosen to represent the late King +Edward in the last tournament given by that indolent Sovereign. My +friend, with a courtly inclination of his head, struck the shield of +Sir Thomas a gentle blow with the blunt end of his spear, and then did +he rein back his steed that he might return to receive his pointless +weapon. + +"Tarry an instant, Sir Knight," called out Sir Thomas. + +"I await thy speech," replied Frederick. + +"Hast thou grown tired of sitting on yon saddle, that thou dost wish to +be removed from off its irritating back? Be assured, young sir, 'twere +more gentle, far, wert thou to have thy squire remove thee." + +"Thou dost mistake my purpose," replied my friend; "I come but to +awaken thee from thy dreams of past conquests; which are but poor +weapons with which to fight fresh battles, unless other arms be brought +to their assistance." + +At this rebuff to the over-confident knight the King laughed both long +and loud, and of course the courtiers which surrounded him followed his +example. + +"By the light of Heaven, thou shalt pay dearly for thine insolence when +I do hurl thee from thy saddle as a stone goeth from its sling!" called +out the enraged Sir Thomas, as my friend rode at a gentle walk in the +direction of the northern end. + +When he heard this Harleston turned hastily around, and rode back to +Sir Thomas and said:-- + +"As thou still dreamest, methinks 'twere better to arouse thee with the +point," and he did strike the surprised knight's shield with the armed +end of his lance, and caused it to ring out right lustily. + +"Ah! that is better," laughed Sir Thomas. "Now I may have the pleasure +of spitting thee like a rotten apple and then hurling thee from my +lance's point." + +"Verily thou speakest from experience," returned Sir Frederick; "thou +hast, no doubt, been in the habit of spitting rotten apples, and +nothing more dangerous; else where didst thou get leisure to grow yon +ponderous paunch, next to thy speech, the most formidable part of +thee?" And amid a roar of applause and laughter he rode back to where +I waited. Here he handed to his squire the lance he carried, and in +its place he chose another, very heavy and unwieldy, as I thought; but +to balance these defects it did have a much greater strength than the +one with which he had challenged. + +The two knights now took their places, and the trumpets again rang out +the signal for the contest. + +Both horses dashed forward as though they had been connected, in some +invisible way, with the voice of the trumpets. + +Sir Thomas aimed straight at Harleston's visor; evidently for the +double purpose of exhibiting his skill and administering a severe blow +to his opponent. + +Sir Frederick, to my great surprise, seemed aiming more at his +adversary's horse than at the rider. I could not believe that he did +intend committing such a breach of the rules of chivalry; and yet it +was clear his point was not directed to the rider. + +A heavy blow;--a clatter;--and a cloud of dust, and my friend rides +bravely on, waving on high a lance without a point; and here, racing +madly towards the northern end, doth come Sir Thomas's steed, without +its rider or its saddle. + +Harleston had, at the last moment, swung his head to the one side, +avoiding the other's point; thus he had escaped unharmed. + +But how did Sir Thomas's horse come to be without a saddle as well as +riderless? + +It happened thus, as my friend told me, when, amidst great cheering, he +rode back to where I sat waving my lance and cheering with the others. +He had aimed, not at his adversary's horse, as had appeared, but at +that part of his saddle where the lance doth lie in rest. This mark he +did hit fairly, and the fury of the onset, aided by the heavy spear, +caused his opponent's saddle girths to break; and thus Sir Thomas was +ignominiously unhorsed, and his gay trappings heaped upon him. + +It was a dangerous game to play; for had Harleston so much as +scratched, with his lance, his adversary's steed, he had then been +disgraced. + +Harleston was satisfied with the punishment he had administered in +return for the other's boasting, and did not further molest the fallen +knight. And indeed there had been but little honour in pressing his +victory to a completer stage; for 'twas with great difficulty that Sir +Thomas's grooms were able to lift up their bulky master and assist him +from the field. + +I now rode forth again, and, stopping in the centre of the lists, I +opened my visor and, standing up in my stirrups, I called out at the +full power of my speech:-- + +"Know, all true knights here assembled to take part in this noble +joust, that I, Walter Bradley, hereby challenge any true knight among +ye, which doth desire so to do, to break a lance, with or without a +point, as the aforesaid knight doth desire." + +For the space of whilst one might tell an hundred no one appeared. At +the end of this time, however, a knight, as though in haste, dashed +into the lists and, riding with the ease of an accomplished horseman, +advanced rapidly to where I waited. He gently touched my shield with +the butt of his lance. + +On his shield was no device; but his rich inlaid armour, and the +courtly bearing of its wearer, seemed to mine eyes as though this were +not the first time they had beheld this unknown champion. + +As we passed each other in turning, the stranger, in a hurried voice, +whose accent told me he was no Englishman, said:-- + +"I have a message for thee, Sir Walter. May I see thee in thy tent?" +There was no time for more. + +"Yes," I answered, in the same low tone. + +As I rode back to take up my position for the tilt my mind kept +tormenting me in its desire to recall where and when I had before heard +that voice. The attempt was useless; so placing my lance in rest I +made ready for the trumpet's signal. + +Loud did they blow. + +A rushing rattle, followed by a clattering, tearing sound, and both +spears burst into a thousand slivers, as though some foul fiend had +been confined within the shaft of each, and at the instant of encounter +they spread apart their arms and threw their frail wooden prisons from +them with the contempt that Sampson had for cords. + +Neither had an advantage. Both his horse and mine own were forced back +on their haunches; but we both kept our seats full firm. + +And thus in succession did we break three pairs of lances' without +either being able to unhorse, or gain any perceptible advantage over +the other. Therefore our contest was declared to be a fair and equal +one, without a victor. + +After this the heralds again rode into the lists and announced that no +more single contests should be permitted; but that the contest of the +six and twenty knights should be the next feature of that day's list of +exhibitions of knightly feats of arms. + +However, preceding this there was now to be an exhibition of skilful +archery and sword play, by the yeomanry of England, and the men-at-arms. + +When this announcement was made the majority of the knights withdrew +them to their tents, as they had no interest in these contests. + +Soon after my friend and I had dismounted and entered our tent the +knight with whom I had last contended, and which had so strangely +spoken with me in the lists, came to where Michael stood before the +door and enquired of him if his master were within. + +Hearing his voice I went to the door and invited him to enter. + +"Ah! Monsieur, I hope that I intrude not," said he, as he saw +Harleston with me. + +"Nay, be assured Sir Knight, whose name I have not the honour of +knowing, that any message that thou art pleased to give me shall be +common to my friend, Sir Frederick Harleston, and me." + +"Then everything is well. I may then speak out boldly and inform you, +gentlemen, what is my true name: and I now do tell ye that it is to but +few here that it is known. My name then is Count Louis de +Saint-Esteve, though in England, upon my present mission, I am known as +Sir Gil de Trailles." + +We expressed our pleasure at the acquaintance and asked him to be +seated. I then ordered Michael to close the flap of the tent, and to +himself remain outside, to see that no one should overhear our +conversation; for I could see by the stranger's manner that what he had +to say was most secret. + +After a silence of a few moments he said, in an almost whisper:-- + +"My business in England upon the present occasion is on the Earl of +Richmond's account. Her Majesty, the ex-Queen of the Royal Edward, +hath informed me that both of you gentlemen are in her confidence. I +therefore speak thus freely of the Earl's plans. In a short time he +shall land in England. The usurping King Richard shall be given to +understand that the landing shall be made upon the eastern coast. On +the contrary, the noble Earl shall land in Wales, where he hath many +followers. Buckingham, Lord Stanley, and his brother are the most +powerful of the Earl's friends. However, Lord Stanley is not to +declare in favour of the noble Richmond until the day of battle; when +the Usurper's forces shall melt away as doth the snow in Spring. An +usurping tyrant cannot prosper; and what should be black treachery, in +another case, in this is but God's retribution." + +"But how long shall it be ere the Earl of Richmond doth land?" asked +Harleston. + +"So soon as the Duke of Buckingham rebels in Wales," replied the +Frenchman. "Any day," he continued, "ye may expect to hear that this +latter hath happened. Watch then and be prepared; for deliverance is +near at hand. + +"But now I come to that part of my mission that most affects thee, Sir +Walter. The ex-Queen, this morning as I was leaving the Sanctuary, +commissioned me to acquaint thee with a plot to ruin thee most +thoroughly. + +"Thine enemy, that one which doth play the dog for Richard, hath +informed his master of the part that he doth suspect that thou didst +play at Stony Stratford. Before he came to such a position of +influence with the Usurper he feared to so inform on thee. But now +that he doth practically rule England he hath planned for thy +destruction. His object in so doing is no doubt better known to thee +than it is to me. 'Twas Lord Stanley who informed the ex-Queen, and he +had it from Richard himself, who now doth trust Stanley as though he +had ever loved him." + +"I thank thee much for thy kindness in thus warning me of the danger +that doth threaten," I replied; "but I scarce see what better I can do +than remain still at court, until Earl Henry doth arrive in England. +The time, you say, is short; therefore Catesby shall not have long in +which to work his vengeance. + +"The Usurper cannot molest me unless he doth have more reason for so +doing than Catesby's mere suspicion." + +"Did the young and rightful King have fair trial, and was he convicted +of rank treachery to the state?" asked Harleston. Then my friend +answered his own question with a definite "No." This was ever his most +forcible way of driving home his opinions. + +'Twas useless for me to try to deceive myself in regard to the danger +threatening me. I ever have considered a man to be but little removed +from a fool when he doth despise his enemies. I therefore admitted +that my friend was right, and asked for his advice. + +"Methinks it were best for thee to betake thee from the court, with all +expediency, and journey in the direction of the coast of Wales, in +order that thou mayest be ready there to join the Earl of Richmond when +he lands," said Frederick, after a brief consideration. "I may remain +at court until the last moment, and then follow thine example." + +"Thou knowest," said I, "that what thou dost propose is not within the +bounds of possibility. How may I leave the Palace, and risk the danger +of the Lady Hazel falling into that scoundrel's hands. He desires to +be rid of me but that he may have her in his power. Were I to fly his +purpose should then be accomplished as well as if my head had fallen on +the block. No," I said, with full determination, "here must I remain +and risk my fate; there is no other way." + +"Why not take the lady with thee, Monsieur?" + +"The danger should be too great," I replied. + +"Then, gentlemen, I can be of no further assistance," said the Count, +as he arose to depart. + +"Tarry a moment, Sir Knight," said Harleston; "a glass of wine before +thou goest." + +"With all my heart," replied the other. And now for the first time +since he had entered the tent he opened his visor. + +"By Heaven and all its Saints!" cried Harleston; "I felt assured that I +had seen yon suit of armour ere this day. Yes," he continued, "the +last time I had the honour of meeting thee was on the field of battle; +when we took Berwick from the Scots." + +"And art thou the knight which did so kindly cut my helm's lace, after +hurling me from my steed?" + +"The same," laughed my friend; "and thou dost owe Sir Walter and me +each a good sword in payment for those that thou didst break that day." + +"When I did come to my senses," said the Frenchman, "I thanked Heaven +that I had fallen before a gentleman." + +Here we each grasped the Frenchman's hands, and we all laughed and were +three good friends. + +And thus we sat over our wine and talked, until the trumpets of the +heralds warned us that it was time to draw for the contest of the six +and twenty knights. Mounting our horses we rode to the southern +extremity of the lists, where the draughting was to take place. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +A MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE + +Tired were we when at length night came and the first day of the great +tournament was ended. 'Twas five of the clock when King Richard threw +down his truncheon, and thus put an end, until the morrow, to the +jousts. + +My total injuries for the whole long day were a few dints in my shield +and armour, and the loss of my fine plumes, which had been shorn off +with a sword blow from behind, whilst I was engaged with another +knight, in the battle of the six and twenty, which had been declared an +even contest; though verily do I think our side had a slight advantage; +for when, at last, the contest was stopped, on account of the great +blood-shed caused, we still had five knights mounted, whilst our +opponents had but four. True our leader had been placed _hors de +combat_, but methinks this was more than compensated for by there being +one more in the saddle on our side. However, it may have been more +fair to both parties to have the decision as it was, though for my own +part I had preferred to have the battle fought to a definite +conclusion. Then again, the Usurper lost not any supporters by +stopping the contest before either side had any decided advantage. + +We had been in our tent for some time previous to the conclusion of the +day's events, the last of which was more archery. + +Michael, after assisting me in the removal of mine armour, asked, in +that fashion that ever made it impossible for me to refuse his +request:-- + +"Sure, yer honour, may Oi agin crave yer honour's pardon fer axin' ye, +sor, to be absent a short toime, whoilst Oi agin look after thim ould +ladies yonder. Sure ye know, sor, Oi'd not be botherin' loike, if Oi +wasn't so bound by moy falein's to look after thim in the crowd." + +"Yes, Michael, thou mayest go; but tarry not after thou hast taken them +safely from the field." + +"Uh! sure, sor, Oi fale loike a thafe fer so botherin' yer honour with +ivir wantin' somethin'. Thank ye sor. Oi'll be back the minute that +Oi takes thim out o' danger," and with a respectful salute he vanished. + +We were at our supper when Michael returned, completely out of breath, +as though he had travelled far at no slow pace. + +"What in the devil's name hast thou been doing unto thyself?" I asked +in surprise. + +"Runnin', sor," he gasped. + +"Short and definite, as well as evident," said I. "But for why didst +thou come in such haste?" + +"Uh! sure, yer honour, as Oi was returning after takin' the ould ladies +to a place o' safety, and as Oi came in soight o' yer honour's tint, +uh! sure if Oi didn't behould a damned varmint o' a raven a floyin' in +circles ouver this viry tint. Sure, sor, it's an ill day fer poor +Moichael when Oi have the misfortune to have to till moy master o' sich +bad luck," and he wrung his enormous hands in pure agony of spirit. + +"Nay, my faithful friend, feel thankful rather that thou wert permitted +to see, and thus inform me of the ill-omened bird's presence, in which +the Royal Arthur now flies on wings of Hell's own darkness o'er this +fair land, employed as he is in the worthy mission of warning those +which danger threatens, and thus giving them some time to be employed +in guarding against the trouble." + +"But did it alight upon the tent, or merely circle overhead?" asked +Harleston. + +"Nay, sor; it was about to aloight, and had its avil bake agap to utter +some foul curse whin, at moy full spade, Oi rushed, with wavin' o' moy +arms in its doirection. + +"I thank thee truly, Michael, for thy timely aid; for since it alighted +not, the danger is less great." + +"True then was what the Frenchman told us of thy danger," said my +friend, speaking most serious. "Come, think again, Walter, and resolve +to leave the court at once. The Lady Hazel shall be protected from +thine enemy so long as Frederick Harleston hath a sword to swing in her +defense. Besides this," he added, "I can contrive to have her leave +the Sanctuary in safety, and go to thee, when thou hast found some fit +abode for both. Thou canst not here avoid the danger that doth +threaten thee; and if thou dost fall a victim to Catesby's vengeance, +bethink thee of the fate that shall then be her's. Let thy love for +thy promised wife o'er-rule thy pride, and resort to flight, where it +is to thy profit." + +"Ah! my friend, it is a bitter draught to swallow, my flying from mine +enemy." + +"Yes, Walter; but remember that one might better fight a giant, which +is armoured cap-à-pie, holding in his hand a sword of ponderous weight, +with edge as sharp as is thy razors, than match thy strength against a +child, which holds in its puny grasp the seal of power." + +I could not help but admit the truthfulness of this statement; but +still I did not relish the idea of fleeing like a hunted animal. I +therefore replied:-- + +"Well, Frederick, I promise thee to consider and debate within my mind +on what thou hast said. In the morning I will tell thee which hath +conquered, my pride or better reason." + +So, wearily throwing ourselves upon the cloaks stretched on the ground, +we soon thought not of danger. + +"Ha! thou bloody varmint! Mither-o'-Gawd! ye murtherin' baste!"--A +scuffle, "Thou wouldst scratch? Thare, damn ye, take that!"--A heavy +blow that sounded like unto when one doth strike, with his clenched +fist, his armoured thigh,--a heavy, clattering fall,--more swearing +from Michael. + +[Illustration: "Ha, thou bloody varmint."] + +These were the confusing and unusual sounds that caused me to awaken +with a start, and in my half dazed state to grasp my sword and shield, +as though by instinct. + +"Anither mouve out o' ye and ye'll have moure than a browken arm to +carry to Hill along with yer bloody soul, if thou hast wan, thou +damned, snakein' dawg," again growled Michael, as he stood and shook +his enormous fist over a prostrate form, lying betwixt the door and me, +from which came groans of agony. + +"What is it, Michael?" asked Harleston and I, both in the same words, +as we sprang to our feet and stood before the enraged squire. + +"Sure, yer honours, its some koind o' baste that useth a dagger with +too great a fradom. + +"Loy quoite, ye spalpeen, or Oi'll tramp the dawg's loife out o' ye +with the hale o' moy boot!" + +"Open still further the flap of the tent," I commanded Michael. Then, +speaking to the prostrate form upon the ground, I said:-- + +"Arise sirrah, and tell us truthfully what is thy name, and what thy +business here at this unseemly hour." + +He slowly rose. Then, as Michael opened wider the tent door, the +bright moon's rays fell on the shining blade of a dagger lying at my +feet. + +"What means this dagger, sirrah?" and I stooped to pick it up. + +"Hold! Beware there, Michael!" cried Harleston, as he dashed after the +stranger, which had taken advantage of my stooping, to attempt to make +good his escape. + +Michael, who was outside of the tent, making fast the flap, sprang +after the fugitive with the speed of a horse. Almost he had the knave +by the collar when, as fortune would have it, his foot caught upon one +of the cords which served in securing the tent from being blown to the +ground, and fell headlong upon his face, with as great a noise as that +made by a falling tree. Harleston, at the same instant, dashed at full +speed from the tent and, tripping on the fallen Michael, fell with his +full weight upon my squire, thereby adding nothing to that angry +person's comfort. + +"Uh!" said Michael, "this is that damned raven's work. 'Tis useless; +the varmint must escape; all Hill is with him." + +I heard no more; but, leaving Harleston and Michael to regain their +feet, I hastened in pursuit of the owner of the dagger. He was at that +moment disappearing among the scores of tents with which this part of +the field was filled. I pursued him until I realized how impossible it +was to here find anyone desirous of escaping capture, and then giving +up the attempt I returned to my own tent. + +Michael was still swearing, and cursing the raven for the luck that it +had brought unto us. + +"Hill! Whoy didn't Oi brake the varmint's skull, instid o' his arm? +Thin the charm had bin browken. Now Gawd knows what'll be the nixt to +curse us." + +"Come, Michael," said Frederick, "no one is to blame for his escape. +Thou didst do right nobly in the saving of our lives from being taken +by the dagger of an assassin." + +"But tell us," said I, "how thou didst learn of his presence here, and +what he was doing when thou didst attack him." + +"Will, sor, it was loike this:--Oi was awakened by some wan astippin' +ouver moy chist, as though he feared to disturb me. At first, sor, Oi +thought it must be ather thee or Sor Fridrick. Thin, thinks Oi to +moysilf, what in the divil's name doth make Sor Walter or Sor Fridrick +walk so cautious loike? He jist takes a stip in the doiriction o' +thee, sor, and thin he stops and waits, whoilst wan moight count a +score, as though he was alistenin' fer somethin'. 'Tis moighty strange +that ather wan o' yer honours would go on loike that in yer own tint, +sez Oi, to moysilf. This koind o' made me curious loike, so Oi jist +sits up and watches him. Thin, Mither-o'-Gawd, sor! the blissid moon +shines on a dagger in the varmint's hand. Thin, sor, Oi pounces upon +him, and the varmint troid to stab me with his damned dagger. This +made me lose moy timper, loike; so Oi jist gives him a rap on the arm, +and sure, sor, the thing snapped loike a rotten branch astickin' from +out the soide o' a dead tree. Thin, sor, Oi lays him down, akoind o' +rough loike, and he thought he'd bitter stay thare. Jist at that toime +yer honours wakened up, and ye know the rist as will, or bitter, than +Oi do." + +"Ah! Michael, my faithful friend, what should I do without thee? Thou +hast saved my life, this night, and repaying that is beyond my power; +unless thou art ever threatened, when I would save thee and risk mine +own life, as thou hast done for me." + +"Uh! sure, yer honour, dount talk loike that; Oi have no moure than +done moy dooty. Sure it's ashamed o' moysilf Oi should be if Oi didn't +crush a snakein' varmint loike that, whin he comes acrawlin' into moy +master's tint, and roight ouver me, as though I wasn't thare to guard +the door." + +I could not help but laugh at the easy way in which Michael turned all +the credit from himself. I grasped his hand, and slapped him on his +huge shoulder. 'Twas useless to say anything more; and indeed my heart +took all my speech away. + +For this Michael seemed thankful. He betook himself to his position, +across the opening of the tent, and, stretching himself at his ease, he +soon forgot the part he had played in that night's almost tragedy. + +However, Frederick and I sat up and conversed in low tones for some +time after Michael had entered that happy land of oblivion, where +troubles or plots--except sometimes those that have no reality--intrude +not. + +"Was it Catesby, thinkest thou?" asked Harleston. "The person was +about his stature; and he spoke not even when his arm was broken; a +circumstance that points to his fear of his voice being known unto us." + +"Verily it was Catesby," I replied. "What other man is there upon this +field would attempt such an act? Besides, he alone hath an interest in +my death. + +"Ah! Catesby," said I, betwixt my clenched teeth, "some day we shall +meet again, where there shall be no rules of tourney to put a stop to +my revenge. + +"Tell me, Frederick, why it is that such scoundrels are permitted to +have such positions of authority? Why doth the Ruler of Heaven and +Earth permit it? Tell me, for I feign would know." + +"My dear Walter," he replied, in that gentle, reasoning way, "thou dost +not observe the laws of nature, or thou shouldst not have asked that +question. + +"The brightest flowers in the stagnant pond of life do rise to the +surface with their worthy blooms." + +"Surely thou dost not put Richard and Catesby in that class?" + +"Nay, nay," he replied, "do but let me finish. + +"True, the flowers do come unto the surface," he continued; "but ever +remember, Walter, that they must first make their way through the green +and evil-smelling scum that also floats on top. The beauteous blossom +is made stronger and more large by reason of its stinking opposition. +Such is life in all its forms, and such shall it ever be. + +"But come," said he, changing from his philosophical to his practical +style of conversation, "does not this night's work make clear to thee +thy danger? Surely thou wilt not longer hesitate?" + +"Verily, I have decided," I replied. + +"That is the part of wisdom." + +"Do but wait until I have finished; as thou but now saidst to me." + +"I do," he smiled. + +"Yes, Harleston, I am fully resolved,--to fly not." + +"What?" + +"Before this incident of the night did happen 'tis possible I might +have decided to follow thine advice, the which is no doubt the +properest and most reasonable course. But sith Master Catesby hath +attempted to play the part of an assassin I am determined to remain and +show to his coward's face that Walter Bradley fears him not. Let him +do his worst. In London I remain until the Earl of Richmond lands." + +"Oh, Bradley, Bradley, that hot head of thine will never be content +until it has been severed from its trunk. And yet," he continued +thoughtfully, "thou hast most excellent reason, if it were not for +thine accursed temper. Well, well, I know that it is now useless to +attempt to change thee. The next best thing to do is to try and save +thee, after thou art in his power. 'Tis a difficult task; but it's all +that your friends can do for thee." + +"What dost thou think his next move will be?" + +"He will not use the dagger, after to-night's failure," replied +Frederick; "and besides, he hath a broken arm if it were he which +visited us." + +"Thou meanest that his next attempt will be the axe of the executioner?" + +"Yes." + +"A pleasant prospect; but one that the loss of sleep cannot save from." +So saying I stretched me upon my cloak and soon thought naught of +Catesby nor his vengeance. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE ARREST + +Loud and trembling blew the trumpets to arouse the lazy sleepers and +warn them that the second and last day of the grand tournament had +dawned. Then, had one but had the heads of Ægeon, and had he been able +to place heads in separate parts of the field, among the tents of +knights and squires, his numerous ears had heard low-muttered curses +issue from each tent, as the inmates awakened, protested, turned to the +other side, shrugged up their each particular pair of shoulders and +again sank into sleep. + +Another hour passed, and again rang out the trumpets, with their +unwelcome sound. This time they must not be denied, as the sun was +well started on his circling journey. + +Michael was busy superintending the preparing of our morning meal. + +Harleston, as ever, did not rise until the last moment; and then he +hurriedly arose and joined me at breakfast. + +"Well, Michael," said Frederick, "whom dost thou think it was last +night, that thou didst handle so roughly? Thinkst thou that it was +Catesby?" + +"Sure, sor, Oi know not fer a surety, but methinks it must ha' bin +anither." + +"And why?" + +"Because, sor, he seemed to lack the stringth that Catesby doth +possiss." + +"Methinks that it had been all one to thee had he been possessed of +twice the power of Catesby. I doubt me much that thou had noticed any +difference," laughed Frederick. + +At this compliment to his strength Michael blushed like a maiden, and +returned no answer. + +"Come, Walter, what wilt thou wager that the would-be assassin of last +night was or was not Catesby?" asked my friend. + +"Truly, my wish is so strong that it was mine old enemy that I will +make it father of the thought, and for the wager,--say--a new cloak, of +Paris's latest fashion." + +"Done, by Heaven! That cloak will suit me well. I'll lay on Michael's +judgment." + +When we were fully armed we strolled forth from our tent to watch the +spectators arrive in one continuous stream, like a sluggish, winding +river, and well nigh as unceasing. + +Michael again did ask permission to be absent for a little while, that +he might escort the old ladies unto their seats, and protect them in +the enormous crowd. In a short time we saw his head moving towards the +rows of seats, as he brushed aside, as though they had been reeds, the +groups of angry tradesmen, that he might make way for those which he +did escort. + +"What friends of Michael's are those same old ladies, to which he +showeth such faithful attention and care?" asked Frederick. + +"Thou knowest them as well as I." + +"Nay, but hast thou never asked him?" + +"No; I thought it of but little moment until now. But methinks that I +have seen those same figures somewhere ere this; though where, I cannot +now recall," said I, as Michael and his charge appeared from out the +crowd. "I will ask Michael when he returns." + +But ere my squire did return the heralds rode into the lists, and +started their tedious recitation of the rules of that day's sports; the +which we were so absorbed in listening to, in the effort to gather some +small particle of sense from, that I thought not of that which I had +intended asking Michael. + +The marshals then entered the field, and took up their customary +positions to enforce the rules of the joust; the which were, as near as +I could make out, not different from the first day's. + +"There, Walter, I have won my wager; for, if mine eyes do serve me +aright, thine ancient foe, Catesby, hath taken his place among the +King's guards." + +"Thou art right; the cloak is thine. But see! he wears not his armour, +although his both arms appear to be whole and sound." + +"True, your treatment of him yesterday hath been sufficient to satisfy +his appetite for glory and revenge, such as he obtained in the lists." + +Then, as mine enemy turned his head, Michael, who was now standing +behind me, exclaimed, in a voice low but heavy, like the roll of +distant thunder:--"The damned villain's head is cracked; fer look at +the clout that shows beneath his cap. Sure its bad luck that the blow +that did it stopped ere it rached the varmint's chin." + + * * * * * + +That evening, as we journeyed slowly and wearily back from the field +that had been during the last two days the scene of so many noble feats +of arms, and of which nothing now remained but the long and narrow +strip of sandy ground where the sod had been removed to leave a level +and firm place for the list, and the black spots to point out the +places where had glowed the fires, Harleston remarked in his low and +musing voice:-- + +"Verily, yon place doth represent the lives of men." + +"How so?" I asked. + +"Records of our deeds are imprinted in the sand. If a storm doth arise +to-night, all the little mounds that indicate some noble courses run +shall be levelled, and a traveller passing there to-morrow will notice +nothing but a barren strip, with nowhere on its face a mark to tell of +glorious deeds performed." + +The thought of this was sad, and yet 'twas true; as are the most of +gloomy thoughts. It is for this same reason that I ever try to turn my +mind's eye to the pleasures and the joys of life, the which are far +from few. I therefore, on this occasion, turned from the contemplation +of this dreary sight to the scene that should await me when, that +evening, I would go unto the Sanctuary; for such was mine intent. I +could picture, in my mind's eye, my fair Hazel waiting and watching +with the agony of expectation for me; wondering if I ever should return +from that sport which she so much disliked on account of its +"inhumanity," as she had said. + +I wondered if Harleston's mind were not drawing the same picture. Had +he yet asked Mary to be his wife? I believed he had; for the day +before we rode forth to the tournament, when we had visited the girls, +Hazel had let drop a remark that did arouse my suspicions; and when I +questioned her upon the point she laughingly informed me of the fact +that I was "too inquisitive," the which I doubt not. And try as I +would I could get nothing more from her. I had not liked to ask +Harleston; for there seems to be a something, the name of which I know +not, that ever doth keep us from mentioning this subject to one which +we believe to be in love, unless they first do bring it up. + +By this time we had almost reached the Palace of King Richard. + +Loud cheered the people as the King rode along the crowd-lined streets +and scattered gold among them with a lavish hand. + +"God save King Richard!" rang out on every side. + +I had as soon cried:--"God save the devil!" + +The broken-headed Catesby rode beside the King. The two seemed to be +conversing as we reached Crosby Place. + +"Not favourable to me," said I in Harleston's ear, as I nodded in the +direction of the hump-backed King and his adviser. + +My friend did not reply, in words; but he shook his head in a manner +which showed that he realized my danger fully. + +After giving our horses to our grooms we entered the great hall, and +from there--when the King had withdrawn himself--we went to mine own +room. + +How gloomy and lonely did it seem. Something huge, black and terrible +did seem to vanish from the centre of the room, dividing into a score +of parts, and each part retaining, for an instant only, a pair of fiery +eyes, as the light of our lamp burst into the room, dispelling all the +darkness. + +Now, on this night my room seemed not the same. Ever did I expect to +see some spirit of evil arise before mine eyes and stretch out its +fantastic arms to seize me. A great gloom had fallen on us both. +Neither spoke for some time; and when at length I said to Harleston:-- + +"No longer can I bear this life; to-morrow I leave this Palace +forever," mine own voice did seem to startle me; so hollow and +unnatural did it sound. + +Then, as if the words I had said were to be turned into a prophecy, a +knock came at the door, and, upon opening, in walked Sir James Tyrrell +and a half a score of men-at-arms. + +"I regret, Sir Walter Bradley, that I am compelled to ask you for your +sword, and to tell thee that I now arrest thee." + +"Upon what charge?" + +"High treason, Sir Walter." + +Harleston arose and grasped my hand in a grip that could not be +mistaken. + +"Tell not my dear Hazel of this; that is, not at present." + +"Keep up thy courage," he replied; "thou shalt not die by the hand of +an executioner. I, thy friend, Harleston, have said it, and I never +yet have told a lie." + +I thanked him for his kind words with the pressure of my hand, and with +a firm step marched from the room. + +In the hall I met Michael on his way to my quarters. When he saw me he +made a movement as though he thought to attack the soldiers which +surrounded me. + +"Farewell, Michael," I said, as a great lump arose in my throat, and I +gripped his mighty hand. "Go to Sir Frederick, in my room, and in +future serve him as faithfully as in the past thou hast served me." + +He dropped to one knee and, though I tried to prevent him, he kissed my +hand as though I were a King. Then he arose and walked slowly toward +the door where Harleston stood. + +As I marched on I wiped two drops of moisture from the back of my hand. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +IN THE TOWER + +I was conducted into the Tower through the "Traitor's Gate," the which, +when I passed through, added nothing unto my lightness of spirit. As I +gazed at the enormous arches, the memory of past events when, as a boy, +I had heard of those which had entered this waterway with the charge of +treason clinging to their names, never again to be heard of by the +outside world, came to my mind with a renewed freshness and a force +never to be by me forgotten, so long as mine old grey head retains its +wonted reason. + +But then, this was as nothing compared with the great feeling of +loneliness, and crushing weight of the conviction of hopelessness which +settled on my heart when the door of my prison had been closed and +locked, and I was left alone, but for my tormenting thoughts, within my +cruel room in that Tower which rumour told had been the place of murder +of our little King. + +When the keepers had departed, and the sound of their clanking steps +had died out, I still stood in the centre of the room, benumbed and +dazed, as the full reality of my situation was gradually absorbed by my +whirling mind. Then I moved, and mine armour rattled with a noise that +sounded, to mine ears, as though a shield had fallen from a great +height and alighted on a floor of stone. I started, gasped, and my +hand flew to the place where should have hung my sword. I felt my +brow. It was cold and moist. I laughed at my foolishness; but the +sound of mine own voice was so awful that I was as much startled as I +had been by the sound of mine armour. Then I stood still and held my +breath and listened, for what I know not. The stillness was so intense +that it did seem to have a substance, and press into mine ears with +such a force as did cause me to think that they were like to burst. + +How long I stood thus I know not; it did seem to be an age. + +Presently I heard a distant footstep. Ashamed of my childish feeling +of fear, I, that would stand alone and face a score of warriors and +never quaver, as the sound of the feet approached, started to pace +hurriedly the floor of my prison. As the causer of the sounds in the +corridor reached my door he stopped, and I heard the key rattle, as he +did insert it in the lock. I sat myself down upon my couch and tried, +as best I could, to appear to be at mine ease when the jailer should +enter. + +He brought with him a lamp and a small table, for both of which I was +glad. + +He was a not-bad-natured, though coarse-looking fellow of about some +forty years; of rather more than middle height, and a girth and breadth +of shoulder which bespoke not lack of bodily strength. A shock of +yellow hair, mixed liberally with grey, stood out from beneath his cap +of steel, like a wisp of straw. + +After placing the articles that he had brought, upon the floor, he cast +but one glance at me, and then turned on his heel and left me. +Presently he returned with my supper, which he placed upon the table +much in the same manner as one would arrange the meal of swine. + +"There, sir," said he, "thou hast nothing to complain of. That supper +is fit for a King. And it's better than one King had whilst he lived +in this very room." + +"What! did the young King Edward occupy this room?" + +"As for whether he occupied it or not, now that I know not; but he was +kept in this same room until he went out feet first." + +"Horrible!" I gasped. + +"Horrible? Lord, sir! methinks that thou shouldst feel honoured by the +thought of being let sleep in the same room where a royal King did +sleep. I know that I would," he added, with a grim smile. + +"And dost thou know who killed him?" I asked. + +"Nay, nay, I said not nothing of his being killed," he replied, with a +grin and a wise twist of his head, accompanied by the uplifting of the +one of his shoulders until it touched his ear. + +"Well then, of what distemper did he die?" + +"Ha, ha!" he laughed, as though I had amused him vastly. "What +distemper? Ha, ha, ha! Well upon my soul! ha, ha, ha!" he burst forth +again. + +His voice, when he laughed, was ample evidence that he had in his day +consumed no small quantity of spirits of different sorts; for it +sounded as though a goodly quantity of the liquids had remained in his +throat, where it did some prodigious bubbling. + +"The distempers that one gets when a prisoner here are most always of +one kind. Ha, ha, ha! What distemper? Well upon my soul!" And still +laughing at that which he no doubt imagined was wit, he went out and +locked the door and I was again alone with my thoughts, which were no +more cheerful than they had been previous to his visit. + +That night my sleep, if such it may be called, was an almost endless +succession of tormenting and extravagant dreams of terror, divided from +each other by an awakening start of horror. + +And so the weary days and nights of mine imprisonment dragged slowly +on. Slowly, for the weight of sorrow and tormenting agony of +uncertainty for the fate of the one I loved did impede their progress, +as doth the heavy weight upon the poor snail's back cause it to drag +its weary body so slowly along its slimy course. + +My sole occupation, with which I tried to prevent my mind from +brooding, was the reading of the different sad histories of those which +writ down their thoughts, and fates to be, upon their--and now +my--prison's walls. One of these, whose sadness and beautiful +resignation--even though it hath no great poetic merit--most affected +me, I now set down. The lines and words are imprinted on the pages of +my memory with such a force as never can fade, so long as the old, worn +book doth hold together. Here they are, my children; and much profit +may be gathered from their calmness and resignation:-- + + "Somewhat musing, and more mourning, + In remembering the unsteadfastness, + This world being of such wheeling, + Me contrarying, what can I guess? + + "I fear, doubtless, remediless, + Is now to seize my woful chance; + For unkindness, withouten less, (lessening) + And no redress, doth me avance. + + "With displeasance, to my grievance, + And no surance of remedy; + Lo, in this trance, now in substance, + Such is my dance, willing to die. + + "Methinks, truly, bounden am I, + And that greatly, to be content; + Seeing plainly Fortune doth wry + All contrary from mine intent + + "My life was lent me to one intent; + It is nigh spent. Welcome Fortune! + But I ne went (thought) thus to be shent, + But she it meant, such is her won (wont)"[1] + + +Evidently the woeful writer of these lines had been condemned to death. +His bones had now lost their fleshly mantle, and forgotten he lay, far +from those he loved. "How long ere I shall be in the same condition?" +thought I, as I stood before my secure-barred window and gazed at the +rain, as it fell in one unceasing torrent. + +"Verily the heavens do weep for the sufferings of poor England," I said +aloud; for now I spoke unto myself as though I were another. + +For I know not how many days, for in my sorrow I lost all track of +time, the rain fell with unabated fury. + +How I longed to hear how fared my gentle Hazel. + +"Hell and furies!" would I cry, and grip at the same time the iron bars +that stood like the gate of Hell betwixt me and my liberty. How +relieving did it feel to my pent up hate to twist at an iron bar and +imagine that it was Catesby's throat I held. + +"Ha! thou accursed villain!" would I cry aloud, "thou now shalt know +the fury of my vengeance!" Then would I strike the cruel metal with my +bare and clenched fist, with such a force as did drive the tender skin +back from the bone and leave a bleeding tear. + +The days lengthened into weeks; and still no word from the outside +world. No trial; no condemnation; no execution; and that which I then +most distasted, no definite knowledge of what should be my fate. + + * * * * * + +But let me now imagine myself as a free man, outside the Tower's +walls--the which I then saw no chance of my ever being--and let me now +describe the strange and important events that there were happening. + +The next day after my arrest the Duke of Buckingham left the court, as +though in haste. He and Lord Stanley had been together in the +apartments of the Duke until a late hour on the night of my arrest. +Whisperings there were to the effect that Buckingham had parted from +the King in a spirit of animosity. Whether this were or were not the +case I know not. However, the next news of Buckingham was of such a +kind that it left no room for a doubt as to their then relations, no +matter what they had been previous to the Duke's departure. + +"Buckingham hath rebelled against King Richard: he is now raising an +army in Wales. The Earl of Richmond is coming to his aid. More war +and bloodshed for poor England." Such was the intelligence that now +flew on from mouth to ear throughout the land. Had mine imprisoned +ears but heard it then, how welcome had it been. + +Catesby, who had on several occasions attempted to gain admittance to +the Sanctuary, and had as many times met with refusal, was now obliged +to attend to the affairs of state. Thus my fair Hazel was saved from +his further molestation. Those days of tortuous anxiety to me could +have been scarce less agonizing to her. + +The Usurper, with that energy ever his chiefest characteristic, now +raised an army to face the rebellious Duke. + +Then did commence to fall those fearful rains, that never once did +cease for days and nights I know not how many; but as I think, some ten +days or two weeks. + +The army of the Duke, thinking this unceasing rain was a message from +Heaven forbidding them to thus rebel, deserted their leader, and each +particular man did betake himself unto his separate home. + +Then, as every congregation of people must have its Judas, the Duke was +betrayed into the hands of the usurping tyrant, and there at Salisbury, +where Richard had taken his post--for he thought that Richmond did +intend joining Buckingham near this place--the Duke's head fell upon +the block, and Richard was rid of one more great enemy. + +Still did not Richmond land; so Richard and his army returned to London. + +When Catesby, who had been with Richard in this expedition, came again +to the Palace it did cause Harleston great anxiety; for he feared for +the safety of the Lady Hazel. However, Catesby, to my friend's +surprise, went not near the Sanctuary. + +This was but the deceiving prologue to another history of suffering and +reverses to us, that ever seemed bent on rending us asunder, whose +hearts were bound together with such mighty bonds of love. + +One evening as Frederick returned from a visit to the Sanctuary--where +he had learned that Richmond had at last landed in Wales, and was even +now on his way to London--on entering his room Michael handed him a +sealed packet which proved to be an order for him to be prepared to +march, at sunrise, in the ranks of Richard's army. This, however, was +no surprise, as he had been expecting it for more than a week. He +walked over to the table and laid the letter upon it. + +"What is this, Michael?" he called, as his eyes fell upon another well +sealed packet. + +Michael, however, knew not from whence it came or how it got there. + +"Michael," said Frederick, "thou knowest that I desire no one to be +permitted to enter this room during mine absence. How is it, +therefore, that this letter found its way here without thy knowledge?" + +"Sure, yer honour, it must have bin thare afore ye lift, sor; fer Oi +was out o' the room but fer a few minutes, and thin Oi made fast the +door behind me, and took the kay along with me, sor. Divil a soul +could inter, sor, barrin' that they came through the kay-houle." + +"Strange," said Harleston, as he commenced to read the lengthy letter. +But stranger still he thought it ere he had finished its contents. It +was writ in a labored hand, as though to avoid recognition, and read as +follows:-- + + +"To SIR FREDERICK HARLESTON, _Greeting_. + +"The writer of these words, though--for reasons that he is not at +liberty to state--he signs not his name, is well known to thee, and to +thine unfortunate friend, Sir Walter Bradley; both of which he loveth +well. + +"To-morrow Sir Walter is to go through a form of trial--the result of +which must be his conviction--and he shall immediately be taken unto +Tower Hill, where his head shall be stricken from the trunk. Unless, +ere to-morrow's dawn, he, by the aid of his friends, doth contrive to +escape from the Tower, and make his way from London to a place of +safety, he must surely die. + +"Sir Walter is now confined within the square tower next after passing +through the Tower of St. Thomas, which, thou no doubt knowest, is that +one into which the "Traitor's Gate" doth lead. + +"If thou wilt but turn to the enclosure in this letter thine eyes shall +behold an order, signed by his Majesty, King Richard, that shall obtain +for the bearer admittance to and exit from any part of the Tower. +However, this cannot give unto thee power to take forth a prisoner with +thee. That must be done at thine own risk, and in the manner +following:-- + +"There is but one keeper in attendance on Sir Walter. Him thou must +master, and in a quiet manner. Take then from his belt the keys that +do depend therefrom. Leave the keeper in such a condition as shall +secure thee of his quietness. The aforesaid keys will give unto you an +exit into the space before the square tower. When ye have reached +this, turn to your left, and again will the keys open the gate in this +wall with which ye shall soon be confronted. Then, looking to your +right, ye shall behold the wall that doth separate the yard from the +watery moat. Approach this with the exercise of great caution and ye +shall then observe an opening where the wall is now being repaired by +workmen, in the day time, and at night it is guarded by a single +soldier, armed with a pole-axe. Ye must quiet this man by whatever +means best serving. But over and above all else, the neglect of which +advice must be the ruin of ye both, permit him to make not any noise; +for the utterance of but one word by him shall be the signal for his +fellows to come to his assistance; in which case escape is impossible. + +"When the sentry shall have been removed the moat must be crossed as +best ye can. The water therein is now both fresh and high, and +therefore it will not be difficult for ye to descend into it and swim +across. This ye must do in a most careful manner, that the guard be +not disturbed by the noise of splashing water. + +"At a point directly opposite to the place where the wall is now being +repaired ye shall find a ladder made of ropes and cross pieces, placed +there for your especial use and privilege. + +"By these same means ye may assist your friend to freedom, and that, +without great risk; providing that the aforesaid instructions be +followed with exactness and care." + + +Then followed a note. It read thus:-- + + +"If thy friend, Sir Walter, doth desire to save the Lady Hazel +Woodville from one which now resides within the walls of this place, +and who is as bitter an enemy of Sir Walter as he is ardent lover of +the aforesaid lady, he had best tarry in his flight for a sufficient +time to allow him to take the lady with him along. However, let him +not abide there; but hasten along upon his journey until he cometh unto +the second road turning unto his right after leaving Westminster. Let +him follow this for the distance of about three miles, and he shall +then come unto a house, from the window of which a flag shall hang. +The aforesaid house is not occupied, and may be used by the refugees +for their hiding-place. Let them there remain all day to-morrow; for +the aforesaid enemy of Sir Walter doth intend to take the aforesaid +lady from the Sanctuary, by force if necessary, to-morrow, ere he doth +leave to join the King's army at Leicester. + +"Praying with my heart's full strength that this warning may not be too +late to save the gallant knight from the disgraceful death of a traitor +to his country, I am, dear and respected sir, + +(Signed) "A FRIEND." + + +"A friend? Now what friend can he be who hath access to my room when +the door is locked?" mused Harleston. + +"Besides, he must be one in favour to have such an order as is this," +and he picked up the enclosed paper and read as follows:-- + + +"Unto the bearer of this order grant admittance to the Tower of London, +or to any part thereof. And further, likewise permit the aforesaid +bearer to have conference with any prisoner or prisoners within the +Tower. And further, permit the aforesaid bearer to have entrance or +exit at whatever hour of day or night best conveniencing him. + +(Signed) "RICARDUS REX." + + +My friend stood bent in thought for some time after reading this +strange order. Then he raised his head quickly, as though a sudden +solution of the problem had occurred to him. + +"Can it be possible that this is a plot, laid with great cunning by +Catesby, that I may be lured into the Tower, that there I may be kept? +But then, this order doth command that the bearer shall also have exit. +But it may be that the keepers know to whom it doth belong; and were I +to present it they may have orders to arrest me for its theft. That +should be a clever plan for removing me from his way. Then he might +use force to gain admittance to the Sanctuary." These were the +thoughts that now kept running through his mind, causing him great +anxiety. + +He then read the letter and order to Michael, and then told him of his +doubts, and asked him for his opinion. + +"Sure, sor," said Michael, "methinks the chances are that it were +dangerous for thee, sor, to go thoysilf into that houle o' Hill. But, +yer honour, it moight have come from Lord Stanley, and it may be the +truth he sez. How'd it be, sor, if Oi moysilf wint in yer honour's +place? Sure, Sor Walter must be saved, if Oi lose a scoure o' loives +in the doin' o' it. Sure, sor, 'twould matter little if they did chop +off moy head; but if thou wert wance shut up in that damned Tower what +moight not happen to that swate lady in the Sanctuary?" And Michael's +lips closed into a straight line that bespoke no good unto those which +attempted to keep him in the Tower. + +"'Tis good, Michael, that I follow thine advice; for whilst thou art +aiding Sir Walter in his escape, myself will unto the Sanctuary, and +there acquaint the Lady Hazel with our plans, and have her in readiness +for the flight. Besides," he continued, "thy presence with Sir Walter +will give me assurance that the keeper and the soldier guarding the +breach shall make no noise. + +"But come, we must make haste; for the night is already far spent, and +Sir Walter and his dear lady must have left the Sanctuary by the dawn +of day. + +"Thou must go well armed, and take with thee a horse for Sir Walter." + +"Oi will, sor." + +"Do thou make ready the horses, that the grooms may know not who took +them from the stable." + +"Hadn't Oi bist take with me anither sword for Sor Walter? Thim +spalpeens took his own from him, bad luck to thim fer it." + +"Yes, Michael; 'twas thoughtful of thee to remember this necessity. + +"And now, Michael, for thy directions:-- + +"Tether your horses in some quiet, and not too light, spot. Then +proceed unto the western entrance, and to the officer in charge thereof +present this order, being sure, however, to have him return it unto +thee. In the same manner, providing that this order be not a trap, +shalt thou pass the other gates. Inform these officers that thou dost +desire to be taken unto the prison of Sir Walter Bradley, in the square +tower. When thou dost see Sir Walter do not appear friendly with him +if there be more than the one keeper present, lest it doth cause them +to watch ye too closely. Thou knowest best how to silence the keeper. + +"When this is accomplished give the letter unto Sir Walter. He will +then know how to follow its directions. + +"When ye are once out (if Heaven doth so far favour ye) come with all +haste unto the Sanctuary, where the Lady Hazel shall be in readiness." + +Whilst Harleston had been thus giving Michael his instructions they +both had been arming each other in haste. They were now fully ready; +so Michael went to prepare the horses. Frederick then followed Michael +to the stables, and in a short time they were ready to set out. + +"Do thou go first, Michael, and have a great care that thou dost follow +closely the instructions that I gave thee. Pray God that thou dost +succeed," and he gripped Michael's giant hand with a force that assured +him, had he not already been aware of it, of his sincerity. + +"Oi'll remimber, sor, and do as thou hast said. And be sure of this, +yer honour; if the order be but a trap, moure than wan man now aloive +and will shall see Gawd, or the divil, afore they take Moichael a +prisoner." With this he was off, and Harleston stood for some moments +gazing after the gigantic monument of honesty as he gradually faded +from view and was swallowed up in the darkness. Then he himself +mounted and started on his mission. + +He had not, however, left the courtyard when he met a horseman, which +called out to him as they passed each other:--"'Tis late for thee to be +riding forth upon a journey, Sir Frederick. And besides, the road is +dark to travel thus, alone." It was Catesby. + +"Thanks for thy kindly warning," returned Frederick; "but I have but a +short distance to travel, and the way, methinks, is safe." He then +rode on; but for a few rods only; for here his horse stopped of its own +accord. + +As the noise of the horse's hoofs ceased suddenly, Frederick distinctly +heard a low laugh come from out of the darkness, and in the direction +where last he had seen Catesby. + +"I fear Michael shall not return," thought Frederick, as he again +proceeded on his way. + + + +[1] Rous, the historian, states that these lines were written by Lord +Rivers, during that unfortunate nobleman's imprisonment at Pomfret. +K.M. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +MICHAEL AND I + +The key rattled in the lock, and I heard my jailer's voice:-- + +"This is the place. Best let me go in first; for he's as ugly as the +devil, and may guzzle thee, a stranger, unless I tell him you're +coming. Though methinks he'd soon drop thee, when he found the kind of +game he had caught." + +Then the door opened cautiously, and the straw-like head peeped +fearfully around the corner. He had learned this lesson by my almost +breaking his head one day when he happened to enter at a moment when my +rage knew no bounds, as I thought of my wrongs, and imagined all kinds +of fates for Hazel. + +"Come in, and fear not, thou fool!" I said, for I liked not to behold +such cowardice. + +"Ha! thou hadst best keep quiet now; for here's one can master thee, +big and all as thou art." And he shook his ring of enormous keys in +mockery at me; however, from a safe distance. + +I heard a rattle of armour, and, to my great surprise and delight, in +walked Michael. I sprang to my feet and started to rush toward him; +but he put his finger to his lip in warning. + +The keeper who was busy with the locking of the door, turned in haste +as he heard me start to my feet. Then, seeing me halt suddenly, he +burst into a loud laugh. + +"Ha, ha, ha!" bubbled from his frog-like throat. "Methinks that thou +hast done well to stop and consider ere thou dost spring against a wall +of stone. Well, upon my soul, sir, this is now my turn to laugh! Ha, +ha, ha! Why dost thou stop? Why dost thou not break his head, as thou +didst mine? Ha, ha, ha! Well, upon my--" + +The place of the missing word was taken up in a gurgle, different +however from his disgusting, coarse laugh. Michael had changed from +his statue-like stolidity and, in the twinkling of an eye, the +astounded keeper was dangling in the air, held at arm's length by the +mighty Irishman, to whom it was no more exertion than it is to a female +servant to shake, and then hurl from the door, a mischief-making cat. + +"Kape still, ye varmint," growled Michael, as the struggling keeper +kicked in every direction, some of his blows striking Michael on the +legs. + +Out flew the dagger from the keeper's belt, and with it he struck +wildly at my squire's arm. + +"Ha! thou scratchin' divil; why dost thou not be quoite? 'Twill do +thee no good to stroike: mine arm is armoured. Uh! thou baste," he +growled, as the dagger struck his bare hand. "Oi must thin finish +thee." And releasing the hand that he had held at the back of the +swine-like neck, and still holding the struggling keeper from the floor +with the other, he struck him a blow upon the head with his clenched +fist. There was a sound like that made by an egg when it is let fall +upon a stone. A trembling from head to foot. The knees drew partly +up, and then the legs stretched out full length, and stiff, and the +keeper which had flung at me his taunts had died by the hand of my +Herculean squire. + +"Oh! my poor Michael, what hast thou done?" I cried. "Now thy honest +life must pay for this." + +"Beg pardon, sor, but playze don't spake so loud; some wan may hear +us," said he, as he carried the dead jailer by the neck and laid him +tenderly upon the bed. + +"Oi had not mint to kill thee, thou poor fool; but Sor Fridrick tould +me to make thee quoite, and, as thou wouldst scratch, I saw no other +way." This to the body. + +"But what means all this, Michael?" I asked, when I had done embracing +him, (I could have kissed him; so glad was I to again see his honest +face) at which he blushed like a maiden. + +"Sure, sor, this same mysterious litter 'll till ye all, sor. Ser +Fridrick found it on his table whin he returned to-noight." And then +he told me, shortly, all that had happened since mine arrest. + +"And hath Richmond yet landed?" I asked eagerly. + +"Yis sor, Sor Fridrick tould me that he was now on his way to London. +The King laves the city to-morrow, with an army, to take up his place +at Leicester, as Oi think." + +"Why Leicester?" + +"Sor Fridrick said 'twas that he moight be near the cintre o' the +country, so that his min can rache him without havin' to march far." + +"That is like the tyrant, ever on the alert to take any advantage. A +clever man is Richard. Such a King as he might have made, had he not +been born a blood-supper." + +Then I remembered the letter, and hastily I read it. + +"What! is it to assist me to escape from this accursed place that thou +hast come?" + +"Sure, sor, fer divil a thing ilse." + +The idea of such a chance had not even dawned upon my dazed brain. +Remember, my dears, I had been for many long days and nights confined +within a narrow room within the Tower. Ye cannot understand what that +means, unless ye do go yourselves through it, the which pray God ye +never may. + +"But how?" I asked, as I drew the back of my hand across my brow in an +effort to assist my comprehension. "It surely cannot be possible!" + +"Possible or not, sor, we can do no worse than fail. But if what that +strange litter sez be true we shan't fail, sor." + +Then he told me where Harleston had gone to make all ready, in case we +should succeed. + +"What thinks Sir Frederick of this same letter?" + +"Sure, sor, he knows not what to make out o' it. But sure, yer honour, +so far the order hath bin all that we could wish, and if the rist o' +what the writer sez be as good as has been the furst, uh! sure we'll +have a good swim, and lave this damned place that gives wan the shivers +to be on the insoide o'." + +"It shall be difficult to swim in our armour." + +"Sure it's not far, yer honour." + +"Then assist me to make haste, that no time may be lost. But first tie +up that scratch upon thy hand." + +"Uh! sure, yer honour 'tis nothin'." + +However, I bound my scarf about the hand of him I now loved so dearly, +and then he assisted me to arm. + +We were soon ready to start on this perilous attempt for freedom, that +meant so much to me, if I should succeed, and such a calamity unto +myself and another which I loved better a thousand times than I did my +life, if I should fail. + +I then went to the poor corpse upon the bed and detached the chain by +which the ring that held his keys was suspended from his belt. I then +crossed to the smoky lamp and re-read the letter with great care and +attention, that its contents might be fully engraven upon my memory. I +then carefully placed it within my gauntlet, and, warning Michael to +leave his hands bare, that he might use them freely in quieting the +soldier at the breach--in case we ever reached it--I cautiously +unlocked the door. Then I opened it for a sufficient space to allow my +head an exit, and fearfully I looked both ways along the corridor to +make sure that no one was about. The hall was clear. I opened the +door wider, and motioning Michael to follow, I stepped, as quietly as +mine armour would permit, into the hall. With the quietness of a thief +I re-locked the door and started on tip-toe down the passage. I had +taken but a few steps, however, when Michael's hand was laid upon mine +arm. I started, turned in fear, and then remembering Michael, I +blushed in the darkness at my foolish, girl-like action. + +"Beg pardon, sor, but dount ye think 'twould be bitter if we was to +walk along as though we had the roight and didn't give a damn fer a +soul o' thim?" whispered my companion. + +"Well thought on, Michael," I returned, and we strode along with the +apparent confidence of two keepers. Then Michael started whistling a +gay Irish tune. This was more than my o'er-strained and assumed +confidence could bear; so I placed my hand over his mouth and his +whistling came to an abrupt end. + +Then down the stairs we went until we reached the heavy door opening +into the great archway through this tower. Here we paused for a moment +whilst I asked Michael concerning the portcullis. + +"It was up, sor, whin Oi intered." + +"Then all is well. Now be careful, Michael, and watch me for any +signal I may give thee; for on thee now depend our chances of success." + +Then, with hands trembling with excitement, I at last found the proper +key and inserted it in the lock. Then, with apparent carelessness, I +flung the door wide open and strode forth, Michael following. At this +very moment a soldier, as though on guard, marched with measured step +along the arch-topped way. As he heard the door swing open he halted +and, turning, watched us in the dim light cast by the flickering torch +overhead. To hesitate for but an instant meant failure and certain +death. Adopting Michael's plan I whistled softly an air that came by +inspiration to my mind, and at the same time closed the door again and +locked it with a great show of care. Then taking Michael by the arm I +walked leisurely along, swinging the great ring of keys and whistling +as I went. + +Ah! my children, ye know not how trying was that indifferent walk. How +sore was I tempted to break into a run, in a mad effort to leave that +awful place behind me. But then, had I done so, I had not lived to see +the setting of another sun. As we passed beneath the great portcullis +I glanced back to where we had left the sentry. He was still standing +beneath the light and gazing after us. No doubt he wondered who we +were; but my apparent confidence and ease of manner re-assured him; for +as we turned to our left to pass the round tower which adjoins the one +in which I had been confined, he shouldered his pole-axe and resumed +his lonely tramp. + +"Two difficulties safely past," I whispered. "Now, Michael, have a +great care and let not the soldier at the breach make the faintest +sound." + +"Oi'll do moy bist, sor," and I felt sure he would. Then we came to +the short inner wall that runneth from the tower of St. Thomas back +unto the square tower that we had just left. + +As is ever the case, when one is in great haste, I tried every key but +one depending from the ring, and still the great gate remained closed, +none of them mating the lock. When I came to this last key a sudden +horror came over me as I thought of the possibility of the whole affair +being a trap to raise my hopes in the belief that I was about to +escape, and then to have them hurled to the ground with shattering +force. My life depended on this key. Would it turn back the bars and +give me freedom and life, or would it, like the others, mock with its +silent contempt my anxiety? How I longed to know my fate, and yet +dreaded the test, lest I should fail. My hand shook as with palsy, and +made it well nigh impossible for me to insert the key. Then 'twas in +the lock; and still I did not turn it. + +Verily, I have faced the deadly cannon, oft, and yet have felt no +anxiety nor fear. But now, as I stood before that heavy gate, with the +key already in the lock, requiring but a turn--that is if it did +work--to set me at least nearer unto liberty, my courage did forsake +me, and I really feared to turn the key. + +Some there are, I know, who will say it was unmanly in me to thus +hesitate. Mine answer, in advance, is:--Let them but place themselves +in the same position and see then how they will act. It requires but +little courage to tell what one would do; but it is different when one +doth face the reality and not the argument. + +At length, with a mighty effort, such as a man doth make when heaving +with his shoulder in an attempt to move a mighty boulder, I summoned up +all my strength of spirit, and exerted pressure on the key. Thank +Heaven, it turned! I would have cheered with delight had not the plain +warning of the letter remained fresh in my mind. Softly we swung the +gate open and passed beneath the arch. I was about to push on and +leave the gate open behind, but Michael, who seemed less disturbed than +was I--but then he had not been confined within the Tower for long +weeks--whispered:-- + +"Beg pardon, sor, but dount ye think 'twould be safer to lock the gate +agin? They moight follow loike." + +With great care I closed and locked the gate. Then, stealing slowly, +as doth the fox, along the wall, we in time reached the shadow of St. +Thomas tower. It was so dark here that I could scarce see Michael; for +now 'twas past the hour of midnight, and the young moon had grown weary +and was sinking her head upon the lap of earth, casting long, black +shadows as she sank into her sleep. + +How I cursed my creaking, yet necessary, armour as I stole along. + +Then my heart beat so loudly that I thought the sentry near which we +were now drawing must hear it and break forth with his loud, disturbing +challenge. Back and forth he paced with weary, clanking steps, +unconscious of the two dark forms working their way slowly, and well +nigh breathlessly, towards him. Now we were pressing against the wall, +as he halted almost within arm's length before us. Verily, his eyes +must have been closed in partial sleep, or he had seen us. Then he +tramped round, as though he had been fastened to a cord which permitted +him to go but to its length and then warned him to return. + +At that moment I attempted to draw back still further. My spur struck +the wall with a sharp click, and this did cause me to lose my balance, +and mine armoured shoulders clanked against the stones. + +The soldier turned like a flash of light, and brought his axe from +shoulder unto thigh. He was about to challenge when Michael, forcing +the axe's point above his head, clapped his mighty hand over the +surprised sentry's mouth, permitting no sound to escape. + +I seized the axe, lest it should fall and rouse the guard. + +"Be quoiet, thou fool, and no harm 'll come unto thee," whispered +Michael in the fellow's ear, as he held him firmly to the ground. + +With haste I searched me for my scarf. + +"It's here, sor, about moy hand; jist untoie it, playze sor. Sure a +little blood 'll do thee no harm. Thou shouldst thank the Lord that it +isn't thoine own." This to the sentry. + +When he had been made fast at both hands and feet, the which we bound +with his belt, after cutting the leather into two strings, and when he +had been securely gagged with the scarf, we carried him and placed him +close to the wall, and then I warned him. + +"Now, sirrah, if thou dost lie still and make no attempt to free +thyself, or to attract attention, thou shalt not be mistreated. But, +by all the fiends, if thou dost make a movement thou shalt be ripped +from ear to ear, and then thrown into the moat. We shall be near at +hand, and any sound from thee must reach us." + +Then we proceeded to the breach with less care than we had hitherto +used. Here the wall was torn away until but a foot in height remained. +The artisan's tools were laid upon this low wall, and were well nigh +the cause of our ruin; for just as I made a move to cross the breach my +foot struck upon the pile of tools and almost caused them all to fall +into the moat. Carefully we removed them from our way, and then we +descended into the water. + +I had never before attempted to swim while dressed in a complete suit +of heavy armour; and much therefore did I doubt mine ability to do so +now. + +"Didst thou ever swim across water, whilst dressed in thine armour?" I +asked of Michael. + +"Divil a toime, yer honour." + +"It will be difficult, Michael, and I may be compelled to ask thee to +lend me a hand." + +"All roight, yer honour." And we set out. + +I had not overestimated the difficulty of our task, and ere we reached +the outer wall I was glad to place my hand upon Michael's great +shoulder to keep from sinking. + +At length we reached the other side and, still struggling to keep our +heads above the surface, we commenced to feel along the wall for the +ladder mentioned in the letter. + +"What if it should not be here?" I asked myself. Truly it should be a +grand device for luring me unto my death; for it had been impossible +for me to again cross the moat, so exhausted was I by the great +exertion. Even the mighty giant by my side was breathing in great +gasps, as though his Herculean strength were ebbing fast. Mine arms +had now become so weak that I could scarce lift them above the surface +for an instant that I might feel for the ladder. + +"Here--sor," gasped my faithful squire, as he grasped me by the arm and +drew me to him. "Oi--have it--at last--yer honour. The saints--be +praised." + +Yes, there it was, and how welcome did it feel to my trembling hand. + +We remained thus, with our heads only above the water, for some +moments, until we regained a part of our breaths. + +I mounted the ladder first and climbed wearily to the top. Verily, +never in all my life have I felt my body to be of such prodigious +weight. Ah! I was on the top; and there I sat whilst Michael's +enormous form came dripping out of the water below and wearily climbed +the ladder. + +[Illustration: "I climbed wearily to the top."] + +"Mither-o'-Gawd! Oi fale loike a damned drowned rat." And indeed I +felt as though the simile applied unto me most thoroughly. + +Then we drew up the ropes and, unfastening the hooks, we reversed them +and let down the ladder on the other side. Down this we went, and, +thank Heaven, we were free from that great, black, menacing +congregation of cold, cruel towers and walls. + +I felt like a soul but new granted its release from the torturous fires +of purgatory must feel as he looks back, with hunted, awe-struck eyes, +at the place of his late confinement, and sighs with thankfulness for +his freedom; yet shudders in fear that this liberty is but a dream from +which he shall soon awaken to find himself again within the gates of +agony. + +Then we hastened on with soggy steps, making as wide an arch as the +river would permit, that we might pass as far as possible from the +Tower of St. Thomas. + +We at length reached the place where Michael had left the horses. They +were tethered in a shed attached to a vacant house not far from the +walls of the Tower, and on the western side. + +The sword that Michael had brought for my use was hanging from the +lance-rest of the saddle. Hastily buckling it on I felt once more a +man and knight. Then, mounting our horses, we rode forth into the +night, and, at no slow pace, started by the nearest way on our journey +to the Sanctuary. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +THE HOUSE WITH THE FLAG + +We had no difficulty in passing through the city's gates. I merely +called out in commanding tone:--"On the King's most urgent business," +and the great gates swung back upon their mighty hinges as though there +had been magic in my speech. Mayhap 'twas fortunate that the King had +many messengers passing in and out of the city that night, or our exit +had not been so easily accomplished. As we dashed through beneath the +arch the keeper called out:-- + +"Is it true that Richmond hath landed?" + +"Ay, ay, 'tis true indeed," I cried over my shoulder in reply, and on +we went as though the fiends pursued us. Our horses were urged to +their utmost, that we might leave the Sanctuary ere the day did dawn. + +Already was the East casting off her dark robe of night and decking +herself in brighter colours. + +When we entered Westminster and drew up before the Sanctuary the door +flew open and there, standing by Harleston, by whom she was restrained +from rushing from the house, was my own fair darling; her body leaning +forward, and her hand held above her eyes, as she peered into the +darkness with a world of expectancy in her pose, as shown up right +nobly by the lamp's bright light behind her. + +Mary stood at Frederick's other side; her hand upon his arm, and also +gazing forth. + +Springing from my horse and handing the reins to Michael, I hastened +towards them; taking care, however, to speak ere I did step into the +rays of light, that the girls might not be startled by mine unannounced +approach. + +"Fear not, it is I--Walter." + +"Oh, my dear, noble Walter!" + +Harleston's arm no longer restrained, and we were locked in each +other's arms in a shorter space of time than takes a thought to travel +unto Heaven. + +"Have a care, my darling, lest thou dost destroy that same handsome +habit; for I am nothing if not thoroughly saturated." + +Then I kissed the fair Mary as she still stood by Frederick's side, +laughing and weeping both at once. + +"My dear friend," said Harleston, "much am I joyed to see thee thus +free from that bloody Tower. And now--though ere this I did fear to +say so--I tell thee truly, I never thought to see thee here this night." + +"But why?" I asked. "'Twas thou which sent the letter that did give +unto me--with the noble assistance of this brave friend here--my +liberty," and I slapped Michael--who had tied the horses beneath the +trees by the corner of the building, and now stood near me--on his huge +arm. + +"Do but come in and close the door, and I will tell thee all, in as few +words as possible; for the time we have is short." + +"Art not afraid to flee with me, my fair one?" I asked; and I drew +Hazel closer to my side, as we were passing down the hall. + +"Nay, nay, Walter dear; to the end of the world would I go with thee. +When love, such as is mine, is in the heart it leaveth no room for +fear. Mine only desire now is that we may, with all expediency, avoid +our enemies; and when the Earl of Richmond doth conquer the bloody +Richard, then may we return to happiness and have our dreams of other +days fulfilled." + +"Mine own dear, trusting love," I murmured, as I stooped and kissed her +forehead. + +The ex-Queen had waited up the whole long night that she might see if I +did succeed in escaping from the Tower. How worn and sorrow-stricken +she did look as I knelt and kissed her hand. + +"I thank God, Sir Walter, that thou hast escaped the murderous boar," +she said, in her kind and motherly way. + +"So do I too, madam; for besides mine own wrongs I have yet to make a +great effort and redeem mine oath made to the good King Edward, your +noble husband. When my good friend here and I rode from Berwick unto +the Castle at Windsor his Majesty did give unto us each a present +worthy of the giver. At that time, madam, we both did swear to avenge +any wrong that ever did transgress upon your royal son, our late +lamented little King. Much time hath passed and still he's unavenged; +but if the life within me be spared I'll yet strike a hard blow against +his cruel and bloody murderer." + +"Ay, ay, we will," assented Frederick. + +"He'll doie fer the murtherin' o' the little darlin'," growled Michael +from behind my back, where he towered like some grim monument. + +I shamed to confess that I had forgot my faithful squire, until his +voice recalled him to my mind. + +"Madam, I beg that thou wilt permit me to make known unto thee the +truest heart, as well as the strongest arm, in all England. Courage, +loyalty, generosity and strength are all that do unite in this, your +faithful servant." And I led Michael, who blushed like a maiden, +before Elizabeth. + +She spoke some kindly words unto him, and gave him her hand to kiss. + +On his knee his head was still as high as hers. + +Gently he kissed the dainty fingers lying in his mighty palm, and then +he arose without a word. + +Why, oh why, are not the kings and rulers of men born with hearts like +Michael's? Thy praises, oh my faithful squire, should be sung by +masters skilled in the art of playing upon the sympathetic strings of +the living harp, in place of the task, so full of possibilities, being +left to the feeble hand of such an one as I. But then, who knows as +well as thine old master the workings of that great heart whose every +throb is one of loyalty? + +But come, Sir Walter, hasten along in the path where lies thy story, +and tarry not, like some gossiping old wife, at every house along the +way, telling some news that helps thee not unto thy destination. + +"I have more ill news for thee, Sir Walter," said Elizabeth, when +Michael had arisen and resumed his former place, glad to be no longer +the object on which we all did gaze. + +"Heaven forbid!" I exclaimed devoutly. + +"Nay, Heaven doth forbid no woe to fall upon mine untimely silvering +head; and it is but just that I should have my punishment." + +"But what new calamity may this be, madam?" + +"Word reached me a week ago that my little Richard hath disappeared +from the Sanctuary in France, where my son, the Marquis of Dorset, left +him. + +"But comes the news from a trusty source?" + +"Yes, from Dorset himself. It happened thus, he says:-- + +"Near-by where stands the Sanctuary there a great mount doth lift its +rugged brow far above the natural level of the earth. Here did my +little Prince delight to stroll and watch the sparkling waters far, far +beneath his feet, rush in their tumbling haste from rock to rock along +their never-ceasing course. Here last was he seen sitting, as was +sometimes his wont, upon a boulder beneath a scraggling bush that there +doth grow. At set of sun he came not to the house; so the good folk +there went out to bring him in. Nowhere could they find him; and now +'tis thought he fell by accident, or intent, down, down into the cruel +waters at his feet. From that day since he hath not been found; but +his hat was by a traveller picked up and brought into the Sanctuary. + +"Now my little Princes both have gone to join their father, and +I--though God knows why--remain upon the earth. + +"If little Richard be dead--the which must be only too true--we will +make the Earl of Richmond King. Then shall my daughter, Elizabeth, be +his Queen. This is all I can now hope for; but it shall be the means +of ridding England of blood-supping tyrants, and shall give unto me my +long-desired revenge. + +"Lord Stanley is now at the head of a strong force, and is marching +from the North, apparently to meet the tyrant near by Leicester. + +"Richmond is now well on his way to London; and as he comes great +numbers flock unto his standard. + +"Stanley will, at the last moment, leave the Usurper to his fate and +side with the Earl. + +"Sir Frederick, here, leaves this morning to join Lord Stanley. + +"This evening, when thou dost return with our dear Hazel here, I can +give thee a letter to the Earl. I would send it by Sir Frederick, but +I do desire to give Earl Henry full particulars of the force that +Richard doth take with him along. The powers of the Usurper's friends +Richmond already knoweth. Mine agents shall bring in the desired +information concerning the forces of the Usurper as soon as Richard +doth leave the city." + +"Then everything goeth well, so far as preparations are concerned, +madam. + +"About what time doth Richard march?" + +"Soon after sun-up he did intend to go; at least so said the order +given to me," replied Harleston. + +"Then we will return before the set of sun. + +"But what, madam, is your opinion of this same strange letter?" + +"Truly, Sir Walter, I knew not of it until Sir Frederick told me its +strange contents." + +I then showed it to her in the hope that she might recognize the hand. + +With great care did she observe the writing; then she raised her head +and said:--"It looketh not unlike the hand of my Lord Stanley; though +there is a tremble here not his. Mayhap he did disguise his hand to +guard him from the danger of its falling into other hands than Sir +Frederick's." + +"And, Frederick, what dost thou think?" I asked. + +"Verily, Walter, I was about to tell thee at the door--and since it had +escaped my mind--of how I did mistrust that same packet until I saw ye +both arrive safe and free." Then it was that he told me of his meeting +Catesby as he left the Palace. + +"And dost thou think it safe to go unto this house mentioned in the +writing?" + +"Well, since the rest of the directions have been so trustworthy I can +see no danger in following the remainder. Besides," he continued, +"there seemeth to be no other way so secure." + +"Well, as no more time may be spared, methinks we had better start. I +shame to doubt the writer's good intent, after the great favour he hath +done me. + +"Say farewell, for the present, my dear. We shall be back this +evening." + +Tenderly the ex-Queen embraced Hazel; and as I knelt she laid her +gentle hand upon my head and said:-- + +"God protect thee, Sir Walter, and send thee back to me, with yon fair +child, which loveth thee so dearly, safe to her widowed foster mother." + +"Amen," said I softly, from the bottom of my heart. + +"Farewell, dearest Hazel, and may the angels guard thee from, and +strike dead those which could so much as harm thee with a thought," +sobbed loving little Mary, as the two dear girls embraced and kissed +each other. + +"Farewell, Frederick," said Hazel--for now she looked on him as her big +brother, and spoke unto him as such--"I may not again see thee until +the fate of us all hath been decided. May Heaven bless thee and bring +thee back to this dear girl, safe and victorious. And then may our old +happy days that passed like sunbeams in the park at Windsor be repeated +without disturbing interruption." + +This was a confirmation of my suspicion that Harleston had asked Mary +that question which is the London-stone in the lives of us all, and she +had made the promise that I could, long months since, have told she +would. + +"Farewell, dear lady," returned Frederick, whilst Mary took advantage +of his speech in trying to regain her wonted complexion; "I hope to see +thee again ere a fortnight be past. One great battle shall decide our +fate; and what that will be I am assured of." + +Then turning to me he said:--"We shall meet, no doubt, in the ranks of +the conquering Richmond. Till then farewell, my dear friend." + +"Farewell, Frederick, we shall meet near Leicester; that is if Richard +there awaits the Earl." + +I kissed Mary, and she and Harleston did bid farewell to big Michael. + +Then we proceeded to where our horses waited, Michael bearing upon his +arm a basket, in which was our food for the day. + +The morning was now well dawned, and the red bars from the fiery sun +were glancing along the floor of Heaven in beauteous ribbons, like the +gay trappings of a May-pole. + +Hazel's palfrey was now brought up; and as we mounted and rode off, the +little group at the door still stood and waved a silent, fluttering +farewell. + +We rode on in silence until we came to the turning that we should take, +were we to be guided by the letter. + +"This is the cross road mentioned in the packet. What think ye now of +the writer? Dost trust him?" I asked. + +"I trust him, and yet I feel some fear. I know not why; but a nameless +something doth stir up in my mind a dread of some calamity." + +"Shall we then go search for some place for ourselves?" + +"Oh, no! It must be but foolish maiden timidity. Let us proceed and +trust the letter, after the way that it hath rescued thee." + +So we turned unto our right and, as the letter had said, we came, after +travelling some three miles, upon a large house set back some distance +from the road. From a window in the upper story a small flag of +England did hang lazily. The house looked as it had been +described--unoccupied; so feeling re-assured we rode into the grounds. +I then held Michael's steed whilst he went forward and tried the door. +It was unlocked; so he entered. He then returned, at my call, and +reported everything as well, so far as he could see, though he desired +to inspect it further ere we entered. This I did consider to be +unnecessary. We then tied our horses to some trees near the door, and +walked in. + +The room was large and square, and in the centre a round pillar arose +from floor to ceiling. The furniture consisted of a long and broad, +heavy oaken table and some three or four chairs, scattered carelessly +around the room. Several closed and heavy doors, leading to where we +knew not, were set into the walls at irregular intervals. The general +appearance of the interior gave one the impression of recent +occupation; though now it did seem undoubtedly to be vacant. + +Michael placed the basket upon the table, and we at once proceeded to +make ourselves comfortable. + +"Ah! my dear, we shall have a pleasant holiday, and in the evening +return. Our dear friend, Master Catesby, shall arrive at Westminster +to find that the bird hath flown. Then he may curse his misfortune and +proceed to join his murderous master. Pray God I do but meet him in +the field. Then shall there be no truncheon to be flung down to stop +our fight, as was done at the tournament." + +"Yes, Walter dear, methought that thou hadst killed him when, with your +great sword, you drove him senseless from his horse." + +"But how didst thou see the tournament?" I asked in wonderment. + +Her cheeks then flushed, and she became as confused as a child caught +fairly in a trap. She glanced imploringly at Michael; but he seemed +greatly occupied with the buckle of his sword belt. + +"What! is it possible that thou wert one of the old ladies to whom +Michael did show such attention?" + +"In faith, Walter, thou hast guessed it; though I did not intend to +tell thee yet." + +"And was Mary the other?" + +"Yes." + +"Oh, ye are sly ones. And here is Michael also in the plot." + +"Beg pardon, sor, but Oi tould ye the truth." + +"Yea, that thou didst; but in your own peculiar way," I laughingly +replied. + +"Yes, Walter, Michael but did what we did ask of him, and therefore the +whole blame belongs to Mary and me," said Hazel, as she came and patted +me on the cheek. "Art not cross now?" she asked. + +"Nay, but Frederick and I will bring ye to account when next we all do +meet." + +Soon we sat us down to the pleasantest meal that, methinks, ever had I +partaken of. Clear of the gloomy Tower, and free, and there by my side +the truest and most trusting maid upon the earth's broad face. And +there was our huge Michael at the other side, eating and watching us +with admiring eyes. Verily, my dears, no happier trio ever sat +together, chatting like children at an outing. Hazel's dainty fingers +had put each morsel in most tempting shape, and to add aught to her +arrangement had been as difficult as to improve on the delicacy of soft +moonlight, strained through the misty alabaster curtains of the Heavens. + +"Now if Mary and Frederick were but here would it not be like our old +happy days at the Palace at Windsor?" asked Hazel. + +"Yea, indeed it should, but even more happy; for our troubles that are +now past make us to appreciate happiness the more." + +And so we talked on and were happy in our assurance that all should now +be well and smooth, and after the battle we would go to mine old house +that had stood waiting for its young master for many a day. + +Then suddenly I heard a sound that startled me, and caused grave doubts +as to our safety. It sounded not unlike a low whistle, and coming from +some room within the house. + +Michael's quick ear had heard it also; for he glanced anxiously first +to me and then to Hazel. She too had heard it, and her face changed +from its merry smile to a startled look of fear. + +"Didst thou not hear that whistle, Walter dear?" she asked in alarm. + +"What whistle, dearest?" I asked, that I might allay her fears. "'Twas +but thine imagination playing upon thine ears; 'twas nothing." + +"Nay, 'twas no imagination; 'twas real,--and hark!--there again it is." + +This time there could be no mistaking the sound. Methought it came +from one of the three rooms that did adjoin the large one in which we +were. + +"Do thou go, Michael, and with great care open yon door and see if that +room be occupied," I said in a whisper to my squire. + +Drawing his heavy sword he advanced cautiously, and, turning the knob, +he thrust the door wide open, whilst he remained at the threshold. + +This room was empty; but on the opposite side from where stood Michael +was another door, and to the right of this, in the other wall, was yet +another. + +Then I heard a slight click at the lock of the door by which we had +entered the house. I drew my sword and walked to this door and tried +to open it. It was locked. + +Then the whole plot flashed upon my mind. This then was Catesby's plan +for getting both Hazel and me within his power. No wonder that he did +laugh as Harleston left the courtyard. Well might he laugh; for never +did a trap work with more success than did this clever one, laid by +this most ingenious scoundrel. + +I went to the window and tried to loosen some of the bars that ran +across the square. Even the great Michael's strength should here be of +no avail. The bars were very heavy, and firmly imbedded in the +masonry, of which the lower part of the house was made. + +I watched the doors leading from the room in the expectancy that they +were about to fly open and a band of men rush in to do their work. +Still they did remain closed. Michael still stood before the open +door, awaiting mine instructions. + +After waiting for a few moments with the painful feeling that one has +when convinced that the eyes of a concealed foe are on him, watching +his every move, I walked to the great table and, placing my sword upon +it, I moved it back across one of the corners of the room; thus forming +a frail barricade to protect my dear Hazel. + +I then placed my dagger in her hand and said:--"Be brave my dearest, +and if thou seest that thou canst not escape with honour, thou knowest +the use of this little weapon. However, so long as thou seest hope, +refrain from its use; for even in our position no one can tell what the +result may be." + +"Fear not, Walter dear, unless I may be thy spotless bride my husband +shall be death." + +"Mine own dear, brave, little maiden," I murmured, and placed her, with +a loving kiss upon her brow, behind the--in some measure--protecting +table. + +I then took up my good sword and, holding it at arm's length to test +its reach, I said to Michael:-- + +"Do thou go, good Michael, to yon door, and see if there be any one +within the room behind it." + +"Oi will, sor." And he crossed the inner room in three good lengthy +strides. + +This door was unfastened, so he opened it as he had done the other, +except that this one opened towards him, and still stood he upon the +threshold. + +"Sure, yer honour, thare's anither door here, sor." + +"Open it also, Michael;" though the next moment I had rather have cut +the tongue from my throat than have uttered those words. + +Michael had just disappeared into this second unexplored room when, +with a crash, the door that had remained closed in the room adjoining +where Hazel and I waited flew open, and several armed men rushed in. + +"Beware Michael! come back! come back!" I cried in warning. + +Ere he could obey, however, the door was closed and securely locked and +barred behind him. At the same instant the room in which I stood was +filled with soldiers, which entered by the other doors. + +"Come on, ye pack of cowards! Why do ye hesitate? Do ye fear the +single sword of one good knight? Come on, I say, ye pack of sneaking +wolves that fear to attack, and yet stand in a circle round and growl!" +I cried in defiance at them. + +[Illustration: "Come on, ye pack of cowards."] + +There must have been well nigh a score; something more than half in my +room, and the others in the room betwixt Michael and us. + +The giant now thundered at the separating door, and swore an unceasing +stream of oaths of vengeance. + +This door, however, was a heavy oaken one, and withstood even Michael's +mighty assault with great endurance. + +Still the soldiers stood waiting, swords in hands. + +Presently, with leisurely, swinging stride and clanking armour, a smile +of triumph on his sneering face, entered my dearest foe, Catesby. With +a courtly bow, accompanied by a graceful wave of the hand, he saluted +Hazel, who, with great calmness, stood with clenched hands and +firm-pressed lips behind her barricade. + +"Welcome, my dear lady, to this house that taketh in poor troubled +refugees. Methinks the directions in my poor note must have been +clear; for my guests have arrived even earlier than I had expected," +said he, as he folded his arms and regarded us with a smile of +satisfaction. + +"Cease thine insolence, thou false and degraded knight, and draw thy +sword and fight me like a man, and do not further stain thy name by +setting upon a gentleman a band of coward ruffians!" + +"Nay, nay, Sir Walter, we have twice crossed swords ere this, and on +both occasions thou didst have the better of me. Verily, thou must be +selfish to ever desire to play the victor's part. Oh, no!" he added +with a laugh, "I now do hold the stronger hand, and it should be +casting an insult upon the Goddess of Fortune to thus throw aside her +bounteous gift of advantage. + +"Do thou close yon door and lock it, Peter," said he, turning to a +fellow which stood behind him and which carried his arm in a sling; +"that loud disturbing Irishman doth interrupt my speech. And besides," +he continued, with some uneasiness, as I thought, "that door doth seem +not strong enough for his beastlike strength. This other here is +stouter." + +The fellow with the disabled arm--no doubt 'twas he which did attempt +to murder me in my tent--then closed and locked the door, whilst three +of the soldiers remained in the inner room, that they might check the +gallant Michael, should he succeed in breaking down the door. And +indeed it now sounded as though the oak must give way; for the giant +had ceased his oaths, and all his breath was now being used to support +his great strength, that was being exerted on the creaking opposition. + +I almost smiled as I thought of the fate of the three men when the +great man should rush in upon them. + +"And now, Master Catesby," said I, "wilt thou enlighten me as to thine +object, in as few words as possible? for mine ears have no desire to +listen to thee at length, nor have mine eyes the wish to gaze upon thy +recreant body. + +"Then hear my purpose in thus luring ye both into this place. I do +desire to have yon same lady, which in her fear is even more beautiful +than when she smileth, delivered up into my hands. Her safety and +tender treatment thou mayest be well assured of; for I do love her to +distraction. + +"As for thyself, if thou dost offer no resistance, then shalt thou be +permitted to go forth from this place a free man, even though I do hate +thee as I do a viper." + +I bowed, and smiled grimly, and he continued. "If thou dost resist; +well, thou knowest that thou needst not to expect mercy." + +"Is that all?" + +"That is all." + +"Then know, thou slave of degradation and all that is most abominable, +that I, as would any man, reject thy base proposal, with words too poor +and weak to express, in any good measure, my contempt for the proposer." + +At this moment the inner door fell from its hinges with a crash; and +then the adjoining room was filled with oaths and the ring of fearful +blows. + +"Come then, make haste!" cried Catesby to his followers, "yon Herculean +savage hath burst through the inner door. Next will he break down +this; unless those knaves do stop him." + +Then the whole pack of varlets rushed upon me from all points but my +back, where the table did prevent them from surrounding me. + +"Ha! thou caitiff! ha! thou slave!" cried I, as I struck down the two +foremost of the assassins. + +"What! do ye hesitate, and shrink from a single sword? Strike him +down, ye varlets, or at your peril stay a hand until we have him!" and +the chiefest of mine attackers drew forth his sword and, stepping o'er +the body of one of his fallen band, he did engage with me so hotly as +to cause me to use all of my defence in guarding me from his fierce +cuts and thrusts. + +In then there rushed the others; but so many were there that they did +interfere with each other; thus enabling me to still guard off their +blows with my good armoured left arm. + +Michael had now overcome his three antagonists, and thundered with his +mighty shoulders against the remaining door. I knew that this would be +more difficult to break down; for, besides being more heavy, as Catesby +had said, it opened towards Michael, and this did add greatly unto its +powers of resistance. I dared not turn mine eyes towards the door, +lest on mine head a stunning blow should fall. + +My left arm now had lost its wonted strength, with guarding of the many +blows that fell so hard and thick upon it. + +"Now we have him! Press him both close and hard!" cried Catesby, as he +renewed, with all his activity, his lightning-like attack. + +Never in my life have I, before that day nor since, fought with such +quickness or strength. I was as a madman for the nonce, and fought +with the delight of intoxicated recklessness. My sword seemed +everywhere at once, and even the shifty Catesby was pressed back. I +stepped forward in the delirium of feverish thirst for slaughter. + +"Walter, beware! beware!" cried Hazel. + +But it was too late. I had stepped too far forward, and thus permitted +one of the pack to get behind me. A crushing, ringing blow upon my +helm,--a shrill and piercing shriek from Hazel, that lived in mine +ears, and died out at last as though by distance,--and I clattered to +the floor, unconscious. + +Mine oblivion could not have lasted for more time than whilst one might +tell a score; for when I regained consciousness Michael still crashed +against the separating oak, and there was Hazel standing behind her +feeble barricade and holding in her small white hand the dagger that I +had placed there. + +"Stand back, thou traitorous, deceiving hypocrite! Advance towards me +but one short step more and this dagger's bright blade shall be dyed +red with mine own heart's blood!" + +Ah! my children, had ye but seen her then, as she stood there, as pale +as a marble statue; yet with flashing eyes and heaving breast, her +dainty tapering fingers of the right hand grasping, with all her little +flower-like strength, brittle yet easily snapped, the little weapon, ye +would have cheered in unrestrained admiration of the dear, brave, +little maid. + +Catesby stood back in awe of this goodly sight, which even his +villainous heart could not help but admire. + +"Well, and right nobly done!" he cried. "Thy courage in thus resisting +doth but arouse within my love-sick heart a new and fiercer, and e'en +more consuming passion for thee. Like a boy, I ever love the apple +that doth hang from the limb most difficult to reach. The more the +rich, ripe fruit doth avoid my grasping hand the more determined am I +to have it." + +"Cease thine insulting speech, false knight, cowardly assassin, 'tis I +that commandeth thee! I, thine ancient foe, that even now defies +thee!" and I struggled, tottering to my knees, and shook my clenched +fist in defiance at him. + +"Come on, Michael! break down the door, and we yet can drive this +murdering pack before us, as doth the wind dry leaves!" + +"Oi'm comin', yer honour; do but hould out a little," and the fury of +his attack upon the door was redoubled. + +Catesby made a sign with his hand, and instantly four men left the room +in haste. + +"Beware, Michael! they may attack thee from the rear!" I cried, as I +staggered to my feet and tried to rush upon mine enemy. I was securely +held back, however, by two of the pack, who forced me to my knees and +held me there. + +Catesby merely smiled his hellish smile, and said:--"Bind him hard and +fast to yon pillar, and strip him of his helm. We shall now try +another plan to capture yon same tempting apple," and he nodded in +Hazel's direction. + +With cords they bound me until I could not move a muscle. Helmless and +helpless I then stood before my fiendish foe, which drew his dagger and +advanced upon me. + +"Stop! stop, thou wretch!" shrieked Hazel. "For the welfare of your +soul slay not a helpless man. Nay, nay, do but wait, I pray thee! I +will do that which thou dost ask! I will go with thee! anything thou +wilt, if thou wilt but spare him!" + +"Hazel, in God's name hold thy peace! If thou dost love me do as I +have said! I fear him not; let him do his worst; but use thy dagger +ere thou dost permit this villain to lay on thee a hand!" + +"Oh, yes, yes, Walter; but I cannot bear to see thee die before my very +eyes! Oh, merciful Mary, it is too awful!" she cried, as Catesby +seized mine ear and with his dagger clipped off a small part of the +lobe. + +The tough oaken door did still resist the efforts of the giant; but it +was plain that it could not long endure. + +"Be brave, mine own true little love, Michael shall soon be here!" I +called out above the din. + +"So, madam, will I cut him into small pieces here before thee, unless +thou dost surrender. Thou canst save him by coming from behind that +table. Bethink thee of his fate in case thou art obdurate," said the +accursed knave, as he seized mine other car and raised the dagger. + +The door was now cracked almost from top to bottom, and Michael still +stormed his blows upon it. + +"Uh! ye cursed cowards! Oi'll crack yer damned skulls fer ye in a +minute! Uh! ye blood-suckin' divils, Oi'll rip ye all to paces and +cram ye down yer own bloody throats!" + +Louder cracked the door. + +"Come, lady, your answer; make haste e'er the door giveth way." + +"Hold out, my brave girl! we yet shall conquer!" I cried in +encouragement. + +Hazel leaned forward, with her left hand leaning upon the table, her +body stretched forward, her lips compressed until no colour did remain +in them. With her right hand she struck, quickly, the dagger into the +table's top, then drew it out and struck again. Still was she +silent,--and a small piece came off mine other ear. + +"Oh, God! God! God! it is too much! too much!" shrieked the poor +maiden; and, throwing her hands above her head, she fell forward upon +the table as though she were dead. + +Catesby and one of his men then rushed to where she lay, and seized her +in their arms and started for the door. + +"Touch her not with your contaminating hands! Oh! false knight, I will +have the last drop in thy heart for this! Oh, thou accursed slave of +Hell! unbind me, and I will tear out thy throat with my bare fingers! + +"Michael! for God's sake come! they are carrying her off with them!" +and I cursed, and shrieked, and struggled with my bonds until they cut +deep into my wrists. + +"All Hill take this accursed door! It'll go now, or Oi'll brake moy +damned back!" + +There was a tremendous crash; the whole house did seem to shake; and +Michael burst through the door with parts of it still clinging to his +armour, which was battered from head to foot; and his great hands were +red with blood. + +"At last Oi'm here, yer honour; but, Oi fear, too late," gasped he, as +he tried the outer door, and found it locked. + +He then cut with his dagger the cords that bound me. Too late, too +late we were indeed. Another door had to be battered down ere we were +able to gain the outside. This occupied some time, and when at last we +did rush tottering forth we found no sight of our enemies, or our dear, +brave, little maiden. + +Our horses' reins had been cut, and the beasts themselves were +wandering far from the house. + +How Michael did swear, as tenderly he bound up mine ears with pieces of +the cloth that had served to cover the basket we had brought. + +"Oh, sure sor, Oi did moy viry bist; but Oi couldn't git through in +toime, yer honour. Forgive me, Sor Walter; but Oi'll nivir rist till +Oi have the varmint, and the dear swate Lady Hazel is safe returned to +thee, sor," sobbed the poor fellow, like a child, as he knelt at my +feet, praying pardon for not having accomplished more, in but a few +short moments, than three ordinary men might do in one whole day, and +then feel proud of their work. + +"Rise, my brave Michael, and never again ask of me pardon; for thy +mighty work this day hath saved my life, and, had it been within the +power of man, it would have saved the Lady Hazel." + +Michael brought out my helm and put it on me. The wounds in mine ears +were mere trifles; so I suffered no inconvenience from my headpiece. + +We caught our horses and, after mending their harness, we mounted and +set out for Leicester, by roads not travelled by the army. + +Now was I determined to join Lord Stanley's force in time to take part +in the great battle. There would I meet Catesby, and kill him; and +somewhere near would I find Hazel. + +I did neither storm nor gnash my teeth, as is my wont when my temper +doth control my reason; but with quiet bearing, and lips drawn tightly +in, I rode straight forward under the bright sun that glistened so on +Michael's battered armour. Thus steadily could I have ridden unto the +end of the earth, and never would I rest in peace until I found the man +which so had wronged me. + +Michael did seem to share my mood; for no word did he speak; but sat +his steed with his head thrust slightly forward and a fearful look of +unrelenting vengeance stamped on his firm-cut features. + +There could be no escape for Catesby. He might cross the world; but +still his grim fate would follow and o'er take him. + +"He can never escape me," I kept repeating in my mind. Hell's fire +seemed burning in my heart; but outward I was cold, deliberate and as +unchangeable of feature as is the London-stone. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +THE FIELD OF BOSWORTH + +On the fourth day following, and late in the afternoon, we at last +found the camp of Lord Stanley. + +Once we came near running our heads through the noose, and there ending +all our hopes and fears. + +It was just as we were nearing the town of Bosworth, in our search for +Stanley's force, that we fell in with a straggling body of yeomen and +some few men-at-arms. I asked them to direct me to Lord Stanley's camp. + +"Straight ahead, sir, until thou comest unto the first turning to the +right. Here turn, and that road will take ye unto your destination, +which is the Town of Bosworth," replied their leader. + +I thanked him and rode on, following his directions. + +Soldiers of all ranks and arms were hurrying along by every road. + +Presently we drew in sight of Bosworth. The town seemed filled with +soldiers, and others were arriving at every moment. + +"Ho! sirrah, canst thou inform me whose force it is that occupies +yonder town?" I asked of a straggler by my side. + +The fellow stared at me in surprise for a breathing space and then +answered:--"Why, his Majesty King Richard's, to be sure. Thou didst +not think that Richmond had taken it, didst thou?" + +"Hill!" ejaculated Michael. + +I came near to betraying mine emotion; but controlled myself in time +and asked:--"But where doth Lord Stanley keep his camp?" + +"To the North and West about a mile, sir." + +I muttered a prayer of thanksgiving for mine escape from falling into +the hands of mine enemies, and wheeling our horses about we retraced +our steps until we came upon the road that we had left at the direction +of the yeoman. This we pursued for some little distance, and then we +beheld Lord Stanley's camp before us. + +We rode up to before the noble Lord's tent and to the guard before the +door I gave my name and asked to be admitted. + +The soldier had scarcely entered when out rushed Harleston. + +"Ah! my dear friends!" he cried to Michael and me, "how is it that I +have the delight of having ye both here? Methought ye were with the +noble Earl," and he nodded to the westward. + +"But why are ye so glum; hath aught gone amiss?" he asked, with an +anxious look. + +"Ay, Frederick, everything has gone amiss." And then I told him all +the sad news. + +When I had finished he stood gazing thoughtfully before him. Then he +put his hand upon my shoulder, and tenderly he said:-- + +"I need not tell thee to be brave; that thou ever art. But console +thee I may. Bethink thee now of that which shall happen to-morrow. +Then shalt thou have thy revenge; for the noble Richmond is not one to +let go, with his head upon his shoulders, such an one as Catesby." + +"Ay, but think of that which may happen to my dear Hazel ere we have +Catesby in our power." + +"Nay, thou must not think her peril greater than it is." + +"How is it possible for it to be greater than it is? Is she not in +that fiend's power?" + +"That I grant you. But remember that Catesby must be greatly occupied +with his master's business, and shall have short time in which to +inflict his plague-like presence on her. + +"Her, no doubt, he hath sent to some place of safety, where she shall +remain until after the battle. + +"The Usurper's friends all think that their victory is assured, and +that Richmond, ere sunset to-morrow, shall be without a head. Little +do they suspect that Northumberland's forces will move not to foul +Richard's aid; or that Lord Stanley here, and his brother there, will +join with the noble Richmond. + +"Catesby will take his time and, when thou art dead, the which he +thinks thou soon shalt be, he'll go and gently woo the Lady Hazel. +This doth Catesby intend to do, or else I do know nothing of the man." + +"Dost thou think thus, indeed, my friend; or do you say these words +that thou mayst comfort me with false hopes?" I asked, as I trembled +with hope and fear. + +"Verily do I believe that which I said will prove to be the case." + +"Thanks, thanks! my friend. Thou knowest not the load that thou hast +taken from my heart. What, oh what could I do without the aid of thy +clear insight into the motives and the thoughts of all men?" + +"Nay, nay, flatter me not," he replied, with a depreciating smile; +"thou hast the same, if not a better, judgment, if thou wouldst but be +calm and use it." + +"Jist wait till to-morrow, and Master Catesby 'll fale the weight o' +moy hand," growled Michael, whose features still wore their look of +grim determination. + +Lord Stanley received me most cordially, and expressed his regret at my +great misfortune in falling into the trap set with such prodigious +skill by Catesby. + +"Do but be patient, Sir Walter," said he, in that kindly voice of his, +"to-morrow's work shall tell a different tale. Richard doth despise +his foe, and his great conceit doth cause him to underestimate the +hatred his subjects have for him. + +"I have a scar upon my head, the which must be revenged. Besides, he +hath taken my son, George Stanley, to keep as an hostage for my +loyalty. That I may save my son's life it shall be necessary for me to +hold back my forces from taking part against the boar, until such time +as he doth engage with Richmond. Then shall the tide of battle change, +and England shall be freed of tyranny." + +That night, Harleston, Michael, and I, all occupied the one tent, and +again was the tournament brought afresh to my mind, and with it an even +more intense hatred of my powerful foe, which I now felt I would soon +have within my power to crush. With the sweet thoughts of a speedy +vengeance for all my wrongs, I at length fell into a restless sleep, +from which I was awakened by the shrill blast of the startling trumpet. + +The day was just dawning; but with no great cheer of brightness. The +great hollow plain of Redmoor looked dark and misty, as though it did +dislike and dreaded the shock of battle that soon was to disturb its +gloomy, brooding stillness. + +When we had breakfasted and armed, the sun had risen sufficiently +high--though still did he remain behind a thick and dreary covering--to +enable us to watch the movements of the two opposing armies. + +The shape of this battle-field--as ye all do know--is that of a shallow +saucer, with one side chipped out, or flattened. + +From the right of us Richmond's army, numbering some six thousand men, +all told, advanced slowly down the gentle slope to meet the tyrant and +his force of some twelve thousand, or thereabouts, approaching from the +other side. + +We now saw that Stanley had well chosen his ground for the successful +carrying out of his plan; for as the two unequal forces did approach +each other it became evident that they must meet directly in front of +us. + +Soon the archers were engaged, and the deadly arrows flew through the +intervening space like hail. + +Our force, of seven thousand goodly warriors, was now drawn up in +lines, and the command was given to advance. + +Slowly did we march down towards the opposing armies that now were +engaged with the full fury of those that have received their baptism of +arrow's flight. As we drew near there was a temporary lull in the +clamour of the battle. Then we swung around and bore down upon the +Usurper's forces from the Earl of Richmond's side. + +Then was the heavy air rent asunder with loud, ringing cheers from +Richmond's men, and foul curses and shouts of defiance from the +Usurper's side. + +Now did the battle rage with a redoubled fury. The army of the valiant +Earl fought with the confidence of ultimate success; whilst Richard's +struggled on with desperation. Our archers fought side by side with +Richmond's foreigners. + +"God and St. George!" rang forth on every side above the battle's din. + +Then came the order which we knights had all been long awaiting. + +"Charge, gallant knights of England! A Richmond! A Richmond! +Victorious laurel crowns await us!" + +Then the long lances with their fluttering streamers bent all together +as they were laid in rest. How looked they like the full grown field +of grain as it doth bend before the hot blasts of summer. + +"Now, Walter, we must find Catesby!" cried Harleston. + +"Yea, _I_ must find him," I replied between my set teeth, as forward we +dashed. + +Michael gave one great cheer and then leaned forward with his mighty +sword, that took the strength of two good men to wield, held beside his +huge steed's neck. + +On we flew, whilst forward dashed a band of knights and squires to meet +us. + +"Charge! charge! charge!" rang out on every side. + +A crash!--curses,--cheers and groans! and then the sharp swords flashed +over head, and the shields rang out right lustily. + +My lance did resist the shock of the first encounter; the knight +against whom I aimed it going down before my furious charge as though +he had been a reed. + +Sharply I spurred my steed and dashed forward at another knight, which +bravely came on to meet me. Both lances shivered up to the very grasp. +Drawing my good sword I again made at him. Then came a terrible blow +upon my side, and I was shot from my saddle as a stone from a sling. +Some cowardly knave had borne down upon me from the right whilst I was +drawing my sword to attack my more worthy antagonist. His lance's +point had struck beneath mine arm, and 'twas to our good King Edward's +noble present that I owed my life. + +I must have been stunned for a moment; for the next thing I knew of was +a knee upon my chest and a visored face bending o'er me. + +"Now I will finish the work left incomplete when last we met." It was +Catesby. + +In his hand he held a dagger, and now he drew it back to strike. + +The only sensation I then felt was a curiosity to know how it would +feel to die. The stroke I cared not for; but yet I wondered, with a +kind of disinterestedness, how one would feel as the soul was parting +from the body. It must have been that my senses were still scattered, +or I had not acted thus. No resistance did I make; but with an +indifferent feeling awaited the fatal blow where my helm joined my +gorget. + +All this could not have taken more time than does the lightning to fly +across the heavens; for still the dagger stayed poised in the air. + +"Hark ye!" hissed Catesby in mine ear. + +"Take with thee this message unto Hell. Say that I, Catesby, did send +thee to thy master, and that, unless the fortunes of the day be +changed, I'll not be long behind thee." Then up higher flew the +threatening blade. Then did it start on its downward course. It never +reached my throat. A great hand seized mine enemy by the wrist; back +flew the dagger-grasping hand until the arm snapped like a dry stick. +Catesby flew into the air as though drawn by a mighty loadstone. Then +was he hurled to the ground again with stunning force, and my great +Michael kneeled beside me. + +"Art thou hurt, yer honour?" he asked anxiously. + +"Nay, Michael; I got but a sudden fall that dazed me. 'Twas for a +moment only; now again do I feel a man." And with Michael's assistance +I arose to my feet. + +Then Catesby stirred, and Michael was upon him in an instant; dagger in +hand, and drawn back for the fatal blow. + +"Hold! hold, Michael! slay him not! I must question him!" I cried. + +"Uh! bad luck to me fer a blunderin' fool; sure we must foind out whare +he has the dear lady kipt, ere we send the varmint to roast in sulphur." + +"Come, Master Catesby, our late respective positions are now reversed," +said I calmly and distinctly, that my speech might be clear to his +dazed senses. "Dost hear me?" + +In a feeble voice, and with the use of many curses intermixed with +groans, he answered that he did. + +"Before thou diest thou shalt have an opportunity for the making of +some slight restitution for the many wrongs that thou hast done to me. +Tell me where I may find the Lady Hazel." + +He raised himself up and leaned on his well arm, whilst the other did +hang limp and twisted at his side. + +"And what shall I receive for the telling of this to thee?" + +"The weight of one good act to place opposite to the great load of evil +on the scales of justice, when thou dost shortly appear before the seat +of judgment." + +"Ha, ha, ha!" loud did he laugh. "And dost thou then think that I am +bereft of reason, to thus fling from me all that I do possess wherewith +to buy my life? Nay, unless thou dost spare my life, thou mayest +search from now until thy death, ere thou dost find the lady that thou +seekest." + +I held my dagger to his throat, but still he did hold his secret fast. + +"Thy miserable life is then spared, for the present, if thou dost tell +me where the lady is." + +"And wilt thou forbid yon demon from murdering me?" + +"Thou shalt not be harmed by either of us; but for thy treatment at the +hands of the Earl of Richmond I cannot speak. + +"Agreed! my life shall rest upon the hazard of this battle, as it did +ere we met this day." + +"Remember, if thou liest it shall be thy last; for thou dost still +remain my prisoner." + +"Go then unto the Town of Leicester--if thou ever canst--and within the +Sanctuary near Grey Friars' Church thou shalt find the lady. There was +she sent from the house in which I left thee, and there did I obtain +admittance for her. I have not seen her since thou hast; but last +evening I went unto the place and gave strict orders that there she +must be kept until I sent or came for her. Thou canst not get her out +without this ring. Here, draw it from my finger." + +This I did, and then I commanded Michael to take him to the rear of +Richmond's army. + +I felt no fear of Catesby's escape; for he might as well have tried to +escape from the unrelenting gates of Hell, as from the mighty Michael. + +The battle raged not nearby where I stood; but down at the marsh the +fight was at its thickest. Hastily did I secure a horse, and I spurred +him hard as I made for Richmond's standard. + +The royal banner of England now dashed forward, and the two flags were +well nigh together. + +"This now must be the finish," cried I, as I waved my good sword in +circles round my head. + +Then came there forward, like a thunderbolt, Sir William Stanley's +gallant horsemen, and rode abreast with me. + +Down sank the gallant standard of the noble Earl, as Richard himself +smote to the ground Sir William Brandon, who had carried it. Another +knight sprang forward from the side of Richmond and faced the desperate +tyrant. He met the same fate as Brandon. Richmond waved his sword in +defiance of the boar, and the two men were like to meet; but I got +betwixt them and caught Richard's blow upon my shield. + +"Ha! Bradley! Escaped, runagate traitor! Have at thee!" + +Again did I catch his savage blow, and this time I gave him my straight +point beneath his helm. + +At that very moment another good knight dashed in and, as he saw +Richard strike at me, he thought that I was Richmond. His bright blade +flashed through the air and struck the tyrant fair upon his helmed +head. Two such fierce blows, falling both at once, drove Richard from +his saddle as though a bolt from Heaven had struck him. + +Down from my steed I sprang, and with my dagger clipped the laces of +his headpiece. Already the eyes were rolled far back, and stared up +blindly at me. Not a quiver stirred his frame. He had died in the +twinkling of an eye. + +The sun now rent asunder the clouds of Heaven, as had the two flashing +swords torn the darkest clouds that had surrounded us all for so long a +time, and the whole field was filled with brightness. Mayhap it was +the resounding shouts of victory of our now half-crazed army that did +rend the heavy clouds; for one could scarce hear himself cheer, so loud +were the shouts of gladness all around us. + +The remnant of the dead tyrant's force--for above four thousand had +been slain--offered no further resistance, and the great majority of +them did join in and cheer for the victorious Earl. + +Then Harleston grasped my hand. His visor was raised up and his face +was flushed with pleasure and exertion. + +"Well, Bradley, our oath, made to King Edward, hath been kept; we have +revenged the murder of his little son." + +It was he who had struck down Richard at the same moment as had I. + +Richmond dismounted and, kneeling, he thanked God for his great +victory. Then he arose and grasped both Harleston and me by the hands, +and heartily he thanked us for the part that we had played. + +Sir William Stanley now advanced to where the Earl of Richmond stood. +In his hand he carried the light, gold crown that had been worn by +Richard in the battle. This he placed upon the victor's head, and then +we all knelt down and cried:--"God save King Henry!" Then, as do the +waters spread out in ever widening circling waves after a stone hath +been dropped through their smooth surface, the cries of:--"God save +King Henry!" swept throughout the whole delirious army. + +"Great God, I thank thee for this bounteous gift presented by the hands +of these, thy faithful servants," said Henry devoutly, as again he +kneeled. + +"May I rule this, my fair, native land with justice, and under thy +direction." + +Then again we all arose, and deafening cheers swept with redoubled +vigour over the plains of Redmoor. + +"Throw yon bloody carrion across the back of some degraded horse, and +then on to Leicester, where we will spend the night," said the King, as +he pointed to Richard's body. + +Frederick and I had little difficulty in finding Michael; for during +the preceding scene he had forced his way through the crowd and stood +near behind us. We then joined in with the guards of our new sovereign +and rode on to Leicester, with hearts lighter than they had been for +many a long, black day; and yet with anxious minds, as we wondered +whether Catesby had told the truth or no. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +CONCLUSION + +When we reached our destination we handed Catesby over to the proper +authorities, and from that time we had naught to do with his fate. + +We hastened by the shortest way to the Grey Friars' Church, and from +there, when we had been directed, we went to the Sanctuary. + +Catesby had spoken the truth; the ring that I had taken from his finger +gained for us admittance. + +At first Hazel refused to see us, and prayed protection of the church +folk. + +Then I remembered me, and sent unto her our names. Instantly then were +we admitted into her presence, and happy reunion took the place of +torturous separation and maddening anxiety. + +"Come now, art happy and content?" I asked, when our joyous greeting +had gone the rounds. + +"Yes, yes, so happy now, dear;--but how are thine ears?" she broke in +suddenly. + +"Tush! 'twas a mere nothing; he but cut off the skin." + +However, she would not be content until I had taken off my helm and she +had redressed the slight wounds. + +"But what became of him?" she asked, as a shudder ran through her +frame. "I have not seen him since he was torturing thee. The next I +knew I was within a closed, wheeled litter, travelling at a fearful +pace, and this woman here, beside me. I tried to get out, but could +not. Armed men rode all around the litter. Steadily did we travel on, +stopping but seldom to get fresh horses, food, and some little rest, +until we reached this place. Here have I been locked up and treated as +a mad woman." + +"The fiend!" I cried. + +"Yes, Catesby had evidently been here and told them that I was his mad +sister, which thought I was another, and this woman here hath been my +keeper since I came." + +I walked over to where the woman--an old hag--was crouched on a bench +in a corner, trembling with fear. + +"Thou mayest leave this place at once, madam," I said, "and thank God, +which made thee so, that thou hast at least the sex of a woman. + +"Your master is now the prisoner of our new King Henry, and, unless the +aforesaid King be of more forgiving nature than I think, Catesby shall +soon be with his master, the usurping tyrant, Richard, which is even +now in Hell's consuming fire." + +"Oh, poor Sir William!" she wailed. "Ah, sir! I nursed him at my +breast, and ever since have I been his servant. Oh! save him, sir! I +know he did have his faults; but still do I love and serve him, as +though he were mine own. For God's sake, sir, speak but a word to your +new King, and thou canst save him! Return good for evil, now that thou +hast the power!" and she knelt at my feet and threw her arms about my +legs. + +"Strange," thought I, "that even such a villain as is Catesby hath some +one who loves him." Then aloud I said:--"It must not be. My wrongs +are not the only ones that he must answer for. Catesby hath writ a +volume of misdeeds, and the whole world hath perused them. No man can +stop the bad effects of these in other ways than by the suppression of +the one that doeth them." + +"Wilt thou not have mercy on him, Walter dear?" asked the +tender-hearted maid which now clung to my side. + +I started in surprise. "What! dost thou plead for Catesby?" I asked. + +"Nay, not for him; but for this old woman here. She hath done naught +but obey her master. Save the knave, Walter, for this old woman's +sake. We can now afford to be generous, Walter dear; now that all +danger is past. Besides, he can do no harm, and mayhap your generosity +will show him the evil of his acts, and he will then repent," and she +stroked my cheek coaxingly. + +Truly, a woman is the most unfathomable work of God. Here was this +maid, quick as a hornet to resent a wrong, and yet forgiving as a dove +when the danger had passed. + +I hesitated; but her tender eyes were on me, and I could not resist +their wondrous charm. + +"Well,--I will see what may be done," I replied slowly, and with great +reluctance. "But remember, I have little thought that he can avoid the +block, or halter." + +Then I went unto the King's headquarters and told him my request. + +"What, Bradley! spare the life of Catesby; the man that so hath wronged +thee? By the light of Heaven! my long sojourn across the channel hath +made me to forget the nature of an English gentleman! But may I ask +your reason for this strange request?" he asked more seriously. + +I told him. + +"'Tis but an old woman's whim; but even so I had been glad to grant +thee this request; but thou art too late. His head was stricken off +but a few moments before thou earnest." + +"Thank Gawd!" growled Michael from the door, whither he had followed, +as faithful as my shadow. + +"And is this a friend of thine?" asked the King. + +"Ay, your Majesty, he is my noble squire. To him, your Grace, do I owe +my life a score of times." And then I told him of the worthy Irishman. + +When I came to the part that Michael had played that day the King +exclaimed:-- + +"What! captured Catesby! Kneel down my faithful subject. What is thy +name?" + +"Moichael O'Brien, yer Majesty." + +The King drew forth his sword and laid it upon the mighty shoulder. +"Arise, Sir Michael O'Brien." + +Still did not Michael stand; but merely raised his head and stared in +bewilderment at the King. + +"Come, Sir Michael, let me be the first to congratulate thee on thy +distinction," said I, as I grasped his hand and raised him to his feet. + +He could not speak, but looked his surprise and thanks more eloquently +than could have been expressed by a whole volume of words. + +When we reached the Sanctuary I informed the old hag that I had been +too late to save Catesby. + +How she howled and chattered like a mad creature, and Hazel, like the +dear forgiving angel that she hath ever been, comforted this old woman +with soft, soothing words, and at last succeeded in quieting her. The +old woman was then led off to another room, and since that day I never +have beheld her. And for this I am thankful; for I could not look upon +her without mixed emotions of hate and sympathy struggling within my +heart. + +The next morning the dead tyrant was buried, and Frederick, Michael, +and I went to Grey Friars' Church to look the last upon the one on +which the result of our oath made to his brother had fallen. I touched +his hand. In death he was as cold as a salamander, and 'tis like his +soul was in that place where this peculiar beast best flourishes. + +"Richard succeeded better than I thought possible, when he drew in the +ship of power," said Harleston. "But when the sailors found what kind +of captain they did have to rule them they mutinied and killed their +tyrant master." + +"His tower of crime did fall, and it crushed its builder, as thou +saidst it should," said I. + +"Yes," replied Frederick. + +Then he continued in his musing way; his head bowed in thought. + +"We are all but dry leaves, lying upon the ground of time. The gust of +life doth come along, and it hurls us some distance from the earth. On +we travel for a short space; some of us sailing higher than the others. +The breeze dies out, and we all do fall back to the same low level." + +The truth of Harleston's words was made most clear to me then, as I +gazed upon the corpse of him who had been, but a short time since, a +King, and now was a cold lump of earth, such as we all must be. + +We then went to ask the King for his permission for us to return to +Westminster with the Lady Hazel. + +His Majesty received us in a most friendly manner, and granted us the +desired permission. + +"I suppose," said he, as we were leaving his presence, "that I need not +ask thee, Sir Walter, nor thee, Sir Frederick, to remain at my court +when I do reach London; for I have heard of two fair maidens which ye +do intend to make your wives. Well, ye are both right, and, when the +Government hath been set in order, I do intend to follow your worthy +example, and wed the fair, budding young Elizabeth. Ye both have my +heartiest wishes of the happiness that ye have won through many dark +days of misery, and by your gallant acts in the liberating of England +from a rule of tyranny. Never doubt but that ye ever shall live in my +memory, or that I ever will neglect some small reward for noble service +rendered." + +"Thanks, thanks, your Majesty!" we replied. + +"And if your Grace doth ever require--the which pray God ye never +may--two trusty swords, thou shalt never be compelled to send an order +for them," said Harleston with a heartiness that could not be mistaken. + +"Well do I know that, sirs." Then turning to the gigantic fresh-dubbed +knight, he said:-- + +"Sir Michael, thou hast no love that will keep thee from remaining with +us at the Palace?" + +The mighty man started, and looked imploringly at the King, and then +hopelessly at me; yet spoke he not a word. + +"Come, Sir Michael," said I, "speak freely your mind to his Majesty. +He is not the tyrant Richard, that ever hated men to give their honest +thoughts expression." + +Still did he hesitate and grew more confused with each breath. + +"Ah! I see the trouble, and I think none the less of thee for thy +feeling," said the King, with admiration in his voice and manner, as he +walked to where Michael stood and put his hand upon the honest +shoulder. "Thou dost still wish to abide with your old master, and yet +fear to displease me with refusing my request. Come, am I not right?" + +"Sure, that's the houle truth o' the thing, yer Majesty." + +"Then go with Sir Walter, my good friend. Such loyalty doth raise thee +in mine estimation. I know full well that should I ever need thee, +thou wilt flash thy good sword betwixt the two of these good friends." + +"Oi thank yer Majesty." + +"Farewell, my faithful friends. In London soon I hope to see ye all." + +As we left the room in which this interview took place I felt a great +lump rise up in my throat, as I thought of my faithful Michael's +loyalty. No word did I speak unto him; but I took his great hand in +mine and pressed it hard. + +Right after dinner we set out for Westminster and proceeded rapidly, +until we reached the Sanctuary late in the second day following. + +Joyous then was our reunion. The girls, the Queen and her daughters +embraced, laughed and wept, whilst we men, which have no part in such +scenes, stood and looked uncomfortably on. + +The next day, without preparation, there took place in the chapel of +the Sanctuary a double wedding, in which the fair-haired Mary and the +gallant Frederick, and the dark-eyed Hazel and your most humble father +and grandfather, played the important parts; whilst the ex-Queen and +her daughters, together with the great Michael, lent right noble +assistance. The priests prayed; the soft voices of the choir sang +forth in tender harmony. We were blessed, and then walked from the +chapel, with the sweet music lingering like a love kiss in our ears. + +'Twas as we walked forth that Harleston and I both drew from our +doublets--as we had foreplanned we would--the remembrances that the +girls had given us long days before in the park at Windsor. These we +returned to them, and they laughed and kissed them and re-gave them +unto us. + +Still have we both those tokens; and mine doth now lie before me as I +pen these words. I take it up and kiss it tenderly, and a tear drops +down upon it. + +Place that small glove, my children, in my grave and on my +death-stilled heart when I am gone. + + * * * * * + +The King forgot not the service we had rendered him upon that misty +plain of Redmoor. A handsome wedding portion did he send to both the +girls, although they did not need it. And when, later in his reign, he +did acquire the habit of imposing heavy fines upon all of his subjects, +both Harleston and myself escaped "as though by magic," as said some of +our friends. + + * * * * * + +And now the tale is told, and all that for me remains to do is sit with +folded hands beside that dear grey head before the blazing fire, and +talk away the winter's day. And in the hot summer's evenings stroll, +with that same dear trusting hand upon mine arm, that for sixty years +hath been there, beneath the old oaks of dear Bradley House. And when +your dear cousins, Harleston, and your Uncle Frederick and Aunt +Mary--as ye do call them--come over to spend with us a quiet evening, +we all do sit upon the great lawn and talk the setting sun into his +rest. + +And now but a word of the great Michael, which ye all do love so +dearly. Mayhap ye never have heard the reason why we do not call him +"Sir." It was at his own request that we did drop the distinction. + +"Sure, yer honour," said he to me one day, "if ye playze, wouldst thou +moind if Oi axed thee to not call me 'Sor'?" + +"But for why, my good friend?" + +"Uh! sure sor it doesn't sound roight to moy ears, and maketh me to +fale a stranger to thee, sor. Playze, sor, give unto me back moy ould +name and Oi'll fale more loike moysilf." + +That, my dears, is the reason why the great man who hath ever lived +with us, and carried ye all on his mighty shoulders, hath ever been +known unto ye all as plain, old, faithful Michael. + +And so, like the harmonious voices of a choir, we five are singing the +last, sweet, trembling note. It is dying softly out; but with a +tender, holy peacefulness. + + + + +THE END + + + + +NOTE.--Sir Walter Bradley's chronicle differs, in some parts, from the +histories of the majority of the writers of his time. His most +important contradictions of his contemporaries are:-- + +His description of the taking of Berwick--which place, the other +authorities state, was besieged for several weeks, by land and sea, +before it fell. + +The death of King Edward--which event, other chroniclers state, took +place at Westminster, not Windsor. + +The escape to France of the little Duke of York, who, it is more +generally believed, was murdered with his brother, in the Tower. + +On all other important points Sir Walter's statements are corroborated +by his contemporaries. + +K.M. + + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of With Ring of Shield, by Knox Magee + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH RING OF SHIELD *** + +***** This file should be named 32874-8.txt or 32874-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/2/8/7/32874/ + +Produced by Al Haines + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: With Ring of Shield + +Author: Knox Magee + +Illustrator: F. A. Carter + +Release Date: June 18, 2010 [EBook #32874] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH RING OF SHIELD *** + + + + +Produced by Al Haines + + + + + +</pre> + + +<BR><BR> + +<A NAME="img-cover"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-cover.jpg" ALT="Cover art" BORDER="2" WIDTH="486" HEIGHT="561"> +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="img-front"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-front.jpg" ALT="Knox Magee" BORDER="2" WIDTH="392" HEIGHT="552"> +<H4 CLASS="h4center" STYLE="width: 392px"> +Knox Magee +</H4> +</CENTER> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H1 ALIGN="center" STYLE="color: red"> +WITH RING OF SHIELD +</H1> + +<BR><BR> + +<P STYLE="margin-left: 10%"> +"<I>On he came, and, to my great surprise and pleasure,<BR> +struck he my shield with the sharp point of his lance</I>.<BR> +</P> + +<P STYLE="margin-left: 10%"> +"<I>Ah! my brave sons, ye all do know the pleasure 'tis<BR> +when, with ring of shield, ye are informed an enemy hath<BR> +come to do ye battle</I>."<BR> +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +BY KNOX MAGEE +</H3> + +<BR> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +<I>Illustrated by</I> F. A. CARTER +</H4> + +<BR><BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +GEORGE J. McLEOD +<BR> +<I>PUBLISHER —— TORONTO</I> +</H3> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H6 ALIGN="center"> +COPYRIGHT, 1900 +<BR> +BY +<BR> +R. F. FENNO & COMPANY +</H6> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +CONTENTS +</H2> + +<TABLE ALIGN="center" WIDTH="80%"> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">CHAPTER</TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> </TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">I. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap01">Sir Frederick Harleston</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">II. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap02">The Maidens</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">III. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap03">A First Brush with the Enemy</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap04">The Taking of Berwick</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">V. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap05">From Berwick to Windsor</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap06">The King's Gifts</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap07">The Ball at the Castle</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">VIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap08">The Duel</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">IX. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap09">The King's Death</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">X. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap10">I am Sent to Ludlow</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap11">Some Happenings at Windsor</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap12">Gloucester Shows his Hand</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap13">The Flight from the Palace</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap14">I Reach Westminster</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap15">Michael and Catesby</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap16">My Dangerous Position</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap17">At the Sanctuary</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XVIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap18">Richard Triumphs</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XIX. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap19">A Message is Sent to Richmond</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XX. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap20">Before the Tournament</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap21">The Tournament</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap22">A Midnight Adventure</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap23">The Arrest</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXIV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap24">In the Tower</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXV. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap25">Michael and I</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXVI. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap26">The House with the Flag</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXVII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap27">The Field of Bosworth</A></TD> +</TR> + +<TR> +<TD ALIGN="right" VALIGN="top">XXVIII. </TD> +<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"> +<A HREF="#chap28">Conclusion</A></TD> +</TR> + +</TABLE> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +Illustrations +</H2> + +<H4 STYLE="margin-left: 10%"> +<A HREF="#img-front"> +Knox Magee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . <I>Frontispiece</I> +</A> +</H4> + +<H4 STYLE="margin-left: 10%"> +<A HREF="#img-040"> +"Both our lances flew into a thousand pieces." +</A> +</H4> + +<H4 STYLE="margin-left: 10%"> +<A HREF="#img-082"> +"The signal was then given." +</A> +</H4> + +<H4 STYLE="margin-left: 10%"> +<A HREF="#img-148"> +"I am to blame, and I alone should suffer." +</A> +</H4> + +<H4 STYLE="margin-left: 10%"> +<A HREF="#img-200"> +"Always remember thy mother and this, her advice." +</A> +</H4> + +<H4 STYLE="margin-left: 10%"> +<A HREF="#img-256"> +"Ha, thou blond varmint." +</A> +</H4> + +<H4 STYLE="margin-left: 10%"> +<A HREF="#img-304"> +"I climbed wearily to the top." +</A> +</H4> + +<H4 STYLE="margin-left: 10%"> +<A HREF="#img-326"> +"Come on, ye pack of cowards." +</A> +</H4> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap01"></A> + +<H2 ALIGN="center"> +With Ring of Shield +</H2> + +<BR> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER I +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +SIR FREDERICK HARLESTON +</H4> + +<P> +In these days, when the air is filled with the irritating, peevish +sounds of chattering gossips, which tell of naught but the scandals of +a court, where Queens are as faithless as are their lives brief, +methinks it will not be amiss for me to tell a story of more martial +days, when gossips told of armies marching and great battles fought, +with pointed lance, and with the bright swords' flash, and with the +lusty ring of shield. +</P> + +<P> +Now, my friend Harleston doth contend, that peace and quiet, without +the disturbing clamour of war's dread alarms, do help to improve the +mind, and thus the power of thought is added unto. This, I doubt not, +is correct in the cases of some men; but there are others, to whom +peace and quiet do but bring a lack of their appreciation. I grant +that to such a mind as Harleston's, peaceful and undisturbed meditation +are the fields in which they love to stroll, and pluck, with tender +hand, and thought-bowed head, the most beautiful and most rare of +flowers: but then, such even-balanced brains as his are few and far +between; and even he, so fond of thought and study, did love to dash, +with levelled lance and waving plumes, against the best opponent, and +hurl him from his saddle. +</P> + +<P> +And there is Michael, which ever thinks the same as do myself, and +longs for fresh obstacles to lay his mighty hand upon and crush, as he +would a reed. +</P> + +<P> +It is of those bygone days of struggle and deep intrigue that I now +shall write. I do hope that some of ye—my sons and grandsons—may, +after I am laid to rest, have some worthy obstacles to overcome, in +order that ye may the better enjoy your happiness when it is allotted +unto you. Still do I pray, with my old heart's truest earnestness, +that no one of my blood may have as great trials as I went through; but +in which I had the noble assistance and sympathy of the best friends +ever man was blest with. I shall now tell of my meeting with the first +of these, and later in the tale I shall tell ye of the other. +</P> + +<P> +I, Walter Bradley, then a faithful servant of his Majesty King Edward +IV, was sitting one evening in my room at the palace of the aforesaid +King, at Windsor, engaged in the examination of some of mine arms, to +make sure that my servants had put them all in proper order for our +expedition into Scotland, with the King's brother, the Duke of +Gloucester. A knock came at my door and, upon opening, I beheld Lord +Hastings, then the Chancellor of the Kingdom, and at his side a +gentleman which I had not before seen. This stranger was a man of +splendid physique, about mine own height; long, light brown, waving +hair; blue eyes, that looked me fairly in mine own; sharp features; and +yet, with all his look of unbending will, and proud bearing, he had a +kindly expression in his honest eyes. +</P> + +<P> +"This is my young friend, Sir Frederick Harleston, just now arrived +from Calais," said Hastings, as they both entered at mine invitation, +and he introduced us to each other. +</P> + +<P> +The Chancellor stayed but until he got our conversation running freely, +and then he spoke of some business of state that did demand his +immediate attention, and left us to become better acquainted. +</P> + +<P> +Of course the expedition into Scotland was the chiefest subject of our +conversation; and I learned from Harleston that he too did intend +accompanying the Duke, as the King had that day granted him the desired +permission. +</P> + +<P> +"And what kind of man is Duke Richard?" asked my new acquaintance, when +we had at length discussed the other leaders of our forces. +</P> + +<P> +"Hast thou never seen him?" +</P> + +<P> +"Ay, I have seen him, though I am unknown to him; but I mean what kind +of man is he inwardly, not physically?" +</P> + +<P> +"As for that, I do not care to speak. Thou, no doubt, hast heard of +some of his Royal Highness' acts; men must be judged but by their acts, +and not by the opinions of such an one as I," I replied cautiously; for +I hesitated to express mine own opinion—the which, in this case, was +not the most favourable—to one which I had but just met. Remember, my +dears, those were times in which a silent tongue lived longer than did +a loose one. +</P> + +<P> +Harleston's color heightened, but with a smile, he said:—"Thou art in +the right. 'Twas impertinent of me to ask thee, who know me not, a +question of that sort. I had forgot that this is England, and not +Calais; for there we discuss, freely, the King, as though he were but a +plain man." +</P> + +<P> +The frankness of this man, together with his polite and gentlemanly +speech, made me to feel ashamed of my caution, so I said:—"Duke +Richard hath never been popular with the friends of her Majesty the +Queen; though of late he hath made himself liked better by them, than +he was for many a long day." +</P> + +<P> +"But he is a valiant soldier, is he not?" +</P> + +<P> +"Ay, verily, that he is. He is as brave as the lions upon his banner, +and besides, he knoweth well the properest way in which to distribute +his forces in the field. There it is that the good qualities of +Richard do show up like stars in a deep, dark sky." +</P> + +<P> +"Then the sky is truly black?" asked Sir Frederick, with a smile. +</P> + +<P> +I could not help but laugh at the way I had at last unconsciously +expressed mine opinion of the Duke, after having declined to do so, but +a breathing-space before. I cared not now that I had spoken my mind of +Richard; for the more I looked into the honest face before me, the more +did I trust to his discretion. +</P> + +<P> +Then our conversation changed to the gossip of the court, of which I +told him all. The only part of this in which he showed interest was +when I spoke of the King's health. +</P> + +<P> +"I fear," said he, "that his Majesty's reign is nearing an untimely +end. When a man hath lived the life that the noble Edward hath, and +kept up, with unbated vigor, his licentious habits, even when his body +hath broken down, it doth take but little to blow the candle out. Some +morning we shall awaken to find that Edward IV is dead, and his infant +son is our new king." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, that is what we must soon expect, for kings must die as well as +subjects; especially, as thou most wisely saidst, kings which insist +upon living a life of three score and ten years in a trifle more than +two score." +</P> + +<P> +"And then God help poor England," said my new acquaintance devoutly. +</P> + +<P> +"Why dost thou take such a pessimistic view of the situation in case of +King Edward's death?" I asked; for the solemn manner in which Harleston +had last spoken strangely thrilled me. +</P> + +<P> +He regarded me thoughtfully whilst one might, with leisure, tell a +score, ere he did answer my question; then he said:—"It hath ever been +a rule of mine, as it evidently is of yours, to not speak mine opinions +unto strangers; but on the contrary to let the other party speak his +mind most freely. I have found this plan to be of exceeding worth in +enabling me to gather most useful information, without a payment in +return." +</P> + +<P> +I felt my face flush red, and I was about to express, in no mild +speech, mine opinion of his action in thus obtaining from me all the +information that I did possess, and then, when I did ask him to explain +the meaning of his own remarks, to thus answer me. +</P> + +<P> +He took no notice of my movement or look, but continued speaking in +that same quiet voice, that never did seem to be disturbed by passion, +and yet had in it something of a force that ever made it to command +attention. +</P> + +<P> +"Many years have I spent in France, and therefore a stranger have I +come to look on as a foreigner. Now that I am returned again unto my +native land methinks that I will let my judgment take the place of mine +old rule, and speak out freely to those whom I take to be honest. Thee +do I place in this class, which I do regret is very small." +</P> + +<P> +I was prodigiously surprised that a stranger would thus speak unto me +as though I were some disinterested outsider of whom he was speaking. +Again did I flush up and commence to attire myself in my dignity; but +Harleston's honest and inoffensive look of candor did again disarm me, +and he continued, uninterrupted, with his speech. +</P> + +<P> +"For several years have I been acquainted with my Lord Hastings, whilst +he was the governor of Calais. From him did I learn much of the +situation here; but never did he speak of the characters of those in +power; for Hastings, though a proper man, is still a politician and, as +such, must keep his opinions to himself. It is a pleasure to me then +to be permitted to thus discuss the probabilities of England's future +with one not bound by the bonds of policy." +</P> + +<P> +I bowed, and he continued:— +</P> + +<P> +"So far as I can see, if the King dies ere the Prince of Wales be old +enough to take full charge of the government, the people shall be +obliged to choose a protector to rule in the young king's stead, until +such time as the child doth come unto years of proper judgment." +</P> + +<P> +"True," I assented. +</P> + +<P> +"Do then but cast thine eye over the congregation of eager applicants +for this seat of power, and thou shalt behold one whose advantage over +the others doth raise him to a vast height above their heads, and +consequently his chances of success in this great competition are +assured; that one can be no other than Richard, Duke of Gloucester." +</P> + +<P> +"Ay, truly, there is no other with sufficient power to rule England, in +case the King should die." +</P> + +<P> +"Now if Gloucester doth come thus into power will he not desire to have +his revenge upon those which have ever been his enemies?" +</P> + +<P> +"'Tis like he will." +</P> + +<P> +"And will not this lead to uprisings throughout the land? Yea," he +continued, "we have had one example of the troubles, and bloody wars +brought about through the King dying and leaving a child to grasp with +its weakly hands the sceptre and the sword of chastisement. Pray God +we do not have another, and yet I fear that it will be unavoidable. I +have expressed mine own poor opinion, without its being prejudiced by +any others' thoughts; see whether I shall be right or wrong." +</P> + +<P> +Now such a view of that which might soon happen had never been taken by +me; and yet I had spent several years at court, and thought myself well +acquainted with all the intrigues and possibilities of court life. And +here was a young man—in fact not older than myself—which had never in +his life lived at court, prophesying as to what the future would bring +forth. His words were indeed bold, and yet I could not deny that they +were reasonable, and liable to be fulfilled. +</P> + +<P> +I now did admire this handsome and thoughtful stranger, and therefore +methought it a duty put upon me to give him some warning that might +serve to keep that well-shaped head, for a little longer space, upon +its broad, square shoulders. I therefore said:— +</P> + +<P> +"Thine opinions, I have a fear, stand in some likelihood of being +proven true; yet do I pray with my full heart that they may be wrong. +However, whether thou art right or wrong—the which time will +prove—let me now warn thee, which art a stranger here, to keep those +thoughts to thyself. There are those about this place—the more's the +pity—whose shoulders are not bent by the weight of honor they carry, +but from their habit of holding their ears to the keyhole." +</P> + +<P> +"Thanks for thy kind intent," he replied. "After I have had some +little experience at court I do hope that I may acquire the habit of +smiling whilst, with my dagger, I kill my partner in the conversation. +This, I have heard, is the fashion of the Duke of Gloucester; and if I +do prove a true prophet all good courtiers must soon adopt it." +</P> + +<P> +That night as Harleston was leaving my room I promised to see him early +in the morning, and show him through the castle and parks. +</P> + +<P> +As we shook hands at the door I felt as though I had known him for +long, and that we had ever been the best of friends. +</P> + +<P> +That, my dears, was how I became acquainted with Sir Frederick +Harleston, who, since that day, hath ever been close by my side, +through many harsh experiences, as well as through many sunny days of +happiness. +</P> + +<P> +Now we are sailing, side by side, down the mighty river, travelled by +all wearing the fleshly habit. The great unknown sea of oblivion is +now near at hand, and soon we shall both cross the bar and sail forth +upon its smooth and peaceful surface. +</P> + +<P> +But there I go passing over sixty years as lightly as a swallow doth +skim the bosom of smooth waters. And indeed the waters o'er which I am +skimming are not smooth, but rough and troubled. Come, come, Sir +Walter, settle down and tell the tale of days before your hair had lost +its raven hue. My head, as ye all know, is now well capped with snow; +but yet the head itself doth still retain a deal of its wonted fire. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap02"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER II +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE MAIDENS +</H4> + +<P> +The next morning after Harleston had come unto my rooms I called at his +apartments to see how he did like the way that he had been placed. I +found him in the act of completing his toilet, and therefore, as he had +not broken his fast, I invited him to come and breakfast with me; which +invitation he did readily accept. +</P> + +<P> +During our meal he asked me many questions as to the manner in which +people conducted themselves at court, to which questions I gave him +very complete answers, so that he might be able to manage without any +breach of etiquette, which thing to do, at Edward's court, was not so +easy as one might imagine. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, in regard to your ladies," said he, "do they insist upon being +worshiped, as do the ones of France, or are they cold and chilling, as +are the fogs of mine almost forgotten native land?" +</P> + +<P> +"Thou shalt have an opportunity for the satisfying of thyself as to +that same, to-day; for I am about to take thee with me to see two of +England's fairest primroses; the one, my cousin, Lady Mary Atherby, to +whose tender care I will leave thee, and the other, Lady Hazel +Woodville, to whose mercy I do entrust my soul—if she be pleased to +take the present at my hands." +</P> + +<P> +"Do these ladies live at court?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," I replied. "They are both ladies-in-waiting to the Queen. And +now, having done all the damage we can to the present repast, what dost +thou say to a stroll through the park, where we are like to meet the +ladies, and there satisfy thy curiosity as to their dispositions?" +</P> + +<P> +"With all my heart," said he. "I have never been known to be elsewhere +than in the front rank in such an attack, though ever do I meet with a +repulse." +</P> + +<P> +We then strolled forth into the park, and wandered through the walks, +among the grand old trees, for some time, without meeting anyone. +</P> + +<P> +"I fear that we are not destined to fall in with the enemy," said +Harleston, after we had walked in silence for some time. +</P> + +<P> +"Fear not," I replied; "we shall soon commence the encounter; for +there, unless mine eyes do deceive me, is the first sign of danger." +</P> + +<P> +"Thou meanest that fair outpost yonder, where those two oaks do meet +above the path?" +</P> + +<P> +"The same," I replied; "but it now looketh as though there are others +there before us." +</P> + +<P> +While this conversation was going on we had gradually approached a +bench, placed behind a clump of bushes, through which we saw some fair, +fresh, faces, watching our approach. Upon the bench, and talking with +the girls, were two men, in which, as we drew closer, I recognized the +Duke of Gloucester and the Duke of Buckingham. Richard was dressed—as +was his wont—in the extreme of fashion and in the richest of +materials. Buckingham, though not so showily attired, was +magnificently dressed in black, figured velvet, with dark maroon +facings. +</P> + +<P> +After saluting the Prince, the ladies, and Buckingham, I introduced my +new friend to them all. I then said unto his Royal Highness—"Sir +Frederick, here, hath but yesterday been made a brother officer, by his +Majesty." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," said Harleston, "the King did command me to report to your Royal +Highness for service with thee in your expedition into Scotland." +</P> + +<P> +"Much am I joyed, Sir Frederick, to have thy noble assistance in our +chastisement of the insolent Scot: for England can ill afford to spare +any brave knight from her expeditions, now that they have become so +thinned out by our late, unhappy wars," said the Prince, with that +heartiness he so well could use, and of which he knew the power. +</P> + +<P> +"But let me warn ye both," he continued, with a mock gravity and a +quick glance at the maidens, "that ye shall have short time in which to +enjoy the pleasures of the court; for we march next week. Therefore +make the most of your opportunities." +</P> + +<P> +Buckingham, who ever smiled, but said little, though he was no mean +orator, merely agreed with the Prince's remark, and with a pleasant bow +they left us, the limping Prince leaning on the arm of Buckingham. +</P> + +<P> +"Thank God!" I cried, with a sigh, when the two were out of earshot. +</P> + +<P> +"Is he not most disrespectful?" laughed Hazel, as she turned to +Harleston. +</P> + +<P> +"Nay, of that I cannot judge, fair lady," replied he, with a smile. +"The customs of the court I have yet before me to master. 'Tis +possible that ere I have been here a week I will commend Sir Walter's +act." +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed thou shalt," cried both of the girls at once. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! those two are simply unbearable," said Hazel with a force that +left no doubt as to her opinion. But then she hath ever been one which +feared not to express her dislikes, and they are ever as passionate as +are her likes. +</P> + +<P> +"And so, Sir Frederick, thou hast come all the way from France merely +for the pleasure of marching off to battle and slaughtering poor +Scotchmen, or of being killed thyself?" said gentle cousin Mary. +"Alas, when will ever you men learn that there are other things to live +for, in which there is more glory, far, than in the cruel wars and +slaughters." +</P> + +<P> +Both Hazel and I did laugh at the little maid for the solemn way in +which she said this; but Harleston did not smile, and on the contrary +listened with attention. Mary without noticing us continued—"Look at +Lord Rivers and behold what he hath accomplished: introduced printing, +and by that one act hath done more real good for England than if he had +won the greatest of all battles." +</P> + +<P> +"I quite agree with thee, Lady Mary," Sir Frederick replied; "but +battles are also necessary, in order that our homes and country may be +protected, and that we may be permitted to enjoy those luxuries such as +is the one which Lord Rivers hath taken the pains to introduce." +</P> + +<P> +"Mayhap thou art right; I never looked at it in that way before; but +still I do not like them," said Mary, wrinkling her little forehead, +and shaking her pretty head in the most bewitching way, and causing +some little golden curls to dance and lightly kiss her cheeks. I could +tell by the look on Harleston's face, that he did envy those curls +their position. And who would not? Had ye but seen Mary at that time, +ye should have been changed from freemen into Mary's slave, and that +quite freely, that is, had the Lady Hazel not been there: for had she +been ye would love the one on which your eyes first fell. +</P> + +<P> +Whilst the afore-put-down conversation was taking place we had been +walking slowly through the park; and now Hazel and I began, gradually, +to drop behind. Of course we had naught whatever to do with this; it +must have been that Harleston and Mary did quicken their pace. +</P> + +<P> +"What dost thou think of my new friend?" I asked, when they were out of +ear-shot. +</P> + +<P> +"Quite an acquisition to the court," Hazel replied. "Indeed 'tis time +we had another handsome gentleman at court," (here my chest did begin +to swell, and at least two inches were added unto my stature, which did +not need it;) "besides the King," she added. +</P> + +<P> +Since that day I have had the greatest sympathy with Lucifer. Verily, +I never fell from such a height before, nor since. I have been thrown +from my horse in battle, and had hundreds ride over me, yet have I felt +better than I did that morning in the park. I stopped and stared at +her, with my mouth open, like a bumpkin gazing at an army passing. +</P> + +<P> +Now at that time (and I say it without conceit) there were few men at +court who would not have been glad to change their looks with Walter +Bradley; therefore the blow did fall with more stunning force. When I +had somewhat recovered myself, I walked on, wishing every woman at the +bottom of the sea, and swearing revenge on her, which was now walking +by my side; yet cursing myself, silently, for having made a fool of +myself by showing my surprise. Hazel, instead of laughing, which would +have made me feel better, wore the most innocent look that it is +possible to imagine: yet methought the look was overdone. However, I +was now determined not to show my disappointment any more; so I +continued the conversation, using the same subject. +</P> + +<P> +"I do not believe Harleston need fear the Scottish arrows; for, unless +I be a false prophet, he will leave the most vital part of his body, +namely, the heart, here at Windsor. And yet," I continued, becoming +bolder, and heaving a heavy sigh, "he shall not be the only one to do +so." +</P> + +<P> +"No," she replied; "the Duke of Gloucester said he was leaving his +heart here." +</P> + +<P> +"To whom said he that?" cried I, for the one danger of this accursed +court life was the chance of men in high places casting a jealous eye +on the maidens of the court. +</P> + +<P> +"I heard him tell the Queen that he would leave his heart with the King +and his family," answered Hazel, and she laughed at my apprehension of +the danger which I thought threatened her. +</P> + +<P> +"Why dost thou like to torment me so?" I asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Because thou art so easily teased." +</P> + +<P> +Why, oh why, did the Creator arm these fair creatures with such a power +to make us happy or miserable, good or bad, send us to Heaven or to +Hell, make us sensible men or the veriest of fools as best doth please +their whims? +</P> + +<P> +"But look, here cometh the Queen," said my fair companion. "I fear I +shall get a scolding for leaving her, to walk with thee." +</P> + +<P> +"Tell her that the Duke of Gloucester kept thee talking with him, the +which is the truth," I said. +</P> + +<P> +But when we met her Majesty, who was walking with her daughters and +some others of her suite, she most kindly did receive us, and no +thoughts of scolding were in her gracious mind. When we had spoken for +some time, the Queen enquired as to where Mary was. +</P> + +<P> +"She came on ahead of us, your Majesty," replied I, "and I had surely +thought that thou must have met her." +</P> + +<P> +"Do thou go, Hazel dear, and when thou hast found her, tell her that I +wish to speak to her." +</P> + +<P> +Hazel courtesied, I bowed, and we passed on, searching for Mary and +Harleston. +</P> + +<P> +"The Queen is the best mistress that any servant could wish for," said +Hazel, when we had gone a few paces. "She is never angry, and so kind; +she treats both Mary and me as though we were her own daughters." +</P> + +<P> +I did not wonder that the Queen did use them both go well; for who +could help loving either of those dear, dainty maidens? +</P> + +<P> +We had not gone far ere we met Mary and Harleston returning. +</P> + +<P> +"They seem to be getting on famously," observed Hazel; "for they are so +preoccupied that they do not see us coming." +</P> + +<P> +When they came near, Mary, who had evidently been listening with great +attention to something that Harleston was telling to her, burst forth +into her rippling, childlike laugh. Then, as she caught sight of us, +she stopped suddenly and said:— +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, here they come now!" Then, as we met them:—"We thought that ye +must have turned back; so we were just coming to search for you." +</P> + +<P> +"And what has Sir Frederick been telling thee that was so amusing?" I +asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh!" replied Harleston, "the Lady Mary hath been completing mine +education, which thou, Sir Walter, didst start last night, and then I, +in order to, in some small way, repay part of the debt, was telling her +some of the stories that I had heard in France, where indeed they are +most expert in story-telling, though not so accomplished with regard to +the truth." +</P> + +<P> +Here Hazel delivered the Queen's message, and we all started back to +the Palace, laughing and chattering, like nothing more than school +children. Upon reaching the castle I found some orders from Duke +Richard, the fulfillment of which did keep me busy for the remainder of +the day. +</P> + +<P> +The next few days, Harleston and I spent in making ready for the march; +so we did not see much of the ladies. However, the morning before we +left Windsor, we met them in the park, whither we had gone in search of +them. When they beheld us, they came forward to meet us, and methought +that Hazel did not look as happy as was her wont; but it may have been +that I was hoping to see her look sorrowful, and therefore, I did +imagine it. +</P> + +<P> +"We have come to receive the benediction," said Sir Frederick. +</P> + +<P> +"And also a charm that will give unto us both charmed lives," I +laughingly put in. +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed thou needst not to laugh, Walter," said Mary, solemnly, and +with reproof in her tone and manner. "I know that thou dost not +believe in such things, and therefore they are worthless to thee; for +in order to be protected by these mysterious benefactors, one must have +unquestioned faith in their ability to protect. Now, Sir Frederick," +she continued, with a slight hesitation, "if thou art not so skeptical +as Walter there, and if thou wilt promise to keep it safe, and not to +lose it, I will lend thee a charm that will indeed protect thee from +all harm. I always have it with me, and nothing hath ever harmed me." +</P> + +<P> +"'Twould truly be a fiendish fate which could send harm unto one so +fair," said he. Then, as she did hand unto him, the charm (which was a +scarf of scarlet silk, and had been given to her by her father, who had +obtained it from a Turk,) he thanked her, and placing his hand over his +heart, he swore to protect it as he would his life, and never to permit +a thought of doubt, as to its ability to protect, to cross his mind. +</P> + +<P> +"Wilt thou not give unto me a charm that I may take with me, Lady +Hazel?" I asked, coaxingly, when we had gone some little way. +</P> + +<P> +"Thou dost not believe in them, and therefore, as Mary doth say, it +would do thee no good," she replied, with a toss of her pretty head, as +much as to say, "Now, thou wouldst be skeptical." +</P> + +<P> +"Do but give it me, and I do hereby swear to trust in it, and no doubt +as to its virtues shall ever cross my mind; yes, this do I swear by all +the saints of paradise." Now this did I consider an exceeding fine +speech, and therefore I was not prepared for the reception that it did +receive, which was a burst of laughter, and clapping of the hands from +Hazel. +</P> + +<P> +"Excellent! excellent!" laughed she; "Oh, Sir Walter, thou hast missed +thy calling; thou wouldst have made such a splendid priest; thou saidst +those words with such a religious tone, and looked so saintly." Then, +as I showed my disappointment and annoyance, "Come, come," she added, +"do not sulk; here is my glove, which I do now command to protect thee +through all the dangers of this war. Now, am I not kind to thee?" +</P> + +<P> +I nearly went wild with delight. I kissed that glove so fondly that +Hazel had to warn me not to eat it, as it would not protect me if I +did. And then I said a lot of things which all my male readers either +have said or are only awaiting an opportunity to say. Presently I was +interrupted in my avowals by coming suddenly upon Harleston and Mary, +who were sitting on a bench beside the path. +</P> + +<P> +"Is Sir Frederick telling thee some more stories, Mary?" asked Hazel, +when we saw them. +</P> + +<P> +"Not the kind I heard Walter telling thee, just now," replied Mary, as +she looked at me, with a wicked little smile playing over her fair +features. Then, as I reddened to the ears, both Harleston and Mary +burst out a-laughing, and I, after stammering out some explanation +about some messages I was leaving with Hazel, to deliver to the +Queen,—which set them laughing louder than ever, thought it best to +keep quiet. +</P> + +<P> +However, as we were bidding good-by to the girls, Hazel said something +that made me to forget mine embarrassment. It was just as we were +leaving them that she called me back and said, as she kept her eyes +staring fixedly at the ground:—"Remember, Walter, I think a great deal +of that same glove, and do not want any harm to come to it; therefore +try and keep it out of danger." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, fear not; I now do know that I shall return again." And ere she +could prevent me I seized her hand and kissed it. +</P> + +<P> +I went back to my rooms with my toes scarce touching the ground. +</P> + +<P> +Our time was now but short; and soon we did mount our horses and set +out in the train of the Duke of Gloucester, on our march to Scotland, +and had soon left the castle behind. +</P> + +<P> +However, so long as we could see the left wing, we watched two scarfs +waving, to which we waved our lances in return. +</P> + +<P> +And so we rode off to the wars. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap03"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER III +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +A FIRST BRUSH WITH THE ENEMY +</H4> + +<P> +Now I will not weary ye, my children, with a description of our march +unto Scotland, as it was a wearisome one, without any adventures which +might have relieved the tediousness of so long a journey. Indeed there +was nought for us to do, but march all day, and when night did come, +thank Heaven that we could forget our weariness in well earned rest and +sleep. +</P> + +<P> +At almost every town along the line of march we were joined by +reinforcements; so, by the time we neared the border, we had an army +strong enough to take a considerable fortress. However, as we did +approach nigh unto Berwick, which place was the object of our attack, +we learned that it should require all of our forces to subdue so +formidable a stronghold. When within a few miles of this place, that +hath been so many times the scene of struggle between our nation and +our ever irritating neighbours of the North, and which, some score of +years before, had been turned over unto our enemies, by that gentle and +weak-minded King Henry VI, Duke Richard of Gloucester, on this, his +second expedition unto this place—his first having miscarried—sent +unto the garrison a messenger, under a flag of truce, to demand the +surrender of Berwick, unto the army of its rightful owner. Whilst he +was gone, the army went into camp; for although it was still early in +the day, our leader had decided, in case the Scots did refuse to +surrender—which, in all probability, would be their reply—that we +were not to begin the attack until the morrow, in order that his army +might have an opportunity to rest after their long, hard, march. +</P> + +<P> +Oh, such a delightful evening did follow that long and weary day of +labour. We were among that magnificent border scenery, where nature +doth seem so busy with her work of carving herself into most fantastic, +and yet admirable, ruggedness. How, in the evening, doth she cast her +beauteous, drooping, eye aslant across her work; and her gentle breath +dies out in hushed and satisfied, yet modest, admiration. The setting +sun did seem to paint a hill, then step a vale and touch another with +its golden brush. +</P> + +<P> +Here may be seen many a place where nature's liquid emery hath ground +the rocks asunder, and still some sparkling remnant goes trickling down +the groove. +</P> + +<P> +On this evening Harleston and I did take our usual walk through the +camp and, as the night was glorious, it did tempt us to stray further +from headquarters than might be considered safe. In fact, past the +outposts did we go, and sat us down upon a hill that had seemed bolder +than its comrades, so that we might the better see the surrounding +country. +</P> + +<P> +As we sat there, our backs were turned towards the camp, and our faces +were tinted with the fading colors of the western sky. To right and +left were hills and hollows of varying height and depth, but all having +in common, shrubs and trees in unfailing irregularity, growing side by +side, above and beneath each other, in the same disorder as had their +seeds been flung there by the hand of the hurrying angel which did sow +the whole of the earth's broad face. At our feet, and betwixt us and +the sister to the hill on which we now were seated, was a smooth and +undeceiving mirror, set, with bashful caution, between these obscuring +hills, that nature's pardonable vanity might not with ease be gazed +upon by the ignorant eye of man. +</P> + +<P> +"I wonder when we shall be back at Windsor," said Sir Frederick, in a +gentle tone, after we had sat in silence for some time, gazing at the +soul-inspiring sight. +</P> + +<P> +"Surely thou art not beginning to be homesick?" I asked; for this was +the first time that I had heard my companion speak of the castle, since +we had left it. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, no," he replied, "yet I wish that I might be there," and with this +methought he did sigh. +</P> + +<P> +Now, Heaven knows, no man could have wished to be in Windsor more than +did I at that moment: yet, I had not liked to say so, for fear +Harleston might think that I did relish the lazy life at court, more +than I did that of the camp. But now that he had broken the ice it was +the one subject on which I wished to talk. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, Sir Frederick, and what dost thou think of her, now that thou +hast had time to well consider?" I asked, coming out boldly. +</P> + +<P> +"She is indeed perfection," he replied. And then, as though to +himself:—"Eyes like the sky's deep and unfathomable blue, and hair +like nothing more earthy than a sun-reflecting piece of well polished +gold." +</P> + +<P> +"Nay, not so; her hair is dark, and her eyes are hazel as her name," +said I, in surprise;—and then, after staring at each other for a +moment, we both did see our mistakes, and burst out a-laughing. +</P> + +<P> +So Harleston and I sat talking on a subject that was very dear to us, +until we did hear the bugles calling, which warned us that it was time +to return and retire. We arose and started down the hill, and back to +camp, both feeling in musing, more than talking, mood. We had not gone +far, however, when my companion called my attention to something behind +a clump of bushes, glistening in the moonlight. +</P> + +<P> +"If I am not mistaken, there is danger yonder; for if ever I did see +the glisten of a headpiece, I see it now. We had better put that hill +between us and the enemy, if such they be, for, without our armour, a +doublet doth afford but faint resistance to the steel head of an arrow." +</P> + +<P> +We at once started to cross the low hill that Harleston did refer to. +We had just reached the top, when two or three arrows struck the rocks +at our feet. +</P> + +<P> +"A good shot, for the distance, upon mine honour," cried Sir Frederick, +as we leapt down behind the shelter of the friendly hill. We ran +quickly along the ravine in the direction of the camp, but Harleston, +suddenly stopping, said:—"Suppose we see from whom we are running, +before we do go any further. If they be but a few archers or +men-at-arms, two good knights should drive the rascals before them as +doth the wind the crisp, dry leaves; ay, though we wear not our full +armour. What dost thou say, Bradley, shall we try conclusions with +them?" +</P> + +<P> +Readily did I consent to the adventure; for never in my life have I +been known to require a second invitation of this sort. We concealed +ourselves behind some shrubs, and there we awaited our pursuers. +Presently we beheld them approaching at a run; and, as they neared our +hiding place, we could see what we should have to face. They were +three men, armed with swords such as are used by the Scotch, and which +they do manage more after the fashion of a club, than any other weapon +one could compare their use with. Their bows they had evidently thrown +aside, for their empty quivers still hung at their sides. However, +they also carried a small, round shield, and this did give them an +advantage over us, who had nothing but our good swords with which to +protect ourselves. When they came near the place where we were +concealed they stopped and held a short consultation. +</P> + +<P> +"I saw them stop about this place," said one. +</P> + +<P> +"No, methinks they went further on," said another. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, we had better search here anyway," added the third, "for it will +not be safe for us to venture much more close unto the outposts." +</P> + +<P> +And then they did commence to search the shrubbery all around us. +Nearer did they draw to where we waited, swords in hands. Presently +one came and thrust his sword into the bushes behind which we were +hiding. That was the last thrust he ever made. I was upon him in a +moment, and buried my sword up to its hilt in the fellow's chest. He +sank to the ground, but as he did so he uttered a gurgling yell, the +which did bring his companions unto that spot. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, Harleston, we shall have some sport," I cried out, as I did +engage with the first of these new arrivals. My friend quickly met the +other, and we fell to in a lively fashion. I soon forced my man to +give ground, despite the difficulty I found in getting past his shield. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, my brave Scot, I have thee in the right place," said I, as I +prepared to give him his quietus. Then, just as I did step forward, to +run the knave through, my foot slipped on one of those accursed stones, +and I sat down as nicely as I could have done in mine own rooms at the +castle. The fellow aimed a savage blow at my head, but, dropping the +point of my sword to the ground and raising the hilt, I caught the +stroke upon it. Then, reaching swiftly forward, I grasped him by the +ankle and hurled him to the ground. Ere he could move I was upon him +and, seizing his own dagger, I stabbed him to the heart. +</P> + +<P> +When I had done for my man I turned to see how my friend was +progressing with his. They were still at it for dear life and Sir +Frederick did seem to be bothered with the way the Scotchman used the +little shield. This fellow was much larger and more thick of frame +than the one with which I had been engaged, and did seem to be giving +Harleston all he could do to hold his ground. Still would I not +interfere, for well did I know that my friend would rather die than +have assistance when fighting against a single foe. At length the +Scotchman made a swinging, backhand stroke, full at Sir Frederick's +neck. It was a savage blow, and I did greatly fear me that I had lost +a good comrade. Harleston, however, dropped quickly to one knee, and +as his opponent's blade whistled harmlessly over his head he plunged +his sword into his adversary's side. +</P> + +<P> +"Well done!" cried I. "A pretty piece of work, upon my soul, was that +fall of thine." +</P> + +<P> +"I see that thou hast settled with thy man," said he; "but this one did +compel me to use mine artifice." +</P> + +<P> +With this we took their swords, as remembrances of this night's work, +and walked slowly back to camp, glad at having been the first to draw +blood, and for having found something to relieve the monotony, after +our long and tedious journey. +</P> + +<P> +When we reached camp we learned that the messenger had returned with an +answer from the Scots, which message was evidently a refusal to comply +with the Duke's demand; for we did at once receive orders to be in +readiness to commence the attack at sunrise. +</P> + +<P> +When we retired, Frederick and I occupied—as was our wont—the same +tent; and the last thing I heard, as I fell into a peaceful sleep, was +the sounds of the anvils of the armourers, as they worked, getting +everything ready for a day of battle. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap04"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IV +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE TAKING OF BERWICK +</H4> + +<P> +The next morning, just as day was breaking, we were aroused by our +squires, who, after bringing us our breakfasts, of which we ate +heartily, got our armour and laid it out and ready. So soon as we had +finished with our repast, we were buckled and laced into our harness, +and then, as everything was ready for the march, we did set forth. +</P> + +<P> +We had not travelled above a mile when our advance guard sent us word +that a strong force of the enemy was coming towards us, evidently with +the intention of attacking our right flank. This was the part of the +army in which Harleston and I were to play our part; we having been +sent there with a body of other knights to add somewhat to its +strength, the which was somewhat weak in comparison with the left wing, +which was led by the Duke of Albany, who was a brother of the Scottish +King, James, against whom he was now about to fight—but then, royal +brothers are ever longing to kill each other. +</P> + +<P> +As we came over the brow of a hill we could see a considerable body of +knights and men-at-arms, preceded by a stronger force of archers, +coming slowly towards us, as the messenger had said. +</P> + +<P> +Our archers were now thrown out in front, the knights followed, and the +men-at-arms brought up the rear. As we were drawing near unto the foe +we beheld their main body advancing on our centre, which was led by the +Duke of Gloucester himself. Soon we were engaged, and then we had not +time to see how the Duke did receive the Scotchmen; for indeed we were +too busy with the receiving of them, or rather their arrows, which +poured down on either side like rain. +</P> + +<P> +When this long distance battle had gone on for a short space we thought +it time that we knights should take part, and not let all of the glory +go to the archers. Therefore, the command was given to swing to the +right, past them, and take the enemy in the flank. Around, as on a +hinge, swung the double ranks of mail-clad figures, and then, when we +had cleared our archers, we placed our lances in the rests, and came +down upon the enemy like a thunderbolt. They, however, had seen us +change position, and, though they be thick-skulled knaves, they did +divine our object, ere our plan was carried out. Their knights dashed +forward at the same time as did we, and we met before their archers +with a crash that was heard for the distance of a mile. +</P> + +<P> +I had singled out a knight, which, by his size, and the way he sat his +horse, led me to think he should be a foeman worthy of my steel. In +this I was not disappointed; for when we met in the front rank, each +had aimed at the centre of the other's shield, and it is seldom that I +have ever had so heavy a shock. Both our lances flew into a thousand +pieces, as though they had been made of straw. Mine opponent's horse +was forced back upon his haunches, and he was like to lose his seat. +But he did recover himself with such dexterity as did show him to be a +knight of great ability. I had scarce time in which to draw my sword +ere he was upon me, hacking at my head so rapidly as to take all my +time, and the use of all my knowledge, in defending myself. Round and +round we rode, striking furiously at each other, which blows we guarded +with equal quickness. Neither had any advantage, as we seemed to be +both of nearly equal strength and skill. After forcing him closely he +at length began to give ground, though whether from necessity or guile +I do not know. I aimed a terrible blow at his head; he caught it upon +the hilt of his sword. The force of the blow was so great that my +weapon was broken in two, and I was unarmed. Verily I thought mine end +had come, and that I should never see the Lady Hazel again. To my +surprise the knight called out, in French, something to the effect that +we should meet again, and rode off. +</P> + +<A NAME="img-040"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-040.jpg" ALT=""Both our lances flew into a thousand pieces."" BORDER="2" WIDTH="373" HEIGHT="546"> +<H4 CLASS="h4center" STYLE="width: 373px"> +"Both our lances flew into a thousand pieces." +</H4> +</CENTER> + +<P> +"That accounts for it," said I; "he is a Frenchman; and had he been a +Scotchman, I had now been a corpse." +</P> + +<P> +The enemy was now commencing to give way in places; yet the fight was +still a goodly one. +</P> + +<P> +Sir Frederick was nowhere to be seen; so I quickly secured a sword from +a poor knight, who had still the head and part of the shaft of a lance +sticking in his side, and then did I plunge into the fight once more. +I forced my way through a struggling crowd of the enemies' foot +soldiers, cutting them down as I went; when suddenly I espied a knight +on foot, surrounded by a score or more of these rascals. +</P> + +<P> +"To the rescue!" cried I, and dashed into the circle. The knight was +standing beside his horse, which was dead, and making great strokes +with his sword, in all directions. Thus he had kept a circle clear +around him. Several corpses in that deadly circle told why the rest +stood back. But, just as I came up, one of the knaves did venture to +make a dash forward, when the brave champion's head was turned. I was +upon him in an instant. "Ha! thou coward ruffian, take that!" I cried, +as, with a straight downward stroke, I cleft his head from top to chin. +Just then some of our men-at-arms came up, and the few Scots which +escaped us did so by their fleetness of foot, and their knowledge of +the country's many hiding-places. +</P> + +<P> +"Thou art not too soon," said Harleston, for it was he, as he opened +his visor and wiped his brow. "Indeed I was hard pressed by that pack +of hyenas." +</P> + +<P> +I quickly secured a horse for my friend, and again we plunged into the +thick of the fight. We soon became engaged with three knights which +were like to have done for us, had not,—when we were sorely +pressed—an arrow struck one of their horses, causing it to fall. The +rider fell with his leg underneath, and so was unable to take any +further part in the fight. I pressed my opponent from the first, and +soon had him at my mercy. I gave him an opportunity to surrender, but +as he refused to do so, I waited until his arm was raised for a blow, +when, with my shield held over my head, I drove my sword straight under +his arm, where the armour divides. I heard my point strike his harness +on the other side, as it went through his body, so great was the force +of the blow. +</P> + +<P> +Hot and furious was now the fight. The enemy were fleeing in all +directions, and our gallant troops were pressing them full hard. Loud +blew the trumpets, the signal for the continuance of the slaughter. +Berwick itself must now be carried whilst our blood was still at fever +heat. I looked around to see how fared my friend, in his contest with +the knight with whom I had seen him engaged. No sight could I see of +either of them; but there was Harleston's horse straying riderless +about the field. I recognized it by the peculiarity of its housing. A +great sadness did then possess me, for I did greatly fear that my dear +friend must have fallen at the hand of his opponent. "Indeed he must +be dead," said I; "else how could his steed be riderless?" Then did I +swear a great and savage oath of vengeance. "For his life an hundred +Scots shall die, and still shall he be but poorly paid for." Thus did +I think; for during the short time in which I had known Sir Frederick I +had learned to love this noble knight, better far than I would a +brother. +</P> + +<P> +Our forces came on, eager to avenge the loss of their comrades which +had fallen that day, and these amounted to a considerable number. Now +and then a small body of the foe were driven to bay, and seldom were +they spared. I seemed to be changed into a demon, with the thirst for +blood. Every one of the enemy that did fall into my hands, I +slaughtered, and felt a savage delight in doing it. Ah! the fierce +delirium of victory. +</P> + +<P> +When we reached the walls of Berwick a white flag was flying from the +Citadel; so the battle was over, and we were stopped from pursuing the +fleeing foe. Berwick was taken, and the war was ended; though we did +not know this latter at that time. That evening we took possession of +the fortress, and the flag of England replaced that of the Scots. +</P> + +<P> +After I had had my quarters allotted to me, and was just getting out of +mine armour, who should walk into my room but my dear friend. He was +still in his complete harness, and was covered with sand and blood, +from head to foot. +</P> + +<P> +"The saints be praised that thou art still alive!" cried I, as I rushed +and grasped him by the hand. "I was sure thou must be dead, and many a +poor Scot has paid dearly for my thought. But where, in the name of +Heaven, hast thou been rolling?" +</P> + +<P> +"Do but wait a moment and I will tell thee all," he replied. Then, +when we were seated, he told me what had happened him. "You saw that +knight, with whom I did engage when the three attacked us?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +I nodded, and he went on:—"He is a Frenchman, and he hath a knack of +breaking his opponent's sword with the hilt of his own. He broke mine, +as I aimed a blow at his head; but, before he could strike, I closed +with him, and, putting mine arms around his waist, I threw myself from +my horse and dragged him with me. Of course he fell on top, which +shook me up a little and, as the ground was soaked with blood, I +naturally do not look so clean as I might." +</P> + +<P> +"And what about the Frenchman?" I asked; "didst thou kill him?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, no," he replied, "he struck his head heavily on the ground, and as +he was badly stunned, I took off his helmet to see what he did look +like, and also to give the poor devil some air, which I was in much +need of myself. He was a handsome man, and evidently he belongs unto a +wealthy house; for his armour was richly inlaid with gold." +</P> + +<P> +I then told Harleston of my encounter with the same knight earlier in +the day, and when he had heard that the Frenchman had spared my life, +he was glad that he had not given him his <I>coup de grace</I>. +</P> + +<P> +The next morning, as we were dressing, a knock came at our door, and, +upon opening it, a soldier handed unto me a message which, upon +reading, I found to be an order from the Duke of Gloucester to prepare +myself for a journey, and to report to him in an hour's time. I at +once guessed my destination, which I thought to be Windsor; and in this +I was not mistaken; for, on presenting myself at his Royal Highness' +quarters, I was handed a packet and commanded to reach the castle in +the shortest possible time. I then asked the Duke if Harleston might +accompany me. He thought for a moment ere he answered, and then +said:—"Yes, by Saint Paul, take the whole army, and thou wilt! we do +not need them here; these Scotchmen will not dare to draw a sword, +after the lesson we taught them yesterday, eh! Bradley?" and he slapped +me on the shoulder. Of course I agreed with his Royal Highness, which +is ever the proper thing to do, when dealing with a Prince. +</P> + +<P> +Half an hour later Harleston and I were on our way to Windsor. +</P> + +<P> +"Not so long a campaign as we had thought," said I, when we were fairly +on the road. +</P> + +<P> +"No," he replied; "my dream of last night is being now fulfilled." +</P> + +<P> +And so we rode on, with our faces turned southward. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap05"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER V +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +FROM BERWICK TO WINDSOR +</H4> + +<P> +On this ride from Berwick to Windsor we had but one adventure to break +the monotony of our journey, and that was of so little importance that +I will not describe it at any great length. It was as we were nearing +York, and passing through a great forest which lines that road on +either side, like two great rustic walls placed there to screen +Nature's lowliest children from the murderous hand of man, for a +considerable distance, that we were attacked by a band of highwaymen, +with which this forest doth abound. Indeed 'tis said that here they do +grow upon the trees like poisonous fruit. We had been riding hard all +day, and, as the evening was drawing nigh, we were walking our horses, +in order to give them a rest in the cool of the forest, ere we should +make our final effort, for that day, and dash into York at a gallop. +Suddenly, about five score yards in front of us, two horsemen did ride +out, one on each side of the great road, with drawn swords in their +hands. They started to come in our direction, so we thought they meant +mischief. Then two more followed, and these were dressed as were the +first. We now became convinced that we were the attraction which +seemed to be drawing these gentlemen of the greenwood. I glanced over +my shoulder, and there, about the same distance behind us as were the +others in front, were four more men, dressed in exactly the same manner +and also carrying their swords in their hands. +</P> + +<P> +"We are in for a skirmish now," said I. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," replied Harleston; "but if we be careful we can do for them yet. +If they do attempt to stop us, cut down the one on the right, and I +will do the same on the left, then dash forward and see if we cannot +pass the others. The ones behind we need not bother with. However, +use great caution and do not show signs of resistance too early in the +game." +</P> + +<P> +"I'll watch thee for the signal." +</P> + +<P> +When the first two men were within a few paces of us, they suddenly +wheeled their horses straight across the road, thus compelling us to +stop. +</P> + +<P> +"And what might you want, sirs?" asked Harleston, in his sweetest tone. +The manner in which he spoke did seem to take their breath away; for +they did nothing but stare for a moment. Then the first to recover +himself answered:— +</P> + +<P> +"All that thou hast, and be damned quick about the giving it." This in +a voice that told, in the plainest terms, the life these fellows lead. +</P> + +<P> +My companion fumbled with his purse for a moment, which example I +followed. The two knaves eyed the bags as the wolf doth gaze in greedy +admiration at a lamb. Then, when the outlaws were off their guards, +our swords did leap from their scabbards, and we cleft their heads as +though they had been made of putty—which, mayhap, they were. We now +drove our spurs into the flanks of our horses and dashed at the other +two. They waited until we were within a score of yards of them, and +then they changed their minds, and did not seem to relish the idea of +meeting the same fate as their fellows; for they turned their horses +into the greenwood, and disappeared along one of those many narrow +paths, with which these forests are burrowed, and which they know as +well as I do the corridors of the palaces at Westminster or Windsor. +We did not attempt to follow them, but rode on at full speed for the +distance of a mile, and when we at length slackened our pace and looked +back, not one of the six was to be seen. +</P> + +<P> +They had evidently thought to overawe us by a great show of numbers and +the copious use of bluster; but after two of their number had fallen +the courage of the rest did forsake them, and they lost their appetites +for our purses, for which they should have to pay such a price. +</P> + +<P> +So we rode into York, nothing the worse for our little adventure which +had helped to make us forget the weariness of our long, hard ride. +When we had entered our inn, and were preparing us for our supper, a +great crowd gathered about the door; for the news had soon leaked out, +who we were and what our business was; for around inns every one doth +know one's business better than that person does himself; for what they +do not know they guess at. So we gave them the news of the great +victory our army had won, and told them that the Duke of Gloucester now +occupied Berwick. When they heard this they went wild with delight, +and we had to shut ourselves in our rooms to keep from being carried, +on their shoulders, all over the city; so great was the admiration of +this sturdy, simple, congregation of England's stalwart sons. +</P> + +<P> +Bonfires were lighted wherever they could find sufficient open space in +which to build them. Processions were continually marching through the +streets, singing and cheering. +</P> + +<P> +We had intended staying here for a few hours, in order that we might +get some much needed sleep; but we soon found this to be outside the +bounds of possibility, on account of the uproar which was increasing +every moment. +</P> + +<P> +My friend and I, after cursing our folly in telling them the good news, +decided to not wait for a longer time than should be necessary for us +to get some supper and a change of horses, and then proceed on our +journey. +</P> + +<P> +Needless to say, we did eat ravenously, after the long ride we had had. +When we had refreshed ourselves, all that it was possible for us to do, +we mounted our horses and set out through the surging, screaming, +half-drunken mass of humanity and made our way slowly towards the city +gates. +</P> + +<P> +One drunken fellow, which did recognize us as being the persons who had +brought the good news, caught my horse by the head and insisted upon +our joining him in a friendly bowl at a near by inn. When I tried to +persuade him to let me go, and to excuse the duty that did make our +presence with him impossible, he said:— +</P> + +<P> +"No, by the Virgin, your Royal Highness shall not pass out of the old +city of your father without drinking with some of its citizens. Were +his Royal Highness, thy father, alive he would not pass out till he had +made the whole town drunk, and so shall not you. Stay and revel with +us, for this is a glorious day for England,—glorious day," and he did +lean his head against the neck of my horse, and seemed inclined to +spend the night thus. +</P> + +<P> +I spurred my steed sharply and, as he bounded forward, the poor +tradesman was thrown to the ground; but as we rode on we could still +hear him calling out to "his Royal Highness," so long as he could make +himself heard above the uproar that was going on around us. He +evidently thought that I was the Duke of Gloucester, and he was most +determined to show his patriotism and loyalty, by giving us what he +considered a glorious time. +</P> + +<P> +We were permitted to pass through the gates, when we had told our +business; and so we rode forth from the city and on to the moon-lit +road, upon a long night's ride, through alternate wood and open country. +</P> + +<P> +All that long night we rode on, now dozing in our saddles, and then +waking with a start, when an owl would break the stillness of the +forest with his unearthly noise, which seemed to us to be in keeping +with bats, serpents, brimstone, and all the general sounds of Hades, +more than the peaceful quiet of our weary ride through the forest. +Then, after cursing all these hideous disturbers, we would spur our +horses on, and let the cool breezes, as they played against our faces +and whistled past our ears and through our hair, refresh us and help to +drive away those heavy veils that did seem ever to be settling down +upon our brains and blotting out our consciousness with their soothing +folds. +</P> + +<P> +The wolves, as they howled in the distance, seemed to be humming some +unearthly lullaby, in keeping with the scene and with our feelings; and +so weird-sweet did it sound that we would surely have gone to sleep, +had not our horses, which had better sense than their riders, quickened +their paces at each of these, to us, melodious outbursts. How we kept +our seats that night hath ever since been, to me, a mystery; for I have +but scant recollection of that agonizing ride from York. +</P> + +<P> +When we entered Northampton, early the next day (for this was the road +we came), we had to be lifted from our saddles, so stiff were we, after +that awful night. Here we did refresh ourselves with wine and food, +and had about an hour's sleep. Then we were rubbed with strong waters, +the which did greatly refresh us, and then, mounting our seventh pair +of horses, we did set out for Windsor. +</P> + +<P> +We stopped but twice before we reached our destination, and then only +whilst we could get some refreshments and changes of horses. +</P> + +<P> +We reached Windsor that evening, and were so exhausted that we had to +be assisted into the palace, and to the King's apartments. When I saw +the King, however, I remembered my mission, and this did seem to revive +me; for I rushed forward and, dropping to one knee, presented the Duke +of Gloucester's message to his Majesty. So soon as we had entered the +room Harleston, regardless of etiquette, flung himself into a chair and +was sound asleep almost the instant that he touched it. When I had +handed the packet unto the King my duty was done and I had no ambition +to support me further. Mine ears did ring; the room began to whirl all +around me; weights then did seem to hang upon my weary eyelids; my head +sank lower; and there, at the King's feet, I fell into a heavy sleep. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap06"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VI +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE KING'S GIFTS +</H4> + +<P> +When I awoke I was in mine own sleeping room, undressed and in bed. My +servant was standing by my bedside. The sun was shining into my room, +and it was evidently well on in the day. I had to think for some +moments before I could tell where I was. Then it all came to me like a +flash of light. I remembered that terrible ride; kneeling at the +King's feet, and from that moment everything was a blank. +</P> + +<P> +I asked my servant what hour it was. +</P> + +<P> +"Upon the stroke of three, sir," he replied. +</P> + +<P> +"Is Sir Frederick Harleston yet stirring?" +</P> + +<P> +"I think not, sir." +</P> + +<P> +"Go call him, and ask him to breakfast with me, in my sitting room." +</P> + +<P> +I dressed myself as quickly as my stiff limbs would permit, and soon +Sir Frederick joined me at breakfast. +</P> + +<P> +Whilst we were yet at our meal a page brought us word that the King did +desire to see us in his apartments. We hastily followed the messenger +and soon found ourselves in the presence of his Majesty, who did +receive us most cordially. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah! my dear Bradley, I hope thou hast quite recovered from the effects +of thy journey." Then, looking at Harleston, he said:—"And thou, Sir +Frederick, art not so sleep-weary as thou wast yesterday e'en? By the +saints, we thought that ye both were done for! Ye would not even keep +from dreamland for the sake of a flagon of wine. Truly, ye were +greatly exhausted; and no small wonder, when one doth take into account +the time ye made." +</P> + +<P> +We bowed respectfully, in acknowledgment of this compliment, and he +continued:— +</P> + +<P> +"I hope that ye will now give me a description of the battle; for my +brother doth send me the result only." +</P> + +<P> +After we had described the battle, as well as might be, the King, with +a complimentary expression of his thanks for our services, gave unto +Harleston and me each a suit of the best of Spanish armour, richly +inlaid with gold. I had seen the King wear suits like these, and I did +guess that they were his Majesty's own. This surmise proved to be +correct, for, as we hastened to thank him for his magnificent gift, he +said:— +</P> + +<P> +"I know that you will not prize them the less when ye learn that both +of those suits have been worn by us." +</P> + +<P> +We could not thank his Grace sufficiently for this marked favor: nor +did he want our expressions of gratitude; for he stopped us with a wave +of his hand:— +</P> + +<P> +"No more, no more, I pray," said he. "The only thing that I do wish +you to do is promise me that, in case anything should happen me, ye +will ever be as true and faithful to my son, which is now Prince of +Wales, as ye have been to me. Stand by him through his youth, and +should any one—no matter who—wrong him, I wish ye now to swear to do +all in your power to avenge his wrongs. Now, gentlemen, are ye willing +to do this for your King?" +</P> + +<P> +So there we swore, on the cross of his sword, to do that which the King +had asked of us; and when we bowed ourselves out of the royal presence +and went in search of the girls the thought furthest from our minds was +that we should ever be called upon to fulfil our oaths made to our King +that day. +</P> + +<P> +Suddenly, as we were making our way slowly through the halls, Harleston +quickened his pace and, without one word, left me, and hastened +forward, almost at a run. +</P> + +<P> +"I hope that our hard ride hath not turned my dear friend's mind," +thought I, as I hurried after him. But when I turned a corner in the +corridor I learned the reason of his haste. There, a few paces down +the hall, and retreating from me, but with Frederick gaining rapidly +upon them, were Hazel and Mary, walking arm in arm, unconscious of +their pursuers—for by this time they had two. I reached them almost +as soon as did Harleston, so great was my anxiety lest I should be +considered negligent in finding them. When the maidens, hearing the +hasty steps behind them, turned and beheld us, both did utter little +screams of surprise. Then Mary quickly recovered herself and said:— +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, dear Cousin Walter, I am so glad to see thee safe returned." And +then, as though less concerned, "And thee, Sir Frederick. I hope thou +hast come through the journey well, even though thou didst not have one +of those grand campaigns that you so glory in." +</P> + +<P> +I left it to him to explain to her that we did have one of those +glorious "campaigns," of which she so sarcastically spoke; for I did +turn to greet the dearest maid which ever drew the breath of life. +</P> + +<P> +"Walter, I am glad that thou hast returned safe," said she, after I had +told her when we did arrive, and how we came to be returned before the +others. "Thou knowest,"—although I did not—"I had such a fearful +dream about thee." +</P> + +<P> +"Almost a confession," thought I. +</P> + +<P> +"Methought I saw thee attacked by foes hidden in ambush, and thou wert +fighting desperately for thy life. Then, in battle, I saw thee +struggling against fearful odds, and then you seemed to be unarmed, and +at the mercy of your foes. But in this dream I did awake to find +myself in a tremble of excitement, and glad that it was but a dream. +Yet it did trouble me, not to see what became of thee when thou wert in +these great dangers; for I feared that mine awakening, ere I did see +that which did happen, meant that thou wert killed." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, Lady Hazel, thy dreams were true. Verily some angel did show +unto thee the adventures I went through. Joyed am I, too, that thou +wert kept in ignorance of my fate; for then thou hadst not been so +pleased to see me now. And wert thou greatly troubled when thou didst +see me beset by dangers?" And I drew a trifle closer unto her side. +</P> + +<P> +"Art anxious to know?" +</P> + +<P> +"Ay, Ay, so anxious, Lady Hazel," and I seized her pretty hand. She +drew it quickly from my grasp, and motioned with her head in the +direction of Mary and Harleston. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, then," she said gently, "I was greatly troubled, for I knew not +whether thou hadst been killed or no; and if thou wert dead I should +then greatly miss one of my best friends," and her dark and beauteous +eyes drooped, and she did seem to be greatly engaged in examining her +dainty little slipper, as it nervously tapped the floor, and tempted me +to drop on my knees and kiss that pretty foot. I was on the point of +dropping on my knee and telling her how I did worship her, when I did +hear Mary titter behind me as though she had read my thought. It had +ever been my misfortune to have someone, or something, prevent me from +taking advantage of a golden opportunity, such as was this, when it did +present itself. +</P> + +<P> +Then Mary and Harleston strolled off down the corridor, and I thought I +should have another chance to complete the story I had started so well +that morning, some weeks before, in the park. But it was too late. My +tongue would not put into words the thoughts that I was dying to +express. So I cursed myself for a dumb idiot, and was compelled to +postpone my declarations until Erato saw fit to untie my stammering +tongue. +</P> + +<P> +Hazel seemed amused at mine annoyance, and laughed and blushed in my +gloomy face. +</P> + +<P> +We strolled on and into the library and, as the others were there, we +sat and talked and told the girls all about the campaign and our little +adventures and our ride from Berwick, and then they did tell us +everything that had happened at court whilst we were away, and which is +generally known as court gossip and, as it could not interest you, my +dears, I will not put it down. +</P> + +<P> +"See, I did not lose the charm thou gavest me when I left," I said, as +I drew it from its hiding-place, over my heart. +</P> + +<P> +She noticed the locality in which it had been carried, and her color +heightened as I coolly put it back in its place, after I had let her +see it. +</P> + +<P> +"Art not going to return it?" she asked in a tone which assured me that +she did not wish me to. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! no, I cannot tell what dangers may yet beset me; so I must keep it +still, that I may come safely through." +</P> + +<P> +To this she raised no objection; so it stayed there till another day, +of which I will tell ye later. +</P> + +<P> +Now I think I hear some one say, as he doth read these lines:—"Was he +not simple, not to see that Hazel loved him?" To this I reply in +advance, by reminding him to look back over his own experience—if he +hath been so fortunate as to have had one—and try to recall how he did +act, under the same trying circumstances. Then, if his memory will be +as fresh as is mine, he will remember the times when he was almost sure +that his lady loved him; yet, was there not a most tormenting +uncertainty, and a doubt that he might be over confident, and so, by +speaking too soon, he feared he might lose all? This I know was mine +experience, and I preferred, like a general with an uncertain force, to +wait until I should find some traitor within the strong fortress that I +was to take, and so make sure of victory by one short, quick stroke. I +now felt that I was winning over part of her garrison; still did I +prefer to make still more certain that I was not deceiving myself with +false hope. +</P> + +<P> +Nor you, ye ones which have yet to experience this most perplexing, and +yet most delightful of engagements, be not too hasty in your judgment +of one—not the least distinguished of your house—for when ye are +placed in the position in which he here found himself, if you do not +feel, or act, any more foolish than did I, ye may congratulate +yourselves for having conducted the enterprise in the most advantageous +manner. However, in this case—but there, I am getting ahead of my +story. +</P> + +<P> +When I look back from the mountain of peace and happiness, upon which I +am now sitting, and across the vale of years gone by, to that other, +sun-topped hill of youth, I do not regret that I am no longer young. +For in that valley, which separates the mountains, I see dark clouds, +and storms, and armies marching and engaged in deadly contest. I hear +the cheers of the living intermingled with the prayers and curses of +the dying. Foul murders are being committed; dark plots being laid and +executed by those which struggle in that dark and troubled valley. And +through all this do I see that same group of young people, struggling +with the rest. Another and grand soul hath been added unto their +number; and their united trials seem, to my old eyes, to rank first in +importance. Then, on the near side, those dark and heavy vapors, with +which the depression is filled, are torn asunder by the united force of +a giant arm betwixt two flashing swords, and the five walk out and take +their seats upon this glorious hill, which is the goal of all; and yet, +which so few do reach, whilst wearing the fleshly garment. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap07"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VII +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE BALL AT THE CASTLE +</H4> + +<P> +About a week after our return to Windsor I learned that there was to be +a grand ball given by the King, in honor of our victory over the Scots. +I at once found the girls and told them the good news. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah!" cried Hazel; "will it not be delightful to be able to have some +life at court, after all this quiet and monotony, with every one away +and no music, but that which Mary and I do make for ourselves?" And +she clapped her hands, and smiled and courtesied to me, as though I +were her partner in the dance. +</P> + +<P> +"Not a great compliment to me, nor to Sir Frederick neither, when thou +dost say there is no one at court," said I; for I did not altogether +relish Hazel's superabundance of delight at the prospect of the change. +But the dear one was in one of those teasing fits of hers; so I knew +full well it was useless to say much. +</P> + +<P> +The only answer she did vouchsafe to my remark was a provoking little +toss of her pretty head. She looked so lovely as she skipped about the +room, that even an over-exacting lover could not help but be +good-natured; even though he did try to be otherwise. +</P> + +<P> +Mary was equally joyed when she heard that we were to have the dance. +</P> + +<P> +"But when is it to be?" asked Hazel, stopping suddenly in the midst of +her solitary performance and joining Mary and me. +</P> + +<P> +"This day week, and the Duke of Gloucester and most of the court will +have returned by then; so we will have a lively time. But here doth +come Sir Frederick; so, Mary, thou hadst better inform him and give him +the first chance to pick out his dances." Mary blushed; but however, +she did go and meet Harleston, at which both Hazel and I laughed +heartily. +</P> + +<P> +Indeed it was a goodly sight to see those two standing side by side; +the one tall, handsome, and built in the mould of a slightly reduced +Hercules; and the other, small, dainty, and lovely, as a sweet flower +growing beside an oak. I could see by the way in which Mary was drawn +to him that it would take but a word from him, and she would surrender. +And as for him,—well, he was hopelessly entangled in the silken meshes +of love's all-powerful net from the first day on which he did lay eyes +upon this beauteous lily-of-the-valley. +</P> + +<P> +But why do I look to them for a picture? Had Harleston but cast his +eyes in our direction (the which he did not) he should have beheld as +great a contrast, and, to be modest, at least one as pleasing to the +eye. +</P> + +<P> +"And how many sets am I to have?" I asked of Hazel. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, I shall consider, and take note of thy conduct, and, if it be +good, I may give unto thee the second,—and the—" +</P> + +<P> +"Nay, nay, by mine honour, I do insist upon having the first, and the +second, and a great many more." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, Walter, such an appetite as thou hast developed." +</P> + +<P> +"But remember, I have been fasting for a long time." +</P> + +<P> +Then she wrinkled her little snow-white forehead, and seemed weighing +the matter very deliberately. "Well," she said, after she had appeared +to consider at great length, "thou mayst have the first; but I will +<I>not</I> promise thee any more before the dance, and if I do like that +one, mayhap I will give thee some others." +</P> + +<P> +I knew full well what that meant; so I said no more, but made up my +mind to have more when the time did come round. And the time soon did +come; for in those days of happiness and youth the sun scarce seemed to +stay in the heavens for more than an hour at a time; so quickly did +those days of dreams pass by. And yet, though it may sound like a +contradiction, the sun seemed ever to be shining; for we had it in our +hearts. Oh, had we but known the clouds that were to pass over,— But +there, I must draw the rein again, or I shall be telling the end of my +story ere I shall have come unto it. +</P> + +<P> +So the days flew past like sunbeams, and the evening when the great +ball was to take place at length arrived. +</P> + +<P> +Both Harleston and I had engaged the best tailor in London, and when we +walked into the great audience hall that night there was not a soul in +the place which could compete with us, for elegance of dress—except, +perhaps, the Duke of Gloucester. And let me here put it down; that +room contained all the best of fashion that English tailors could +produce. The secret of our success lay in the fact that it was +Gloucester's own tailor which did make our garments; he being not over +busy whilst the Duke was absent in Scotland. +</P> + +<P> +As the King (for some reason then unknown to us) had not yet arrived, +the ladies and gentlemen, after having been presented to the Queen, +were standing about, in groups of four or more, gossiping and making +all manner of remarks as each of the guests arrived. +</P> + +<P> +After we had been presented to her Majesty, and saluted the girls, we +walked to the far end of the hall, where Gloucester, Buckingham, and a +fellow by the name of Sir William Catesby, a lawyer, with whom I shall +have to deal later on, were standing. The Prince was giving some +instructions to the musicians as we came up, but when he saw us he +turned, and in that voice, as smooth as the finest silk, he said:—"Ah! +Bradley, my dear friend, I am delighted to see thee here this evening, +and thee, Harleston. I have heard how swift were my messengers, and I +assure you both that it shall be none the worse for you that it was so." +</P> + +<P> +We thanked his Grace for his pretty speech, in which, however, I could +not help but detect some insincerity; but could not, at that time, +imagine what his object could be—for this man ever did have one,—when +he acted in this manner. However, I learned it later. +</P> + +<P> +Just then the King did enter, leaning upon the arm of Lord Hastings. +He looked very pale and his magnificent form seemed tottering as though +with age, and yet Edward was still a young man. I could scarce believe +mine eyes, so greatly was he changed since last I had seen him. "If so +short a time can work such a marvel, he must be nearing his end," +thought I. Then Harleston's prophecy, when first I had met him, +flashed through my mind, and I wondered if it were going to be +fulfilled. "But yet, he may be suffering from some temporary attack, +and it will soon pass off." Thus did I try to convince myself that all +was well. +</P> + +<P> +But Harleston nudged me with his elbow, and said, in a voice that no +one else might hear:—"Dost thou observe the King? If he doth live a +month it shall greatly surprise me; for if the stamp of death be not +upon that brow, then there is no such thing." +</P> + +<P> +Then Gloucester and Buckingham came forward and, when his Majesty was +seated upon his throne, enquired as to how he did, and kissed his hand, +as though they loved him; when, at the same time, I verily believe, one +of them at least had been happy had the King been dead. +</P> + +<P> +Every one remarked upon the great change in the noble Edward, and +hastened forward to enquire as to his health; when, if they did use +their eyes, they could see their answer writ in bold letters upon that +pale, yet handsome face. +</P> + +<P> +His Majesty did not seem to like these enquiries; for he frowned on +some which expressed their hope that he was not ill. When my friend +and I paid our homage to him, however, he smiled and spoke most kindly +unto us. This action of the King's did not seem to please some of +those which had met with a reception less warm; for I observed on the +faces of some of these lords and others, sneers and smiles; then would +they turn to each other and converse, and look in our direction, and +shrug their shoulders, as much as to say:—"It matters not; those upon +whom he smiles to-day may be in the Tower to-morrow." +</P> + +<P> +But to this we paid little attention; for it was but natural for them +to feel jealous, after their cold reception. +</P> + +<P> +When the presentation of the guests had been completed, King +Edward—though it must have cost him an effort,—spoke in a clear +voice, and told them the object of this entertainment, which was given, +said his Majesty, in honor of his Royal brother, the Duke of +Gloucester, and the brave nobles and knights who had assisted him in +gaining a victory over our enemies, and so adding another jewel to the +crown of England, by the acquisition of Berwick. Then came a surprise. +The King turned to Gloucester and said: "My brother informs me that +Scotland was assisted, to a great extent, in her unlawful and hostile +acts against us, by our ancient foe—France. Several French noblemen +of importance were taken prisoners on the field of Berwick; which is +strong evidence against that disturber of the peace of nations, across +the Channel. +</P> + +<P> +"In a few short months we hope to see ye gathered in this same room, +for the purpose of celebrating our victory over France." +</P> + +<P> +Then, as the King ended this speech, which appeared greatly to exhaust +him, we all did break into a roar of applause, which did not stop until +his Majesty raised his hand, which did command our silence. Then +another motion from the King, and the musicians started up. +</P> + +<P> +The Duke of Buckingham led the Queen to the centre of the room, and +started the ball in earnest. The scene that followed, reminded me of +one rock starting to slide from the top of a hill: presently, as it +goes, others do join it in its journey, and soon the whole hillside is +one sliding mass. So soon as her Majesty and Buckingham had completed +a measure, others joined in, and in but a few short moments the whole +hall was swaying back and forth, first this way, then that, yet ever in +harmony, like the waves as they rush upon the shore and then recede, +and come back again, with the same delightful time, but ever with a +restful variation. +</P> + +<P> +Needless to say, I was not long in finding my delightful partner. +However, I was not pleased when I came up to find that fellow, Catesby, +endeavoring to persuade her to give unto him my dance. I was close +beside him ere he knew it, and then I heard him say (the which, had he +the manners of a dog, he had left unsaid) "Methinks, Lady Hazel, thy +partner must have forgotten thee." +</P> + +<P> +"Thou shouldst not think of matters which do not concern thee, Sir," I +said, quietly, in his ear, as I took Hazel by the hand and led her +forth. +</P> + +<P> +"And such a trifling matter," said the impudent knave, as he shrugged +his shoulders and walked off. +</P> + +<P> +Had he struck me a blow upon my cheek he could not have more insulted +me. Verily, I boiled with indignation, and swore a great oath, to +myself, that I would make him eat those words, the first time that I +should have an opportunity. So greatly was I occupied with thinking of +the pleasure I would have when my good sword should be sticking through +his body that Hazel, at last, had to pull me by the sleeve, in order to +attract my attention. +</P> + +<P> +"What is the matter with thee, Walter? Thou art walking as though in a +dream; and an evil one at that, judging from the expression on your +face. I do hope that my little presence is not so unpleasant as to +make thee look like that." +</P> + +<P> +This recalled me to my senses; so I apologized for my conduct, and +joined with the others, in their gaiety. +</P> + +<P> +When I look back at that night, and see that fairy form passing through +the movements with me, it doth seem, unto mine old eyes, like a dream +enacted by the mind, where angels appear in mortal form and glide +around us, with their feet touching nothing more substantial than the +air. And indeed it was a dream, and one that can never be too oft +repeated. Ah, that was indeed a happy night; and so many years ago. +</P> + +<P> +Hazel had not heard my remark to Catesby, nor—by some happy +chance—his insolent retort, which latter had, to mine ears, sounded +loud enough for the whole great room to hear. But that must have been +on account of the sting it carried for me. Be that as it may, she had +not heard; and for this I was thankful; for had she, it should have +worried her, and the evening had then been spoiled for both of us; and +I would not have had that happen for a kingdom. +</P> + +<P> +When we had finished our set I asked Hazel if I might have the next. +</P> + +<P> +"No, Walter," she replied; "I have already promised it to Sir William +Catesby; although I do not think much of lawyers," she added. +</P> + +<P> +Of course this made me to boil again; but I did not say so, to Hazel, +for fear she might be frightened. All I said was:—"I detest that +fellow, and do not like to see thee dance with him." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, 'tis much more disagreeable to me," she answered; "and thou +mayst be assured that I will not dance with him again to-night." +</P> + +<P> +"Nor any other night," thought I, "if I may but get my sword betwixt +his ribs." +</P> + +<P> +When the next set did start, as I had no desire for dancing with any +other woman, after having danced with that dainty flower, I strolled +into one of the adjoining rooms, and sat myself down in a comfortable +seat, behind the open door; so that I might not be disturbed in my +meditations, which made my heart to beat the faster the further I let +them run. For the one thought in my mind was how and when I had better +declare myself unto the dear maid which I so madly loved, and get her +promise to some day make me the happiest man on earth, by meeting with +me at that trysting place, where the most high ambitions of love are +realized, namely, the altar of Holy Church. Just as I had fully made +up my mind to have Hazel give me a definite answer the first time I +should catch her alone (and now I felt certain what that answer would +be) Gloucester and Buckingham walked into the room; the former leaning +upon the arm of the latter, as was his wont, when the two were +together. I saw them through the opening where the door hangs to the +wall; but they evidently thought that they were the sole occupants of +the room; for, the moment they entered, I heard the Prince say in a low +tone:—"As we are alone here I may say that which thine ears alone +should hear." Then, before I could make a move, and make known my +presence (for Heaven truly knows I have never had any desire to play +the eavesdropper) he continued: "His Majesty's time is short; dost thou +not see the seal of death upon his brow?" +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed, my lord, methinks that thou art right," replied the other. +</P> + +<P> +"Then, Buckingham, we may play our hand. Our time is coming; watch and +be prepared for a bold stroke. +</P> + +<P> +"Hereford, thine own by right of birth, but now usurped by yon grasping +brother of mine, is a grand earldom, is it not, Cousin?" +</P> + +<P> +I could not hear Buckingham's reply, and in another moment some others +did enter, and the two, after speaking to them pleasantly, left the +room. +</P> + +<P> +"Now what in the devil's name means all this?" thought I. "His +Majesty's time is short." "Hereford is a grand earldom." These two +remarks kept ringing in mine ears and, although I could not at that +time tell what they did mean, yet was I convinced that there was some +deviltry afoot which meant no good unto the Queen, in case the King +should die; for Gloucester ever did dislike both her and her favorites. +However, my reflections were brought to an end by the musicians, who +started playing for the next set. +</P> + +<P> +I at once made my way to the crowd, and found Hazel and led her forth +and joined in the dance. I danced next with Mary, and Harleston took +my late partner, so it was a fair exchange. The next two sets I went +through with other ladies whose names I do not now recall and, as they +have no bearing on this tale, it matters nothing. However, both these +ladies seemed prodigiously relieved when our dances were finished; for +I was too much engaged with taking care of a whirl of thoughts, with +which my mind was struggling, to be very talkative. When I had led the +last of these unto her seat, I had fully made up my mind what my course +of action was to be. So I walked over to that fairest of maids, and +asked her if she were not tired dancing. +</P> + +<P> +"In faith I am, Walter," she answered; "and, when I saw thee coming, I +feared that thou didst want me to go through a set with thee; and then +I should have been afraid to refuse, for thou art such a sensitive and +fiery mortal thou mightst have been offended." +</P> + +<P> +I led her into the smaller room, where I had been sitting when I heard +Gloucester's remarks to Buckingham, and where I was now going to make +some remarks myself, and personal ones at that, but not to Buckingham. +</P> + +<P> +How fiercely my heart thumped, as though it were striving to burst +through my ribs and fly unto its little mate. +</P> + +<P> +When we were seated all my fine speeches seemed to have forsaken me, +and I sat there as mute and dumb as the Tower of London. Now why this +should be I know not, for this was the opportunity I had so long +awaited. At length the dear maid began to be uneasy and, as she told +me afterwards, to suspect what was the matter. Then I saw my time was +come, and if I were to say anything I should have to do it now; so I +started in recklessly, as a sailor throws himself from his sinking +ship, into those tempting waves, and, no matter how great his +confidence may be, yet he knows not if there be rocks beneath the +swells or no. +</P> + +<P> +"Hazel," said I, "thou hast known me long, and I that same have you, +and ever since the day when first thou earnest to court, I have felt it +mine especial duty to watch over and protect thee, shouldst thou ever +need it. This latter you have never guessed; for what right had I to +so appoint myself your guardian? +</P> + +<P> +"Until to-night my tongue would never put into words the pleasant +agonies with which my heart hath for so long been bursting. But +to-night, since I have started, I feel as though my tongue were a bell, +rung by mine uncontrollable heart strings, and, as that thumping engine +doth swing back and forth, my tongue rings out the universal notes,—<I>I +love thee</I>. For thy happiness and pleasure I would freely give my +life, and then rejoice at having served thee. I can say no more; for +my heart smothers me; so I lay it at thy feet. Do not spurn it, but +give another to fill its place, and one that will be more faithful unto +its keeper." +</P> + +<P> +During this speech, which was the outburst of mine overloaded soul, the +dear one sat with her precious head bent as that of a dainty flower +before the hot blast of summer. Her hand toyed nervously with a tassel +which hung from her waist. Her bosom rose and fell so quickly that it +seemed like the ripples on the beach; and her whole frame quivered with +emotion,—and so did mine. +</P> + +<P> +When I had finished she did not speak for a moment, and I began to fear +that I had frightened her with my passionate declaration. But +presently she raised her eyes to mine, and they were full of tears. +Then she laid her head upon my shoulder, and sighed and smiled, both at +once, as though her happiness had forced out her tears, and the smiles +were sent to dry them. +</P> + +<P> +"There is my hand, Walter," she said, "and with it goes my heart. Take +both of them, for they belong to thee. In faith, the latter thou hast +had some time. I am sure thou wilt be kind to them; for I know thou +lovest me truly. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, Walter, when thou speakest to me, with mine ears I hang upon the +flower of thy so earnest speech, and they drink in the precious +sweetness from its bloom." +</P> + +<P> +I kissed away love's dewdrops from her cheeks, and now I say it truly, +without the recklessness of youth, there has been only one other moment +in my life in which I have felt such heart-expanding joy. But I shall +tell ye of that anon. +</P> + +<P> +So there we sat and spoke those words which are so dear to lovers, +until that set was over, and we were reluctantly compelled to go back +and join the others in the ball-room. +</P> + +<P> +So soon as I had taken Hazel unto her place near by the Queen, I +started in search of Harleston. I found him engaged in conversation +with my lord Hastings. As I came up he turned and exclaimed:—"Ah! the +lost is found. I had surely thought that thou must have grown tired of +the dance and gone to bed." +</P> + +<P> +The High Chamberlain here left us, and took his place beside the King. +</P> + +<P> +"Frederick, I have something of importance to say to thee. Kindly come +with me to another room, so that we may not be overheard; as that which +I am about to tell is of a private nature." +</P> + +<P> +So we entered the room which had that night been the scene of two so +important conversations. When I had made sure that we were quite alone +I motioned Harleston to a chair, whilst I remained standing before him. +</P> + +<P> +"My friend," said I, when he was seated, "I have two communications of +importance to make. The first I know thou shalt be pleased to hear, +the other is not so pleasant; for it may mean great trouble to us all, +if mine interpretation of what I overheard be correct. The first is +this,—" and there I stopped and stood first on the one foot and then +on the other, and felt my face get red, for all the world like a small +boy making a confession when he has done something wrong. Why I should +feel like this I know not, unless it be one of the many peculiarities +of that very eccentric person known as Master Human Nature, of whom we +know so little. +</P> + +<P> +My friend regarded me with the faintest suspicion of a smile playing +around the corners of his mouth, and also showing itself in a barely +perceptible twinkle in his eyes. +</P> + +<P> +At length he said:—"Well, Walter, what is it? Out with it man, or +thou shalt never know whether I will be glad to hear it or no." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, then,—<I>I have told her</I>," I almost whispered. +</P> + +<P> +"Told her what?" he asked, laughing outright at mine embarrassment. +</P> + +<P> +"Why,—why,—that,—that,—" +</P> + +<P> +"What in the devil's name is the matter with thee?" cried he, not +giving me time to finish. +</P> + +<P> +"That I love her,—Hazel,—Lady Hazel Woodville, Lady-in-waiting on her +Majesty the Queen," I answered; thus trying to give the impression that +I had made it perfectly clear before, but that his skull was too thick +to permit my meaning to pass through. +</P> + +<P> +"Bravo, bravo! my dear friend," cried he, as he sprang to his feet and +grasped my hand and slapped me on the shoulder. "Thou didst get it out +at last. Why, Bradley, I knew it the moment thou didst start to +hesitate and fidget so. Those symptoms, following those dreamy fits, +from which thou hast been suffering of late, are the surest indications +of that peculiar disease of the heart which so sadly affects the mind. +One is almost sure to catch it when one doth come in frequent contact +with fair maidens. Now the one with which thou hast been associated so +much is simply a human moon, to make men mad. Therefore, my dear +fellow, I was quite certain that thou wouldst soon cry out for it. But +tell me," he said, more seriously, "what did she say?" Then before I +could tell him:—"I need not ask; 'tis writ upon your smiling +countenance." +</P> + +<P> +He had scarcely finished his congratulations when in walked Hazel and +Mary, arm in arm. When they came up to us, my dear maid's face was +crimson with blushes, and Mary's contracted with joyous smiles. +</P> + +<P> +"Hast thou told him yet?" asked Hazel, glancing in Harleston's +direction. +</P> + +<P> +I nodded. "And doth Mary know?" I asked. +</P> + +<P> +"I just told her," she whispered. +</P> + +<P> +Then Harleston and Mary came up to us, and as my little golden haired +cousin took my hand and congratulated me for having won the dearest +maid in Christendom, Frederick reached across, and taking Hazel's hand, +wished her all happiness, and said some pleasant things of me, the +which I shall not put down. +</P> + +<P> +So there we stood and talked and laughed—for laughter is ever waiting +to burst forth, when the heart is light and young, and filled with +love's tender passion—till we heard a commotion in the ballroom. We +rushed out to see what was the cause of these unusual sounds. The +scene we beheld prodigiously surprised us. Every one was hurrying in +the direction of the throne, and making all sorts of exclamations. I +left Harleston to look after the ladies, and hurriedly I made my way +through the crushing guests, until I was near the King. His Majesty +was hanging over the arm of his chair; and leaning his head upon the +shoulder of Hastings. He appeared to have fainted; for he was deadly +pale, his eyes closed, and the lids trembling like the wings of a +wounded bird. Some evidently thought that he had already died, or was +just dying; for they were wringing their hands and muttering prayers, +when they might have been of more service had they stood further back, +and so allowed the King to get some fresh air, which—in these cases—I +do consider a better physic than most men's prayers. +</P> + +<P> +Presently the Physician Royal, which had been sent for by the Queen, +arrived. He at once ordered every one, no matter of what rank he might +be to stand aback. Then he had a bench brought forward, and two +gentlemen carried the King and laid him at full length upon it. +Vigorously did they rub his hands and face, and then they bled him. +Then the noble sufferer did show some signs of recovering. Hastings +and Stanley did now lift up the bench, with its Royal load, and carried +it from the room. The Queen followed, wringing her hands and weeping. +</P> + +<P> +The great ball was over, much before its time. +</P> + +<P> +The guests stood, for some time, talking in little groups; most of +their conversation being scarce above a whisper; for there is something +which doth awe us, when the great are thus struck down. +</P> + +<P> +I went back to the girls and Frederick; but a dampness had fallen upon +our happiness and made us to feel quiet. +</P> + +<P> +We remained only a short time, and then made our ways unto our several +apartments. +</P> + +<P> +Thus in sadness ended the entertainment given by his Majesty, King +Edward, the fourth of that name, in honor of our victory over the +Scottish king. But in the hall I did kiss Hazel ere I did let her go +that night. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap08"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER VIII +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE DUEL +</H4> + +<P> +When I reached my room I sat down for a moment and thought. Then I +arose and walked about the room, and thought, of nothing but my great +happiness, and my good fortune in having at last accomplished that +which I had for so long desired. +</P> + +<P> +Was it not delightful to be certain that some day my darling Hazel was +to be the mistress of Bradley House, which had stood without a mistress +for so long a time. +</P> + +<P> +I pictured to myself how I would have the place altered and brightened, +that it might be in better keeping with its fair inmate. I could even +hear her light-hearted song, as she fluttered about the house, and +played among the flowers, like a gayly-colored butterfly. I saw us +strolling through our park. Her fair hand was resting on my shoulder, +and mine arm did encircle her fairy waist. The sun was pouring through +the trees like streams of fine gold. The birds were singing all around +us, and all nature seemed trying to keep in harmony with our love and +add unto our happiness. Now and then would I stoop and pick a flower +and place it in her beauteous, dark brown hair. Then did I see my +father's faithful old servant, Dickon, come shuffling across the lawn +to tell us that it was time for dinner. +</P> + +<P> +And so my dream goeth on, till it is interrupted by Harleston, who +enters my room. He was dressed in a long flowing robe, and there was +nothing about his appearance that would tell us he had been to a ball +that night. +</P> + +<P> +"Well upon my soul, Bradley, art thou still sitting up? Why, methought +that I was the only late bird about the Castle. And your clothes still +on. Come, come, Walter, thou must be careful and do not let this flood +of happiness drown thy reason." +</P> + +<P> +"Fear not for that," I replied; "for the said flood is so thick that my +reason doth float upon the surface." +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed thou dost put it well. But come now, I must to that which +brought me here at this unseemly hour. When you did take me into that +small room, this evening, thou saidst that thou hadst two +communications of importance to make. So far you have made but one: it +was my desire to hear the other that brought me here to-night." +</P> + +<P> +"Ah, yes, I had forgot," I replied. "Now the second is this, and I +will not so hesitate in the telling of it as I did with the first." +Then I told him all I had overheard, and how I came to be the unwilling +listener. +</P> + +<P> +When I had finished he said:—"Thou mayst thank Heaven that thou didst +overhear that same conversation; for it doth give us the key unto the +puzzle which Richard will present to England, in case the King doth not +recover. The Queen should be warned," he continued. +</P> + +<P> +"And yet it might avail nothing. In case we warned the Queen, and the +King recovered, we might find our heads upon the block for having +interfered. It is a dangerous matter to play with royalty; for," I +continued, "his Majesty King Edward is a good and kind master, but he +is also one which doth not like his family matters pried into. When he +is roused he is the very devil in human form. We have the Duke of +Clarence for an example. We had better think of his grave of malmsey, +and so profit by the picture, and hold our peace." Methought it better +to warn him; for I began to fear that my dear friend's honesty might +lead off his better judgment, and so he might fall into disfavor with +the King, should his Majesty recover, and this was ever but the first +step in the ladder leading up the scaffold. +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps thou art right," he said. "I shall at least keep mine own +counsel so long as the King doth live; for I have no desire to have my +head decorate the walls of the Tower." +</P> + +<P> +"And now, my friend," said I; "there is another matter that I wish to +speak with thee about." Then I told him of my tilt of the tongue with +Catesby, and asked him to arrange matters so that we might have a +meeting at his earliest convenience. +</P> + +<P> +"I do not like to see thee fight him," said Sir Frederick, when I had +finished the asking of my request; "for he is a friend of my Lord +Hastings, and though I detest the fellow, yet do I treat him with +civility on the Chancellor's account. However, Walter, after what has +passed, there is nothing left but the swords; at which game methinks +that thou hast little to fear from any man in England." +</P> + +<P> +"Thou art wrong there, my friend, for this Catesby is the pupil of a +great French swordsman, and there are few in England which dare to +stand before him. However," I continued, with some pride, "it shall +never be said of a Bradley that he quietly did rest with an insult +still hanging to his cheek, and never burning it." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, thou shalt have fair play at least," said my friend, "and though +he may have studied the art of swordsmanship with a score of Frenchmen, +yet have I no doubt as to the result. I have seen thee use the foils +enough to feel satisfied that Catesby shall have no advantage over +thee; and besides, he hath not more than half thy strength." +</P> + +<P> +"Yea, that is true." +</P> + +<P> +"But no matter how thou mayst feel towards him be sure and do not kill +him; for he stands in great favour with Gloucester, whom we cannot now +afford to offend. Run him through the arm or shoulder and thine honour +will be satisfied." +</P> + +<P> +I knew my friend was talking thus in order that he might lend mine arm +more confidence. But this was not necessary; for even though Catesby +were a skilled swordsman, yet did I account myself his match at the +game, and besides it was true what Harleston said, I had more strength, +which is not the least thing to be taken into account in these affairs. +</P> + +<P> +Early the next day Sir Frederick saw Catesby and gave him my challenge. +</P> + +<P> +"And so," said the lawyer, "your friend grows tired of this life and +desires to join the saints?" +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed, sir," my friend replied, "the chances of your going to another +world are equally good; though whether thy companions there will be +saints or no, I cannot tell." +</P> + +<P> +To this retort Catesby made no reply. +</P> + +<P> +The place and time of our meeting were settled. At sundown that +evening we were to meet near the far end of the Little Park, where a +large oak doth stand alone. This time and place were decided on in +order to make certain that we should not be interrupted; for this spot +was never frequented at that hour. +</P> + +<P> +That evening, at about the half of an hour before the appointed time I, +accompanied by Harleston, set out by a round about way, so that when +Catesby and his second should go to the meeting place no one Would +suspect our object. They, however, having taken the more direct and +therefore shorter path, had reached the spot and were waiting when we +arrived. +</P> + +<P> +Sir Richard Ratcliffe was to act as Catesby's second. +</P> + +<P> +The spot chosen was one which seemed made by nature purposely for such +contests. For the distance of about a score of feet all around the +great oak—which arose in the centre like an ever watchful sentinel +guarding that portion of the park—the ground was clear and level as a +round green table. As I looked up at that fine old veteran which had +braved the storms of centuries, and still showed no other signs of its +contests than his battle scarred old features, methought of the many +engagements he had watched, and the tales of bloodshed he might tell if +he but could. +</P> + +<P> +The sun was no longer shining where we stood, but the top of the great +tree still caught his last gleams as he sank below the horizon. As the +last of these rays left the old oak our time was up, so we began to +strip for the encounter. We took off our cloaks, belts and doublets, +and gave them unto our seconds, who laid them in two heaps, one on each +side of the open space. I rolled up my right sleeve to the shoulder, +and Harleston handed unto me my naked sword. My friend and Ratcliffe +spoke together in whispers, for a moment, and then the latter, standing +with his back to the tree, said in a loud clear voice:— +</P> + +<P> +"Gentlemen:—Sir Frederick Harleston and I have agreed, in your behalf, +in case either of you should be disarmed, or placed in a position where +it should be impossible for you to defend yourself, the fight shall be +stopped until such time as ye shall again be upon an equal footing. +Both Sir Frederick and I do insist that this rule shall be observed, +otherwise we do refuse to act. Should either of you take advantage of +your opponent's being unarmed or placed <I>hors de combat</I>, and so take +his life, the one so breaking this rule shall be proclaimed a coward +throughout the length and breadth of England. This shall be his +punishment for his unknightly conduct. Have I made all perfectly +clear?" +</P> + +<P> +We both replied in the affirmative, and agreed to be bound by this +rule, which was a very humane and fair one. +</P> + +<P> +Ratcliffe then took his place behind Catesby, and Harleston behind me. +</P> + +<P> +The signal was then given, and we approached each other cautiously, +each looking for an opening. Then our swords came together with a +sharp click, and slid along each other like two icicles being rubbed +together. The moment I felt his sword against mine I knew that I had +not been misinformed when I heard that Catesby was a pupil of one of +the greatest swordsmen in Europe. His wrist was like steel, and his +point began to play on either side of mine with such rapidity as warned +me to stand on the defensive until I got more used to his ways. +Suddenly he lunged with murderous and savage swiftness, his point aimed +at my heart. I met him with a quick and firm guard, and for the next +few moments we did content ourselves with sounding each other with an +occasional lunge. Then he changed his tactics, in the twinkling of an +eye, and flew at me like lightning. His sword seemed everywhere at +once. I felt a sharp sting in my sword arm, as his weapon scratched +it. Then I felt it higher up and near unto my shoulder. I slowly +began to give ground, as it had been the part of a fool to stand still +in an attack of this kind, which I knew could be of no long duration. +In this I was right; for seeing that he could not reach my chest, and +that he was soon wearing himself out with this furious pace, he slowed +his attack somewhat and made more careful lunges. I now saw that I +could, in a short time, wear down his strength, by keeping a cool head +and a wary eye. Soon I touched him lightly on the shoulder, and had +the satisfaction of seeing his shirt stained with his blood. This, +however, seemed to refresh him; for he made another of his fierce +attacks, which again compelled me to give ground. In this I did not +divine his object, which was to force me back against the tree. As I +stepped back to avoid a lunge more savage than the others, I felt my +heel strike the tree. This put me something off my guard. He seized +the opportunity, and drove his sword at my chest with all the remaining +strength in his villainous body. I stepped aside, and gave him my +straight point in the right shoulder, near the neck. However, I had +not been quick enough; for I felt a sharp twinge in the fleshy part of +my left arm, as he nailed it to the oak. His sword snapped off short, +and I was left pinned to the tree, as I have seen boys do with +butterflies. Catesby fell, bathed in blood; but methinks it were more +from exhaustion than from his wound that he did fall; for the latter +was but little more serious than mine own. Sir Frederick pulled at the +blade with his handkerchief wound around his hand, and at length set me +free. Catesby soon regained consciousness, and we were bandaged +carefully with cloths that had been brought for the purpose. +</P> + +<A NAME="img-082"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-082.jpg" ALT=""The signal was then given."" BORDER="2" WIDTH="372" HEIGHT="554"> +<H4 CLASS="h4center" STYLE="width: 372px"> +"The signal was then given." +</H4> +</CENTER> + +<P> +As I saw him walk off, leaning on the arm of Ratcliffe, I regretted +that I had not given him my point lower down. +</P> + +<P> +But there came a time when I would have given ten years of my life for +the same opportunity of ridding the world of this accursed villain. +But ye, my children, shall judge of that later on in this story. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap09"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER IX +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE KING'S DEATH +</H4> + +<P> +Mine arm was quite sore and stiff for some weeks; but as I had at that +time no duties to attend to, it did attract but little attention. I +kept to my rooms most of the time, but occasionally took a walk through +the park with my fair Hazel by my side. +</P> + +<P> +She was greatly alarmed when she learned that I had been wounded; and +she lectured me most severely for so exposing myself to such "foolish +dangers," as she was pleased to call them. +</P> + +<P> +"For you know," said she, looking up at me with her head held to the +one side, and her face most serious, "if thou shouldst be killed, it +would kill me too; so, for my sake, promise me that thou wilt fight no +more those fearful duels. Heaven knows 'tis bad enough when thou, as a +soldier, hast to fight battles; but this murder should not be permitted +in a Christian land." +</P> + +<P> +"But, my darling," I replied, "when one man doth insult another the one +which is insulted must avenge himself." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, but if men would ever learn not to insult each other there should +be then no cause for these horrible affairs." +</P> + +<P> +I attempted to argue the point with her; but found it of no avail. Had +I been the age I now am I might have saved my breath. +</P> + +<P> +"However," she said, after I had given up the task of trying to +convince her that I was right, "I am glad that thou didst wound him." +</P> + +<P> +"Why?" I asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," she said, slowly, and at the same time watching me closely, +"that night of the ball—" and she stopped there long enough for a very +pretty blush to cover her face, as a veil, "the impudent fellow had the +temerity to try and make love to me." +</P> + +<P> +"What?" I cried, as I grasped my scabbard, and started my wound to pain +afresh. "I'll kill the knave the first time I see his sneering face!" +</P> + +<P> +"No, no, Walter, do nothing of the kind. That was the reason I did not +tell thee ere this; I knew it would set thee mad. Oh, dear! thou hast +such an evil temper. He is now punished enough; so promise me that +thou wilt do nothing to bring about another duel;" and she laid her +hand on mine arm, and coaxed me so nicely that I had to make the +promise; though later I did regret it. +</P> + +<P> +Since the night of the ball the King's health had been getting worse +with every day that passed. His Majesty, seeing that he had not long +to live, now called a meeting of the different factions who were ever +jangling with each other, for the purpose of reconciling them; for he +feared, that when he should be dead, their quarrels might lead to great +strife in the kingdom, and endanger the rule of his son. +</P> + +<P> +These parties, as ye must all know, were, first—the Queen and her +favorites, secondly—Buckingham and the most powerful of the ancient +nobility—to which party belonged my Lord Hastings—and +thirdly,—Gloucester himself, for the reason that he did not wish to be +connected with—and so be dependent on—either of the other parties. +</P> + +<P> +When all these were come unto his bedside, the King addressed them +thus:—"You all must know that I am about to leave this fair kingdom, +where I have had such strife and yet such happiness, to join that other +land to which spirits alone can go. Before I leave it is my pleasure +to have ye all at peace with one another. In case this strife should +continue, it will surely lead to great troubles for poor England, which +we all do love so dearly. Therefore, my faithful subjects and friends, +bethink ye of your duty. Here in this room, before ye leave my +presence, I wish to see ye all embrace each other and swear by my +death-bed to live in peace together. +</P> + +<P> +"My brother Richard, I charge thee to look after my children, which +shall soon be fatherless, and may God deal with thee as thou dost deal +with them. I wish thee to be the protector of my son Edward, and to +assist him in his government until such time as he doth come unto years +of discretion." +</P> + +<P> +So there by his bedside they went through the forms which the King did +ask of them. I say, went through the forms; for that was all they did. +I do not believe that one of those present ever intended to keep the +oath he there made to the King; for their conduct after his death is +sufficient evidence of their insincerity. +</P> + +<P> +'Twas told to me afterwards, by one which saw all that which I have +here described, that as Richard left the room, with his handkerchief to +his eyes, it was to hide his laughter rather than his tears. And I do +believe this to be so; for I consider it impossible for that man ever +to have had the tenderness of heart necessary to produce one tear. Be +that as it may, he was not long in demonstrating his love and charity +towards his brother's children. +</P> + +<P> +One morning, some days after this bedside gathering, when I met Hazel +in the park, as was now my wont, her eyes were red with weeping. +</P> + +<P> +"Come, come, my fair one, thou must not look so unhappy, or else I +shall fear that thou hast ceased to love me. Now tell me what is the +matter, that I may console thee." +</P> + +<P> +"Hast thou then not heard the news?" she asked. +</P> + +<P> +"I have not," I replied, "it must be evil news indeed, to make thee so +unhappy." +</P> + +<P> +"The King is dead," she said. +</P> + +<P> +"When did he die?" +</P> + +<P> +"About an hour since;" and then she wiped her eyes again. +</P> + +<P> +"Why dost thou weep so for the King?" I asked; for I did not like to +see Hazel weeping because another man had died. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, thou stupid!" she cried out impatiently; "cannot you see that it +is on the poor Queen's account? I love her as I did my own dear, and +now dead, mother; and when I see her in such sorrow it maketh me to +feel as if 'twere mine own." +</P> + +<P> +I felt abashed for not having seen this for myself; but men are so +thick headed, in these matters, that they can never know the way a +woman looks at things until she doth explain herself. Now I had rather +face a regiment, single handed, than see a woman weep; so I stood there +as on a pillory, saying nothing, but feeling uncommon uncomfortable. +</P> + +<P> +Presently she looked up sharply, and said,—"Well, what art thou +staring at? Is there anything about me that does not please thee?" +</P> + +<P> +To this I made no reply, as I knew silence to be the best remedy for +these little outbursts of temper. Remember, my dears, at that time +Hazel had considerable fire in her make up. And I would not give an +old gauntlet for a maid which had not; for this I do consider to be the +very salt of one's character; and what is a fine dish without it be +seasoned properly. +</P> + +<P> +When I had stood quietly for some moments, I saw some signs of +relenting begin to betray themselves in a softening of the face. "Is +the storm passed?" I asked. This brought a smile. All the temper had +vanished, and she was more loving than ever. +</P> + +<P> +"Thou must not think badly of me because I was cross with thee, dear," +she said, looking up at my face in the most coaxing and bewitching +manner—of which she so well knew the power: "I felt so sorrowful when +I saw the dear Queen weeping and wringing her hands in despair, that I +did not know myself. Thou wilt forgive me, wilt thou not, Walter?" +</P> + +<P> +Then I made a great show of granting her pardon, that I might have a +good reason for a certain show of tenderness. +</P> + +<P> +'Twas like a little whirlwind in a dusty road, when the particles of +sparkling sand have settled back to their proper level the way is more +smooth than ever. +</P> + +<P> +When we were seated upon a bench beneath a fine old oak, which stood in +a place more private than its brethren, as though its dignity had made +it to hold itself aloof from their society, like the head of some most +ancient house keeps ever from the vulgar herd, she asked me how I +thought the King's death should affect the kingdom. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah! my dear," I replied, "that is the question which I have been +trying to answer since some time before his Majesty did leave us. If +Gloucester can be honest all shall be well; for he is a man of great +ability and can, if he will, keep the little King firmly seated on the +throne. What I do fear is, that, when he tastes the sweets of ruling, +he may not be willing to give it up; but like a tiger, when he once +hath tasted blood, must needs have more. Young Edward, in his hands, +will be as wax, and moulded to the form that best suits Gloucester. +The King need not fear his humbler subjects, but must still hold a wary +eye upon his uncle." +</P> + +<P> +I did not think it well to tell her the conversation I had overheard +the night of the great ball; for it could have done no good, and should +but have alarmed her. +</P> + +<P> +"And dost thou then think that the Duke of Gloucester is not honest?" +asked Hazel. "Why, he seems to be most honourable and just, so far as +I have seen." +</P> + +<P> +"So far as thou hast seen," I replied. "That distance is not great. +My father—rest his soul—saw this same Richard stab to the heart, +without provocation, and in the coldest blood, young Edward, son of +Henry. I've heard my father, with tears upon his cheeks, tell the tale +of that foul deed. +</P> + +<P> +"The young Prince, after Tewkesbury, was brought before King Edward and +his brothers. +</P> + +<P> +"'What meanest thou, so to rebel against the laws of England and her +Sovereign, by thus taking up arms to disturb the peace of this thy +native land?' asked our now dead King. +</P> + +<P> +"'Proud and rebellious York,' replied the youth; 'by what right dost +thou question us, thy true and lawful Sovereign? Hadst thou the +loyalty equal to thine impertinence, thou wouldst now be at our feet, +craving our pardon for this show of force before us, England's only +King.' +</P> + +<P> +"My father said 'twas grand to see the young Prince, as he did finish +this speech, so full of dignity and power. His face was flushed with +excitement, and with pride; and as he raised his hand to Heaven, as +though asking of the powers there to bear him out, he looked as though +he were inspired. +</P> + +<P> +"Then Richard of Gloucester, now our <I>pro tem.</I> ruler, unable to look +upon this righteous indignation, with his steel gauntlet, struck young +Edward on that tender cheek. This proud bud of the noble flower of +Lancaster could ill brook this insult; especially from one of a rival +house. His hand flew to his dagger. Gloucester, who knew full well +that this was but an impulse, pounced on the Prince, as doth the tiger +on its tender prey, buried his weapon in that noble flesh, and, as the +body fell upon the ground, he spurned it with his armoured foot. +This," I continued, "doth show the tenderness of Richard, and the +treatment that they may expect, which do not please his Highness, the +Protector. His words and his actions are of but distant kin." +</P> + +<P> +"Then dost thou not think he will be bound by his oath, made to the +King before his Majesty deceased?" asked Hazel. +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed who can tell?" I replied. "Mayhap a year will show, mayhap +two. He may be honest, and he may be not. Which course he doth find +to be most profitable, it is mine opinion, he will follow." +</P> + +<P> +Thus we spent most of the morning, discussing the policy of the new +Protector; and methinks the surmises we made that morning in the park +turned out to be as true as the great majority of the prophecies which +are, even now, so prevalent in this glorious and enlightened reign of +his most gracious Majesty, King Henry, of that name the eighth, which, +despite his faults—and we all must have our own—is a most noble +master. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap10"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER X +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +I AM SENT TO LUDLOW +</H4> + +<P> +So the King was buried, with a great show of pomp, and much mourning, +in the splendid chapel of Windsor Castle, by those which had followed +him through his career of alternate sunshine and shadow. Many of these +friends, who had basked in the rays of the sun of York, when the sky +was clear, but who, when a cloud had come across its brilliant disk, +found more congenial weather elsewhere, were now the loudest in their +lamentations, as they followed the noble Edward's body to its last +resting place. +</P> + +<P> +The Queen scarce ate or slept for many days or nights; but walked her +rooms, and wept and prayed. 'Twas a sad sight, as Hazel told me, to +see her wander from one room to another, and gaze upon the articles +which Edward so had loved. But when the King's body had been buried +she seemed to cast off her sorrow as she would a garment. It was now +her duty to protect the interests of her son. He must be brought from +Ludlow Castle, whither he had been sent by his father, that his +presence there might awe the Welsh, and keep them from revolting; for +this was a habit that they had always had, and one which seemed hard +for them to forget. +</P> + +<P> +"Would that I had a faithful messenger to carry a letter to my brother. +I cannot tell who may be trusted. My son, Dorset, might be sent; but +yet I need him here to counsel me." +</P> + +<P> +"I know of one whom you may trust," said Hazel, who was present when +the Queen had thus spoken to herself. +</P> + +<P> +"Thou hast ever been a true girl, Hazel, and I love thee well. Tell me +who this champion is, for well would I like to see a true man about +this court." +</P> + +<P> +"Sir Walter Bradley, may it please your Majesty. He it was which +brought the news of the taking of Berwick, and who was rewarded by the +late King, your husband." +</P> + +<P> +"Ah, yes! I do remember me," said the Queen. "He should be a swift +messenger. I will send for him at once." +</P> + +<P> +So I was sent for, and found, and brought into the Queen's apartments. +</P> + +<P> +"Sir Walter, thou hast been recommended to me as one of my only too few +faithful friends." As I glanced hastily in Hazel's direction, her +Majesty smiled as though she had read my heart. "I wish thee to be the +bearer of a letter unto my brother, Lord Rivers, which now resides at +Ludlow Castle. This business concerns my son, your King, and is +therefore of great importance. I shall have the packet ready to-morrow +morning; so thou wilt not have much time for thine adieux." And again +she glanced at Hazel, and then at me, smiling the while, with that +sweet smile which could have sent me through fire and water to serve +this most excellent, and yet unfortunate, Queen. +</P> + +<P> +"I shall be ready and waiting for thine instructions, Madam," I +replied, as I bowed myself from the room. +</P> + +<P> +Hazel followed me into the next apartment, with an anxious look upon +her dear face. "Is thine arm yet healed enough for thee to make this +journey, Walter dear?" she asked. "I had forgot thy wound, until I saw +thee try to open the door, just now. I was so proud to have thee +chosen as the Queen's messenger, when there are so many upon whom she +hath conferred favours, and yet which she doth not trust, that I +thought not of thy wound. Had I not better tell the Queen, and have +her choose another?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not for the world, my dear. It is too great an honour to fling to one +side on account of a scratch, when one is chosen from so many which are +more worthy of her trust. Besides, my wound is almost well." This +latter was not in strict conformity with the scripture, which commands +us to speak the truth; but it was necessary for me to keep her from +saying anything to the Queen that might put a stop to my going. +</P> + +<P> +I hastened to my rooms and instructed my servant to have everything in +readiness for my journey in the morning. Then I went in search of Sir +Frederick. I found him in his room, seated near the window, and poring +over a volume of Virgil. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, well!" cried I, "a pretty occupation for a soldier. For the +love of Heaven leave such matters to the priests. I had too much of +that ere I did buckle on the sword." +</P> + +<P> +"My dear Bradley," he replied, "one can never have too much of such +material. +</P> + +<P> +"Do but listen:— +</P> + +<P> +"'<I>Jamaque ibat dicto pareus et dona Cupido<BR> +Regia portabat Tyrüs, duce laetus Achate!</I>'"<BR> +</P> + +<P> +</P> + +<P> +"Stop, stop! if thou dost have any love or respect for me!" I cried. +"If thou goest on with that I shall surely die. The only Latin line +that I do consider worth remembering was writ by one of those great +pagans, and goeth somewhat in this manner:—'<I>Dulce et decorum est pro +patria mori</I>.' That," I continued, "is a line for every soldier to +remember. +</P> + +<P> +"But come, leave the myth of a masquerading ancient for another time; +for now, my friend, I must talk of other things, which are more real." +Then I told him of the Queen's commission. +</P> + +<P> +"Dost thou not desire to have a companion on this journey?" he asked. +"Though, if I do go, this time thou must promise to not ride so fast as +we did on our trip from Scotland." +</P> + +<P> +"No, Frederick," I replied, "methinks it best that thou shouldst remain +here. Your company, as thou knowest, would be greatly appreciated by +me; yet do I think that thou couldst serve her Majesty better wert thou +to stay at Windsor. All the nobles are now flocking unto Gloucester's +side, and she thinks that they do aim at lessening her influence over +the King. If it be possible for thee to serve her I know that thou +wilt do so. Heaven knows she doth need all the assistance she can get, +if she has to cope with Gloucester." +</P> + +<P> +"And of what use can I be against men of such power?" he asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Perhaps none; yet thou mayst in some way serve her." +</P> + +<P> +The next morning, after I had said farewell to Hazel, the Queen, Mary +and Harleston, I set out on my journey, accompanied by three picked men +of my command. Two of these fellows were men which had served under me +ever since I had been at court, and had proven to be, both, most +excellent swordsmen and trusty servants; that is so far as most of +these men are trusty—the which is not an over strong recommendation. +The third was a mighty Irishman, by the name of Michael O'Brien, which +had come to Windsor shortly after our return from Scotland. I knew +nothing of him; but he had a face of exceeding honesty, and besides, +his giant strength was equal to that of four soldiers of the general +kind. +</P> + +<P> +My trip was quite uneventful and monotonous. +</P> + +<P> +In order that I may let you know the length of time that it doth take +for news to travel in the country I will tell ye a little incident, by +way of illustration. +</P> + +<P> +When we reached Tewkesbury, near which Edward had won his battle, and +where Henry's son was murdered, it was the time of day when we must +needs rest and refresh ourselves. When I had entered an inn—which +seemed the best afforded by the town—and was seated at table a sedate +looking old gentleman came and sat himself down on the side opposite to +me. +</P> + +<P> +"I crave thy pardon, young sir, for my freedom in thus addressing thee, +who are, to me, a stranger; but I perceive, from the trappings of thy +horse, that thou dost come from court. Indeed at one time I did know +the names of most all of the grand court ladies; for I have not always +lived in these God forsaken parts," added the old man, with some show +of pride. "But all this is beside the mark," he continued. "When I +espied thee I came over to thee that I might enquire concerning the +health of his Majesty." +</P> + +<P> +"He hath not yet been brought to Windsor, or Westminster, and, as he +now resides at Ludlow, of his health I cannot speak." +</P> + +<P> +"But when went he unto Ludlow?" asked the inquisitive old man. +</P> + +<P> +"Now that I do not remember," I replied; "but, as I think, it was some +months before his father died." +</P> + +<P> +"My dear young sir, his father died some twenty years ago." +</P> + +<P> +I stared at him for several moments, thinking he must be mad. Then I +saw what was the matter. "Why, hast thou not heard that his Majesty, +King Edward IV is dead?" I asked, in surprise. +</P> + +<P> +"Not until this moment," he replied. +</P> + +<P> +So now, my children, ye can see how long it took for news to travel in +those days, of which I am writing. True, the people are becoming more +progressive now, but it is surprising still to learn how long it doth +take for news to reach those distant parts, even yet. +</P> + +<P> +We stayed that night in Tewkesbury. +</P> + +<P> +The next evening we rode into the town of Ludlow, and entered the +Castle. +</P> + +<P> +I was admitted into the presence of the young King, who was, at that +time, but twelve years of age. As I was ushered in I beheld the little +King, and his uncle, Lord Rivers, sitting near his Majesty, by the +casement. I went forward, and kneeling at young Edward's feet, I +kissed his hand and said:—"Hail to your Majesty!" +</P> + +<P> +At first he did not seem to comprehend my words; for he showed surprise +on his fair young face. Then, as Rivers sprang to his feet, the boy's +face became deadly pale, and he almost gasped out the words:—"Is my +father dead?" +</P> + +<P> +I did not answer; but stood with bowed head, mine eyes upon the floor; +for I could not bear to hurt this young innocent with my cruel news. +</P> + +<P> +The poor boy burst into a flood of tears, and buried his head beneath +the arm of his uncle, who spake most kindly unto him, and tried to +quiet him with soothing words. +</P> + +<P> +Meantime I walked to the far end of the room and there, I feel no shame +in the telling of it, I wiped mine eyes, which were by no means dry. +The sight of this poor little fatherless King stole my manhood from me, +and I wept. +</P> + +<P> +I have no recollection of any other man ever having raised himself so +much in mine estimation, in so short a time, as did Lord Rivers, when +comforting our little Sovereign. I had always heard that he was a +kind-hearted gentleman, and one of great refinement and education; but +I had never known him, except most slightly. The kind and gentle +manner of the man drew me to him at once. +</P> + +<P> +"Weep not, my dear," said he. "I know how thy heart must ache for the +loss of so noble and kind a parent. Be assured, Edward, we all do feel +the loss most keenly. But think of thy poor mother, and how she must +ache at heart. Remember, now it is your duty to comfort her. A great +responsibility hath fallen upon thee. Think of that and call up thy +courage and determination. Remember the motto which I taught to +thee:—'Do but screw up thy resolution, and all things can be +overcome;' yea, even thy sorrow." +</P> + +<P> +So he kept on, until he had quieted the child, which sat himself down +and, resting his chin upon his hand, gazed thoughtfully out of the +window. I could read the boy's thought. He was looking far away to +Windsor, and the Palace there. He saw his mother and his dear father +as he had last seen them. His sire took him in his arms and kissed +him, ere he mounted his little palfrey to ride to Ludlow with his +uncle. And now all should be changed. When he should arrive at the +Palace his mother alone would meet him, and there would be tears in her +eyes. I knew his mind was drawing the sad picture: and yet, had he but +known what the reality was to be, he had rather stayed where he was, +safe with his uncle, on the borders of Wales—of which he had +heretofore been the Prince, but was now its King—than to have returned +unto his mother. Then his Majesty moved, and this did break my +reverie. I remembered my mission; so I walked across the room to +Rivers, and handed him the Queen's letter, with an expression of regret +for my forgetfulness. He waved mine apologies aside, with the best +show of grace, thus showing his smooth and gentle nature. Indeed, +during all the too short time I had the pleasure in being in this man's +company I never saw him lose temper: and yet, remember, he was one of +England's ablest warriors. +</P> + +<P> +"What meaneth this?" he broke out suddenly. "'Levy an army, and march +to London with the King, my son,'" he read aloud. "Why, Sir Walter, +are things not well at Windsor?" +</P> + +<P> +"As well as may be, under the circumstances," I replied. "His Royal +Highness, the Duke of Gloucester, was appointed Protector by the late +King, shortly before the noble Edward's death." +</P> + +<P> +"So her Majesty informs me," he interrupted. "How acts Lord Hastings?" +</P> + +<P> +"He seems to be uncommon friendly with the Prince, my lord." +</P> + +<P> +"So I thought, so I thought," said he, speaking more unto himself than +me. +</P> + +<P> +"And what about Buckingham?" he asked, as he stopped suddenly in his +walking back and forth across the room, with his head bent upon his +chest, and his hands clasped behind him. +</P> + +<P> +"He seems most friendly with the Duke of Gloucester; in fact they are +inseparable." Then did I think it wise to tell him of the conversation +that I had overheard. So I beckoned him to come unto the far end of +the room, that the young King might not be alarmed by what I had to +tell. I repeated it word for word as I had heard it; for it was so +graven upon my memory that it can never be erased. +</P> + +<P> +He listened attentively until I had finished, and then said in that +quiet manner which so well became him:—"Bradley, there may be trouble +afoot; however, we cannot be too cautious. I need not warn thee to +keep thine own counsel. This is a dangerous time for England; one +false step might cause irreparable damage." And then he asked me every +question he could think of; and had ye but known him you might have had +some idea of that number, which was indeed great. +</P> + +<P> +The King kindly invited me to sup with them that night. Sir Richard +Grey, one of her Majesty's sons by her first husband, was also present +at supper. +</P> + +<P> +Soon after the meal the young King retired; but we sat up late, and +discussed the affairs of state, and laid plans for the levying of the +forces to escort the King to London. Lord Rivers and Grey both seemed +to fear that Richard did intend to take the young King away from their +control and influence, unless they took a sufficient force to make such +a step impossible. On this I did not express an opinion; for who could +tell what move a man like Gloucester might make. +</P> + +<P> +The next morning orders were sent out through several counties to raise +troops. +</P> + +<P> +When these commenced coming in, Lord Rivers, Sir Richard Grey and I +were kept busy inspecting them and getting them properly equipped. +</P> + +<P> +By the end of one week we had an army of above ten thousand men ready +to march with our little Sovereign, and others were coming in with +every hour that passed. +</P> + +<P> +One evening we held a council at which it was decided to start for +London on the second day following. +</P> + +<P> +The next day, about the hour of noon, a gentleman arrived at the Castle +and requested an audience with the Lord Rivers. We were at dinner when +he arrived; so he was informed that his audience would be granted so +soon as my lord had finished his repast. +</P> + +<P> +The gentleman sent back word that he came from Windsor, as the +messenger of the Queen. +</P> + +<P> +When Rivers heard this he arose hurriedly and ordered him to be +admitted at once. +</P> + +<P> +Imagine my surprise when in walked Harleston. +</P> + +<P> +He had never met Lord Rivers, so I presented him. +</P> + +<P> +He handed a packet to his lordship, with the words:—"From the Queen, +my lord." +</P> + +<P> +Rivers tore open the packet in great excitement, and as he read its +contents I saw a cloud of disappointment pass over his brilliant +features. Grey went over to his uncle, and read the letter over the +other's shoulder. When he had finished, his features wore the same +look as did his uncle's, except that they also showed strong traces of +anger. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, Bradley," at length said Rivers, "our work hath been for nought. +We are commanded, here, to have the army disbanded, and to take only a +sufficient retinue to support the dignity of our young King." +</P> + +<P> +"Then things have brightened?" I asked. +</P> + +<P> +He shook his head sadly. "No, on the contrary, the prospect looks much +darker. I only hope that I may be mistaken; but I do fear we shall +have trouble in England, unless the nobles cease their wrangling." +</P> + +<P> +Shortly after he and Grey retired, and, as Harleston had not yet dined, +we sat at table; and whilst he ate he told me of the doings at court +since I had left. And these, as you shall hear, were of importance to +the kingdom. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap11"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XI +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +SOME HAPPENINGS AT WINDSOR +</H4> + +<P> +I now go back to relate that which happened at Windsor, after I had +left for Ludlow. What I am now about to put down was told to me, +partly by Harleston, as we sat in my rooms in Ludlow Castle, and partly +by Hazel, when next I saw her. +</P> + +<P> +I had only been gone one day when Gloucester called to see the Queen. +When he was admitted he saluted her Majesty in the most respectful and +kindly manner, and spoke in that smooth and diplomatic way of which he +so well knew the potency. "My dear sister," said he, "I have not come +to thee before to-day, because I knew full well how useless, and even +cruel, it is to speak of affairs of state to one whose heart hath so +recently been caused to bleed, by the loss of a husband which was, and +whose memory ever shall be, so dear to thee, and to us all. But now, +my poor widowed sister, it is thy duty to bethink thee of thy son. He +should be sent for, and be conducted here forthwith, in order that he +may be crowned with proper expediency and pomp. Methought it was not +well to let this matter stand too long; for we must not forget that +Lancaster still doth cast a longing eye upon the crown of England. +'Twas but yester e'en I heard that they were corresponding with that +bastard, which calls himself the Earl of Richmond." +</P> + +<P> +"Then I did well when I sent word unto my brother to levy a strong +force and conduct my son to London," said the Queen, with a look of +anxiety. +</P> + +<P> +Gloucester seemed taken aback for a moment; but, quickly recovering +himself, he said:—"I did not know that your Majesty had so instructed +Lord Rivers; and indeed I do not know that this is the wisest course. +The people of the City may not like to see this armed force thus march +on London, as though the King's person were not safe without this +strong protection. Thinkest thou it had not been better to have +consulted with Lord Hastings, and some others, before taking a step so +important to the peace of the kingdom? When didst thou so instruct thy +brother?" +</P> + +<P> +"But yesterday I sent him a letter by a trusted officer," answered the +Queen, quite innocent, and put off her guard by the oily tongue and +kindly manner of this deceitful hypocrite. +</P> + +<P> +"What dost thou say? Shall we sound Lord Hastings, and have the +benefit of his opinion before Lord Rivers doth proceed too far with his +preparations?" +</P> + +<P> +The Queen, suspecting nothing, walked into this trap, set with such +cunning by the Duke (for well he knew the view that Hastings would take +of such a measure) and consented to this course. +</P> + +<P> +So soon as Gloucester had left the Queen he despatched two messengers, +one to Buckingham, and the other to Hastings. +</P> + +<P> +When these noblemen arrived they were conducted into the presence of +the Protector. "Well, my friends," said Gloucester, when he had +greeted them, "the Queen hath gained a march on us. Her Majesty seems +determined to still rule England. She now intends to do it through her +son, the young Edward, as she hath heretofore done through her husband, +the older one." +</P> + +<P> +"What dost thou mean, my lord?" asked Hastings; who, though an honest +man, yet disliked the Queen, or rather, was jealous of her power. +</P> + +<P> +Then Gloucester told them of his interview with the Queen, and the +message she had sent to Lord Rivers. +</P> + +<P> +When he had finished speaking, Buckingham broke out:—"By Heaven!" said +he, "if her Majesty has Rivers march on London, as though it were the +stronghold of a band of outlaws, he shall be met with a force stronger +than his own." Then speaking to Lord Hastings, he said, whilst he +pointed to Richard:—"Here sits the Lord Protector, which was appointed +the guardian of the King by the boy's late lamented father; and the +Queen and her brother take it upon themselves to assume his office, and +to issue orders for the raising of an army, without his consent, or +even knowledge; 'tis monstrous! What sayest thou, my Lord Hastings? +Should they not be made to answer for this insult to our Royal +Protector?" +</P> + +<P> +Then Richard put in a cunning word for himself. "Yes, it seems as +though I am quite forgot. By Saint Paul, I have no love for the +office; but sith it was put upon me, by my dear dead brother, I do +consider it my duty to fulfill the trust he then reposed in me." +</P> + +<P> +This last stroke brought Hastings to their side. "By the light of +Heaven!" cried he, "unless this order be countermanded, myself will +return to the government of Calais, and the whole damn kingdom may rot +ere I will ever serve under a government led by the Queen and her +upstart kinsmen." +</P> + +<P> +"Then, my friends, ye think it best for me to inform the Queen that we +do not consider it a wise step on her part to thus make show of force, +which the people of the City would consider a slur upon their loyalty," +said Richard, in his softest tones. +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed, my lord, had I the saying of it, I would not put it in such +gentle terms," said Buckingham; "what dost thou say, Lord Hastings? +Were it not better that we tell the Queen and her following, in no +fixed, courteous phrases, that we—the ancient nobility of +England—will not put up with such treatment at their hands?" +</P> + +<P> +To this the Chancellor replied in the affirmative; so Richard made +another call upon the Queen and, after telling her the result of his +conversation with Hastings (he having taken care not to mention +Buckingham's name) asked the Queen what answer he might have the honor +to take to the Chancellor. +</P> + +<P> +Now whilst Gloucester had been consulting with Buckingham and Hastings +(which conversation I have just put down, and which I had from +Harleston, who got it from a page, which had been concealed in the room +whilst they were talking) the Queen had been consulting with her son, +the Marquis of Dorset, and was therefore resolved to hold firmly unto +her plans. +</P> + +<P> +"Tell Lord Hastings that I will not countermand the order I have sent +unto my brother." +</P> + +<P> +"But, madam, he threatens to return to Calais unless this be done." +</P> + +<P> +"What! doth he threaten? Let him go to Calais, and there may he abide; +methinks that England can manage without him better than can he without +her;" and the Queen, as she said these words, arose and looked like a +defiant lioness defending her cub. +</P> + +<P> +"It is my poor opinion that thou art making a mistake in thus opposing +a man of such influence; however, I will tell Lord Hastings that your +Majesty hath fully made up your mind to not withdraw the order." +</P> + +<P> +Hazel, who was present during this interview, told me that Richard, as +he said this speech, looked so kind and gentle that it was well nigh +impossible for her to believe what I had told her of his cruelty. +</P> + +<P> +This wrangling went on for a whole week. +</P> + +<P> +Gloucester was always careful to not bring himself into any of these +disputes; but to place himself as the messenger from one side to the +other. +</P> + +<P> +At length one day Gloucester brought word to the Queen that Hastings +had decided to himself take up arms and forcibly prevent Lord Rivers +from escorting the young King to London, with an army. +</P> + +<P> +This was the final blow. The poor Queen could resist no longer; so she +consented to write to her brother and instruct him to bring only a +sufficient retinue to sustain the dignity of the King, who was to be +brought unto Westminster Palace, where the Queen would be ere her +little son did there arrive. +</P> + +<P> +Harleston was chosen as her messenger; so that was how it came about +that he followed me to Ludlow. +</P> + +<HR ALIGN="center" WIDTH="60%"> + +<P> +Now I will tell of other matters which happened whilst I was absent +from court; and this part, although it does not bear on history, was of +the utmost importance to me; for it was but the prologue to the history +of my greatest troubles, as ye shall learn anon. +</P> + +<P> +The second morning after I had left Windsor, Hazel, feeling quiet, as +she afterwards told me, strolled out into the park, that she might be +alone. She seated herself in a secluded place beneath a beech tree, +whose fresh new garments were fluttering in the soft and tender breeze +of Spring. Bright and young were they, as she; yet why did not she +feel as bright as did those green, fluttering young leaves o'er head? +Still she did not, and her heart felt heavy and weary. Remember, this +was the day after Gloucester's two interviews with the Queen, and she +felt an inspiration which told her that trouble was brewing. +</P> + +<P> +Looking back, she thought how happy her life had been before King +Edward's death had cast a gloom o'er everything. She could not help +thinking that the life at court would now be very different. Instead +of the Queen having her way, the nobles, no longer held in check by the +firm hand of Edward, would have control of everything. Here was the +King scarce buried, and already Hastings had commenced to show his +authority. All the life would be gone from the court, and instead of +the round of amusements that the Queen had kept agoing, every thing +should now be quiet, morose and cold. +</P> + +<P> +How she did wish that I were back. She wondered when I would return, +and if I still intended to remain at court, or would I ask her to +fulfil the promise she had made me, to some day meet me at the altar. +Indeed she wished the time would soon fly past till I should again +return. +</P> + +<P> +With these and kindred thoughts she had been so taken up that she had +not heard the sound of approaching footsteps. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! I am so tired of this life at court. I wish I were away from +it," said she, speaking aloud. +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed I agree with thee, Lady Hazel. 'Tis not the life which best +suits thee nor me." +</P> + +<P> +She turned with a start and there, leaning over the back of the bench +upon which she was sitting, stood Catesby. A smile was upon his face +as he noted her startled expression. His right arm he still carried in +a sling, and the sleeve of his doublet hung loose at his side. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, sir, by what right dost thou come aspying upon ladies?" asked +Hazel, as she arose and gazed upon him haughtily, and curled her lip in +scorn. +</P> + +<P> +"'Twas Cupid led me here, fair lady. Deform not that lovely mouth with +such a scornful sneer; those lips of thine were never made for other +purpose than the tender work of kissing." Then, as she turned her back +and started to leave him, he hurried around the bench and stood in +front of her, thus compelling her to stop. +</P> + +<P> +"Stand aside, thou impudent cur, or thou shalt regret thine act," said +Hazel, as she commenced to be frightened. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, thou wilt not kill me with those flashes from thine eyes?" asked +the scoundrel, as he stood and smiled in her face. +</P> + +<P> +"No, but thou shalt answer for it to the one which made thee to wear +thine arm, as best becomes thee—in a noose, and where thy neck should +be." +</P> + +<P> +"Ho, ho! sets the wind there? I might have known so much," said he, as +he sneered, and shrugged his one sound shoulder. +</P> + +<P> +"Be assured sir, thou shalt know more ere thou hast heard the last of +this," said my dear maid, as she again turned to leave the knave. +</P> + +<P> +"Nay, not so fast, my fair one. In sooth you escape not so;" and he +tried to seize her by the arm. +</P> + +<P> +But Hazel was now thoroughly frightened, and she avoided his hand and +commenced to run. He sprang after her and caught her firmly by the +wrist; but she, seeing that she was fairly caught, struggled like a +tigress, and broke loose. Hotly did he pursue her, and again tried to +seize her arm. She, however, swung quickly around a large oak. In +following he struck his wounded shoulder against the tree; the wound, +but partly healed, must have broken open afresh, for, with a groan, he +fell down in a faint, as though by the hand of God. Hazel got but a +glimpse of him as he fell; for she slackened not her pace until she +reached her room and threw herself upon her bed, and burst out aweeping. +</P> + +<P> +Gentle cousin Mary at last succeeded in comforting her; but after that +the dear maids did not again walk in that park, until some great +changes had been wrought at court, and throughout all England; and +then, when they did go, they were guests, without attachment to the +court. +</P> + +<P> +Mary had told Harleston all about Hazel's experience with Catesby; so +it was from him that I heard it. +</P> + +<P> +When he had finished I leaped to my feet and swore an oath, which +methinks it best not to set down in writ, as it might not have a good +effect upon the morals of some of my younger grandsons. +</P> + +<P> +"Calmly, my friend, calmly," said Frederick, in his quiet way; "have +patience; thou shalt yet have an opportunity for making the scoundrel +pay dearly for his act." +</P> + +<P> +"Hell and furies! Harleston, speak not to me of being calm. Do but +think of that dear girl being subject to such insults. By Heaven I +swear I shall never rest in peace until I have caused his death!" and I +tore about the room, stamping my feet, and overturning whatever +furniture I did come across. "Heaven, why are such dogs permitted to +live? Harleston, I would give my right hand to but have that low-lived +knave by the throat." Here I clasped my hands, in a grip of steel and +tried to imagine that I held him by the neck. 'Twas my wounded arm +that stopped me from this practice. +</P> + +<P> +When my passion had somewhat abated my friend asked me when I thought +it likely that Lord Rivers would take the King to London. +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed I know not," I replied; "but one thing is certain, and that is +if he does not start at once I will set out alone. I cannot bear to +think of what might happen unto my poor dear girl, whilst I am away +from her side. That Catesby dare do anything; and that rogue, +Gloucester, would back him up in all his villainy; for he hath been +mighty friendly with the accursed dog of late. I know not what his +object may be; but as I think, he doth intend to use him in order that +he may win Hasting's friendship." +</P> + +<P> +We spent the greater part of that afternoon in walking through the town +of Ludlow, which Harleston had never seen before. +</P> + +<P> +That night we sat up until a late hour, and talked of all the strange +actions of those in power, and made surmises as to what the next move +should be; but even our most pessimistic predictions fell far short of +the reality. +</P> + +<P> +When at length I fell asleep I had fully made up my mind to ask Lord +Rivers, early the next morning, for his permission to leave for London +that day, as I had private business to attend to. +</P> + +<P> +However, many strange things did happen ere I did again see Hazel. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap12"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XII +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +GLOUCESTER SHOWS HIS HAND +</H4> + +<P> +When I asked Lord Rivers for permission to return to the court before +he should start with the King, he replied:—"Why, Bradley, we are to +leave to-morrow morning; and unless your affairs cannot wait one day +more, I would have you accompany his Majesty." +</P> + +<P> +"In that case, my lord," said I, "one day more can make but little +difference, so I shall wait. I did not know your lordship did intend +to set out so soon." +</P> + +<P> +Early the next morning—in fact ere day-break—we started for London +with a goodly train, though not an army. Almost every man in the +King's retinue was a gentleman, he having but a small body of +men-at-arms. This made it possible for us to travel at a rapid pace, +as the whole following was mounted. +</P> + +<P> +About a score of gentlemen went first; then followed the King, riding +betwixt his uncle and his half brother. Harleston and I rode +immediately behind his Majesty, and we were followed by a score of +other gentlemen, and the men-at-arms brought up the rear. +</P> + +<P> +At every hamlet which we did pass through, the people lined each side +of the road and cheered and blessed their young King. The boy, pleased +with these demonstrations, soon wore an empty purse, in place of its +being well filled, as when we started on our journey. +</P> + +<P> +I had thought our progress should have been greater, and therefore was +impatient with what I considered its slowness, though in reality we +were travelling rapidly, considering the number of the retinue. +</P> + +<P> +Messengers were sent ahead to inform the authorities of the different +towns that their young Sovereign would soon pass through, so that the +townsfolk might have a passing glimpse of the child. In several of +these places we were compelled to stop for refreshments, and then the +King acknowledged, most briefly, the demonstrations in his honour. +Then would we hasten on, that we might make up for the time thus lost. +</P> + +<P> +On the fourth afternoon a horseman, covered with dust, as though he had +ridden hard and far, met us. When he drew rein he dismounted and +kneeled in the road before the King, with a great show of respect. +When asked his business, he arose and replied by handing a packet unto +Lord Rivers, with the words:—"From his Royal Highness, the Duke of +Gloucester." +</P> + +<P> +Rivers hastily opened the missive and, after glancing hurriedly over +its contents, said to the messenger:—"Tell His Royal Highness, with my +compliments, that his wish shall be carried out." +</P> + +<P> +The messenger re-mounted and—as fast as his steed would carry +him—rode back the way he came. +</P> + +<P> +"What says the letter, uncle?" asked his Majesty, when we were again on +our way. +</P> + +<P> +"He informs me that he and the Duke of Buckingham, attended by a noble +train, await your Majesty at Northampton," replied his uncle. +</P> + +<P> +So we rode on in silence for some time, till Rivers again spoke. "I +fear, Edward," said he, "that Northampton will be over crowded, if we +all do go there. The night will then be fallen, and we shall be +compelled to spend it there, in case we go. Methinks it would be +better for thee and thy retinue to take the road to Stony Stratford, +and there spend the night, whilst I, and some few others, go to the +Prince and explain this change of plan." +</P> + +<P> +"As thou wilt, uncle," returned the King. So it was decided that the +King should proceed by another road to Stony Stratford. Lord Rivers +then asked Harleston and me to accompany him to Northampton. +</P> + +<P> +When we came to the parting of the ways, and the young Edward was to +separate from his uncle, he put his slender arms around River's neck +and embraced him most affectionately. Little did he guess what was in +store for his dear relative and teacher. +</P> + +<P> +The sun was now getting low, so we proceeded rapidly on our journey. +</P> + +<P> +When we were yet about a mile from Northampton we were met by +Gloucester and Buckingham, attended by about a score of gentlemen of +their following. The sun had been for some time set, and the earth was +busily engaged with drawing on her black sleeping-robe. We rode almost +into the Prince's party ere we did recognize them. Rivers at once made +himself known, and thus addressed Gloucester:—"I must ask pardon from +your Royal Highness for having taken the liberty of sending the King on +to Stony Stratford, there to spend the night. I feared Northampton +could not accommodate his Majesty's retinue—which is large—together +with thy following, and his Grace of Buckingham's." +</P> + +<P> +"No excuses are necessary from my Lord Rivers," said Gloucester; and he +smiled most graciously, and extended his hand to the Earl. Buckingham +followed his leader's example and welcomed Rivers as though he had been +a lost brother whom he loved. Then they both received my friend and me +in a polite, and but little less hearty manner. +</P> + +<P> +"And now," said the Prince, "let us make haste and have our supper. By +Saint Paul! my innards this night seem most rebellious, and call out +loudly for more of life's ammunition. Follow me, gentlemen, and ye +shall not have long to wait." So saying he drove his spurs into his +horse's flanks, and dashed forward in the direction of Northampton. We +followed rapidly; but we had to urge our tired steeds to their utmost, +in order that we might keep the Duke in sight. +</P> + +<P> +When we at length drew rein it was in front of the best inn that this +city could then afford; though, since that time, more pretentious ones +have been erected. The Royal banner of England floated lazily from its +support in the yard in front of the inn. +</P> + +<P> +When we had entered Gloucester dismissed all the gentlemen of his +train. Buckingham—as was his custom in everything—followed the +example of the Prince. Harleston and I were about to depart with the +other gentlemen, but Gloucester stopped us with:—"No, by Saint Paul! +ye two shall sup with us; I have not yet forgot how speedy were my +messengers. Richard of Gloucester forgets not his friends. Why, if a +man sups not with his friends, with whom may he eat? What dost thou +say, my Lord of Rivers?" +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed, my lord, thou dost honour us over much by calling us your +friends," said the Earl. He evidently did not know what to make of the +Duke's open-hearted manner; and for that, no more did I. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, I am certain ye are not mine enemies; therefore ye must be +friends," said Richard. He was laughing now, and acting as though +Rivers had ever been the best friend he had on Earth. +</P> + +<P> +"I meant not that, my Lord," said the King's uncle; "I have ever +accounted myself among thy faithful servants." +</P> + +<P> +"Nay, not so," replied the Prince. "Because it happened that I had the +misfortune to be born so high it does not follow that all men must be +my servants. What! wouldst thou deprive me of the privilege which the +meanest slave may have, take away my dear friends, and turn them into +servants? God forfend!" said he solemnly, as he clasped his hands and +turned his eyes to Heaven. "No, let me to-night be plain Gloucester. +Let no man call me Prince. To-night I'll have none of, 'Your Royal +Highness,' or, 'Your Grace,' or, 'My Lord Duke,' or, 'My Lord,' or +anything that might indicate a title. This must ye swear solemnly, or +I will take it that ye do not love me. Come now, swear that ye four +will not address me this evening by other name than 'Gloucester.'" +</P> + +<P> +So we all laughingly did what he had asked. I could not explain this +jovial conduct by other means than that the Prince and Buckingham had +been wetting their palates too freely ere they rode forth to meet us. +</P> + +<P> +We did not leave the table until the bell had rung out the hour of +midnight. +</P> + +<P> +"Gloucester," said I—for so we all did call him—"wouldst thou not +like a game at dice?" +</P> + +<P> +"In faith I would that same, my friend," replied the Prince. +</P> + +<P> +So we went back to the table and played until the sun began to flash +its rays against the fragments of ragged clouds and set them all ablaze. +</P> + +<P> +I won rapidly from the Duke, and when we left the table my purse +contained every gold piece that he had with him, besides some that he +had borrowed from Buckingham, who did not play. +</P> + +<P> +Richard took his losses all in good part. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, Bradley, thou art a veritable giant at the dice. I have been +told that my fortune at the game is good; but thou dost put me to +shame." And so he rattled on, showing nothing but his overflow of +spirit. +</P> + +<P> +Now and then would he turn to Lord Rivers and enquire how he did fare +with Harleston. +</P> + +<P> +My friend had no such good fortune as had I. When he left the table he +and Rivers stood about the same as when we started. +</P> + +<P> +"Thou hast won everything, Bradley, and I shall have to call again on +thee, good cousin, that I may give the honest man which owns this house +a befitting present," and he turned to Buckingham for more gold. +</P> + +<P> +"But now we must have breakfast and then proceed to join the King at +Stony Stratford," said he, as we left the table. +</P> + +<P> +Whilst breakfast was being prepared we went to bathe our eyes, which +felt anything but sound after our all night's carouse. Then Harleston +and I strolled forth into the chill, bracing air of morning. +</P> + +<P> +"I fear we have misjudged the Prince," said I, as we strolled, arm in +arm, about the yard. +</P> + +<P> +"Remember, Bradley," my friend replied, "he may have an object in +acting as he hath done." +</P> + +<P> +"What object could he have in thus making us his equals?" I asked. +</P> + +<P> +"So far I cannot tell," replied my friend, solemnly; "yet when a man of +Gloucester's stamp appears most pleasant he is most dangerous. I may +be doing him a wrong, but I cannot help but fear that there is some +great game about to be played, and Gloucester will play in it a leading +part. I forget not what thou didst overhear the night of the ball. +Remember," he added, "it is not for ourselves I fear; it is for those +far above us." +</P> + +<P> +"Thou mayst be right," said I, "but, for myself, I must confess I do +begin to not so much dislike the man." +</P> + +<P> +"Place not great trust in a Prince's smile," returned Harleston. +</P> + +<P> +By this time the gentlemen in attendance on the Prince and Buckingham +commenced to arrive from their different quarters; so we were compelled +to stop this conversation. We reëntered the house and joined the +others at table. +</P> + +<P> +Gloucester still continued his friendly manner and all through +breakfast kept up a string of pleasant speeches. +</P> + +<P> +Buckingham spoke but seldom, but when he did it was ever in the same +strain as the Prince. +</P> + +<P> +At length Gloucester asked in a careless manner:—"Is the King attended +by a sufficient retinue to sustain the dignity of one in such an +exalted position? Had it not been for the strong opposition of that +most turbulent noble—Lord Hastings—his Majesty should have come with +an army, as the Queen, cousin of Buckingham and I wished," he added, +before Rivers had time for making reply. +</P> + +<P> +"As for his Majesty's train," replied the Earl, "it is not great in +numbers; but is composed, almost entirely, of gentlemen of no mean +blood. We had an army almost complete when the news came that there +was strong opposition to this plan." +</P> + +<P> +Methought I noticed a trace of suspicion in Rivers' face as he made +this reply; but if it had been there at all it left as quickly as it +came. +</P> + +<P> +Harleston, however, gave one quick glance, and mine old opinion of our +host returned with a redoubled force. +</P> + +<P> +"Well," said Richard, "cousin Buckingham and I have no mean following, +and when it is added to that which already attends his Majesty methinks +that Lord Hastings had best keep his tongue betwixt his teeth, and his +sword in his scabbard, when we enter London. +</P> + +<P> +"But now 'tis time that we set out for Stony Stratford. No doubt his +Majesty will be impatient to be off to London, and to see his mother." +</P> + +<P> +We then started forth upon our way; Richard and Rivers riding side by +side, whilst Buckingham rode betwixt Harleston and me. +</P> + +<P> +It was an ideal morning; the sun was shining clear and bright; the air +was of a coolness which made it comfortable to ride. However, we had +not been long upon the road when a haze climbed up the eastern sky, and +spread its gauzy curtain betwixt the sun and us. At first it was +scarcely perceptible; but it was not long ere the sun had been so +thoroughly draped as to be completely blotted out. +</P> + +<P> +In the meantime we had been proceeding leisurely on our journey. +Gloucester talked with Rivers in most friendly manner. As we were +directly behind them we could not help but overhear a part of their +conversation. +</P> + +<P> +"How do we now stand with France?" asked Rivers. +</P> + +<P> +"Not so friendly as might be," replied the Prince. "Before my brother +died, he had intended making war upon old Louis. This hath angered +them; but soon I do hope to be again on good terms with the old +scare-crow." +</P> + +<P> +"When dost thou think of having the young King crowned?" asked the Earl. +</P> + +<P> +"Methinks 'twere good to have it done so soon as all necessary +arrangements can be completed," replied Richard. And so the +conversation ran, until the rain commenced to fall like the tears of +children, in large and scattered drops. This caused us to quicken our +pace, and so made all conversation impossible. Then the rain poured +down in torrents, and caused our clothes to cling unto our backs in a +most uncomfortable manner. The vapour arose from the hot bodies of our +horses, and gave our train the appearance of a phantom cavalcade, as we +dashed forward at full speed, that we might reach a place of shelter. +However, as is ever the case, when at last we came in sight of our +destination—Stony Stratford—the sun had burnt through the clouds +which screened it, and again shone forth in all its splendour. So we +slackened our pace, and the conversation started afresh, as the sun's +rays began to dry our backs, and cheer us with its welcome warmth. +</P> + +<P> +As we drew near the town in which the young King and his following had +spent the night we noticed a considerable procession filing slowly out +of the place and coming in our direction. +</P> + +<P> +"What may they be?" asked Gloucester. +</P> + +<P> +"They must be of the King's train, and they come forth to meet us," +replied Lord Rivers. +</P> + +<P> +We soon met them. They were led by Sir Richard Grey, and Sir Thomas +Vaughan rode by his side. The others consisted of about a score or +more of gentlemen of the King's train, and a body of the men-at-arms +who had accompanied us from Ludlow. +</P> + +<P> +"What means this, Lord Rivers; an armed force sent out to meet me, as +though I were an enemy to the King?" cried Richard, angrily. +</P> + +<P> +"Why, Gloucester, they come—" +</P> + +<P> +"What! speakest thou to me as Gloucester?" cried Richard, as he turned +fiercely upon the Earl, who sat staring in surprise, as did Harleston +and I, at this strange and unprovoked outburst. +</P> + +<P> +When Gloucester spoke this last sentence a body of men, with drawn +swords, quickly surrounded Rivers, Grey and Vaughan, and took them +prisoners. +</P> + +<P> +"Best keep your tongues betwixt your teeth," whispered Buckingham, +first to me and then to Harleston. There was an amused smile upon his +face as he said this. +</P> + +<P> +Then the whole plot flashed through my mind. This then was +Gloucester's reason for entertaining us so well. We had been used but +as blinds to throw Lord Rivers off his guard, and make him to trust the +Prince. This then was the reason we had been made to be so familiar; +it was in order that Gloucester when he chose to consider it a personal +slight might do so. Harleston was right; Gloucester had an object in +view when he acted so. But for that matter, when did this man ever so +much as speak one kindly word, but for his profit. +</P> + +<P> +Now, though it takes me some moments to put these things down, it did +not take so many heartbeats for them to be enacted; and remember, my +heart was working fast just then. +</P> + +<P> +When the swords had been taken from these three gentlemen they were +separated, and soldiers, with naked swords, stationed themselves one on +either side of each prisoner. +</P> + +<P> +"Now off with the traitorous knaves to Pomfret," commanded Richard. +"There let them close prisoners rest, until thou hearest from me." +This he said to Sir Richard Ratcliffe, who seemed to be in command of +the soldiers which had so suddenly appeared. +</P> + +<P> +Ratcliffe put himself in advance of the guard and set out on his way to +Pomfret Castle. +</P> + +<P> +Grey's and Vaughan's escorts now joined meekly in with the train of +Gloucester, and we proceeded leisurely into Stony Stratford. +</P> + +<P> +I know not when I have, before that day or since, been so disgusted by +the traitorous deceit of a man as I was by Gloucester's. +</P> + +<P> +So soon as Rivers and his friends had been taken off the Prince again +put on his pleasant habit. He laughed and chatted with Buckingham as +though he greatly relished his contemptible act. +</P> + +<P> +As we rode along I began to form a plan by which I might inform the +Queen of the arrest of her brother and son; for I now began to fear for +the safety of her Majesty. When Gloucester dare arrest, and throw into +prison, men occupying positions which Rivers, Grey and Vaughan held, it +looked to me as though the Queen herself might be the next person to be +put under restraint. This thought was still tormenting me when we drew +rein in front of the house occupied by the little King. +</P> + +<P> +When young Edward saw his uncle Richard, he came forward, and the two +embraced with a great show of affection. "Ah, your Majesty, let me be +the first member of our noble house of York to congratulate and welcome +thee on thy return homeward." +</P> + +<P> +"Thanks, for the welcome, uncle," returned the King; "but for the +congratulations I cannot speak. 'Tis but a sad home-coming, when I +know that my dear father cannot be there to meet me." +</P> + +<P> +"Think not of that," said his uncle. "Thou knowest that we all must +lose our fathers; the old must pass away, and the young take their +places. Thy grief, no doubt, is great; but bethink you of your duty. +Thou must be prepared to rule this fair kingdom as did thy father, with +an iron hand. A King is ever surrounded by traitors. 'Twas but this +morning that I learned of a plot against thine authority, and, though +some of those connected with the movement have, till to-day, been +friends of mine, yet was I compelled to do my duty and cause them to be +arrested. By Saint Paul! I swear I cannot yet believe them guilty; +though by their acts they have caused the dark eye of suspicion to +frown upon them. +</P> + +<P> +"To whom dost thou refer, uncle?" +</P> + +<P> +"Why, to those that thou wouldst least suspect," said Richard. "Thine +own uncle—Lord Rivers—thy cousin—Sir Richard Grey—and Sir Thomas +Vaughan." +</P> + +<P> +"And where are they now?" asked the young King, with alarm. +</P> + +<P> +"I had them sent to Pomfret Castle, that they might do no damage to +your Majesty. Of course," he added, "when thou art crowned your +Majesty must do with them as thou thinkest best." +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed I will release them the moment that I do sit upon the throne," +exclaimed the King, with great heat. +</P> + +<P> +I heard no more of that which followed, for Richard led the little King +into a private room, whither Buckingham followed them. I then took +Harleston to a place where no one might overhear our conversation, and +told to him my plan of going to London to warn the Queen. +</P> + +<P> +When I had finished my friend thought for some moments ere he remarked +on my plan. "No, it should be dangerous for thee to go," said he; +"Thou shouldst be missed, and then you might find yourself in the +company of Rivers, at Pomfret." +</P> + +<P> +"What then dost thou suggest?" I asked. "Her Majesty must be warned." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, her Majesty must be warned," he replied, musingly. "Ah! I have +it," said he, speaking rapidly. "Send some faithful servant with a +letter unto the Queen. Do but tell her that the three have been +arrested; sign not thy name, for fear it fall into the wrong hands. A +common soldier will not be missed, whereas Sir Walter Bradley should +be." +</P> + +<P> +But then I thought of a plan that was better than my friend's; so I +retired to a private place, and wrote the following letter, which is +now—through the person to whom it was addressed not following a part +of mine instructions,—in my possession, and which I hope ye will +always preserve after I have gone to join those whose doings I am +putting down. +</P> + +<BR> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +"<I>With the King, at Stony Stratford.</I> +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +"LADY HAZEL WOODVILLE; +</P> + +<P> +"<I>Lady-in-waiting to Her Majesty the Queen, at Westminster.</I> +</P> + +<P> +"Perfectest of maids and truest of sweethearts; I send thee this +message that its contents may not be seen by eyes not to be trusted. +No one can suspect this packet to contain news of the greatest +importance to the kingdom. +</P> + +<P> +"So soon as thou dost receive this go to the Queen, and tell her that +her brother—Lord Rivers—Sir Richard Grey, and Sir Thomas Vaughan, +were all three arrested, by order of Duke Richard, as we were entering +this place to-day. No offence had been committed by any of these +gentlemen. They were at once sent under a strong guard to the Castle +of Pomfret. Also tell her Majesty that last night the Duke of +Gloucester entertained Lord Rivers, Sir Frederick and me, at supper, +and throughout the evening he showed us all prodigious favours. +Therefore his conduct is all the more difficult to understand, if he +doth mean to be just. +</P> + +<P> +"I send this by a servant which—though I have not known him long—has +hitherto been faithful; though now it doth seem hard to trust anyone. +</P> + +<P> +"Pray God that the clouds of trouble may soon pass over, and the sun of +happiness again shine forth. +</P> + +<P> +"I expect to soon be again upon the road to London; but our progress, +methinks, will not be great. +</P> + +<P> +"Destroy this letter when thou shalt have read it. +</P> + +<P> +"I remain, dearest, thy servant unto death,— +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +"WALTER." +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +When I had finished this letter I went in search of one of the men +which had gone with me to Ludlow. He was the gigantic and good natured +Irishman, whose honest and determined face made me to select him in +preference to either of his companions, who were better known to me. +</P> + +<P> +"Michael," said I, when I at length found him, "I wish thee to take +this packet, and set out for Westminster Palace at once. Spare not thy +horse. When thou hast come into the Palace enquire for the Lady Hazel +Woodville. Hand her this packet. That is a part of thy duty. The +other part is for thee to make sure that thou speakest not of thy +message or journey, to anyone." +</P> + +<P> +"In faith, yer honour, ye may dipind on me fer speed and a close mouth. +Oi'll be thare as soon as could the divil, with all his wings; and as +fer sacrecy, uh! sure, the damned thumb screws thimsilves could no more +draw a wourd through moy teeth than, as the priests sez, ye could pull +a camel through the houle in a nadle." +</P> + +<P> +I could not help but smile at the extravagance of his speech; but I put +down my head as I fumbled with my purse, for it is not good policy to +laugh at one which is about to carry your life in his hand. "Here is +gold for thee, that thou mayest not want for aught upon thy way," and I +handed him the full of my hand of Gloucester's easily won gold pieces. +I knew that this would lend him the wings of Mercury, and would tie his +mouth more tightly; and so it did. +</P> + +<P> +"Hivin bliss yer honour!" said he. "Whoy, Oi can buy out the houle o' +London with sich a fortune." +</P> + +<P> +So the faithful fellow mounted his horse and rode off at such a goodly +pace as left no doubt in my mind that my message would reach Hazel in +time for the Queen to take whatever action she might think best. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap13"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIII +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE FLIGHT FROM THE PALACE +</H4> + +<P> +Hazel was with Mary in their own apartments when she received word that +a messenger desired to see her. +</P> + +<P> +"Bid him give thee the message, and do thou bring it here," said Hazel. +</P> + +<P> +The servant went out, but soon returned. "The soldier, madam, doth +refuse to put the packet into other hands than thine," said the maid. +</P> + +<P> +"What may this mean?" thought Hazel. "Surely this must be of vast +importance," said she to Mary. +</P> + +<P> +"Mayhap 'tis best that thou shouldst see him," said Mary. +</P> + +<P> +The two maids walked down the passage to where the man was standing, +cap in hand, and as motionless as a pile of armour. However, when he +saw the ladies approaching he started forward and, dropping on one +knee, he handed the packet to the proper maid, though how he knew her I +cannot understand. But then those fellows about the Palace have naught +to do but learn who people are and all about them. +</P> + +<P> +"Here is a gold piece for thee," said Hazel, as she reached it toward +him. +</P> + +<P> +"No, yer ladyship," he replied, "Oi thank thee much fer thoine offer; +but moy master hath alridy given me so much o' the pricious stuff that +it's thinkin' Oi am to know what to do with it." With this he saluted +them smartly and walked away. +</P> + +<P> +"What is it, Hazel?" asked Mary, when Michael was gone. +</P> + +<P> +Hazel, however, was so deeply engaged with the reading of my letter +that she did not hear her companion; so Mary leaned on her friend's +shoulder, and read it for herself. +</P> + +<P> +Neither said anything until they had read twice what was writ. "What +can it all mean?" asked Mary, at last. Then she read aloud, as though +the sound of her voice might make the meaning clearer, as it sometimes +doth. +</P> + +<P> +"Hush!" said Hazel, as she put her hand over her friend's mouth; "dost +thou not see that he commands me to keep this most secret? Come, let +us to the Queen, and tell her all." +</P> + +<P> +So they went to her Majesty's apartments; she was talking with her +daughter Elizabeth when they entered. "What causes thee to look so +troubled, Hazel?" asked the Queen, the moment that they had entered; +for my dear girl was badly frightened by the contents of my note. +</P> + +<P> +"I have just received a letter which is of great import to thee," +answered the maiden; and she handed the Queen the open packet; for her +fear had robbed her of any bashfulness she might have felt in having +her Majesty see the manner in which I did address her. +</P> + +<P> +The Queen read and reread the letter through, from first to last. At +length she seemed to realize the terrible meaning of it all. "Oh! that +accursed, hump-back knave, to dare to lift his hand against those which +guard and protect the King! No peace shall I now have. He will not +stop with Rivers. I shall be the next to feel his tyranny. But I will +match him yet!" she cried. +</P> + +<P> +"Send for my son, the Marquis of Dorset," said she, as her eyes flashed +and her face became as though carved from marble. +</P> + +<P> +When Dorset arrived, and heard from his mother what had happened to his +uncle and his brother, he showed his anger less; but in his cold grey +eyes, and firm cut mouth, one might read even greater determination +than his mother possessed together with all her quickness of perception. +</P> + +<P> +"Methinks, mother," said he at length, "that thou hadst best leave the +Palace, and take refuge in the Sanctuary yonder. Take with thee my +dear sisters and our little Prince. Whilst he is not in the power of +the boar young Edward shall be safe." +</P> + +<P> +"You counsel well, my son," replied the Queen. "Let us then make +haste, and be in safety ere the traitorous cur arrives. Girls, ye must +accompany us. Go and make ready, with all expediency, for in haste +alone now lies our safety." This latter she addressed to Hazel and +Mary, who had remained in the room whilst these things were taking +place. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, Richard," said the Queen, as though he were there before her, +"thou shalt suffer for this act of thine! Thou thinkest that by taking +from the King the only man in England capable of training his gentle +mind in the properest course thou shalt be able to infuse thy murderous +thoughts into this helpless innocent, and so use him to thy profit. +The curse of poor old Margaret is now falling upon me, and her prophecy +is coming true. But yet," she added, as though to herself, "she cursed +him also. Oh, why hath not her curses first fallen upon him; I never +did her wrong. Ah, yes, this is my punishment for having caused poor +Clarence's death. Would to God it had been this limping dog that I had +asked for, dead. Then all should have been well. Clarence was gentle, +and never did me harm. 'Tis indeed God's curse for my climbing to +great heights upon the necks of others that has now fallen upon my +head, and bent it low. Where I have stepped on others, now others step +on me. It is just, oh Lord, it is just. But oh! merciful Father," +cried she, as her spirit began to give way, "let all thy wrath fall +upon me; for I am the guilty one. Let not the jealousy of Richard +bring harm unto others than me. I am to blame, and I alone should +suffer." As she finished this speech she stood erect, her face turned +heavenward, and her arms upraised in entreaty. As she stood thus her +noble form lost none of that queenly dignity which must ever have +marked her as a Queen among women. +</P> + +<A NAME="img-148"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-148.jpg" ALT=""I am to blame, and I alone should suffer."" BORDER="2" WIDTH="373" HEIGHT="538"> +<H4 CLASS="h4center" STYLE="width: 373px"> +"I am to blame, and I alone should suffer." +</H4> +</CENTER> + +<P> +"Come, come, mother, thou must not give way thus. Gloucester would +rejoice indeed, if he knew that he had so affected thee," said Dorset, +as he advanced and put his arm around his mother's neck, and patted her +tenderly upon the shoulder. "Besides," he continued, gently, as he led +her to the window, "we are losing valuable time. We know not when +Gloucester may arrive; and when he does, it is then too late for thee +to leave the Palace." +</P> + +<P> +"Thou art right, my son," said her Majesty. "Indeed 'tis weakness in +me to thus give way. All mine energies must now be set aworking, that +I may cause that traitor's downfall." As she spoke she walked rapidly +to a door leading to some of her servant's quarters. This she opened, +and called within:—"What ho! Jane!" Then as some one made answer, +she continued:—"Have all my belongings put into boxes at once; all my +jewels carefully put together in their case. All things must be in +readiness within the hour." +</P> + +<P> +"It shall be done, your Majesty," came from the inner room. +</P> + +<P> +The girls then hastened to their apartments, to get their belongings in +readiness for their departure; whilst Dorset went to give orders to his +following to be prepared to escort her Majesty. +</P> + +<P> +Within the time specified by the Queen all arrangements had been +completed, and they were ready to cross over to the Sanctuary. +</P> + +<P> +Though the distance is short—in fact, the two buildings join—yet they +were escorted by a body of armed men. Hazel told me after that they +looked more like Queen Margaret going to battle, in the time of +Warwick, than the good Queen Elizabeth on her way unto a Sanctuary. +</P> + +<P> +The little Duke of York laughed and chatted as they were collecting his +toy weapons. "Wait, Lady Hazel, until I grow up and am a man, and can +hold a lance in rest. Then I will ride a tourney; and when I am +proclaimed the champion of the day I shall make thee my Queen of +Beauty, and thou shalt put a wreath upon my head. Oh, thou needst not +laugh!" he cried, as Hazel smiled at this confident young gentleman; +"remember, I shall soon be old enough to wear mine armour, and break a +lance; I'm nearly nine already," he added, as he straightened his +little body, and threw back his head with as bold a toss as could any +old champion produce. +</P> + +<P> +"And wilt thou not make me thy Queen of Beauty?" asked Mary, as though +she did feel the slight. +</P> + +<P> +"Now come, Lady Mary, do not be cross with me; I'll make thee a Queen +of Beauty too; for I shall ride lots of tourneys, and be the champion +every time. Uncle of Gloucester is going to teach me how to hold my +lance, that I can dismount a knight; so I cannot be other than a great +champion, when I have such a teacher; for ye know uncle of Gloucester +is the greatest lance in the world. Is he not, sister?" And he turned +to the Princess Elizabeth, as though seeking support with which to prop +up his idol. +</P> + +<P> +"Nay, that I cannot tell," answered his eldest sister. "Thou hast a +greater knowledge of these things than have I." And she smiled sadly +on the young innocent. +</P> + +<P> +"'Tis very true," said the little Prince, with a wise nod, as they set +out after his mother, "we men know more of those things; yet 'tis the +ladies that do inspire us and lead us on to such great feats." +</P> + +<P> +The Princess, Mary, and Hazel, could no longer restrain their laughter. +This greatly offended the little Duke. He lowered the butt of the +little whip which he did carry, no matter what his occupation, and +charged, with all the speed he could succeed in forcing from his little +body. He struck his brother, Dorset, fairly between the shoulders, +which gave that nobleman such a start that he scarce kept his feet. +Then the little Prince turned and looked back at the girls, with a +satisfied smile, which plainly said:—"Now, ye would laugh at me? Was +not that course run right well and knightly?" +</P> + +<P> +By this time they had reached their destination; so, after dismissing +their following, they were all admitted to the Sanctuary. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap14"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIV +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +I REACH WESTMINSTER +</H4> + +<P> +When we reached Westminster, and neared the Palace, Lord Hastings, +attended by a large following, among which I espied Catesby, came forth +to meet us. As we did near them they lined the road on either side and +cheered the King as we passed between these rows of English oaks. +Hastings himself joined in with us and rode with Buckingham, behind the +King and Gloucester. When we arrived at the Palace and dismounted +Hastings approached Richard and whispered something which I did not +catch, though I was standing just behind the Duke. +</P> + +<P> +"When did she go?" asked Richard. +</P> + +<P> +I could not hear what Hastings answered. +</P> + +<P> +"And took the little Duke along?" cried the Prince, in a voice that +plainly showed his annoyance. "Now by Holy Paul!" he continued, "this +is indeed too much. Her Majesty doth forget herself." +</P> + +<P> +"What is it, uncle, that my mother does forget?" asked the young King, +who had overheard this last remark. He looked Richard firmly in the +eye as he spake and held his head so high and spoke with such a dignity +as had proclaimed him a King right royal, even had he been dressed in +the garb of a rag monger. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah, your Majesty, thy mother, I am sad to say, hath not stayed to +greet her son and King; when I said she had forgot herself I meant to +say that she had forgot her duty, which was to stay and welcome thee, +after thy long absence from her sight. And besides not being near +herself, which were in itself strange, she hath taken with her all of +thy dear sisters, and his Grace of York, thy brother." +</P> + +<P> +"No doubt my mother had good cause for her act, and I do not wish to +hear her criticized," said Edward, with great heat. "But uncle," he +asked, in a more gentle tone, when he saw the look of pain on +Gloucester's face, "whither hath she gone?" +</P> + +<P> +"To the Sanctuary over yonder, so my Lord of Hastings tells me." +</P> + +<P> +"But why should she take Sanctuary, as though this were a time of war +and bloodshed?" +</P> + +<P> +"Nay, that I cannot tell your Majesty. 'Twas this strange act that +made me to say—more in surprise than with premeditation—that thy +Royal mother had forgot herself; for which offense I crave my master's +pardon," said Richard with prodigious meekness. He stood with +uncovered head before the little King and looked, so to perfection, the +saint which thinks he hath transgressed, and humbly prays for pardon, +that not one there—besides some few who knew the man—but thought him +the meekest soul in England. +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed, mine uncle, I meant not to be cross with thee; when I spoke I +knew not the hurt that my words did carry to thee; and besides, now +that I understand the matter, I wonder not that thou didst express thy +surprise. Indeed 'tis strange that my mother so should flee to +Sanctuary, as though her son were to be considered as her enemy." +</P> + +<P> +This, no doubt, was the object Gloucester had aimed at when he sued so +meekly for his pardon. He desired to win the King over to his side, +and make him to believe that 'twas from her son she fled. It was now +more easy for me to read his object in his manner, since his treachery +with Rivers and the others. +</P> + +<P> +We then entered the Palace, where Richard called a council to decide +what measures should be taken in order that the Duke of York might be +brought to keep company with his brother. +</P> + +<P> +"For," said Gloucester, "'tis an insult to his Majesty, to thus fly +from him as though he had the plague. Indeed his Royal Highness of +York must be returned at once to his proper place, beside his brother. +If this news be bruited abroad," continued he, "'twill make England +precious ridiculous in the eyes of all Europe." +</P> + +<P> +Cardinal Bouchier and the Bishop of York were present at this council. +</P> + +<P> +"And what course wouldst thou advise me to pursue, that I may succeed +in releasing the little Duke from his involuntary imprisonment?" asked +Richard, speaking to the Cardinal. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah! your Royal Highness, it may be very difficult, indeed, to change +the mind of the Queen. Thou knowest as well as I how wilful is her +Majesty, when she hath once made up her mind." +</P> + +<P> +"Let her not dare to match her strength against me," cried Gloucester, +who now spoke more freely, as the King had left the room. "By Saint +Paul! if she doth not hand the boy over unto his legal protector I +shall be compelled to take him by force, which I do not like to do." +</P> + +<P> +"Ah! good my lord, commit not the sin of using force on those who have +taken refuge in God's place of protection, where the vilest criminal +need fear no harm!" cried both the Churchmen, with one voice. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," returned Richard, with his cunning smile, "but, most reverend +sirs, the Duke of York hath committed no offence, and therefore he has +not the rights of Sanctuary; and, on that account, the Queen must +expect force, if she consents not to return him when politely +requested, by two such worshipful gentlemen, to do so." +</P> + +<P> +If the Churchmen were looking for some excuse to enable them to agree +with Richard they now had found one. "Ah! your Royal Highness, who but +thyself could have thought of such a reason?" +</P> + +<P> +"Who indeed?" thought I, but with a different meaning. +</P> + +<P> +"The point is well taken," consented the Bishop of York. "The Prince, +thy nephew, having committed no sin, has—under the customs of Holy +Church—no right nor reason for taking Sanctuary; and besides," he +continued, "I understand that he hath no desire to remain in seclusion, +and is but detained there by her Majesty, his mother." +</P> + +<P> +"This she hath no right to do," broke in Richard. "Was not I appointed +the protector of these children, by my Royal brother? And does the +Queen take it upon herself thus to assume mine office?" With this +Gloucester arose and walked back and forth across the room; his left +arm drawn up, and his thumb stuck in his belt, as was his usual custom. +With his right hand he played with his dagger; drawing it partly from +its richly jewelled sheath, and then returning it with a sharp "snick," +thus keeping time with his limping step. As he walked he kept up a +continual string of sharp speeches against the Queen, like the +discharge from a company of archers, each arrow having its mark to +strike. "Ha! Saint Paul, one might think the Protector of England an +office of but little weight. Old Louis will have grand amusement at +our expense. The King's brother not at the coronation, but hidden +away, as though his Majesty were a tyrant. 'Tis monstrous! And the +sacrilege of this act. A boy, not yet nine years of age, which could +never have committed an offence, hidden in a house of God as though it +were a fortress. Ha! my Lord Cardinal," said he, as he stopped +suddenly before that most reverend gentleman, "the slight is as great +to thee as it is to me. What sayst thou? Shall we submit meekly, +whilst others walk over us and break the laws of our several charges; +or shall we demand the person of the Duke, and, if he be not handed +over gently, then rescue him by force?" +</P> + +<P> +"Most certainly I do agree with his Royal Highness, and think 'tis an +outrage for the Queen to take the stand she hath," said the Bishop, who +evidently desired to curry favor with Gloucester by agreeing with him. +"Of course," he added, methought a little nervously, "if her Majesty +consents to quietly restore the little Duke, so much the better; then +no precedent need be set for using force to obtain those which have +taken refuge in a Sanctuary." +</P> + +<P> +"And what says my Lord Hastings?" asked Richard, as he turned to that +nobleman, who had not yet expressed his opinion. +</P> + +<P> +"I am of the same opinion as these most holy gentlemen. If her Majesty +can be persuaded to hand over the Duke, peacefully, so much the better; +if not, why then use force," replied the Chancellor. +</P> + +<P> +During all this conversation Catesby—who was present—stood beside +Hastings, as a dog by its master. Whenever he caught mine eye he +stared so impudently that I had much ado to restrain myself from +walking across the room and letting the low-lived hound feel the weight +of my hand. All that which Harleston had told me of his insults to +Hazel was brought to my mind with double its former force, and almost +drove me mad. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, I will twist thy neck for thee at the first opportunity," said I, +not knowing that I said it half aloud, till Harleston, who was standing +at my side, poked me in the ribs with his elbow. +</P> + +<P> +"Hush!" said he, "or thou shalt be overheard." +</P> + +<P> +This recalled me to myself, and I took good care thereafter not to +think aloud when in the presence of men that I regarded as mine enemies. +</P> + +<P> +The moment that Catesby saw Harleston check me he leaned over the +Chancellor's shoulder and whispered something in his ear. I know not +what it was; but it must have referred to us, for Hastings turned at +once and eyed me suspiciously. His gaze was anything but pleasant; for +he clearly showed his displeasure at something, by his long and +frowning look. +</P> + +<P> +"Another debt I owe thee, Master Catesby," said I, taking good care, +however, that I did not pronounce the words by other agents than my +mind. +</P> + +<P> +So it was there decided that the two Churchmen should go together, and +try to persuade the Queen to hand over the Duke of York to them. In +case this failed they were to inform her that Gloucester would have him +taken from her by force. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap15"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XV +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +MICHAEL AND CATESBY +</H4> + +<P> +Though Harleston and I were both anxious to go at once unto the +Sanctuary, and see the girls, yet my friend, who thought it might +arouse suspicion were we to be seen there by the Cardinal and the +Bishop, persuaded me to wait until the following day. "For," said he, +"I do believe that fellow Catesby already suspects us of being in some +way connected with the Queen's flight. Methinks 'twas in reference to +that he whispered to Hastings, and which caused Lord William to look on +us so unpleasantly." +</P> + +<P> +"I believe that thou art right," I replied. +</P> + +<P> +We were sitting in my room when this conversation took place. Just +then a knock came at the door. I feared that we might have been +overheard, so I thought the best plan should be to open, without any +show of mystery. I therefore called out, without changing my +position:—"Come in!" I scarcely know what I expected to see when the +door should open; yet methinks I had not been surprised had it been +either Lord Hastings himself, or a body of yeomen sent to arrest me. +Remember, my dears, after the example I had seen as we were entering +Stony Stratford my mind was in a fit state to expect something of this +kind. It was with a sigh of relief, therefore, that I did recognize +mine Irish messenger, which had so well fulfilled his mission. The +enormous fellow completely filled the door, as he stood upon the +threshold, cap in hand, awaiting a further command ere he did enter. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah! Michael, it is thou." +</P> + +<P> +"Divil anither," he replied, without moving a muscle. +</P> + +<P> +I smiled at his serious humour, and asked him to enter and close the +door; for I knew from his manner that he had something to communicate. +"And now, Michael, I must thank thee for the speedy way in which thou +didst fulfil thy mission." +</P> + +<P> +"Uh! yer honour, it's no thanks Oi desarve fer doin' moy dooty," and he +shifted from one foot to the other and struck his boot with his cap, as +though my thanks but made him to feel uneasy. With all his giant +strength he was at heart but a great boy. +</P> + +<P> +"But what is now thy business with me? If there be aught that I can do +for thee thou hast but to ask and it is done, Michael." +</P> + +<P> +"No, yer honour, it is not that," he replied. "Oi came but to till +thee, sor, that thoine armour—which was rusted some—hath bin clained +and is now ridy fer wear," said he, quickly, as he eyed Harleston +closely. +</P> + +<P> +"What in the devil's name art thou talking about? Why, I have no +armour that is rusted." +</P> + +<P> +"No, not now, sor," said he, with that same serene face. When he had +finished this, however, and saw Harleston's head thrown back, as my +friend stared at the ceiling, in an effort to refrain from laughing, +Michael raised his eyebrows, and jerked his head in Frederick's +direction. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah! so that is the difficulty," said I, laughing. "'Tis my friend +thou fearest. Ah, Michael, I am proud of thy discretion," I continued, +as I walked over to where he stood, and slapped him on that shoulder +which stood out like a block of iron draped with cloth. And indeed one +might as well have struck a piece of steel as that shoulder with its +shirt of mail beneath the rough coarse jacket. "However, thou needst +not fear to speak out boldly before Sir Frederick, as I have no secret +that is unknown to him." +</P> + +<P> +"In that case, sor, Oi must pray thoy pardon," said he, speaking to +Harleston; "but in these toimes, whin great min, as will as the common +folk, turn out to be divils it be moighty hard to pick out the honest +soul." +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed thou art right, Michael, and it shall be well for thee to +continue to trust but those that thou knowest full well to be true and +honest men," said my friend, which admired this frank admission of +suspicion. "Thou art an honest fellow, and I like thee well; but be +careful of this," he continued,—"be sure that thou dost practise thine +honesty with great caution. Honesty, now-a-days, seems to be the +shortest road to the block; unless thou art cautious enough to be +honestly dishonest." +</P> + +<P> +"Oi understand not thoy wourds," said Michael, as he scratched his +head, with a puzzled look; but for a moment only. "Uh!" said he, "Oi +think that Oi have a hould on what yer honour manes, and Oi'll profit +by yer advice, sor." +</P> + +<P> +"But come," said I, "What is it that thou wishest to tell me? For well +do I know that story about mine armour to be but a disguise." +</P> + +<P> +"In faith it was, sor, and Oi now craves yer pardon fer the tillin' of +a loie to yer honour." +</P> + +<P> +"It had been granted ere thou didst ask. Come, to thy news." +</P> + +<P> +"Will, sor, it was jist after Oi had delivered thoy missage, and was +walkin' along the hall on moy way to look after moy horse, which was +sore toired, that Oi mit his honour, Sor William Catesby. As Oi took +off moy cap to him, he stops me, and sez he:—'Whare didst thou come +from?' +</P> + +<P> +"'From Oireland, yer honour,' sez Oi. This Oi said that Oi moight have +toime to git a good loie through moy thick skull. +</P> + +<P> +"'Thou needst not have tould me that,' sez he, and he began to laugh, +though fer the loife o' me Oi know not yit what so playzed him." +</P> + +<P> +I glanced at Harleston. His head was thrown back in his chair, as was +his habit whilst sitting and listening to anything that interested him. +I could see by his amused smile that he was not surprised at Catesby's +laughter. No more was I. +</P> + +<P> +"What said you then?" asked I, as I saw Michael looking at me in +surprise. No doubt he was wondering what I saw to so amuse me. +</P> + +<P> +"Uh! thin Oi said:—'But yer honour axed me, so Oi had to till thee.' +</P> + +<P> +"'Oi mint not whare wast thou born, but whare hast thou come from jist +now?' sez he. +</P> + +<P> +"'Uh! yer honour manes whare am Oi jist after lavin', this minit?' sez +Oi. +</P> + +<P> +"Thin he nodded, and still kipt on a smoilin'. +</P> + +<P> +"'Bad luck to me fer a stoopid clown,' sez Oi. 'Oi moight have known +what yer honour mint, without kapin' ye standin, explainin' the houle +o' this toime.' +</P> + +<P> +"Now all this whoile, sor, Oi was warein' out what little brains the +good Lord gave me (and Oi think he moight have bin moure liberal or +ilse kape me out o' the way o' sich confusin' quistions) to troy and +foind a somethin' raisonable excuse fer bein' thare. At last Oi saw +that Oi had gained all the toime that moight be, without makin' him +angry, so Oi said the first thing that came to moy tongue. +</P> + +<P> +"'Uh! sor,' sez Oi, 'some wan's stray dawg came in at the oupen door, +so Oi came after to troy and put the baste out.' +</P> + +<P> +"'Thou lookest strangely besmeared with mud. Didst thou git that with +chasin' of the dawg?' sez he, and he oyed me loike the divil. +</P> + +<P> +"'Uh! sure, yer honour, Oi was jist a gittin off o' moy horse whin Oi +saw the baste inter,' sez Oi. +</P> + +<P> +"'And whare moight you have bin on thoy horse?' sez he. +</P> + +<P> +"'Whoy, upon his back, sor,' sez Oi. +</P> + +<P> +"'Nay, nay,' sez he, 'Oi mane from whare didst thou roide to-day, fer +from thoy looks thou hast bin beyond the city gates?' +</P> + +<P> +"'Yis, yer honour,' sez Oi, 'thou hast found me out; but Oi pray thee +do not report me to moy master, whin he returns.' +</P> + +<P> +"'And who is thoy master?' sez he. +</P> + +<P> +"'Sor Walter Bradley, and it playze yer honour,' sez Oi. +</P> + +<P> +"Now methought, sor, that this would put him off the scint; fer by the +close way he quistioned me Oi filt sure he must be on it. But whin Oi +mintioned thoy name, sor, he wint into a divil of a timper, indade he +did, yer honour. And thin he turned on me and called me sich avil +names as made it hard fer me to hould back moy hand from brakin' the +head o' the spalpeen; fer indade, sor, he is no gintlemin, with all his +foine airs, and knoight though he be." +</P> + +<P> +"And what said he of me?" I asked. "Surely he had a bad word for me." +</P> + +<P> +"Uh! yer honour, Oi would not repate his insults fer the wourld. +Indade its ashamed o' moysilf Oi am fer not crackin' his skull with moy +fist, fer what he said o' thee. The raison Oi did not, was because Oi +feared to do it without thoine order. Do but say the wourd and he is a +corpse, sor." +</P> + +<P> +"No, do the knave no harm, Michael; for it should but cause thy death. +Indeed thou art right, he is a disgrace to knighthood; still, he is a +friend of my Lord Hastings, whose vengeance would fall on thee." +</P> + +<P> +"Sure methinks his lordship should thank me fer riddin' him o' sich a +noosance," said Michael, with a shrug of his shoulders which clearly +showed his contempt for Catesby. +</P> + +<P> +"But did he question thee any further?" I asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Did he quistion me anny further, yer honour? Hivins, sor! Oi should +think he did that same," said Michael with a force that left no room +for doubt in my mind. +</P> + +<P> +"'Uh!' sez he, whin he had stopped his foul talk about thee, sor; 'Oi +belave thou hast jist ridden from Northampton, thou villain,' sez he; +as though he had anny roight to call an honest man a villain, But +thin, mayhap he gits other folks mixed up with hissilf, whin he gits +excoited loike," added Michael with prodigious solemness. +</P> + +<P> +I was compelled to laugh, despite the anxiety I felt about this matter. +</P> + +<P> +"'Northampton?' sez Oi, in surprise loike, as though Oi had nivir heard +o' sich a place. +</P> + +<P> +"'Didst thou not roide from Ludlow to Northampton with the King?" sez +he. +</P> + +<P> +"'From whare, sor?' sez Oi. +</P> + +<P> +"'From Ludlow, thou stoopid varlet,' sez he; and he raised his hand as +though he filt loike hittin' me a blow on the ear. +</P> + +<P> +"'Uh! yer honour,' sez Oi, 'it's makin' sport o' poor common souldier +thou art doin'. Hivin knows, sor, whare that place ye spake o' may be; +but fer moy part, yer honour, Oi nivir heard o' it afore.' +</P> + +<P> +"'Oi know not what to make o' thee,' sez he, after he had stood a +starin' at me whoilst a man moight brathe about the quarter o' a score +o' toimes. +</P> + +<P> +"'Mither-o'-Gawd!' sez Oi, a prayin' loike, 'dount lit him make me into +anny thing loike hissilf.'" +</P> + +<P> +This was too much for Harleston. He lay doubled up in his chair like a +wizzled leaf in the fall of the year, and shaking as though the leaf he +resembled was an aspen. He made no sound, but I could see it was all +that he could do to refrain from bursting forth into one roar. +</P> + +<P> +"Go on, Michael," said I, when I had somewhat recovered myself; for I +too was bursting with pent up laughter, "What did he then say?" +</P> + +<P> +"Uh! sure sor, he saw that Oi was but a poor fool, and that he could +not git anny news out o' me, so he shrugged his shoulders loike a +damned Frinchmin and walked on. But still he kipt alookin' back as +though he didn't know whither to belave me or not." +</P> + +<P> +"Ah, Michael, thou art indeed a true soldier and a faithful servant. +From this time forth I do desire thee to attend me as my squire. In +field of battle, or in the lists, do thou attend me; for well do I know +that a truer heart or a stronger arm in England there is not." +</P> + +<P> +"Thou art right, Bradley," said Harleston, with a hearty warmth, "and +hadst thou not made this man the offer that thou hast just made I would +have asked him to serve me." +</P> + +<P> +Poor Michael stood speechless before us. First would he look at me, +and then to my friend. He could not speak his thanks in words; but he +did it with such an eloquence by his looks as had been more than +sufficient, even had I done him the greatest favour in my power. But I +believe to this day that I could not have better pleased him had I been +the King and made him my Lord High Chancellor. +</P> + +<P> +"But, sor," said Michael, when he had somewhat recovered himself, and +knelt and, despite mine efforts to prevent him, kissed my hand, "Oi 'am +not wourthy o' sich an honour. Sure, sor, Oi can lay on a hard blow +and sich loike, but as fer attindin' on a gintlemin, in a proper way +loike, uh! bad luck to me, Oi'd be but a disgrace to thee, sor." +</P> + +<P> +"Come, come, Michael, thou must not be too modest," said I. +</P> + +<P> +"Remember this advice that now I give thee," said Harleston. "If thou +wouldst rise in this world that is filled with the gusts of +opportunities do not let modesty nor fear close up thy wings of +advantage. But spread them rather, that they may catch these eddying +gusts, and thou be borne upon them to the heights of greatness." +</P> + +<P> +Michael stood and stared at Harleston, with his mouth open, for a +breathing space. Then said he in surprise:—"But, yer honour, divil a +wing have Oi to moy name, and Oi dount want thim jist yit, seein' that +one must go through purgatory ere he begins to grow thim." +</P> + +<P> +Evidently Harleston's speech was beyond the depth of Michael's +understanding. +</P> + +<P> +"Uh! sor," said he, when he had expressed his opinion of the wings of +advantage, "Oi was about to finish about Sor William whin yer honours +spoke to me so koindly. +</P> + +<P> +"What, was there more?" +</P> + +<P> +"Thare was, sor. Oi walked down the hall till Oi came to a corner, +and, as he had koind o' made me inquisitive loike, by his quistioning +o' me so close, Oi jist stipped around the corner and stopped to look +back to see whare he wint, sor." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, and where did he go?" I asked with interest. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure, sor, he wint straight up to the door whare the ladies came out +o', and he stops thare, sor, and he looks back to see if thare was anny +one behoind him loike. Will, sor, Oi was out o' soight by the toime +his eyes had rached the place whare Oi was hidin'. Whin Oi looks out +agin he was not thare; but the ladies' door was open." +</P> + +<P> +"Death and damnation!" I almost shrieked. Then turning to +Michael:—"Go on, go on!" I cried. +</P> + +<P> +"He was ounly in fer the space o' whoilst ye moight brathe about a half +a score o' toimes, thin out he comes, with a koind o' disappintment on +his face. +</P> + +<P> +"'Must be in the park,' sez he, as he started fer the door. 'Damned if +she'll escape me this toime.' +</P> + +<P> +"Oi gits out as fast as moy long legs could carry me. But Oi waited +outsoide and saw him go into the park, astrollin' along at his aise +loike. +</P> + +<P> +"As soon as he had got out o' soight Oi takes after him, afollowin' the +same path that he took. He wint all over the houle damned place, +alookin' here and alookin' thare, as though he ixpicted to foind some +wan. Mither-o'-Gawd! sor, had the ladies bin thare he'd o' found some +wan behoind him afore anny harm could o' come to thim fair craters; +fer, yer honour, avin though he be a knoight, Oi'd not trust him as far +as Oi could throw him with a browken arm." +</P> + +<P> +"Thou art right there," said Harleston; "he hath fallen to the lowest +depths, and needs must soon be called upon to answer for his conduct." +</P> + +<P> +"Fallen! Harleston; dost thou say fallen?" I cried; "Why, the dog hath +never been aught but what he is. 'Tis but the influence that he hath +obtained with Lord Hastings that is now lending him more audacity." +</P> + +<P> +"Will, sor," continued Michael, when again I told him to proceed with +his story, "he discouvered not the ladies in the park. Thin, yer +honour, he starts back, and it did give me the divil o' a toime to kape +out o' soight o' the varmint. Jist as he come in soight o' the court +yard he yills out as though some wan had struck him with a dagger—bad +luck that some wan didn't—'What the divil manes this?' sez he, so loud +that Oi could hear him, and he starts off at a run, as though the houle +Palace was afoire. +</P> + +<P> +"'Uh! murther!' sez Oi, and Oi takes after him. +</P> + +<P> +"Whin Oi came close enough, Oi saw the Quane, Gawd bliss her, and all +o' the Princesses, and the little Dooke o' York and his Hoighness, the +Marquis o' Dorset, and the Lady Hazel and the Lady Mary, and thare was +a strong body o' souldiers walkin' all around thim and protictin' thim +loike. +</P> + +<P> +"Sor William stood alookin' after thim as they wint across the yard, +and all the whoile he was standin' he was acursin' and aswearin' as +will as a bitter man moight. +</P> + +<P> +"Oi lift him astandin' thare whoilst Oi wint and took care o' moy horse. +</P> + +<P> +"Whin Oi came back near the place whare he had bin, Hivin hilp me if he +wasn't still astandin' thare, with his head down, alookin' at his fate! +"'Uh!' sez he, as Oi came within ear-shot o' his tongue, 'the Dook will +give me the divil fer this. It must have bin that knave o' an +Oirishman that brought her the news o' her brother's and son's fate. +It would not be so bad if they hadn't taken little York,' sez he, still +atalkin' to hissilf, though he ought to be ashamed o' hissilf fer +spakin' to sich a knave. +</P> + +<P> +"Thin Oi thought it was toime fer me to git out o' soight, as he moight +not loike to be caught atalkin' to hissilf loike—and Oi dount blame +him a bit nather. So Oi jist gits behoind the gate that goes down that +soide alley, and Oi waits fer anny thing more that's comin'. +</P> + +<P> +"'Bradley shall pay for this,' sez he; 'he must be the wan which hath +warned the Quane,' sez he. 'Oi had bitter go and till Hastin's,' sez +he, after he had agin stood soilent fer some toime. 'Oi wounder what +Lord William will think o' Richard's plan.' +</P> + +<P> +"'If it's wan that thou dost agray with,' sez Oi to moysilf, the same +as Sor William sez to hissilf, 'and he be an honest man, he'll have a +damned poor opinion o' it,' sez Oi. +</P> + +<P> +"Thin Sor William goes on agin, amumblin' to hissilf, so that Oi could +hardly hear him. 'If he knows what is good fer him he'll agray with +Dook Richard, and lind him his support. Still,' sez he, after stoppin' +agin, 'if Hastin's was remouved loike Oi moight some day be the +Chancellor moysilf,' sez he, and he straightens hissilf up and rached +up into the air as though he was a-tryin' to catch a floy, though +agoin' so slow that anny smort baste, loike a floy, could git away +afore he got within soight o' it. Thin, whin he thought he had +whativir he was after, he straightins his arm out to the houle o' its +lingth, and houlds it thare, with his head athrown back, as though he +was his Houliness the Pope at Rome. +</P> + +<P> +"'Ah! wilth, power, and ivirythin',' sez he, and he smoiled loike the +divil. +</P> + +<P> +"'Ah! Bradley, thoy toime is drawin' short. Whin Oi till Richard the +part that thou hast takin aginst him methinks Oi see thoy head upon the +block, whare Rivers', Grey's and Vaughan's soon shall be.' +</P> + +<P> +"Lord, sor, Oi did have the divil's own toime to kape from killin' the +murtherin' spalpeen! +</P> + +<P> +"Whin he had finished his big talk he started off, and had his sarvant +git his horse ridy, and he sits out fer somewhare as though the divil +hissilf was at his hales—and its moysilf that am thinkin' he's in the +varmint's heart. +</P> + +<P> +"Oi thin waited with fear and trimblin' fer yer honour to return, and +as soon as Oi saw thee come to thoy rooms Oi followed thee at once, +sor, that Oi moight warn thee not to trust that knave, who is full, +intoirely, of all that belongs to Hill, as is plainly seen by his mane +lookin' face." +</P> + +<P> +When Michael had finished his somewhat lengthy, yet to me the +interestingest story that I might hear, both Harleston and I sat for +some time without speaking. At length I addressed Michael. "Thou hast +done better than I could have wished for, and indeed thine information +is of the greatest use to me. I cannot thank thee, nor repay thee, +sufficiently for this service; but if I fall not into the snares of +this scheming villain thou shalt lack for naught that is in my power to +give thee." +</P> + +<P> +"Uh! sor, thou hast given thanks that Oi do not desarve; for Oi have +but done my dooty to moy master. But Oi till thee this, sor,—In case +annything should go amiss with thee, through that spalpeen, Oi hare +take moine oath that Oi'll have the loife o' that varmint fer it." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap16"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVI +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +MY DANGEROUS POSITION +</H4> + +<P> +"Well, Harleston," said I, after Michael had left us, "here is the +position in which I now find myself placed. Methinks thou wilt agree +with me when I say that my prospects are anything but of the brightness +of the sun. +</P> + +<P> +"The Queen hath fled from her home and hath taken refuge in a Sanctuary +for reason of her fear of Gloucester. The young King, her son, is in +the power of the man from whom she hath fled. Catesby, who is +evidently in the service of Richard, hath good reason for his belief +that I warned the Queen and thus have been the cause of her taking +refuge. Richard hath some scheme in hand, the object of which we know +not. The death of Rivers, Grey and Vaughan, is evidently decided upon +merely because they are friends to the Queen. Gloucester is bent on +gaining possession of the King's little brother, for what purpose we +know not. What chance then have I of escaping the tusks of the boar?" +asked I, when I had finished this somewhat gloomy list of facts. +</P> + +<P> +"My dear friend," replied Harleston, "however strange it may sound, I +must say methinks thou hast naught to fear from Catesby's telling to +Richard the part thou hast played in connection with the Queen's +flight." +</P> + +<P> +"Why?" I asked in surprise. +</P> + +<P> +"For this reason," replied my friend, "Catesby was evidently instructed +to prevent any messages from reaching the Queen, else why should he so +question Michael, and, when speaking to himself, say that Richard would +give him the devil when he should learn of the Queen's flight?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well?" I asked, "and what hath that to do with removing the danger +from me?" +</P> + +<P> +"This," replied my friend in his quiet yet most impressive manner. +"Thinkest thou that Catesby would dare to tell Gloucester that he did +permit a common soldier to carry a message unto the Queen, when he +should have prevented it? No," said he answering his own question, "it +is more likely that he would attribute the warning to Dorset, over whom +he could have no control, and therefore could not be blamed for +allowing him to warn the Queen." +</P> + +<P> +"That may be so," I cried. "And if it be, why then I still may wear my +head; for if Catesby doth tell Richard I feel a tickling in the back of +my neck which tells me it then must needs be severed." +</P> + +<P> +"However," said Harleston, "thou art not by any means out of danger. +Remember this," he continued; "some one must have warned Dorset. +Catesby may suggest that thou wert the man which sent the news to him." +</P> + +<P> +"Then the danger is as great as ever!" I cried in disappointment. +"Come, come, Harleston, thou art becoming as bad as Michael, with thy +surprises and disappointments. Why didst thou raise my hopes only to +dash them again to earth and crush them like an egg?" This I said with +a forced smile; for I tried to accept the inevitable with a philosophy +that I was far from feeling. +</P> + +<P> +"No," said my friend, with a grave face, "I think thy danger is not +great; for though Catesby may cause Richard to suspect thee of being +the cause of the Queen's flight, he cannot prove it without showing +neglect of duty on his part." +</P> + +<P> +"Thou art right, my friend," said I, as I grasped his hand and shook it +warmly. "Truly, I know not what I could do without thine advice. +</P> + +<P> +"But tell me this," I said, as I remembered the incident in the Council +room. "What did Catesby whisper to Lord Hastings that made the +Chancellor frown on us?" +</P> + +<P> +"Nay, nay, my friend," said Frederick, laughing, "thou must not think +that I can read the thoughts of people." Then he added more +seriously:—"'Tis like he did but tell Lord William that he suspected +thee of being connected with Dorset in the warning of the Queen." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, that must have been it. How clear thou dost make everything, +Harleston. I would that I could look on life as calmly, and think more +ere I act. Now who but a prophet could have foreseen any danger in +informing the Queen of her friends' arrest: yet," I added, "I thank God +for having permitted me to succeed in doing it, even though I lose my +head for having done it." +</P> + +<P> +"Thou must not give me credit for having foreseen any danger in sending +a message by the hand of a servant; for Heaven knows I had no idea that +their plan was so complete as to take precautions to prevent the Queen +from being warned." +</P> + +<P> +"Still, thou didst think it might be dangerous for me to come myself to +Westminster; therefore, something must have told thee that they did not +wish the Queen to know of her brother's and her son's arrest." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," he replied, "but thou dost give me credit that belongs not to +me. The only danger I foresaw was the affront it might give +Gloucester. I did not for one moment think that they would dare to +intercept a message to the Queen." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, Frederick," said I, "thou seest now that they dare do anything. +When Richard even threatens to take the little Duke from his Mother, by +force, and that when they are in the Sanctuary, which has ever been +considered too holy for force to be used upon it, we need not be +surprised at any move his Highness makes. Harleston, thy prophecy is +being fulfilled." +</P> + +<P> +"When did I make a prophecy?" asked my friend. +</P> + +<P> +"Dost thou not remember when first we met, and thou didst say that +Richard, if he were ever made Protector, would be revenged upon those +who did oppose him?" +</P> + +<P> +"Ah, yes, I do remember me; but since that night my mind and body have +been so occupied that I have not noticed my prediction reaching its +fulfilment. However," he continued, "but part of it, and that the +minor one, is now being played. If this part lasts not too long we +shall live to see the last and bloodiest of the prophecy. Do but, look +back over the history of our race and thou shalt see, wherever a man of +Richard's character—if ever such there has been—came into a position +of power he shone out with the brilliancy of a star. But the star they +all resembled was a falling one, and left a trail of blood behind it, +as it tumbled from its height." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap17"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVII +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +AT THE SANCTUARY +</H4> + +<P> +That night my sleep was troubled with strange and fantastic dreams. I +know not how many different forms these delusions took; but through all +these tormenting and hideous scenes, in which I seemed to be playing a +troubled part, there was one person present which ever prevented the +final calamity from falling upon my head. No sooner was I saved from +certain destruction in one form than the dream was changed, gradually, +and, after passing through a cloudy stage, again was I struggling +against some fearful monster. Then would this friend, the face of whom +I could not see, stretch forth a mighty arm and brush the awful +creature from my chest, where he was perched, crushing out my life. +</P> + +<P> +At last even the cords of sleep, with which I had been so securely +bound, could bear the strain no longer; so I awoke to find myself +completely worn out, from my struggles with these phantom foes. +</P> + +<P> +It was still too early for the inmates of the Palace to be stirring. +</P> + +<P> +"'Tis well that I awoke when I did," thought I; "for a double reason. +First, had I slept much longer I had surely been strangled by those +accursed monsters; and second, I now may leave the Palace, and proceed +to the Sanctuary, without fear of arousing suspicion, and therefore, of +being followed." For truly, my dears, I began to fear that I might +soon find myself in the Tower, were I to be seen having any relations +with the Queen; and I felt sure that Catesby would give his right hand +to see my headless corpse. +</P> + +<P> +I hastily dressed myself and repaired unto my friend's quarters. I had +some difficulty in arousing him without disturbing those in the +adjoining apartments; for Harleston admitted that naught but the sound +of the last trump could ever awaken him until he had finished basking +in the sunny smiles of the Goddess of Sleep. As this speech of his +came to my mind I could not help but shudder as I thought of the +treatment that faithfully-worshipped Goddess had bestowed upon me. +Instead of smiling, how cruelly had she frowned. +</P> + +<P> +At length I succeeded in drawing forth a lazy enquiry as to who I was +and what was my business. +</P> + +<P> +"Come, Harleston, bestir thyself, for the love of Heaven. Sleeping at +this time of the day? 'Tis absurd," called I, gently, through the +keyhole. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah! Walter, it is thou," said Harleston, as he opened the door. +"Heigh-ho! why, art thou completely dressed already? What hour is it?" +he asked, as he made a frantic effort to dislocate his shoulders, neck +and jaw, all at one and the same time. +</P> + +<P> +"'Tis almost sun up, and we must be stirring and proceed unto the +Sanctuary before the others do arise, that we may not be observed." +</P> + +<P> +"Ah! a good idea, Bradley. One moment and I will be with thee," he +said, as he began hastily to dress. He was soon ready, so we crossed +over. +</P> + +<P> +The Queen, her family, and the girls, were at matins when we asked to +be permitted to enter; so we were compelled to walk up and down before +the door, and bide our time as best we could until her Majesty had +finished her devotions; for at that time it was even more difficult to +obtain admittance to the Sanctuary than it had been at any other, on +account of her Majesty being within its sacred walls. +</P> + +<P> +At the end of what seemed to us an age, but what in reality must have +been but a very short space, for anxious love makes the moments into +hours, the slide in the door was pushed back and a not unpleasant voice +asked what names we might wish to send unto the Queen. +</P> + +<P> +"Sir Frederick Harleston and Sir Walter Bradley, but late returned from +Ludlow with the King, pray to be admitted to the presence of the Queen, +as we have information that is of importance to her Majesty," said I. +</P> + +<P> +Again the sliding panel was closed, and again were we compelled to +struggle with our impatient spirits. But this time it was not for +long. Presently the slide was opened to the width of a lady's hand. +To this opening was applied an eye, beautifully draped with long and +curling, dark brown lashes, through which that orb—the true +transmitter of the workings of the soul—sparkled with expectancy and +love, like a precious jewel held in a gentle shadow. And indeed what +jewel could equal it in preciousness? For it belonged to Hazel. Then +the door flew open, and we were locked in each other's arms in a +shorter space of time than one might draw a breath in. +</P> + +<P> +Seldom, if ever, had that holy house been the scene of such a meeting. +Verily, it is a wonder that we were not struck dead for daring to thus +demonstrate our love in that cold, consecrated edifice, where one is +scarce expected to draw a breath, except for the purpose of praying. +But mayhap this house had become used to unholy men, during the wars of +the white rose with the red. Be this as it may, nothing of harm befell +us for our conduct. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! my dear, fair flower," I cried, as my lips touched her on the +forehead; "great is my joy at seeing thee, as is my sorrow that thou +shouldst be compelled to thus seek safety from those accursed +scoundrels which now surround our King." +</P> + +<P> +"Walter, dear, I think not of that, now that thou art again returned to +me. But come," she said suddenly, as she remembered my mission, "the +Queen awaits thee anxiously; so let us go to her at once. Afterwards +we may talk, as I have much to tell thee." +</P> + +<P> +"Hast thou no word for Sir Frederick?" I asked, as we started down the +corridor. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah! Sir Frederick, thou must forgive me;" said Hazel, in confusion, +"but I was so surprised and—" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, yes," interrupted Harleston, with a smile, "I quite understand. +Indeed, Lady Hazel, thine oversight carries not with it the sting of +slight; for, under the circumstances, I had been a churl indeed to have +been offended by such a pretty show of love's one-heartedness." +</P> + +<P> +This brought a succession of crimson waves to Hazel's lovely face, +adding to its beauty as does the evening sunlight to the rose. +</P> + +<P> +"But how knowest thou so much of these things that thou dost speak of?" +she asked, as she looked up at Harleston's face with her head held to +the one side and a smile of triumph playing about her mouth. "Surely +one could not discourse so learnedly on any subject without having had +practical experience." +</P> + +<P> +Harleston was fairly taken aback; but as he attempted to stammer out +something in reply we came to her Majesty's room; so Sir Frederick was +permitted to escape Hazel's criticism of his explanation. +</P> + +<P> +We were admitted to the Queen's presence by her son, the Marquis of +Dorset, who met us at the door. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah! my friends," said he, pleasantly, "I am indeed pleasured that ye +have come. Her Majesty and I have been awaiting your arrival with +great anxiety; for we would hear from your lips the recital of that +unhappy and treacherous event which took place at Stony Stratford." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," said the Queen, "well would I like to hear a fuller description +of that which happened to our dear relatives and friends, than was +given in your letter to me, or rather to Hazel," she corrected. +</P> + +<P> +Harleston here left me to be spokesman, whilst he, by some admirable +manoeuvring, made his way unto the other end of the room, where was +sitting Mary, apparently most busily engaged in stitching upon a piece +of tapestry. Whilst faithfully I told the story of Gloucester's +treachery, which I have already put down, and therefore need not +repeat, my friend approached Mary, who appeared not to see him until he +stood before her. I say she appeared to not see him; and yet this is +not exactly correct. I should say she tried to appear to have not seen +him. But what then caused that hand of lily whiteness so gently to +tremble, like an aspen leaf? And that bosom of Venus' mould to rise +and fall so quickly, if it were not that the heart beneath had buried +in its core the fire-pointed arrow shot by that lovely tyrant, Cupid, +with such unerring accuracy as had put Robin Hood to shame? +</P> + +<P> +When at length she did look up it was with the pleasant smile with +which she would greet a friend from whom she had parted but an hour +before. Evidently Mary was becoming more timid, and using the greater +care to conceal her feeling the more hopelessly she felt herself +entangled in love's silken meshes. As is ever the case with those of +proud spirit, when they are fairly trapped, they play the indifferent, +to conceal their real feelings from the eyes of their captors, or the +curious. However, ere I had finished the telling of the tale to the +Queen, Mary had changed her manner as she would a garment, and stood +before Harleston, looking up in to his face, as though drinking in his +every word. I know not what was the tale he was unfolding; but of one +thing I am certain, and that is, it was not the same as I was telling +to the Queen. This could I see by the expression upon Mary's face, +which reflected nothing if not pleasure. +</P> + +<P> +When I had finished with my story, the Queen, in her gentle look, +thanked me for the service. "But oh! Sir Walter, I have yet greater +trouble than the fate of those at Pomfret," said her Majesty, after +sitting with folded hands and gazing with fixed eyes into vacancy. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, madam, and what may be worse than the evil fate of those we +love?" I asked, though I knew full well what would be her answer. +</P> + +<P> +"Yestere'en," she said, "Cardinal Bouchier, accompanied by the Bishop +of York, came here to see me. When admitted the Cardinal fawned, as is +his custom, and with oily tongue informed me that my late husband's +hump-backed brother desired my little Prince, the Duke of York, to be +permitted to attend his brother's coronation. +</P> + +<P> +"'Go back to him that sent thee and say that the Queen, the little +Prince's mother, hath the Duke of York in her own keeping, where he +prefers to be, instead of with his uncle.' +</P> + +<P> +"'But, madam,' said the Bishop, 'the little King desires to have his +brother with him, that he may not be lonely.' +</P> + +<P> +"'He should be permitted to come and tell his mother so, instead of +resting as a prisoner, the which mayhap he is," I replied. +</P> + +<P> +"'Nay, madam, truly,' said the Bishop, 'it is the King's own will that +doth not permit him to come and see your Majesty.' +</P> + +<P> +"'And why, sir, may I ask?' Then, without waiting for his answer, I +continued:—'Ah yes, I understand. His Highness, the Protector, hath +poisoned the boy's mind against his mother. A fit act for his Royal +Highness.' +</P> + +<P> +"'No, madam, I am sure that thou dost wrong the Duke, who is filled +with all respect and love for your Majesty,' put in the Cardinal. +</P> + +<P> +"'Ay, my Lord Cardinal,' I replied, 'well hath he shown his love for me +and mine. Look at the prisoners at Pomfret, which never did offence to +Gloucester, except that the love they bore my late lamented husband and +his family hath stirred up anger in his savage bosom.' +</P> + +<P> +"'Nay, indeed, your Majesty, thou dost abuse and misjudge the Duke of +Gloucester,' said the Cardinal. 'As I understand the matter, it is +this,' he continued; 'Lord Rivers, Sir Richard Grey and Sir Thomas +Vaughan, were suspected of some plot against the King's freedom, and +Duke Richard, when he learned of it, caused these three gentlemen to be +detained until after the King is crowned, when it shall be for his +Majesty to decide whether they shall be set at liberty or no.' +</P> + +<P> +"'A pretty tale indeed is this about a plot to gain control of the +King's person,' I replied with scorn. 'My Lord Cardinal, no one knows +better than dost thou that my brother would be the last to so conspire +against my son. 'Tis but a lie, devised by that accursed Richard!' I +cried, as mine indignation began to gain ascendency over my better +reason, 'to shield his own black treason. Well do I believe, my Lord +Cardinal, that this limping villain desires but to gain control of both +my sons, that he may work his will upon them; and God, or rather the +devil, and himself do know what that may be. And be assured of this, +Master Cardinal!' I almost shrieked, to such a state of fury had this +rehearsal of my wrongs aroused me, 'I shall not permit my tender son, +the Duke of York, to fall into the hands of that traitorous cur, so +long as this Sanctuary stands to protect the gentle babe. Gloucester +hath already, through treachery, obtained control of one of my pretty +children; but so long as his mother can protect the other be thou +assured, good Cardinal, that hump-backed Gloucester shall not control +him.'" +</P> + +<P> +The Queen, as she said these words, in her excitement arose from her +chair and, standing like a statue before me, her head thrown a little +aback, her nostrils slightly distended, like those of a horse that hath +just scented fresh-spilled blood, and her whole pose bespeaking +resolution and defiance, looked like some angry Goddess about to hurl +destruction upon those which had been the cause of her anger. Verily, +my children, this was indeed a Queen. +</P> + +<P> +My soul was so filled with admiration for this noble and unfortunate +woman that I needs must kneel at her feet and kiss the hem of her gown. +</P> + +<P> +"Arise, Sir Walter," said her Majesty, tenderly; "I do not deserve such +homage. This trouble is but God's punishment for so neglecting his +commands, when I was in a position of power. Ah, my friend, sorrow +doth tame the haughty spirit and maketh us to realize that we must live +for other purposes than the fulfilment of our ambitious dreams. +</P> + +<P> +"Thou mayest think it strange in me to thus take thee into my +confidence and tell thee of my troubles. But this, I tell thee, Sir +Walter, is the reason. Thy father was ever a faithful servant and +friend of my dear husband's house; and had King Edward lived thou hadst +been raised to considerable power. Thou hast proven thy loyalty to me, +even in my trouble, when those which have received, at my hand, the +greatest honours have deserted, what seems to them, a sinking ship. +Besides all this, my soul must needs pour out its grief on some +sympathetic ear. Therefore I tell thee this story of the troubles of a +Queen which, whilst her husband lived, had scarce to express a wish, +and the policy of an empire changed as does the wind. To-day she seeks +safety for herself and family within the precincts of a Sanctuary, than +which place, where is safer? And even it is not." +</P> + +<P> +"Come, madam, thou must not yet despair," said Dorset, tenderly, as he +saw tears rushing unto his mother's eyes. "Surely Gloucester dare not +do harm to the little Duke." +</P> + +<P> +"Ah, my son," replied the Queen, "well do I know that thou dost speak +thus to lighten my heart with hopes of safety for my little Prince. +</P> + +<P> +"But Sir Walter has not yet heard all of my conversation with the +Churchmen. When I had finished my declaration that Gloucester should +not have my son, so long as Westminster would protect me," continued +the Queen, as she again took her seat, "the Cardinal, with a look of +great sorrow, which methinks was feigned—for well do I believe him to +be of Gloucester's party—again spoke:—'Then, your Majesty,' said he, +'it is only left for me to deliver the rest of the Protector's message. +Believe me, madam, I would rather have my tongue torn from my throat +than be the bearer of such a message unto your Majesty.' +</P> + +<P> +"'Come, cease thy snivelling, and deliver thy message,' said I. 'Thou +art but a lackey messenger, and therefore thou art not responsible for +aught that thy master doth say, of insult though it be.' This offence +to him mayhap was not good policy, but methinks it had made but little +difference even had I spoken in more gentle tone," said the Queen, +addressing herself to me. +</P> + +<P> +"'Well then, madam,' said the Cardinal, with a great show of offended +dignity; though how he came by it I know not, 'hear the complement of +the Lord Protector's message. In case thou dost still persevere in +thine obstinate refusal to deliver the young Duke into the hands of his +duly appointed guardian, his Royal Highness, the Duke of Gloucester, +his aforesaid Royal Highness, the Protector, by this act of thine, and +by no desire or willingness of his, must needs obey the wishes of the +King and take the aforesaid little Prince from this place by force; +which act, in any other case than this, shouldst be a sacrilege, and an +offence most grievous unto Heaven.' +</P> + +<P> +"'What! tellest thou me that Gloucester dare to take from a Sanctuary +one that hath taken refuge there?' I cried. +</P> + +<P> +"'Indeed, madam, he surely will,' replied the Cardinal. +</P> + +<P> +"'And wilt thou, a Cardinal, permit such an insult to a house of God?' +I asked. +</P> + +<P> +"'Ah! your Majesty, thou dost not understand the circumstance,' he +replied, with a smile that had cost him his head, before that hump-back +came to power. +</P> + +<P> +"'And what strange circumstance, Master Cardinal, is my son placed +under, that so permits of armed force, without the fear of God's +indignation, to take him from a Sanctuary?' I asked. +</P> + +<P> +"'It is this,' he replied. 'Your son, the Duke of York, is of too +tender years to be, and in fact is not, guilty of any offence. +Therefore he hath not the right of Sanctuary, which right, according to +the strict interpretation of the rules of Holy Church, belongs solely +to those standing in the fear of our Country's laws. This rule,' he +continued, as though he shamed to say the words, 'Duke Richard will see +fit to resort to, in case your Majesty should be obstinate.' +</P> + +<P> +"'And in this hath he thine approval and help?' I cried. +</P> + +<P> +"'Nay, madam,' he replied, 'I am but the lackey messenger, and +therefore am far beneath the honour of being consulted in this matter.' +</P> + +<P> +"'Leave me, thou insolent cur!' I cried; 'How darest thou to stand +before my face and mock me? A pretty servant of God art thou, to side +with one who hath the position of power, against what thou knowest to +be right. Be assured, sirrah, that thou shalt be reported to thy +master, the Pope at Rome, for thy disgraceful conduct in thus seconding +a powerful villain against a defenceless woman. Now leave me, thou +knave, and tell that slave of Hell, the Lord Protector, to send to me +to-morrow, and he shall have mine answer, as to whether he shall have +my little son or no!' +</P> + +<P> +"Then, sir, he left me," said her Majesty, quietly, as she heaved a +great sigh, as though even the memory of this Churchman's departure +were a relief to her. "But here's the day come around when I must give +my final answer to Gloucester's messenger;" she continued, "and which +it is to be I am not yet determined. If I do refuse to hand my dear +son over to the boar, he, verily do I believe, will carry out his +threat, and tear him rudely from me. 'Twas with the thought of getting +advice from thee—for thou hast had good opportunities for observing +the hump-back's habits lately—as to what course I had best take, that +I did so anxiously await your coming." +</P> + +<P> +"Ah, madam," I replied, "thou dost honour me over much by asking advice +of one which hath had so little experience. Yet, since thou hast so +honoured me, I needs must tell the truth. Therefore do I say this:—My +natural impulse is to offer what resistance thou canst, in case the +Duke doth make use of force. Yet, what little of the cooler stream of +reason I have within my blood doth tell me how vain must be the effort +to save the little Prince from falling into the Protector's hands, +backed as that villain is by such powers as the nobles that surround +him. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, shouldst thou grant the Duke's request and hand the little Prince +over to his Highness, his position could not be worse than it now is, +granting of course, that the Duke of Gloucester dare to carry out his +threat, which, I am sad to say, I fear he would not hesitate to do. +Then, if thou dost decide to oppose force by force, the result of +which, unhappily, must be a victory for the Protector, the little +Prince might not receive the same consideration that he should were he +to go to his uncle peaceably." +</P> + +<P> +"Ah, yes, Sir Walter, thou art right," replied the Queen; "yet I had +hoped to hear that my tender babe had still a chance of escaping the +tusks of the bloody boar." +</P> + +<P> +"May I crave thy pardon, madam?" said Harleston, who had approached +whilst the Queen was speaking. "Methinks I have a plan which, if thou +hast time to carry it out, may yet keep the little Prince from falling +into the hands of his uncle." +</P> + +<P> +"Let me hear it, for the love of Heaven!" cried the Queen, to whom any +suggestions of a chance of saving her son from Gloucester was as a +voice from Heaven. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, madam, it is this," continued Harleston. "With all expediency +let thy son be conducted from this place, without the knowledge of the +Duke of Gloucester. No doubt my Lord of Dorset knows of some place, +either within the kingdom or across the channel, where the little +Prince need have no fear of falling into the Protector's hands." +</P> + +<P> +"Now, by my soul, that is well thought of!" cried the Marquis, as, in +his delight, he slapped Frederick on the shoulder. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! I thank thee, sir, for those words of hope!" cried the Queen as +she started from her seat and, in her excitement, grasped my friend by +the hand, as though he were an equal. +</P> + +<P> +Frederick dropped to his knee and touched her fingers gently with his +lips. +</P> + +<P> +"But come, we must make haste!" said her Majesty, "and have my little +son away from here before Gloucester doth send hither for him. Do thou +go, my son," said she, speaking to the Marquis, "and assemble as many +of thy followers as thou canst, whilst I prepare young Richard for the +flight." +</P> + +<P> +"Again, madam, may I crave permission to offer a suggestion?" +interrupted Harleston. +</P> + +<P> +"Indeed I long to hear what thou hast to say," replied the Queen. "And +if thine advice shall be as good this time as it was last much +unquietness of spirit shall it save me." +</P> + +<P> +"Then, madam," said my friend, "I would advise that thou shouldst send +no other than my Lord of Dorset, to escort the little Prince. Were he +to be surrounded by a body of armed men he needs must attract +attention, and therefore could easily be followed. But, madam, if he +goeth unattended, except for one gentleman, no curiosity will be +aroused, and then he will leave no trail behind, that may guide his +pursuers, in case the Duke of Gloucester has him searched for, which +'tis like he will." +</P> + +<P> +"Again art thou right," replied the Queen. "And yet," she said, as a +troubled expression came into her face, "it likes me not to send my +little son so far, without a stronger guard." +</P> + +<P> +"Still, mother, Sir Frederick's plan is safer than if we took a +regiment," put in Dorset. "Besides," he continued, "I promise thee +that no harm shall come unto my little brother so long as I can wield a +sword. And be assured, good mother, that every drop of my heart's +blood shall be spilled ere Gloucester shall wrench him from me." +</P> + +<P> +"Cold comfort for a mother," said the Queen, with a sad smile. "Then, +if I lose one son, I must needs lose another. But come," she said +suddenly, "whilst we talk here precious moments, which might be used in +flight, are passing by. Go, my son, and make thee ready with all speed +for thy journey, whilst I go to prepare thy little brother." +</P> + +<P> +She followed Dorset from the room, and we were left with the girls, +alone. +</P> + +<P> +Then it was that Hazel told me of the happenings at court whilst I was +absent therefrom. +</P> + +<P> +The Queen was not long gone. When she returned she was accompanied by +her little son, the Duke of York. He was fully dressed for the road. +</P> + +<P> +"Mother, I do not like to leave thee," said he, as they entered. +</P> + +<P> +"Nay, my darling, no more do I desire thee to go," returned his mother, +tenderly. "But, Richard, my pet," she continued, "thou goest with thy +brother, so thou needst not to be lonely. Besides, thou shalt not be +for long separated from us—I hope," she added. +</P> + +<P> +"But wilt thou follow me shortly, mother dear?" +</P> + +<P> +"I hope to soon be with thee, Richard," replied his mother. Then, as +the boy began to cry, she said:—"come, my little man, thou must show +thyself to be the true son of a King. Be brave, and do as thy mother +doth direct thee; then I shall be proud of my little son." +</P> + +<P> +This had the desired effect upon the proud spirit of his noble father, +that was so easily discernible in this young offshoot of the proud +house to which he belonged. +</P> + +<P> +At this moment Dorset entered, fully equipped and ready for the road. +</P> + +<P> +The Queen took the Marquis, Harleston and me, to the far end of the +room, leaving the little Duke with Hazel and Mary, from whom he seemed +most sad to part. +</P> + +<P> +"Thou hast not yet told me where thou art taking Richard," said her +Majesty, in a low voice, to Dorset. +</P> + +<P> +"Nay, mother, that have I not," replied he; "for the reason that I yet +know not what place of safety can be reached the most easily; and +besides I do think it best that no fixed place should be set. When I +have come unto some shelter, I shall leave my little brother in good +hands, and return again to thee." +</P> + +<P> +"Methinks that thy plan is a good one," said his mother, after a pause; +"but what thinkest thou of it, Sir Frederick?" she asked, as she turned +to her new-found counsellor. +</P> + +<P> +"In my poor opinion," replied Harleston modestly, "it is the only +course left open. However, methinks 'twere best to put the channel +betwixt the little Prince and his uncle, the Protector; for well do I +believe that he will have all England searched, so anxious is he, +madam, to obtain possession of your son." +</P> + +<P> +"Fear not;" said Dorset, "Gloucester must search with great diligence, +indeed, if he be to find the little Duke. But come," he continued, "we +must take to the road at once, lest we be interrupted by foul Richard's +messenger." +</P> + +<P> +'Twas a sad sight for the eye to gaze on, that parting of the Queen and +her little son. As her Majesty clasped the child in her gentle arms, +and pressed him to her heart, the strong love of the mother struggled +with the cold dignity of the Queen, that had been worn to bind down +that ruler of the world—love—and, as is ever the case, love +conquered, and the mother sobbed aloud. +</P> + +<P> +"Richard, my dearest treasure, no matter what may happen to thee, +always remember thy mother and this, her advice," said the Queen, as +her tears fell fast. "Be brave, but gentle, proud, but not haughty, +firm, but not obdurate, generous, but not prodigal, and above all," she +concluded, as she released the Duke from her protecting arms, "forget +not to revenge any wrong that may be inflicted upon any of your family. +That is Heaven's especial favour to the son of a King. Yea, 'tis even +a command." +</P> + +<A NAME="img-200"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-200.jpg" ALT=""Always remember thy mother and this, her advice."" BORDER="2" WIDTH="371" HEIGHT="554"> +<H4 CLASS="h4center" STYLE="width: 371px"> +"Always remember thy mother and this, her advice." +</H4> +</CENTER> + +<P> +"But why, good mother, dost thou speak as though I never more might see +thee?" asked the poor child, as he struggled vainly to restrain his +tears, and show his courage. +</P> + +<P> +"Nay, my dear, thou dost not understand my words. I did but mean that +thou shouldst leave me with a full store of advice to help thee through +the world; for no one can foresee what may happen to us ere thou dost +again join us. Of course we trust that all things will be well, but, +in these times, who but a prophet can foresee that which may happen +within the next revolution of the sun." +</P> + +<P> +Then, after bidding their sisters and us all farewell, Dorset and young +Richard made their exit and departure from the Sanctuary, by an +unfrequented way, that they might avoid the danger of being seen by +eyes to which they might be known. +</P> + +<P> +As Dorset placed the boy upon his palfrey the child gave way +completely, and, turning to his mother, with outstretched arms, a world +of sadness in his tear-dimmed eyes, he cried out, like the wail of a +soul but new-condemned to an eternity of woe:—"Oh! mother dear, send +me not from thee. Let me abide with thee and with my sisters; for now +I feel within my bosom here something that maketh me to feel that if I +leave thee now I ne'er shall see thee more!" +</P> + +<P> +"Nay, nay, my dearest, God, the King of Kings, will not be so cruel. +He will again unite those which truly love him and keep his +commandments. Break not one of these by not obeying thy mother. Go +with thy brother, my dear, and thus escape the danger that here must +soon o'ertake thee, if thou dost tarry. Go, go! our prayers follow +thee, and may God protect thee and still have thee in his keeping!" +</P> + +<P> +Dorset seized the palfrey's rein and started on his journey. The Queen +mother stood gazing after them, and her lips still muttered prayers. +Soon they were lost to view, as they turned a corner in the path. +</P> + +<P> +As the Queen slowly re-entered the Sanctuary the bell from the chapel +began to toll for some poor soul whose body was about to be returned to +mother earth, to be the food of worms. As the bell rang out, like a +soul-rending cry of anguish, the Queen started as though she had been +stabbed. "A bad omen," I heard her mutter, as she leaned upon mine arm. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap18"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XVIII +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +RICHARD TRIUMPHS +</H4> + +<P> +When Gloucester discovered how he had been duped by the Queen his +feelings can better be imagined than described. However, he was too +clever a man, by far, to show his disappointment openly, or even to let +the world know that he had been outwitted. He had the audacity to have +the statement quietly circulated, in such a manner as to give to each +person the impression that he was the trusted possessor of a state +secret, that an attempt had been made to abduct the Duke of York, but +that it had miscarried. "Therefore," said the Duke's friends, "it has +become necessary for the Lord Protector, in the proper fulfilment of +his duties of the high office with which the people have honoured him, +to take every precaution to prevent another attempt of the same kind +from being more successful." +</P> + +<P> +"Yea," said the gossips, who were no doubt paid by the Protector, "'tis +even feared that the King himself may be the object of their next +attempt. Therefore the good Lord Protector, in his wisdom, and by +reason of his great solicitude for the safety of the King—his lord and +master—hath deemed it best that both the young King and his little +brother, the Duke of York, be placed in safety, within the strong walls +of the noble Tower that Cæsar,—though a heathen, was yet no doubt the +instrument of God,—laid the foundations of. And, unquestionably, the +Lord foresaw just such a necessity for such a strong place of safety +when he compelled that ancient pagan to thus work for his ends." +</P> + +<P> +When my friend and I heard this news, my children, our hearts were +indeed sad. Remember, my dears, we knew not whether the statement that +the little Duke had been taken by Gloucester were true or no. At first +we thought it but a device of Gloucester's to hold the confidence of +the people; but upon more careful consideration we came to the +conclusion that even the Protector could scarcely have the audacity to +thus risk the consequences of such a deception being discovered, which, +according to the rules of all common sense, it must in time be. This +conclusion in no wise served to relieve our feelings of disappointment +and sorrow, on the Queen's account. We could not help but feel in some +measure responsible for the revenge of Gloucester for the attempt made +by the Queen to have her son escape him; for such we considered the +confinement of the Princes to the Tower. +</P> + +<P> +However, on the day following the King's removal to the prison we again +visited the Sanctuary, or rather some of its inmates, and were rejoiced +to learn that the Queen had received a letter from Dorset, which +informed her of the successful manner in which they had escaped, not +only capture, but even suspicion. Consequently we found the Queen in a +most happy state of mind. This contentment was doomed to be short +lived, for we were reluctantly compelled to inform her of her son's +imprisonment and of the reports circulating about the Duke of York's +attempted abduction. +</P> + +<HR ALIGN="center" WIDTH="60%"> + +<P> +However, we had no great time in which to wonder what was Gloucester's +object in thus causing the young King to be placed under restraint, and +the report to be circulated that his brother kept him company. +</P> + +<P> +The next news to startle the court, and cause consternation among the +friends of the Queen and exultation in the ranks of her adversaries, +was the condemnation of the three unhappy prisoners at Pomfret—Rivers, +Grey and Vaughan. +</P> + +<P> +Again was it our unhappy duty to be the bearers of this most heavy news +to that poor woman of woe, the unfortunate wife of the great Edward. +</P> + +<P> +"What new sorrow do ye bring me now; for well do I know that +countenances painted thus heavy with the brush of sadness must be but +the dark covers to another book of woe?" said her Majesty, as my friend +and I, whose sole duties now seemed to be the bearing of heavy news, +were shown into her presence. +</P> + +<P> +"Uncommon bad news we bring, madam;" I replied; "yet it is such as we +might all have expected, and therefore do I hope that your Majesty may +bear it better than thou couldst have done had it been unexpected." +</P> + +<HR ALIGN="center" WIDTH="60%"> + +<P> +When we had finished the relation of this latest tale of Richard's +vengeance on the faithful to the Queen her Majesty seemed stupefied +with grief. She sat as one who hath just received a heavy blow with +the flat side of a sword,—dazed and benumbed and still incapable of +raising protest against the causer of the pain. Then with her hand she +feebly tried to brush away from before her eyes some cloud that did +obstruct her vision. A look of hopeless resignation then settled on +her features, and two silent tears ran slowly down her cheeks. A heavy +sigh, like the parting of a soul from its earthy home and comrade, +escaped her, and she asked in a voice in which was nothing but the tone +of resigned indifference:—"When do they die?" +</P> + +<P> +"This day, madam; even now." +</P> + +<P> +"I had scarce looked for such expediency," she remarked, without the +least emotion. +</P> + +<P> +"What do ye think Gloucester's intentions may be with regard to my son, +the King?" she asked in that unnatural voice. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, madam," I replied, glad at last to be able to tell her something +not unhappy, "even now the Counsellors are met within the Tower to +decide upon the coronation of his Majesty." +</P> + +<P> +"And doth Lord Hastings there attend?" +</P> + +<P> +"He does, madam." +</P> + +<P> +"And the Protector, I presume?" +</P> + +<P> +"Ay, madam, the Duke of Gloucester seems bent on having his Majesty's +coronation take place at once; and therefore, at least so says report, +he doth attend in person that his presence there may urge the +Counsellors to set an early day for the ceremony; 'For,' say the +Protector's confidants, 'the Duke desires to have the weight of full +responsibility, that now rests upon his shoulders, in a considerable +measure lightened.' But, madam," I added, "it is for thee to judge the +weight of these reports." +</P> + +<P> +"Hastings," said her Majesty, without taking any apparent note of my +remark, "though he doth dislike me much, still, methinks, is loyal to +my son, if for no other reason than for the favours the boy's father +showed him, even against my pleasure." +</P> + +<P> +Then, after sitting silent whilst one might tell an hundred, she spoke +out suddenly, as though she thought aloud:—"Surely his uncle dare not +harm my pretty Edward! Oh, no! not while my little Richard doth remain +to be his avenger," she added, with a smile of satisfaction. +</P> + +<P> +The Queen had evidently forgot the presence of her woeful messengers, +so absorbed was she in her deep train of thought. +</P> + +<P> +"A pleasant thing it is indeed to be the widow of a King, and the +mother of a King," she said, again speaking to her heart. "Great, +powerful, respected, happy. Ha, ha, ha! Yes, respected and happy. +</P> + +<P> +"Hush! fear not; he shall not harm thee. Thou art with thy mother; and +thy mother is the Queen. We had to fly to Sanctuary before, when +Margaret had success. But look how thy father did defeat her, and +again we came to power. Thy father is the King, and a great and +gallant warrior. Again will he trample on his enemies. There, there, +fear not, all things shall be well, all things shall be well. There's +a good pet; go to sleep in thy mother's arms as thou didst years ago," +and she patted an imaginary child in the gentle, soothing way known +only to a mother. +</P> + +<P> +I glanced enquiringly at Harleston. +</P> + +<P> +He nodded. +</P> + +<P> +We walked on tip-toe to the door, and stole softly from the room. +</P> + +<P> +The sorrow of this woman was too sacred to be looked on by vulgar +mortal eyes. +</P> + +<P> +"What punishment can be severe enough to repay the causer of such woe +for his accursed acts?" I asked of my friend, when we were alone in the +room adjoining the one we had just left. +</P> + +<P> +"Fear not," he replied; "his punishment must overtake him. +</P> + +<P> +"Gloucester is clever. But no man is so clever that he can deceive the +whole world for long. 'Tis possible to do so for a time; and +Gloucester is doing it. But wait," added Harleston; "success is like +everything else in this world; each man has a certain amount allotted +to him when he begins life. If carefully husbanded, and put to a +proper use, it multiplies. But let the possessor use it in an improper +manner and the supply is soon cut off. 'Tis like the pulling of a +heavy boat through the water, by means of a slender line; if pulled +gently, and with great care, success must crown your efforts. But +attempt to force the vessel faster through the water, and the line +parts and the boat is lost. Richard is now attempting to draw in the +ship of power, laden with the cargo of sovereignty. He hath a firm +hold on the line. There are many obstacles betwixt the ship and +Gloucester. By patience, more than that possessed by mortals, these +all might be removed. But Richard, encouraged by his success in +brushing some aside, will pull harder on the line. It cannot bear the +strain of this impatient force. It breaks, and Gloucester tumbles from +his height of audacity, to be dashed to pieces on the rocks of +consequence." +</P> + +<P> +"Dost thou then think he will dare to usurp the throne, now that the +King's young brother hath escaped falling into his power?" I asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Why not?" he replied. +</P> + +<P> +"That which the Queen said methinks is true; Hastings will be loyal; +but after the example we have to-day, the execution of Rivers, Grey and +Vaughan, what may we expect from the Chancellor's influence? Were he +to oppose the Protector he might be the next to post to Heaven. No," +continued my friend, "we must not look for succour, from the tyranny of +Richard, to any source but the whole people. They, when they are all +united, have the power to force him to do right. But no single noble +is sufficiently powerful to cope successfully with Gloucester." +</P> + +<P> +"But how long must this crime and tyranny endure, ere a period be put +to them?" +</P> + +<P> +"Not long. Richard is now building a tower of crime. Such structures +are but frail houses in which to dwell. Presently a strong tempest of +popular indignation will sweep across the land; the structure must +fall, and the builder shall be crushed beneath the ruins. He is +building it in great haste; therefore it shall fall the sooner." +</P> + +<P> +Harleston spoke with such confidence, as though the whole scene had +been enacted before his eyes, that one could not help but believe him +to be right. +</P> + +<P> +Just then the girls entered. This put an end to our gloomy +conversation, for which I, for one, was glad. The close life of the +Sanctuary was now beginning to make the effects of its work visible in +the paler hues and careworn looks of the girls' faces. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, Walter dear, I am so tired of this life of sorrow!" said Hazel, +when we had strolled to that part of the room most distant from Mary +and Frederick. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, my fair one, and I can see no reason why thou shouldst forever +share the sorrows and burdens of others, even though they are the +troubles of those which thou lovest well. When the present situation +may change, God alone can tell. +</P> + +<P> +"Remember the promise that thou didst make, when we lived in happier +times. When our path seemed flooded with the light of Heaven. Then +came this heavy cloud, that seemeth ever to grow blacker. Let us sweep +on from beneath its chilling shadow, and let the sun of love and +happiness, as we stroll among the flowers, beneath the trees of our +joint home, drive away the troubled memories of this heart-chilling +imprisonment within the dreary walls of a Sanctuary, made yet more sad +by the unfortunate family which here takes refuge. Thou canst not help +them by thus sharing their sorrows, and it doth but make two other +souls unhappy." As I spoke these words the scene, drawn by my mind as +I paced back and forth across my room that happy night of the last ball +given by Edward at Windsor, when all my ambitions seemed about to be +realized, and yet when the first clouds were gathering, came again +clearly to my mind. I therefore waited, with the pain of expectation, +for Hazel to answer. +</P> + +<P> +When, after a short silence, in which she seemed weighing her reasons +both pro and con granting my request, her answer came, and was partly +what I had hoped to hear, and wholly what I had expected. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, Walter, the promise that I made to thee that night, when we were +both so light of heart, and which now seemeth such a long time since, I +long to now fulfil. Yet," she continued, with a sigh, "my gratitude +for those which have ever been so kind to me doth whisper to my love +and it bids it wait, for but a little space, and show them some +sacrifice, to repay them for their kindness. Still do I promise thee," +she continued quickly, as she saw my jaw drop in disappointment, "to +wait a short time only; and if, after the King's coronation, the +condition of the Queen's family changes not, then will I ask my dear +foster-mother for her consent to our union taking place at once." +</P> + +<P> +"Wilt thou indeed?" +</P> + +<P> +"Ay, indeed; though even this I fear to be selfish in me, and looketh +as though I cared not for the troubles of my friends, when I can be +happy whilst they suffer." +</P> + +<P> +"Nay, not so," I replied, as some of the reasoning of Harleston came to +my mind. "Life is given but that it may be enjoyed. Some accomplish +this purpose in one way; some, another. Sorrow is sent but that it may +teach us how to enjoy happiness the better. We all must have our +sorrow. Some have more, and some less of this chastening agent's +presence. The reason for this I know not, unless it be that some of us +require a more severe training ere we are capable of following our +especial path in life, without straying off upon by-ways that nature +never intended we should tread. Some, I will admit, seem never to have +found their way. The consequence is, remorseless Nature, who departs +not from her laws, with stern hand of iron scourges him full hard. +Sometimes this drives him to his more fitting path; again it maketh him +to despair, and, filled with spleen and useless stubbornness, he +ploddeth on along a path not suited to his step, when there, within +reach of his sight, had he but turned his head, doth lie his own fair +way. Some few hills there are, of course; but these are suited to his +stature." +</P> + +<P> +"By my troth thou hast been changed by Frederick into a full-fledged +philosopher," laughed Hazel. "But tell me the lesson that this should +teach to me, and why I should not longer tarry with the Queen." +</P> + +<P> +"'Tis this," I replied. "Her Majesty's path is now blocked up with +obstacles. 'Tis right that thou shouldst sympathize with her, and +cheer her on. Yea, if it be within thy power to lend to her +assistance, thou art bound by the bonds of love and gratitude to give +it. Still, it is not required of thee, by either of these ennobling +masters, that thou shouldst tread her path thyself. Nay," I continued, +as I saw a look that told me I had gained my point steal o'er her face, +"'tis even wrong for thee to leave the way that Nature chose for thee +to cheer." +</P> + +<P> +"Thine eloquence hath won me from the doubt that haunted me and made me +to feel ungrateful. But truly, Walter, thou must stop thy bursts of +poetic speeches, lest in the future thy songs do change the minds of +people, and Master Chaucer's wit then be forgot," and she laughed in +mine earnest face, until I joined her in her gaiety. +</P> + +<HR ALIGN="center" WIDTH="60%"> + +<P> +When we reached the Palace imagine our surprise and horror to learn +that Lord Hastings, whilst at the meeting in the Tower, to discuss the +coronation of young Edward, had, through some thoughtless remark +dropped in the presence of Gloucester, given to that most murderous +tyrant a poor excuse for putting on a towering rage and ordering the +execution of the Chancellor. Seized as he sat at the table of the +council he was hurried, by that murderer, Tyrrell, whose list of crimes +were now being added to with lightning swiftness, to the black-stained +block within the courtyard of the Tower, and there his head was severed +from the trunk, and the bleeding trophy carried to the Duke. A fitting +meal it was, indeed, for the vengeance of such a man to feed on. +</P> + +<P> +This speech of Hastings' that had caused his soul to follow, within so +short a time, the spirits of his rivals, who met their fate at Pomfret, +served also, as I verily believe Richard had foreplanned it should, to +postpone the discussion of the young King's coronation. +</P> + +<P> +"Richard hath pulled harder on the line," said Harleston, when we had +heard the complement of the news—namely, that Lord Stanley had been +wounded, by accident, during the arrest of Hastings. "Another obstacle +hath been removed from the course of his heavy ship and cargo. The +line still bears the strain. Wait with patience and expectancy: he'll +pull again; observe the result." +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap19"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XIX +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +A MESSAGE IS SENT TO RICHMOND +</H4> + +<P> +Harlston's statement, that the line of Richard's success must part, and +that he could not gain the ship's cargo, proved to be wrong. +Gloucester had met with success where'er he turned. +</P> + +<P> +Hastings' death had been received with but grumblings of discontent and +not, as we had hoped, with clamorous outbursts of bloody insurrection. +</P> + +<P> +Stanley, for remonstrating with Gloucester, in an attempt to save his +friend, Hastings, from his fate, was now confined within the Tower's +walls. The Archbishop of York and the Bishop of Ely here kept him +company. +</P> + +<P> +Whisperings there now were of the coronation of a different King from +Edward. Richard's full hand was now being shown to the whole broad +world. Most of those which lived at court had seen it, ere this last +card was laid upon the board. +</P> + +<P> +Rumours to the effect that young Edward's father's marriage with the +Lady Grey, the young King's mother, had been illegal now had a noble +circulation. 'Twas whispered in the court, and gossipped o'er. 'Twas +the sole story on the tradesman's lips. The urchin in the street had +heard it told, and each ear did either credit or despise the tale, that +Edward, the father of our present King, had been united by the bonds of +wedlock with the Lady Eleanor Talbot, daughter of the Earl of +Shrewsbury, previous to his union with the Lady Grey. This tale, 'tis +scarce necessary for me to say, was but one of many similar inventions +of Richard to throw discredit on the rightful Sovereign, and thus help +him to reach that awful height to which he was determined to climb. +</P> + +<P> +As my friend and I were one day passing the great Church of St. Paul, +we were attracted by a surging crowd of people trying, as best they +might, to see some poor soul who had just finished doing penance in a +sheet of white, and who now stood, in pitiful abashment, upon the +church's steps. Behold her as she stands there, an object of curiosity +and derision. Hear the coarse jests of the vulgar rabble, who, in +their delight at the sight of fallen power, hurl at her defenseless +ears all the filthy epithets in the vocabulary of the indecent. +Compare her authority of yesterday with her degradation of to-day. Not +one of those who were helped to power and greatness, by this woman, now +speak one word of sympathy or regret. Such a scene should find in Hell +more fitting surroundings for its tragic action. So could I imagine +the condemned souls revel and domineer when a Prince of Darkness hath +been reduced to a lower level. Another triumph for the Protector. +This is Jane Shore, the mistress of the late lamented Edward. +Gloucester, the better to deceive the people, and make them to believe +in his purity and religious ardour, compelled this poor woman, whose +sole crime against the state was that her Creator had given her such +beauty as to cause the amorous Edward to cast a longing eye upon +her—which, with that fiery Sovereign, was ever the prologue to a +history of a woman's loss of character—to thus do penance, draped in a +sheet, before the insulting eyes of the scum of the city's population. +</P> + +<P> +"Look at the shameless hussy standing, with bowed head, as though she +cared a hair for all this gentle penance. See how she stands, +blushing, as a properer dame might do," said a heartless wretch, +dressed in the garb of a gentleman. +</P> + +<P> +Harleston stooped and, taking up a stone, he handed it to this fellow, +with these words:—'There, my fine fellow, hurl thou this pebble at the +woman there. 'Tis much to be regretted, sir, that thou didst not live +in the days of Christ. He asked for such an one as thou to hurl the +stone at Mary Magdalene."[<A NAME="chap19fn1text"></A><A HREF="#chap19fn1">1</A>] +</P> + +<P> +"And who art thou, sir, to criticise my words?" +</P> + +<P> +"A gentleman," replied Harleston with a slight bow. Then, as the +fellow stared stupidly into his face, my friend again said:—"I +suppose, sir, that thou dost not e'en comprehend the meaning of that +name. I should have used another word. This, then, is the definition +of that article with which you have no doubt often met, and still you +understand not. First, he is a man; second, his speech is courteous, +to those whose manner doth deserve such speech; third, he protects the +weak and defenceless, and doth not insult a helpless woman, as thou +this day hast done; fourth, he is possessed of a quality known by the +name of honour, the which to brush against or attempt to stain means +death to the transgressor or himself; last, and yet first above all +else, he must be brave, and not submit to insult such as thou dost +bear; and 'twould be death for one to strike a blow upon his cheek, as +I now do to thee." And, suiting the action to the word, Harleston gave +him a stinging slap upon the ear that almost caused the other to drop +upon his knees. +</P> + +<P> +My friend's judgment of the knave was right. He was, as all these +blackguards are, a coward through and through. A plenteous supply of +bluster had he, to be sure, and this he commenced to fling at +Harleston. However, he got not far in his list of compliments; for my +friend, losing all patience with this blackguarding knave, took him by +the ear, that now was the colour of a fiery sunset, and, turning him +about, he placed his knee beneath his doublet tail and hurled him upon +his hands and knees among the legs and feet of the surging crowd about. +I had never known Harleston to act thus before, and greatly was I +surprised to see him so ready to pick up a quarrel. +</P> + +<P> +When we left the crowd before the Church and continued on our way I +thought to find him still heated with his indignation. But in this I +had again misjudged this man whose brain seemed balanced with such an +exactness. He was as quiet and unruffled as though he had been but +talking with a priest about some books, of which he was most fond. +</P> + +<P> +"Strange," said he in musing tone, "that men so love to see their +fellows lowered. Why can they not mourn for their sorrows and exult +when others do succeed? Instead of doing this, they glory in another's +fall, and when the downcast tries to regain his feet, cruel and +remorseless blows are heaped upon his head, till the poor creature, +hopeless of success, lies back there where he falls, among the quick +and devouring sands of vice, or other misery. Still he sinks lower, +and, as he disappears, the sands put on their faces of harmlessness and +tempting beauty, to await another victim. And the cold world jeers at +the sufferer's dying struggles, and laughs, and he's soon forgot." +</P> + +<P> +"Why, my friend, thou art quite mournful," I remarked. +</P> + +<P> +"Nay, by my troth, mine heart was never lighter. Misunderstand me not. +The picture that my mind now draws is sad, 'tis true. But verily do I +tell thee, Bradley, mine eye enjoys the sight. What song is there so +sweet as that which telleth to our hearts a tale of woe?" +</P> + +<HR ALIGN="center" WIDTH="60%"> + +<P> +Again doth Richard triumph. The ship sails quickly through the water, +brushing aside the difficulties that would impede its progress. +Gloucester steps o'er the rail and takes possession of the cargo. +</P> + +<P> +Thus, after the disgraceful scene in the Cathedral of St. Paul, when +Doctor Shaw preached his now notorious sermon on the bastardy of young +Edward and his brother, and after the Lord Mayor and the Duke of +Buckingham had wrung from a small gathering of London's citizens an +unwilling consent to the crown being placed upon the head of Richard, +instead of on our gentle, rightful, boyish King, Richard was crowned +with great pomp and ceremony, and ruled England as the rightful heir by +birth, whilst his young nephew lay within the Tower, uncrowned, a stain +attempting to hang upon his name, and treated as a malefactor, who +should have worn the diadem of England. +</P> + +<P> +Richard's court was now removed to Crosby Place, where the boar +bedecked himself and his surroundings with all the gaudy finery, of +which he was so fond. +</P> + +<P> +Then whisperings began to circulate, to the effect that both of the +little Princes (for the people all believed that little York was also +there) had been murdered in the Tower. This tale, which soon became +general court gossip, was never contradicted by the friends of our new +King Richard, and therefore it soon came to be believed about the +court, from whence the people had it, and believed. Some said that +Tyrrell, with an order from the usurping King, went to the Tower and +took full charge thereof for but one night. That with him went three +others which, whilst the young Princes slept, smothered them to death. +This was the version most generally believed, and, to my mind, it +indeed seemeth a likely tale, in so far, of course, as it refers to +young Edward; for well did my friend and I know that little York was +far from London at that time; though where he was we knew not. We +dreaded telling to the Queen this news, and therefore waited for some +time before we again visited the Sanctuary. When at length we did go, +we were saved from again inflicting torture on this poor woman. Lord +Stanley, who had been released from his imprisonment but a few days +previous and now had been appointed to the office of Steward at the +Palace, had been there before us and told the Queen the whole sad story +of how her son had, in the night, been murdered whilst he slept. +</P> + +<P> +This time the Queen was not resigned nor stupefied. Bold determination +and a hunger for revenge were imprinted on her features. +</P> + +<P> +When I look back to those harsh, cruel days of misery for that woman, I +compare her, in my mind, with those savage tribes which dwell in that +distant land beyond the seas, discovered by that Genoese sailor. 'Twas +told to me, by Cabot and his son, that they, when injured, show but +little spleen; but with deliberation and the greatest care they plan, +with wonderous skill, some grand invention that enables them to have +revenge in the most complete and properest of ways. +</P> + +<P> +Cold and deliberate was the ex-Queen, as she informed us that she had +sent her son, Dorset (which had returned, after leaving the little Duke +of York in a Sanctuary in France) with a letter to the Earl of +Richmond, who then resided, in exile, at the court of Brittany, asking +him to take up arms in her cause, and his own, and fight King Richard, +with the crown of England as the stake. +</P> + +<P> +"I have decided on this course," said the ex-Queen, "because I realize +that my son, the Duke of York, may never rule so long as Richard lives. +If Richmond doth accept mine offer, and if he wins the crown away from +the murderous Usurper, then will I make him regent during the minority +of my little Richard. All this I have set forth distinctly in my +letter to the Earl. I also promised him my daughter Elizabeth's hand +in marriage. Such offers, methinks, no sane man would refuse, unless +he be a coward, which 'tis not possible for him to be. 'Tis true he +belongs to the Lancastrian party, which hath ever been our enemies; +but, under the circumstances in which I now find myself placed, I +cannot choose, but must accept that which is best for my poor son's +welfare. Therefore I have asked for Richmond's aid." +</P> + +<P> +"Madam," said Harleston, when Elizabeth had finished speaking, "I pray +that thou wilt pardon the liberty I am about to take, in making a +remark about thine own affairs. Mine excuse for doing so is that thou, +madam, hast honoured me ere this by asking mine advice." +</P> + +<P> +"Speak out, Sir Frederick," said Elizabeth. "Well dost thou know that +no word of thine, intended for my help, will be considered as +impertinent." +</P> + +<P> +"Then, madam, I would ask if thou dost consider it as safe to thus +invite the Earl of Richmond to your aid? Dost thou not fear that +he—should he be successful—will claim the throne as his very own by +right of conquest by the sword? 'Tis but a possibility, madam, but +methinks 'tis worthy of consideration." +</P> + +<P> +"But how could he claim the throne, having no right thereto?" +</P> + +<P> +"Richard hath taken it." +</P> + +<P> +"Ay, true, true, true!" wailed the poor Queen, as she walked about the +room, wringing her hands. +</P> + +<P> +"Dost thou not think, madam," continued Harleston, "that it would be +better if thou wert to try and win over Buckingham to thy cause?" +</P> + +<P> +"He is the friend of Richard." +</P> + +<P> +"Ay, madam; but he is also ambitious. Two such men as he and the +Usurper cannot for long agree. Richard must fear that some day +Buckingham's prestige with the people will be too great. No doubt some +jealousy doth exist already. Have Lord Stanley, in thy behalf, offer +to the Duke some noble inducement to bring him to thy side. The +people, indignant at the murder of thy son, could soon be tempted to +revolt and make up a strong force; drive forth the Usurper from the +throne and place the crown upon the rightful head." +</P> + +<P> +"But how shall I prevent the Earl of Richmond from coming to mine aid, +now that I have once invited him?" +</P> + +<P> +"Prevent him not, madam. He shall be of the greatest possible +assistance. He and your brother-in-law, the Duke of Buckingham, united +should face the boar; and then, when victory doth rest upon their arms, +the Duke can hold the Earl in check." +</P> + +<P> +"A happy thought; I'll act upon it straight away. Ah! Sir Frederick, +what should I do without thine ever sage advice? Pray God the time +will soon come when I can reward my friends, with more than thanks. +When my son cometh to his own thou, Sir Frederick, shalt be his +Counsellor." +</P> + +<P> +This promise was doomed to never be fulfilled. +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +<A NAME="chap19fn1"></A> +[<A HREF="#chap19fn1text">1</A>] Harleston's knowledge of scripture was evidently not great. K.M. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap20"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XX +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +BEFORE THE TOURNAMENT +</H4> + +<P> +Angry were the people with Richard for his savage murder of the young +and rightful King. Discontent and a proper desire to punish the +criminal for his act were discernible in the sullen manner in which the +Usurper was received where'er he went among them. Scowls, and not +resounding cheers, greeted him as he passed through the streets of +London, as was his almost daily habit. +</P> + +<P> +Richard was not slow to comprehend the cause, and see what should be +the outcome, of this unpopularity, were it permitted to take a firmer +root in the minds of the people. +</P> + +<P> +Some people, I know, contend that the best plan for killing discontent +and opposition is to notice them not and they, in time, will realize +their insignificance, and die by cold neglect. To me this seemeth but +a poor device for ridding one of that which doth torment him. Methinks +it is like the neglecting of a weed, in the hope that it will come to +be disheartened by reason of its lack of opposition and wither up and +die. To my poor way of thinking 'tis better, far, to remove the weed, +with all its roots intact. +</P> + +<P> +Richard was evidently of the same way of thinking; for he at once +proceeded to remove this opposing growth, with all expediency. +Subsequent events shall show whether or no the roots came with the +stalk and leaves. To accomplish his purpose it was necessary for him +to please the people and gain their affection. The most easy and +direct way to do this was to, in some manner, contribute to their +happiness. In what way could this be so well accomplished as by +appealing to the warlike spirit of England, by holding a grand +tournament. Ever hath it been the custom of our country's rulers to +hold these martial gatherings whenever the good will of all classes is +desired. Richard was not slow to follow the example of his +predecessors. Therefore was it given out that our generous-hearted +Sovereign, to in some small way show his appreciation of the honour +done him by the people when they reposed the trust of England's crown +with him, would straight-way give the grandest exhibition of all forms +of war-like skill that ever England gazed with wondering eyes upon. +</P> + +<P> +Catesby, who had been absent from court ever since the Usurper's +coronation, on some business of Richard's (for now he seemed to be to +Richard the properest man, though to all others a scoundrel) about this +time returned. For this, my dears, I was truly pleasured; for dearly +did I then desire an opportunity to be revenged on him for his insult +to Hazel. I was determined that nothing should now prevent our +meeting; for if he did not willingly enter for the contests I would +openly challenge him to fight, the which to refuse, as ye all do know, +would stamp him as a coward throughout all Christendom. This I knew +well he would not bear; for Catesby, no matter what his failings were, +was no physical coward. +</P> + +<P> +Long seemed the time whilst we, with the spirit of impatience, were +waiting for the tournament. +</P> + +<P> +Hazel and I planned and decided on my making some excuse and leaving +the court of Richard, so soon as the jousts should be ended. Settle +down we would and live in peace and quiet within our happy home, far +from the strife and intrigue of the court. 'Tis true I did not promise +to lay aside the sword and shield forever. On the contrary, faithfully +did I promise the ex-Queen to aid her party when the proper time +arrived. And, besides, I had an oath to be fulfilled. +</P> + +<P> +No longer could I bear to serve the murderous tyrant, even for mine +ends. Indeed he treated me with great civility and some consideration. +Yet ever would there rise before my memory's eye the traitorous scene +at Stony Stratford. 'Twas when Richard smiled I feared him most. +Beware, my children, of a man who smileth on ye all too frequently. +Such men are seldom to be trusted. Never did I fall asleep without the +fear ahaunting me that I should never gaze upon the sun again; but that +the three which murdered our young King would rid our present ruler of +one which visited Elizabeth; for no hope of mine could be so sanguine +as to cause me to believe that I had thus far escaped Richard's +ever-watchful eye. +</P> + +<P> +At length the day before the commencement of the tournament came +around, and knights and squires all were busy with the work of +preparation. +</P> + +<P> +The place chosen by the King for the holding of the joust was just +beyond the city's gates, between London and Westminster, and in the +direction of the setting sun, that cast its fiery rays along the bosom +of the earth, that it might point out to each separate champion the +levelest spot for the pitching of his tent. Where'er the ground had +received a wound, and the scar remained, the King of Day, as he settled +down to rest, did paint the surrounding turf and leave a darker spot +upon the earth, to guide the warrior's servants from their putting up +his canvas house. +</P> + +<P> +My friend and I both occupied the one tent, which was both high and +broad. +</P> + +<P> +My faithful Michael, and our other servants, bustled about in +preparation for the morrow's work. +</P> + +<P> +Pennons and streamers of England's noblest sons now floated on the +evening flower-scented breeze, which bore in its fairy arms the sounds +of the armourer's anvils, as the men worked, putting on some fine +completing touches. Some of these pleasant and familiar sounds were +worn to such a thinness as to scarcely have existence, they having +travelled from the far end of the field and, in their flight, visited +the ears of many knights and squires who, fond of this sweet martial +music, consumed a part each one. Others there were ranging in bodily +strength until they reached a rich, full ring, proceeding from before +our own tent door, where our armourers examined the suits given us by +the late King Edward, and which had never since been tested with the +lance. +</P> + +<P> +The sun at length sank beneath the floor of earth, and the windows of +Heaven began to throw forth their each particular ray of light. As we +sat there, watching those far away, twinkling points, I could not +refrain from wondering why the Saints and Angels there all seem so busy +in the still night time; as can be seen by their passing and repassing +of the windows, in never ceasing numbers, each casting a fleeting +shadow as he goes. As the light on earth kept fading, more shades in +Heaven were drawn aback, as though the kindly folk up there would lend +to us more cheer. +</P> + +<P> +Then the pale and trouble-featured moon raised up her hairless head +above the earth's surface, and slowly climbed she up the Heaven's arch. +</P> + +<P> +As the sounds of the armourers and the grooms died out, the nightingale +did make his voice more plainly heard, as he hurled down, from his +perch beside the field, upon our ears, his darts of Heaven's own joy. +Aslanting did the music come, as borne by the gentle evening breeze it +fell, like April's rain, into our ears and drenched our hearts with +sweetness. +</P> + +<P> +The wide-eyed frogs, far from the field, as they sat on their floating +thrones, flung, from their baggy throats, at the stars, as countless as +themselves, their quavering coward-challenges of battle. Yet no doubt +these were as well meant as some we should hear to-morrow. +</P> + +<P> +The moon now stood well up the sky and therefore, when the flap was +closed a trifle, shone not far back into the tent. +</P> + +<P> +The nightingale had ceased to sing. +</P> + +<P> +The frogs still hurled their insolence. +</P> + +<P> +Frederick and I, who had been in silence sitting for some time, arose +and walked back under our covering. Michael followed, and, when we had +laid down, stretched his huge frame across the opening. How like a +lifeless statue there he lay; his arms locked o'er his chest. 'Twas +seven feet of Hercules, as broad as two good men. Gazing at this +picture of strength and loyalty, the latter shown in his firm-cut, +honest face, with our shields beneath our heads, my friend and I sank +into sleep. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap21"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXI +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE TOURNAMENT +</H4> + +<P> +After a night of refreshing, sweet oblivion we awakened bright and +strong, well fitted for a day of tilting. It was uncommon early to be +stirring; but Richard had given out that the games should commence +about the hour of ten; therefore it was necessary to rise early, in +order that we might have ample time in which to look over the ground +and judge its character, previous to our arming for the fray. +</P> + +<P> +Cool and fresh was the morning; but the cloudless sky and bright-faced +sun were indications of a greater warmth when the day should be further +advanced. +</P> + +<P> +Shortly after we had breakfasted the King, who had spent the night upon +the field instead of at his Palace, rode around the lists, attended by +Buckingham, Stanley, Lovell, Ratcliffe and Catesby. Richard wore not +his armour; but all of the others were fully armed, but for the lack of +their helms; instead of which they wore caps of velvet. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah! Walter, thou art at last to have an opportunity to slake thy +thirst for vengeance; for Catesby seemeth ready to take to the field at +once," said Harleston, as we stood at the opening of our tent and +watched them as they made their tour of inspection. +</P> + +<P> +I smiled my satisfaction. +</P> + +<P> +"Wilt thou ride with headless spear, or wilt thou use the point, and +make thy prize his blood, as well as arms?" +</P> + +<P> +"I desire not his steed nor arms," I answered. "No, Frederick, I would +rather have the last red drop that now is in his heart than wear King +Richard's crown. Long have I kept me quiet, and but little have I +spoken of the insulting cur since first mine ears did hear of his +black-coward's act. Well dost thou know the human heart, my friend, +and mine the best of all. It must be plain to thee that when the coals +are left upon the hearth, withouten wood to cause a showy flame, they +burn with greater, though more quiet, heat. I made a promise to the +Lady Hazel that I would not challenge him to meet me in a duel. +Therefore have I held my peace, and waited for such an opportunity as +this for working my revenge upon him. If I can kill the knave upon +this field I'll do so with as light a heart as any ever worn by man." +</P> + +<P> +"Right, right! my friend," cried Frederick. "I wondered how thou, for +this long time since, didst tie down that impatient spirit of thine, +and wait with patience for thy vengeance. Thou art a true knight, Sir +Walter. Mild when not roused; but when thy spleen is stirred thou art +as fiery as the devil," and he grasped my hand and slapped me on the +shoulder, as was his familiar custom. +</P> + +<P> +The people from the city commenced now to arrive. Some were mounted, +but the majority either rode in carts or came in the less pretentious +style—afoot. +</P> + +<P> +"By Heaven!" said Frederick, "and they stop not coming in such numbers +we knights shall be compelled to withdraw us from the field and leave +it to the tradesmen." +</P> + +<P> +"Come," said I, "'tis time that we should arm. What ho! Michael! +where the devil art thou?" Michael, contrary to his habit, did not +appear when I called. I walked to the tent door and called again. +Then, as I looked beyond the barriers that kept the spectators from +crowding into the space reserved for the tents of the knights, I saw +him just leaving two old ladies, after having procured for them +comfortable seats, in a position from where their eyes commanded an +excellent view of the field; and being in that part opposite to where +sat the King. I stood in the doorway, awaiting Michael's return, and +wondering who the old ladies were to whom he showed such attention. +</P> + +<P> +When Michael, as he hurried back, raised his eyes and beheld me gazing +at him, I heard him mutter, in his short, quick way, which ever so +amused me:—"Hill!" +</P> + +<P> +When he came up to me he said:—"Pardon sor; but sor, thim ladies, Oi'm +jist after asittin' down, is friends o' a wourthy and gallant knoight +who hath ivir bin most koind to a poor orphan loike moysilf, sor; and +they axed me to foind me a sate fer thim, sor, and Oi hadn't the heart +to refuse thim, sor; though had Oi known that yer honour wanted me so +soon Oi'd have bin a dale quicker than Oi was, sor." +</P> + +<P> +"I knew not that thou wert known so well among the knighthood of +England," I answered with a smile. "But come, Michael, thou needst not +to crave pardon of Sir Walter Bradley when thou dost serve such a noble +purpose. The ladies, whether known to us or not, come before all true +knights or gentlemen; and 'tis when we pay respect to them that we do +ennoble ourselves." +</P> + +<P> +"Yis sor," said Michael, as he buckled on my breast plate. "Oi knew +that yer honour would pardon me fer lavin' ye, whin Oi tould what moine +errand was." This as he buckled on a shoulder-piece. +</P> + +<P> +"Uh! what a pity, sor, to have sich armour, with all that gould in it, +dinted with the pint o' a spear," said he, when he had fastened on all +but my helm. +</P> + +<P> +The trumpets now sounded a warning blast, and the heralds rode forth +and entered the lists at the southern extremity, all their gay +trappings tossing in the pleasant morning wind. +</P> + +<P> +Michael, after finishing his employment, by fastening on my sword and +lacing my splendid head-piece, went to the pile of lances, from which +he selected one both straight and heavy, but having no point. +</P> + +<P> +"Not that to-day, Michael; for the rules of this joust do permit of +pointed weapons." +</P> + +<P> +"Uh! sure thin, sor, that impudint Catesby 'll take his dinner with his +master, the divil, this day; fer will do Oi know, sor, that he's the +varmint yer honour's after." +</P> + +<P> +I always forgave Michael for his familiarity; for without it he should +not have been Michael, and never did it harm me. At this remark about +Catesby I merely smiled and said:—"Have a headless spear ready, lest I +do need one also." +</P> + +<P> +"Oi'll do that same, sor; but Oi'd loike to see yon Catesby's blood +upon the pint o' this, sor," and he motioned with his head in the +direction of mine enemy's tent and patted the point of the lance. The +faithful fellow always looked on Catesby as an enemy common to himself +and me. +</P> + +<P> +Again the trumpets rang out full merrily, both long and loud. Then the +heralds, which had halted in the centre of the field, separated, one +remaining in the centre and the other two riding with their backs to +one another until one reached the North and the other the South end of +the lists, where each took his especial post. Then the one which had +remained in the centre called out the rules of this passage of arms. +</P> + +<P> +After the customary prologue, that I ever considered tedious and +unnecessary; for Heaven knows even the balance of these fellow's +speeches is long enough, he at length reached the part that he had set +out to say. +</P> + +<P> +"Know, all ye true knights and gentlemen of his Most Gracious Majesty +of England, Ireland and of France, or of whatever other Sovereign King +ye may be faithful subjects, that any knight, of proper standing and +untarnished honour, shall here be permitted to enter for these tilts. +All such aforesaid valiant knights and gentlemen, which have not ere +this had their names placed upon the recorder's list, are hereby warned +to do so now, with all expediency, or be content to live without the +honour of taking part in these noble contests. Any untarnished knight +now has the privilege of challenging to combat, either courteous or +martial, any other such knight, whose name is on the record for this +joust. When such a number of these tilts as his Most Gracious Majesty +doth consider to be proper shall have been decided, from amongst the +names contained in the recorder's sheets shall be selected, by means of +draft, two parties of twelve knights each, to which said parties shall +be added one other knight for each party, which knight shall have the +honourable post of leader, each of his particular party, by whom he +shall be drawn. +</P> + +<P> +"In tilts of courtesy lances without heads must alone be used. In the +more warlike contests both knightly weapons may be used at the +discretion of, and the manner most pleasing to, the combatants. +</P> + +<P> +"Any contest shall be considered at an end only at such time as his +Majesty, King Richard, shall see fit to signal for its stoppage by the +honourable marshals of the field, or when one or the other of the +opposing champions shall have owned himself up defeated. +</P> + +<P> +"His Most Gracious Majesty will decide who is the victor in each +separate contest; and to the victor shall go the arms and armour, +together with the charger and its equipment. +</P> + +<P> +"In the more fiercer contest of the thirteen good knights on each side, +they shall fight with pointed lance and with the sword until his +Majesty doth see good to cause the contest to be stopped. Then will +his Majesty decide which is the winner in the contest. And to the +victors shall go the spoils, the same as in the single contests. +</P> + +<P> +"God save King Richard!" +</P> + +<P> +"God save King Richard!" replied the other heralds. +</P> + +<P> +"God save King Richard!" cried the people, as though they meant the +words they said. +</P> + +<P> +"God save King Richard!" echoed the city's walls. +</P> + +<P> +Then the herald at the southern extremity of the lists sang forth the +same long-winded recitation in the self same monotone, that added +nothing to the clearness of the rules, which might have been said in +two score of words. +</P> + +<P> +When the third had followed the example of his fellows they all three +withdrew from the lists, and the marshals of the field rode forth from +where they had been waiting, drawn up in line, armoured and armed as +though for a day of battle, and took their posts in groups at the four +corners of the field, ready to do their duty. +</P> + +<P> +My horse, fully caparisoned and impatient, like his master, for the +field, my groom now led to where I stood, by Harleston's side, before +my tent. Hastily mounting I rode down to the barrier gate that gave +entry to the lists. +</P> + +<P> +My friend overtook me as I reached the gate. He was mounted upon a +splendid charger of a chestnut hue, as I could see from the only +visible part of the animal, namely, his legs. Frederick sat his saddle +like an armoured statue. Verily, my children, and without conceit I +say it, to a spectator we looked as though but few upon that field +would have the courage to touch either shield with any other than a +pointless lance. +</P> + +<P> +Much then was my surprise when the gate at the end further from where +we waited, with impatient plumes and restless pennants, was, for some +reason unknown to all of us knights which waited at the North, flung +open, whilst ours remained closed. At this opening in dashed a knight +which, when he came sufficient close, I recognized, by his device, to +be none other than mine old foe, Catesby. Straight he rode up to where +I sat, grinding my teeth together, as silently I cursed my fortune for +preventing me from riding forth to meet him, that I might strike his +shield with my lance's point—for verily did I believe he came thus +soon to foil my purpose by challenging me to fight with pointless +weapon. On he came and, to my great surprise and pleasure, struck he +my shield with the sharp point of his lance. +</P> + +<P> +Ah! my brave sons, ye all do know the pleasure 'tis when, with ring of +shield, ye are informed an enemy hath come to do ye battle. +</P> + +<P> +Now were the separating bars removed, and, as Catesby rode to the far +end at a gentle trot, I entered with alacrity the field. +</P> + +<P> +As Catesby passed the centre of the lists he paused for a moment +whilst, with much grace, he saluted the King, and then the ladies. His +example I followed. +</P> + +<P> +After this came much cheering, and well meant advice, from those which +thought they better understood the game at which we were about to play +than we ourselves did. Most of these warnings came from old warriors +of other days, veterans of our great civil wars. +</P> + +<P> +The trumpets now rang out from their metal throats the signal for the +fray. Forward we dashed, like two opposing thunderbolts. The hot wind +of the summer's morn whistled past mine ears, and sounded like unto +when one by accident doth irritate the canvas of his tent by scraping +against it with his scabbard's point, causing it to raise its +high-pitched voice in protest against the affront. The space betwixt +us closed up as quickly as when one with haste doth shut the covers of +a book. A crash! a benumbing twinge from finger's tips to shoulder;—a +blow, as from a hammer, on the shield;—the steeds stand up and paw the +air madly, as does a man when struggling in the waters;—my helm's +plumes do bend before mine eyes;—and when the particles of sand are +borne aside by the gentle broom of Nature I hold in my gauntlet's grasp +only a cloth yard's length of shivered spear. As, with a pat upon my +good steed's neck, I brought him to his fore feet, Catesby, whose lance +had met a fate similar to mine own, with brandished sword now dashed +afresh upon me. His lighter weight had enabled him to regain control +of his steed ere I had mastered mine. No time was there for thought. +As he leaped forward I flung with my full force, straight at his iron +head, the remnant of my lance. His horse, affrighted at this strange +weapon, swung from its course to avoid it, and thus saved his master +from the blow. This gave me the respite I wanted, and of which I took +advantage by drawing mine own good sword. +</P> + +<P> +Loud cheered the crowd of spectators when they saw how equal had been +the tilt; and louder again did they shout when they saw us, with +clamorous blows, hotly engaged in sword play. One voice, clear and +distinct above all others did I hear, and pleased was I when I heard +its rich full ring, as its possessor used to their utmost strength his +mighty lungs. It was Michael. +</P> + +<P> +I drove my spurs into my horse's flanks and bounded at mine antagonist +with the speed of lightning. He avoided my rush in time to save +himself; but my steed, with his shoulders, struck his in the hind +quarters, and almost bore mine opponent to the earth. As I passed him +in my career I struck at him a backhand blow; but he caught it, with +great dexterity, upon his shield. +</P> + +<P> +Again did the applause burst forth with all its discordant notes. +</P> + +<P> +Wheeling quickly around I again rode at him, with my sword swung far +behind my shoulder, determined to beat him from his saddle. I stood up +in my stirrups, and with the full force of my sword arm I drove a blow +fairly at his plumaged head. He caught it right manfully upon his +shield; but the blow was so powerful that he might as well have held up +a frail piece of wood. The keen edge of my sword broke through the +buckler's curving surface and forced the wounded steel protector, and +its supporting arm, with stunning force against their master's head. +He reeled slightly in his saddle; and, ere he could regain control of +his scattered senses, again did my remorseless blade fall on his helmet +crest, with the sound like the driving of an iron spike between a stone +wall's members, by means of a heavy hammer. His horse sprang forward +with its master's senseless body crushed down upon the saddle. Then +the steed swerved from its straight course, and Catesby lurched and +fell headlong, like an armoured scare-crow, all joints and not a bone, +into the dusty lists. +</P> + +<P> +The King signed to the heralds, and the trumpets warned the marshals to +stop the fight; for in my passion I rode to where mine enemy lay, and, +truly, I would have given him his quietus but for the marshal's +interference. They bore him to his tent, and I saw no more of him that +day. He was not killed however, and this did greatly disappoint me. +</P> + +<P> +Sharply I spurred my steed till he sprang forward and upward like the +carrier of Valkyrie. Amid the acclamations of the spectators who, as +they ever do, waved their scarfs and bonnets like creatures +dispossessed of reason I dashed up before the King's seat and, pulling +suddenly upon the rein, caused my good steed to paw the air with his +fore feet whilst, with a low bow and a wave of my faithful sword, I +respectfully saluted the Usurper. +</P> + +<P> +He acknowledged my salute; but methought the smile that he did wear +had, lurking behind it somewhere, a sentiment that, to say the least, +was not favourable to me. +</P> + +<P> +After saluting mine enthusiastic admirers (which would bestow the same +attentions upon another knight were he to ride out and slay me in the +next tilt) I galloped back to the northern barrier. Here my dear +friend Frederick did warmly shake me by the hand, whilst Michael went +almost mad with delight. So loud, and sometimes profane, were his +remarks about Catesby's defeat that I unwillingly was compelled to keep +him in some check. +</P> + +<P> +Two other knights now took the field and fought with pointless weapons. +This was but a not interesting combat; as the challenger was, in the +first course run, thrown from his saddle with a considerable force, +after having shown his miserable command of his weapon by altogether +missing his opponent; his lance passing harmlessly past his adversary's +right shoulder. For this exhibition of the lack of all skill he was +prohibited from taking any further part in the tournament, and his name +was stricken from the list. +</P> + +<P> +Some three or four other pairs of lances were shivered, and then +Harleston gave an exhibition of the most skilled and perfectest way of +unhorsing a knight that ever I had, before that day, seen. He entered +the lists and rode, with stately ease and graceful respect, past the +ladies and the King, until he reached the spot where Sir Thomas +Falstone was sitting his horse in a listless fashion, as though he felt +assured that no one there would dare to touch his shield. For Sir +Thomas was considered one of the first, if not the very first, lance in +England at that time; he having been chosen to represent the late King +Edward in the last tournament given by that indolent Sovereign. My +friend, with a courtly inclination of his head, struck the shield of +Sir Thomas a gentle blow with the blunt end of his spear, and then did +he rein back his steed that he might return to receive his pointless +weapon. +</P> + +<P> +"Tarry an instant, Sir Knight," called out Sir Thomas. +</P> + +<P> +"I await thy speech," replied Frederick. +</P> + +<P> +"Hast thou grown tired of sitting on yon saddle, that thou dost wish to +be removed from off its irritating back? Be assured, young sir, 'twere +more gentle, far, wert thou to have thy squire remove thee." +</P> + +<P> +"Thou dost mistake my purpose," replied my friend; "I come but to +awaken thee from thy dreams of past conquests; which are but poor +weapons with which to fight fresh battles, unless other arms be brought +to their assistance." +</P> + +<P> +At this rebuff to the over-confident knight the King laughed both long +and loud, and of course the courtiers which surrounded him followed his +example. +</P> + +<P> +"By the light of Heaven, thou shalt pay dearly for thine insolence when +I do hurl thee from thy saddle as a stone goeth from its sling!" called +out the enraged Sir Thomas, as my friend rode at a gentle walk in the +direction of the northern end. +</P> + +<P> +When he heard this Harleston turned hastily around, and rode back to +Sir Thomas and said:— +</P> + +<P> +"As thou still dreamest, methinks 'twere better to arouse thee with the +point," and he did strike the surprised knight's shield with the armed +end of his lance, and caused it to ring out right lustily. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah! that is better," laughed Sir Thomas. "Now I may have the pleasure +of spitting thee like a rotten apple and then hurling thee from my +lance's point." +</P> + +<P> +"Verily thou speakest from experience," returned Sir Frederick; "thou +hast, no doubt, been in the habit of spitting rotten apples, and +nothing more dangerous; else where didst thou get leisure to grow yon +ponderous paunch, next to thy speech, the most formidable part of +thee?" And amid a roar of applause and laughter he rode back to where +I waited. Here he handed to his squire the lance he carried, and in +its place he chose another, very heavy and unwieldy, as I thought; but +to balance these defects it did have a much greater strength than the +one with which he had challenged. +</P> + +<P> +The two knights now took their places, and the trumpets again rang out +the signal for the contest. +</P> + +<P> +Both horses dashed forward as though they had been connected, in some +invisible way, with the voice of the trumpets. +</P> + +<P> +Sir Thomas aimed straight at Harleston's visor; evidently for the +double purpose of exhibiting his skill and administering a severe blow +to his opponent. +</P> + +<P> +Sir Frederick, to my great surprise, seemed aiming more at his +adversary's horse than at the rider. I could not believe that he did +intend committing such a breach of the rules of chivalry; and yet it +was clear his point was not directed to the rider. +</P> + +<P> +A heavy blow;—a clatter;—and a cloud of dust, and my friend rides +bravely on, waving on high a lance without a point; and here, racing +madly towards the northern end, doth come Sir Thomas's steed, without +its rider or its saddle. +</P> + +<P> +Harleston had, at the last moment, swung his head to the one side, +avoiding the other's point; thus he had escaped unharmed. +</P> + +<P> +But how did Sir Thomas's horse come to be without a saddle as well as +riderless? +</P> + +<P> +It happened thus, as my friend told me, when, amidst great cheering, he +rode back to where I sat waving my lance and cheering with the others. +He had aimed, not at his adversary's horse, as had appeared, but at +that part of his saddle where the lance doth lie in rest. This mark he +did hit fairly, and the fury of the onset, aided by the heavy spear, +caused his opponent's saddle girths to break; and thus Sir Thomas was +ignominiously unhorsed, and his gay trappings heaped upon him. +</P> + +<P> +It was a dangerous game to play; for had Harleston so much as +scratched, with his lance, his adversary's steed, he had then been +disgraced. +</P> + +<P> +Harleston was satisfied with the punishment he had administered in +return for the other's boasting, and did not further molest the fallen +knight. And indeed there had been but little honour in pressing his +victory to a completer stage; for 'twas with great difficulty that Sir +Thomas's grooms were able to lift up their bulky master and assist him +from the field. +</P> + +<P> +I now rode forth again, and, stopping in the centre of the lists, I +opened my visor and, standing up in my stirrups, I called out at the +full power of my speech:— +</P> + +<P> +"Know, all true knights here assembled to take part in this noble +joust, that I, Walter Bradley, hereby challenge any true knight among +ye, which doth desire so to do, to break a lance, with or without a +point, as the aforesaid knight doth desire." +</P> + +<P> +For the space of whilst one might tell an hundred no one appeared. At +the end of this time, however, a knight, as though in haste, dashed +into the lists and, riding with the ease of an accomplished horseman, +advanced rapidly to where I waited. He gently touched my shield with +the butt of his lance. +</P> + +<P> +On his shield was no device; but his rich inlaid armour, and the +courtly bearing of its wearer, seemed to mine eyes as though this were +not the first time they had beheld this unknown champion. +</P> + +<P> +As we passed each other in turning, the stranger, in a hurried voice, +whose accent told me he was no Englishman, said:— +</P> + +<P> +"I have a message for thee, Sir Walter. May I see thee in thy tent?" +There was no time for more. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," I answered, in the same low tone. +</P> + +<P> +As I rode back to take up my position for the tilt my mind kept +tormenting me in its desire to recall where and when I had before heard +that voice. The attempt was useless; so placing my lance in rest I +made ready for the trumpet's signal. +</P> + +<P> +Loud did they blow. +</P> + +<P> +A rushing rattle, followed by a clattering, tearing sound, and both +spears burst into a thousand slivers, as though some foul fiend had +been confined within the shaft of each, and at the instant of encounter +they spread apart their arms and threw their frail wooden prisons from +them with the contempt that Sampson had for cords. +</P> + +<P> +Neither had an advantage. Both his horse and mine own were forced back +on their haunches; but we both kept our seats full firm. +</P> + +<P> +And thus in succession did we break three pairs of lances' without +either being able to unhorse, or gain any perceptible advantage over +the other. Therefore our contest was declared to be a fair and equal +one, without a victor. +</P> + +<P> +After this the heralds again rode into the lists and announced that no +more single contests should be permitted; but that the contest of the +six and twenty knights should be the next feature of that day's list of +exhibitions of knightly feats of arms. +</P> + +<P> +However, preceding this there was now to be an exhibition of skilful +archery and sword play, by the yeomanry of England, and the men-at-arms. +</P> + +<P> +When this announcement was made the majority of the knights withdrew +them to their tents, as they had no interest in these contests. +</P> + +<P> +Soon after my friend and I had dismounted and entered our tent the +knight with whom I had last contended, and which had so strangely +spoken with me in the lists, came to where Michael stood before the +door and enquired of him if his master were within. +</P> + +<P> +Hearing his voice I went to the door and invited him to enter. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah! Monsieur, I hope that I intrude not," said he, as he saw +Harleston with me. +</P> + +<P> +"Nay, be assured Sir Knight, whose name I have not the honour of +knowing, that any message that thou art pleased to give me shall be +common to my friend, Sir Frederick Harleston, and me." +</P> + +<P> +"Then everything is well. I may then speak out boldly and inform you, +gentlemen, what is my true name: and I now do tell ye that it is to but +few here that it is known. My name then is Count Louis de +Saint-Esteve, though in England, upon my present mission, I am known as +Sir Gil de Trailles." +</P> + +<P> +We expressed our pleasure at the acquaintance and asked him to be +seated. I then ordered Michael to close the flap of the tent, and to +himself remain outside, to see that no one should overhear our +conversation; for I could see by the stranger's manner that what he had +to say was most secret. +</P> + +<P> +After a silence of a few moments he said, in an almost whisper:— +</P> + +<P> +"My business in England upon the present occasion is on the Earl of +Richmond's account. Her Majesty, the ex-Queen of the Royal Edward, +hath informed me that both of you gentlemen are in her confidence. I +therefore speak thus freely of the Earl's plans. In a short time he +shall land in England. The usurping King Richard shall be given to +understand that the landing shall be made upon the eastern coast. On +the contrary, the noble Earl shall land in Wales, where he hath many +followers. Buckingham, Lord Stanley, and his brother are the most +powerful of the Earl's friends. However, Lord Stanley is not to +declare in favour of the noble Richmond until the day of battle; when +the Usurper's forces shall melt away as doth the snow in Spring. An +usurping tyrant cannot prosper; and what should be black treachery, in +another case, in this is but God's retribution." +</P> + +<P> +"But how long shall it be ere the Earl of Richmond doth land?" asked +Harleston. +</P> + +<P> +"So soon as the Duke of Buckingham rebels in Wales," replied the +Frenchman. "Any day," he continued, "ye may expect to hear that this +latter hath happened. Watch then and be prepared; for deliverance is +near at hand. +</P> + +<P> +"But now I come to that part of my mission that most affects thee, Sir +Walter. The ex-Queen, this morning as I was leaving the Sanctuary, +commissioned me to acquaint thee with a plot to ruin thee most +thoroughly. +</P> + +<P> +"Thine enemy, that one which doth play the dog for Richard, hath +informed his master of the part that he doth suspect that thou didst +play at Stony Stratford. Before he came to such a position of +influence with the Usurper he feared to so inform on thee. But now +that he doth practically rule England he hath planned for thy +destruction. His object in so doing is no doubt better known to thee +than it is to me. 'Twas Lord Stanley who informed the ex-Queen, and he +had it from Richard himself, who now doth trust Stanley as though he +had ever loved him." +</P> + +<P> +"I thank thee much for thy kindness in thus warning me of the danger +that doth threaten," I replied; "but I scarce see what better I can do +than remain still at court, until Earl Henry doth arrive in England. +The time, you say, is short; therefore Catesby shall not have long in +which to work his vengeance. +</P> + +<P> +"The Usurper cannot molest me unless he doth have more reason for so +doing than Catesby's mere suspicion." +</P> + +<P> +"Did the young and rightful King have fair trial, and was he convicted +of rank treachery to the state?" asked Harleston. Then my friend +answered his own question with a definite "No." This was ever his most +forcible way of driving home his opinions. +</P> + +<P> +'Twas useless for me to try to deceive myself in regard to the danger +threatening me. I ever have considered a man to be but little removed +from a fool when he doth despise his enemies. I therefore admitted +that my friend was right, and asked for his advice. +</P> + +<P> +"Methinks it were best for thee to betake thee from the court, with all +expediency, and journey in the direction of the coast of Wales, in +order that thou mayest be ready there to join the Earl of Richmond when +he lands," said Frederick, after a brief consideration. "I may remain +at court until the last moment, and then follow thine example." +</P> + +<P> +"Thou knowest," said I, "that what thou dost propose is not within the +bounds of possibility. How may I leave the Palace, and risk the danger +of the Lady Hazel falling into that scoundrel's hands. He desires to +be rid of me but that he may have her in his power. Were I to fly his +purpose should then be accomplished as well as if my head had fallen on +the block. No," I said, with full determination, "here must I remain +and risk my fate; there is no other way." +</P> + +<P> +"Why not take the lady with thee, Monsieur?" +</P> + +<P> +"The danger should be too great," I replied. +</P> + +<P> +"Then, gentlemen, I can be of no further assistance," said the Count, +as he arose to depart. +</P> + +<P> +"Tarry a moment, Sir Knight," said Harleston; "a glass of wine before +thou goest." +</P> + +<P> +"With all my heart," replied the other. And now for the first time +since he had entered the tent he opened his visor. +</P> + +<P> +"By Heaven and all its Saints!" cried Harleston; "I felt assured that I +had seen yon suit of armour ere this day. Yes," he continued, "the +last time I had the honour of meeting thee was on the field of battle; +when we took Berwick from the Scots." +</P> + +<P> +"And art thou the knight which did so kindly cut my helm's lace, after +hurling me from my steed?" +</P> + +<P> +"The same," laughed my friend; "and thou dost owe Sir Walter and me +each a good sword in payment for those that thou didst break that day." +</P> + +<P> +"When I did come to my senses," said the Frenchman, "I thanked Heaven +that I had fallen before a gentleman." +</P> + +<P> +Here we each grasped the Frenchman's hands, and we all laughed and were +three good friends. +</P> + +<P> +And thus we sat over our wine and talked, until the trumpets of the +heralds warned us that it was time to draw for the contest of the six +and twenty knights. Mounting our horses we rode to the southern +extremity of the lists, where the draughting was to take place. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap22"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXII +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +A MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE +</H4> + +<P> +Tired were we when at length night came and the first day of the great +tournament was ended. 'Twas five of the clock when King Richard threw +down his truncheon, and thus put an end, until the morrow, to the +jousts. +</P> + +<P> +My total injuries for the whole long day were a few dints in my shield +and armour, and the loss of my fine plumes, which had been shorn off +with a sword blow from behind, whilst I was engaged with another +knight, in the battle of the six and twenty, which had been declared an +even contest; though verily do I think our side had a slight advantage; +for when, at last, the contest was stopped, on account of the great +blood-shed caused, we still had five knights mounted, whilst our +opponents had but four. True our leader had been placed <I>hors de +combat</I>, but methinks this was more than compensated for by there being +one more in the saddle on our side. However, it may have been more +fair to both parties to have the decision as it was, though for my own +part I had preferred to have the battle fought to a definite +conclusion. Then again, the Usurper lost not any supporters by +stopping the contest before either side had any decided advantage. +</P> + +<P> +We had been in our tent for some time previous to the conclusion of the +day's events, the last of which was more archery. +</P> + +<P> +Michael, after assisting me in the removal of mine armour, asked, in +that fashion that ever made it impossible for me to refuse his +request:— +</P> + +<P> +"Sure, yer honour, may Oi agin crave yer honour's pardon fer axin' ye, +sor, to be absent a short toime, whoilst Oi agin look after thim ould +ladies yonder. Sure ye know, sor, Oi'd not be botherin' loike, if Oi +wasn't so bound by moy falein's to look after thim in the crowd." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, Michael, thou mayest go; but tarry not after thou hast taken them +safely from the field." +</P> + +<P> +"Uh! sure, sor, Oi fale loike a thafe fer so botherin' yer honour with +ivir wantin' somethin'. Thank ye sor. Oi'll be back the minute that +Oi takes thim out o' danger," and with a respectful salute he vanished. +</P> + +<P> +We were at our supper when Michael returned, completely out of breath, +as though he had travelled far at no slow pace. +</P> + +<P> +"What in the devil's name hast thou been doing unto thyself?" I asked +in surprise. +</P> + +<P> +"Runnin', sor," he gasped. +</P> + +<P> +"Short and definite, as well as evident," said I. "But for why didst +thou come in such haste?" +</P> + +<P> +"Uh! sure, yer honour, as Oi was returning after takin' the ould ladies +to a place o' safety, and as Oi came in soight o' yer honour's tint, +uh! sure if Oi didn't behould a damned varmint o' a raven a floyin' in +circles ouver this viry tint. Sure, sor, it's an ill day fer poor +Moichael when Oi have the misfortune to have to till moy master o' sich +bad luck," and he wrung his enormous hands in pure agony of spirit. +</P> + +<P> +"Nay, my faithful friend, feel thankful rather that thou wert permitted +to see, and thus inform me of the ill-omened bird's presence, in which +the Royal Arthur now flies on wings of Hell's own darkness o'er this +fair land, employed as he is in the worthy mission of warning those +which danger threatens, and thus giving them some time to be employed +in guarding against the trouble." +</P> + +<P> +"But did it alight upon the tent, or merely circle overhead?" asked +Harleston. +</P> + +<P> +"Nay, sor; it was about to aloight, and had its avil bake agap to utter +some foul curse whin, at moy full spade, Oi rushed, with wavin' o' moy +arms in its doirection. +</P> + +<P> +"I thank thee truly, Michael, for thy timely aid; for since it alighted +not, the danger is less great." +</P> + +<P> +"True then was what the Frenchman told us of thy danger," said my +friend, speaking most serious. "Come, think again, Walter, and resolve +to leave the court at once. The Lady Hazel shall be protected from +thine enemy so long as Frederick Harleston hath a sword to swing in her +defense. Besides this," he added, "I can contrive to have her leave +the Sanctuary in safety, and go to thee, when thou hast found some fit +abode for both. Thou canst not here avoid the danger that doth +threaten thee; and if thou dost fall a victim to Catesby's vengeance, +bethink thee of the fate that shall then be her's. Let thy love for +thy promised wife o'er-rule thy pride, and resort to flight, where it +is to thy profit." +</P> + +<P> +"Ah! my friend, it is a bitter draught to swallow, my flying from mine +enemy." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, Walter; but remember that one might better fight a giant, which +is armoured cap-à-pie, holding in his hand a sword of ponderous weight, +with edge as sharp as is thy razors, than match thy strength against a +child, which holds in its puny grasp the seal of power." +</P> + +<P> +I could not help but admit the truthfulness of this statement; but +still I did not relish the idea of fleeing like a hunted animal. I +therefore replied:— +</P> + +<P> +"Well, Frederick, I promise thee to consider and debate within my mind +on what thou hast said. In the morning I will tell thee which hath +conquered, my pride or better reason." +</P> + +<P> +So, wearily throwing ourselves upon the cloaks stretched on the ground, +we soon thought not of danger. +</P> + +<P> +"Ha! thou bloody varmint! Mither-o'-Gawd! ye murtherin' baste!"—A +scuffle, "Thou wouldst scratch? Thare, damn ye, take that!"—A heavy +blow that sounded like unto when one doth strike, with his clenched +fist, his armoured thigh,—a heavy, clattering fall,—more swearing +from Michael. +</P> + +<A NAME="img-256"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-256.jpg" ALT=""Ha, thou bloody varmint."" BORDER="2" WIDTH="371" HEIGHT="541"> +<H4 CLASS="h4center" STYLE="width: 371px"> +"Ha, thou bloody varmint." +</H4> +</CENTER> + +<P> +These were the confusing and unusual sounds that caused me to awaken +with a start, and in my half dazed state to grasp my sword and shield, +as though by instinct. +</P> + +<P> +"Anither mouve out o' ye and ye'll have moure than a browken arm to +carry to Hill along with yer bloody soul, if thou hast wan, thou +damned, snakein' dawg," again growled Michael, as he stood and shook +his enormous fist over a prostrate form, lying betwixt the door and me, +from which came groans of agony. +</P> + +<P> +"What is it, Michael?" asked Harleston and I, both in the same words, +as we sprang to our feet and stood before the enraged squire. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure, yer honours, its some koind o' baste that useth a dagger with +too great a fradom. +</P> + +<P> +"Loy quoite, ye spalpeen, or Oi'll tramp the dawg's loife out o' ye +with the hale o' moy boot!" +</P> + +<P> +"Open still further the flap of the tent," I commanded Michael. Then, +speaking to the prostrate form upon the ground, I said:— +</P> + +<P> +"Arise sirrah, and tell us truthfully what is thy name, and what thy +business here at this unseemly hour." +</P> + +<P> +He slowly rose. Then, as Michael opened wider the tent door, the +bright moon's rays fell on the shining blade of a dagger lying at my +feet. +</P> + +<P> +"What means this dagger, sirrah?" and I stooped to pick it up. +</P> + +<P> +"Hold! Beware there, Michael!" cried Harleston, as he dashed after the +stranger, which had taken advantage of my stooping, to attempt to make +good his escape. +</P> + +<P> +Michael, who was outside of the tent, making fast the flap, sprang +after the fugitive with the speed of a horse. Almost he had the knave +by the collar when, as fortune would have it, his foot caught upon one +of the cords which served in securing the tent from being blown to the +ground, and fell headlong upon his face, with as great a noise as that +made by a falling tree. Harleston, at the same instant, dashed at full +speed from the tent and, tripping on the fallen Michael, fell with his +full weight upon my squire, thereby adding nothing to that angry +person's comfort. +</P> + +<P> +"Uh!" said Michael, "this is that damned raven's work. 'Tis useless; +the varmint must escape; all Hill is with him." +</P> + +<P> +I heard no more; but, leaving Harleston and Michael to regain their +feet, I hastened in pursuit of the owner of the dagger. He was at that +moment disappearing among the scores of tents with which this part of +the field was filled. I pursued him until I realized how impossible it +was to here find anyone desirous of escaping capture, and then giving +up the attempt I returned to my own tent. +</P> + +<P> +Michael was still swearing, and cursing the raven for the luck that it +had brought unto us. +</P> + +<P> +"Hill! Whoy didn't Oi brake the varmint's skull, instid o' his arm? +Thin the charm had bin browken. Now Gawd knows what'll be the nixt to +curse us." +</P> + +<P> +"Come, Michael," said Frederick, "no one is to blame for his escape. +Thou didst do right nobly in the saving of our lives from being taken +by the dagger of an assassin." +</P> + +<P> +"But tell us," said I, "how thou didst learn of his presence here, and +what he was doing when thou didst attack him." +</P> + +<P> +"Will, sor, it was loike this:—Oi was awakened by some wan astippin' +ouver moy chist, as though he feared to disturb me. At first, sor, Oi +thought it must be ather thee or Sor Fridrick. Thin, thinks Oi to +moysilf, what in the divil's name doth make Sor Walter or Sor Fridrick +walk so cautious loike? He jist takes a stip in the doiriction o' +thee, sor, and thin he stops and waits, whoilst wan moight count a +score, as though he was alistenin' fer somethin'. 'Tis moighty strange +that ather wan o' yer honours would go on loike that in yer own tint, +sez Oi, to moysilf. This koind o' made me curious loike, so Oi jist +sits up and watches him. Thin, Mither-o'-Gawd, sor! the blissid moon +shines on a dagger in the varmint's hand. Thin, sor, Oi pounces upon +him, and the varmint troid to stab me with his damned dagger. This +made me lose moy timper, loike; so Oi jist gives him a rap on the arm, +and sure, sor, the thing snapped loike a rotten branch astickin' from +out the soide o' a dead tree. Thin, sor, Oi lays him down, akoind o' +rough loike, and he thought he'd bitter stay thare. Jist at that toime +yer honours wakened up, and ye know the rist as will, or bitter, than +Oi do." +</P> + +<P> +"Ah! Michael, my faithful friend, what should I do without thee? Thou +hast saved my life, this night, and repaying that is beyond my power; +unless thou art ever threatened, when I would save thee and risk mine +own life, as thou hast done for me." +</P> + +<P> +"Uh! sure, yer honour, dount talk loike that; Oi have no moure than +done moy dooty. Sure it's ashamed o' moysilf Oi should be if Oi didn't +crush a snakein' varmint loike that, whin he comes acrawlin' into moy +master's tint, and roight ouver me, as though I wasn't thare to guard +the door." +</P> + +<P> +I could not help but laugh at the easy way in which Michael turned all +the credit from himself. I grasped his hand, and slapped him on his +huge shoulder. 'Twas useless to say anything more; and indeed my heart +took all my speech away. +</P> + +<P> +For this Michael seemed thankful. He betook himself to his position, +across the opening of the tent, and, stretching himself at his ease, he +soon forgot the part he had played in that night's almost tragedy. +</P> + +<P> +However, Frederick and I sat up and conversed in low tones for some +time after Michael had entered that happy land of oblivion, where +troubles or plots—except sometimes those that have no reality—intrude +not. +</P> + +<P> +"Was it Catesby, thinkest thou?" asked Harleston. "The person was +about his stature; and he spoke not even when his arm was broken; a +circumstance that points to his fear of his voice being known unto us." +</P> + +<P> +"Verily it was Catesby," I replied. "What other man is there upon this +field would attempt such an act? Besides, he alone hath an interest in +my death. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah! Catesby," said I, betwixt my clenched teeth, "some day we shall +meet again, where there shall be no rules of tourney to put a stop to +my revenge. +</P> + +<P> +"Tell me, Frederick, why it is that such scoundrels are permitted to +have such positions of authority? Why doth the Ruler of Heaven and +Earth permit it? Tell me, for I feign would know." +</P> + +<P> +"My dear Walter," he replied, in that gentle, reasoning way, "thou dost +not observe the laws of nature, or thou shouldst not have asked that +question. +</P> + +<P> +"The brightest flowers in the stagnant pond of life do rise to the +surface with their worthy blooms." +</P> + +<P> +"Surely thou dost not put Richard and Catesby in that class?" +</P> + +<P> +"Nay, nay," he replied, "do but let me finish. +</P> + +<P> +"True, the flowers do come unto the surface," he continued; "but ever +remember, Walter, that they must first make their way through the green +and evil-smelling scum that also floats on top. The beauteous blossom +is made stronger and more large by reason of its stinking opposition. +Such is life in all its forms, and such shall it ever be. +</P> + +<P> +"But come," said he, changing from his philosophical to his practical +style of conversation, "does not this night's work make clear to thee +thy danger? Surely thou wilt not longer hesitate?" +</P> + +<P> +"Verily, I have decided," I replied. +</P> + +<P> +"That is the part of wisdom." +</P> + +<P> +"Do but wait until I have finished; as thou but now saidst to me." +</P> + +<P> +"I do," he smiled. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, Harleston, I am fully resolved,—to fly not." +</P> + +<P> +"What?" +</P> + +<P> +"Before this incident of the night did happen 'tis possible I might +have decided to follow thine advice, the which is no doubt the +properest and most reasonable course. But sith Master Catesby hath +attempted to play the part of an assassin I am determined to remain and +show to his coward's face that Walter Bradley fears him not. Let him +do his worst. In London I remain until the Earl of Richmond lands." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, Bradley, Bradley, that hot head of thine will never be content +until it has been severed from its trunk. And yet," he continued +thoughtfully, "thou hast most excellent reason, if it were not for +thine accursed temper. Well, well, I know that it is now useless to +attempt to change thee. The next best thing to do is to try and save +thee, after thou art in his power. 'Tis a difficult task; but it's all +that your friends can do for thee." +</P> + +<P> +"What dost thou think his next move will be?" +</P> + +<P> +"He will not use the dagger, after to-night's failure," replied +Frederick; "and besides, he hath a broken arm if it were he which +visited us." +</P> + +<P> +"Thou meanest that his next attempt will be the axe of the executioner?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"A pleasant prospect; but one that the loss of sleep cannot save from." +So saying I stretched me upon my cloak and soon thought naught of +Catesby nor his vengeance. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap23"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXIII +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE ARREST +</H4> + +<P> +Loud and trembling blew the trumpets to arouse the lazy sleepers and +warn them that the second and last day of the grand tournament had +dawned. Then, had one but had the heads of Ægeon, and had he been able +to place heads in separate parts of the field, among the tents of +knights and squires, his numerous ears had heard low-muttered curses +issue from each tent, as the inmates awakened, protested, turned to the +other side, shrugged up their each particular pair of shoulders and +again sank into sleep. +</P> + +<P> +Another hour passed, and again rang out the trumpets, with their +unwelcome sound. This time they must not be denied, as the sun was +well started on his circling journey. +</P> + +<P> +Michael was busy superintending the preparing of our morning meal. +</P> + +<P> +Harleston, as ever, did not rise until the last moment; and then he +hurriedly arose and joined me at breakfast. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, Michael," said Frederick, "whom dost thou think it was last +night, that thou didst handle so roughly? Thinkst thou that it was +Catesby?" +</P> + +<P> +"Sure, sor, Oi know not fer a surety, but methinks it must ha' bin +anither." +</P> + +<P> +"And why?" +</P> + +<P> +"Because, sor, he seemed to lack the stringth that Catesby doth +possiss." +</P> + +<P> +"Methinks that it had been all one to thee had he been possessed of +twice the power of Catesby. I doubt me much that thou had noticed any +difference," laughed Frederick. +</P> + +<P> +At this compliment to his strength Michael blushed like a maiden, and +returned no answer. +</P> + +<P> +"Come, Walter, what wilt thou wager that the would-be assassin of last +night was or was not Catesby?" asked my friend. +</P> + +<P> +"Truly, my wish is so strong that it was mine old enemy that I will +make it father of the thought, and for the wager,—say—a new cloak, of +Paris's latest fashion." +</P> + +<P> +"Done, by Heaven! That cloak will suit me well. I'll lay on Michael's +judgment." +</P> + +<P> +When we were fully armed we strolled forth from our tent to watch the +spectators arrive in one continuous stream, like a sluggish, winding +river, and well nigh as unceasing. +</P> + +<P> +Michael again did ask permission to be absent for a little while, that +he might escort the old ladies unto their seats, and protect them in +the enormous crowd. In a short time we saw his head moving towards the +rows of seats, as he brushed aside, as though they had been reeds, the +groups of angry tradesmen, that he might make way for those which he +did escort. +</P> + +<P> +"What friends of Michael's are those same old ladies, to which he +showeth such faithful attention and care?" asked Frederick. +</P> + +<P> +"Thou knowest them as well as I." +</P> + +<P> +"Nay, but hast thou never asked him?" +</P> + +<P> +"No; I thought it of but little moment until now. But methinks that I +have seen those same figures somewhere ere this; though where, I cannot +now recall," said I, as Michael and his charge appeared from out the +crowd. "I will ask Michael when he returns." +</P> + +<P> +But ere my squire did return the heralds rode into the lists, and +started their tedious recitation of the rules of that day's sports; the +which we were so absorbed in listening to, in the effort to gather some +small particle of sense from, that I thought not of that which I had +intended asking Michael. +</P> + +<P> +The marshals then entered the field, and took up their customary +positions to enforce the rules of the joust; the which were, as near as +I could make out, not different from the first day's. +</P> + +<P> +"There, Walter, I have won my wager; for, if mine eyes do serve me +aright, thine ancient foe, Catesby, hath taken his place among the +King's guards." +</P> + +<P> +"Thou art right; the cloak is thine. But see! he wears not his armour, +although his both arms appear to be whole and sound." +</P> + +<P> +"True, your treatment of him yesterday hath been sufficient to satisfy +his appetite for glory and revenge, such as he obtained in the lists." +</P> + +<P> +Then, as mine enemy turned his head, Michael, who was now standing +behind me, exclaimed, in a voice low but heavy, like the roll of +distant thunder:—"The damned villain's head is cracked; fer look at +the clout that shows beneath his cap. Sure its bad luck that the blow +that did it stopped ere it rached the varmint's chin." +</P> + +<HR ALIGN="center" WIDTH="60%"> + +<P> +That evening, as we journeyed slowly and wearily back from the field +that had been during the last two days the scene of so many noble feats +of arms, and of which nothing now remained but the long and narrow +strip of sandy ground where the sod had been removed to leave a level +and firm place for the list, and the black spots to point out the +places where had glowed the fires, Harleston remarked in his low and +musing voice:— +</P> + +<P> +"Verily, yon place doth represent the lives of men." +</P> + +<P> +"How so?" I asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Records of our deeds are imprinted in the sand. If a storm doth arise +to-night, all the little mounds that indicate some noble courses run +shall be levelled, and a traveller passing there to-morrow will notice +nothing but a barren strip, with nowhere on its face a mark to tell of +glorious deeds performed." +</P> + +<P> +The thought of this was sad, and yet 'twas true; as are the most of +gloomy thoughts. It is for this same reason that I ever try to turn my +mind's eye to the pleasures and the joys of life, the which are far +from few. I therefore, on this occasion, turned from the contemplation +of this dreary sight to the scene that should await me when, that +evening, I would go unto the Sanctuary; for such was mine intent. I +could picture, in my mind's eye, my fair Hazel waiting and watching +with the agony of expectation for me; wondering if I ever should return +from that sport which she so much disliked on account of its +"inhumanity," as she had said. +</P> + +<P> +I wondered if Harleston's mind were not drawing the same picture. Had +he yet asked Mary to be his wife? I believed he had; for the day +before we rode forth to the tournament, when we had visited the girls, +Hazel had let drop a remark that did arouse my suspicions; and when I +questioned her upon the point she laughingly informed me of the fact +that I was "too inquisitive," the which I doubt not. And try as I +would I could get nothing more from her. I had not liked to ask +Harleston; for there seems to be a something, the name of which I know +not, that ever doth keep us from mentioning this subject to one which +we believe to be in love, unless they first do bring it up. +</P> + +<P> +By this time we had almost reached the Palace of King Richard. +</P> + +<P> +Loud cheered the people as the King rode along the crowd-lined streets +and scattered gold among them with a lavish hand. +</P> + +<P> +"God save King Richard!" rang out on every side. +</P> + +<P> +I had as soon cried:—"God save the devil!" +</P> + +<P> +The broken-headed Catesby rode beside the King. The two seemed to be +conversing as we reached Crosby Place. +</P> + +<P> +"Not favourable to me," said I in Harleston's ear, as I nodded in the +direction of the hump-backed King and his adviser. +</P> + +<P> +My friend did not reply, in words; but he shook his head in a manner +which showed that he realized my danger fully. +</P> + +<P> +After giving our horses to our grooms we entered the great hall, and +from there—when the King had withdrawn himself—we went to mine own +room. +</P> + +<P> +How gloomy and lonely did it seem. Something huge, black and terrible +did seem to vanish from the centre of the room, dividing into a score +of parts, and each part retaining, for an instant only, a pair of fiery +eyes, as the light of our lamp burst into the room, dispelling all the +darkness. +</P> + +<P> +Now, on this night my room seemed not the same. Ever did I expect to +see some spirit of evil arise before mine eyes and stretch out its +fantastic arms to seize me. A great gloom had fallen on us both. +Neither spoke for some time; and when at length I said to Harleston:— +</P> + +<P> +"No longer can I bear this life; to-morrow I leave this Palace +forever," mine own voice did seem to startle me; so hollow and +unnatural did it sound. +</P> + +<P> +Then, as if the words I had said were to be turned into a prophecy, a +knock came at the door, and, upon opening, in walked Sir James Tyrrell +and a half a score of men-at-arms. +</P> + +<P> +"I regret, Sir Walter Bradley, that I am compelled to ask you for your +sword, and to tell thee that I now arrest thee." +</P> + +<P> +"Upon what charge?" +</P> + +<P> +"High treason, Sir Walter." +</P> + +<P> +Harleston arose and grasped my hand in a grip that could not be +mistaken. +</P> + +<P> +"Tell not my dear Hazel of this; that is, not at present." +</P> + +<P> +"Keep up thy courage," he replied; "thou shalt not die by the hand of +an executioner. I, thy friend, Harleston, have said it, and I never +yet have told a lie." +</P> + +<P> +I thanked him for his kind words with the pressure of my hand, and with +a firm step marched from the room. +</P> + +<P> +In the hall I met Michael on his way to my quarters. When he saw me he +made a movement as though he thought to attack the soldiers which +surrounded me. +</P> + +<P> +"Farewell, Michael," I said, as a great lump arose in my throat, and I +gripped his mighty hand. "Go to Sir Frederick, in my room, and in +future serve him as faithfully as in the past thou hast served me." +</P> + +<P> +He dropped to one knee and, though I tried to prevent him, he kissed my +hand as though I were a King. Then he arose and walked slowly toward +the door where Harleston stood. +</P> + +<P> +As I marched on I wiped two drops of moisture from the back of my hand. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap24"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXIV +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +IN THE TOWER +</H4> + +<P> +I was conducted into the Tower through the "Traitor's Gate," the which, +when I passed through, added nothing unto my lightness of spirit. As I +gazed at the enormous arches, the memory of past events when, as a boy, +I had heard of those which had entered this waterway with the charge of +treason clinging to their names, never again to be heard of by the +outside world, came to my mind with a renewed freshness and a force +never to be by me forgotten, so long as mine old grey head retains its +wonted reason. +</P> + +<P> +But then, this was as nothing compared with the great feeling of +loneliness, and crushing weight of the conviction of hopelessness which +settled on my heart when the door of my prison had been closed and +locked, and I was left alone, but for my tormenting thoughts, within my +cruel room in that Tower which rumour told had been the place of murder +of our little King. +</P> + +<P> +When the keepers had departed, and the sound of their clanking steps +had died out, I still stood in the centre of the room, benumbed and +dazed, as the full reality of my situation was gradually absorbed by my +whirling mind. Then I moved, and mine armour rattled with a noise that +sounded, to mine ears, as though a shield had fallen from a great +height and alighted on a floor of stone. I started, gasped, and my +hand flew to the place where should have hung my sword. I felt my +brow. It was cold and moist. I laughed at my foolishness; but the +sound of mine own voice was so awful that I was as much startled as I +had been by the sound of mine armour. Then I stood still and held my +breath and listened, for what I know not. The stillness was so intense +that it did seem to have a substance, and press into mine ears with +such a force as did cause me to think that they were like to burst. +</P> + +<P> +How long I stood thus I know not; it did seem to be an age. +</P> + +<P> +Presently I heard a distant footstep. Ashamed of my childish feeling +of fear, I, that would stand alone and face a score of warriors and +never quaver, as the sound of the feet approached, started to pace +hurriedly the floor of my prison. As the causer of the sounds in the +corridor reached my door he stopped, and I heard the key rattle, as he +did insert it in the lock. I sat myself down upon my couch and tried, +as best I could, to appear to be at mine ease when the jailer should +enter. +</P> + +<P> +He brought with him a lamp and a small table, for both of which I was +glad. +</P> + +<P> +He was a not-bad-natured, though coarse-looking fellow of about some +forty years; of rather more than middle height, and a girth and breadth +of shoulder which bespoke not lack of bodily strength. A shock of +yellow hair, mixed liberally with grey, stood out from beneath his cap +of steel, like a wisp of straw. +</P> + +<P> +After placing the articles that he had brought, upon the floor, he cast +but one glance at me, and then turned on his heel and left me. +Presently he returned with my supper, which he placed upon the table +much in the same manner as one would arrange the meal of swine. +</P> + +<P> +"There, sir," said he, "thou hast nothing to complain of. That supper +is fit for a King. And it's better than one King had whilst he lived +in this very room." +</P> + +<P> +"What! did the young King Edward occupy this room?" +</P> + +<P> +"As for whether he occupied it or not, now that I know not; but he was +kept in this same room until he went out feet first." +</P> + +<P> +"Horrible!" I gasped. +</P> + +<P> +"Horrible? Lord, sir! methinks that thou shouldst feel honoured by the +thought of being let sleep in the same room where a royal King did +sleep. I know that I would," he added, with a grim smile. +</P> + +<P> +"And dost thou know who killed him?" I asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Nay, nay, I said not nothing of his being killed," he replied, with a +grin and a wise twist of his head, accompanied by the uplifting of the +one of his shoulders until it touched his ear. +</P> + +<P> +"Well then, of what distemper did he die?" +</P> + +<P> +"Ha, ha!" he laughed, as though I had amused him vastly. "What +distemper? Ha, ha, ha! Well upon my soul! ha, ha, ha!" he burst forth +again. +</P> + +<P> +His voice, when he laughed, was ample evidence that he had in his day +consumed no small quantity of spirits of different sorts; for it +sounded as though a goodly quantity of the liquids had remained in his +throat, where it did some prodigious bubbling. +</P> + +<P> +"The distempers that one gets when a prisoner here are most always of +one kind. Ha, ha, ha! What distemper? Well upon my soul!" And still +laughing at that which he no doubt imagined was wit, he went out and +locked the door and I was again alone with my thoughts, which were no +more cheerful than they had been previous to his visit. +</P> + +<P> +That night my sleep, if such it may be called, was an almost endless +succession of tormenting and extravagant dreams of terror, divided from +each other by an awakening start of horror. +</P> + +<P> +And so the weary days and nights of mine imprisonment dragged slowly +on. Slowly, for the weight of sorrow and tormenting agony of +uncertainty for the fate of the one I loved did impede their progress, +as doth the heavy weight upon the poor snail's back cause it to drag +its weary body so slowly along its slimy course. +</P> + +<P> +My sole occupation, with which I tried to prevent my mind from +brooding, was the reading of the different sad histories of those which +writ down their thoughts, and fates to be, upon their—and now +my—prison's walls. One of these, whose sadness and beautiful +resignation—even though it hath no great poetic merit—most affected +me, I now set down. The lines and words are imprinted on the pages of +my memory with such a force as never can fade, so long as the old, worn +book doth hold together. Here they are, my children; and much profit +may be gathered from their calmness and resignation:— +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +"Somewhat musing, and more mourning,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">In remembering the unsteadfastness,</SPAN><BR> +This world being of such wheeling,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Me contrarying, what can I guess?</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +"I fear, doubtless, remediless,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Is now to seize my woful chance;</SPAN><BR> +For unkindness, withouten less, (lessening)<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">And no redress, doth me avance.</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +"With displeasance, to my grievance,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">And no surance of remedy;</SPAN><BR> +Lo, in this trance, now in substance,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">Such is my dance, willing to die.</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +"Methinks, truly, bounden am I,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">And that greatly, to be content;</SPAN><BR> +Seeing plainly Fortune doth wry<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">All contrary from mine intent</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<P CLASS="poem"> +"My life was lent me to one intent;<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">It is nigh spent. Welcome Fortune!</SPAN><BR> +But I ne went (thought) thus to be shent,<BR> +<SPAN STYLE="margin-left: 1em">But she it meant, such is her won (wont)"[<A NAME="chap24fn1text"></A><A HREF="#chap24fn1">1</A>]</SPAN><BR> +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +Evidently the woeful writer of these lines had been condemned to death. +His bones had now lost their fleshly mantle, and forgotten he lay, far +from those he loved. "How long ere I shall be in the same condition?" +thought I, as I stood before my secure-barred window and gazed at the +rain, as it fell in one unceasing torrent. +</P> + +<P> +"Verily the heavens do weep for the sufferings of poor England," I said +aloud; for now I spoke unto myself as though I were another. +</P> + +<P> +For I know not how many days, for in my sorrow I lost all track of +time, the rain fell with unabated fury. +</P> + +<P> +How I longed to hear how fared my gentle Hazel. +</P> + +<P> +"Hell and furies!" would I cry, and grip at the same time the iron bars +that stood like the gate of Hell betwixt me and my liberty. How +relieving did it feel to my pent up hate to twist at an iron bar and +imagine that it was Catesby's throat I held. +</P> + +<P> +"Ha! thou accursed villain!" would I cry aloud, "thou now shalt know +the fury of my vengeance!" Then would I strike the cruel metal with my +bare and clenched fist, with such a force as did drive the tender skin +back from the bone and leave a bleeding tear. +</P> + +<P> +The days lengthened into weeks; and still no word from the outside +world. No trial; no condemnation; no execution; and that which I then +most distasted, no definite knowledge of what should be my fate. +</P> + +<HR ALIGN="center" WIDTH="60%"> + +<P> +But let me now imagine myself as a free man, outside the Tower's +walls—the which I then saw no chance of my ever being—and let me now +describe the strange and important events that there were happening. +</P> + +<P> +The next day after my arrest the Duke of Buckingham left the court, as +though in haste. He and Lord Stanley had been together in the +apartments of the Duke until a late hour on the night of my arrest. +Whisperings there were to the effect that Buckingham had parted from +the King in a spirit of animosity. Whether this were or were not the +case I know not. However, the next news of Buckingham was of such a +kind that it left no room for a doubt as to their then relations, no +matter what they had been previous to the Duke's departure. +</P> + +<P> +"Buckingham hath rebelled against King Richard: he is now raising an +army in Wales. The Earl of Richmond is coming to his aid. More war +and bloodshed for poor England." Such was the intelligence that now +flew on from mouth to ear throughout the land. Had mine imprisoned +ears but heard it then, how welcome had it been. +</P> + +<P> +Catesby, who had on several occasions attempted to gain admittance to +the Sanctuary, and had as many times met with refusal, was now obliged +to attend to the affairs of state. Thus my fair Hazel was saved from +his further molestation. Those days of tortuous anxiety to me could +have been scarce less agonizing to her. +</P> + +<P> +The Usurper, with that energy ever his chiefest characteristic, now +raised an army to face the rebellious Duke. +</P> + +<P> +Then did commence to fall those fearful rains, that never once did +cease for days and nights I know not how many; but as I think, some ten +days or two weeks. +</P> + +<P> +The army of the Duke, thinking this unceasing rain was a message from +Heaven forbidding them to thus rebel, deserted their leader, and each +particular man did betake himself unto his separate home. +</P> + +<P> +Then, as every congregation of people must have its Judas, the Duke was +betrayed into the hands of the usurping tyrant, and there at Salisbury, +where Richard had taken his post—for he thought that Richmond did +intend joining Buckingham near this place—the Duke's head fell upon +the block, and Richard was rid of one more great enemy. +</P> + +<P> +Still did not Richmond land; so Richard and his army returned to London. +</P> + +<P> +When Catesby, who had been with Richard in this expedition, came again +to the Palace it did cause Harleston great anxiety; for he feared for +the safety of the Lady Hazel. However, Catesby, to my friend's +surprise, went not near the Sanctuary. +</P> + +<P> +This was but the deceiving prologue to another history of suffering and +reverses to us, that ever seemed bent on rending us asunder, whose +hearts were bound together with such mighty bonds of love. +</P> + +<P> +One evening as Frederick returned from a visit to the Sanctuary—where +he had learned that Richmond had at last landed in Wales, and was even +now on his way to London—on entering his room Michael handed him a +sealed packet which proved to be an order for him to be prepared to +march, at sunrise, in the ranks of Richard's army. This, however, was +no surprise, as he had been expecting it for more than a week. He +walked over to the table and laid the letter upon it. +</P> + +<P> +"What is this, Michael?" he called, as his eyes fell upon another well +sealed packet. +</P> + +<P> +Michael, however, knew not from whence it came or how it got there. +</P> + +<P> +"Michael," said Frederick, "thou knowest that I desire no one to be +permitted to enter this room during mine absence. How is it, +therefore, that this letter found its way here without thy knowledge?" +</P> + +<P> +"Sure, yer honour, it must have bin thare afore ye lift, sor; fer Oi +was out o' the room but fer a few minutes, and thin Oi made fast the +door behind me, and took the kay along with me, sor. Divil a soul +could inter, sor, barrin' that they came through the kay-houle." +</P> + +<P> +"Strange," said Harleston, as he commenced to read the lengthy letter. +But stranger still he thought it ere he had finished its contents. It +was writ in a labored hand, as though to avoid recognition, and read as +follows:— +</P> + +<BR> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +"To SIR FREDERICK HARLESTON, <I>Greeting</I>. +</P> + +<P> +"The writer of these words, though—for reasons that he is not at +liberty to state—he signs not his name, is well known to thee, and to +thine unfortunate friend, Sir Walter Bradley; both of which he loveth +well. +</P> + +<P> +"To-morrow Sir Walter is to go through a form of trial—the result of +which must be his conviction—and he shall immediately be taken unto +Tower Hill, where his head shall be stricken from the trunk. Unless, +ere to-morrow's dawn, he, by the aid of his friends, doth contrive to +escape from the Tower, and make his way from London to a place of +safety, he must surely die. +</P> + +<P> +"Sir Walter is now confined within the square tower next after passing +through the Tower of St. Thomas, which, thou no doubt knowest, is that +one into which the "Traitor's Gate" doth lead. +</P> + +<P> +"If thou wilt but turn to the enclosure in this letter thine eyes shall +behold an order, signed by his Majesty, King Richard, that shall obtain +for the bearer admittance to and exit from any part of the Tower. +However, this cannot give unto thee power to take forth a prisoner with +thee. That must be done at thine own risk, and in the manner +following:— +</P> + +<P> +"There is but one keeper in attendance on Sir Walter. Him thou must +master, and in a quiet manner. Take then from his belt the keys that +do depend therefrom. Leave the keeper in such a condition as shall +secure thee of his quietness. The aforesaid keys will give unto you an +exit into the space before the square tower. When ye have reached +this, turn to your left, and again will the keys open the gate in this +wall with which ye shall soon be confronted. Then, looking to your +right, ye shall behold the wall that doth separate the yard from the +watery moat. Approach this with the exercise of great caution and ye +shall then observe an opening where the wall is now being repaired by +workmen, in the day time, and at night it is guarded by a single +soldier, armed with a pole-axe. Ye must quiet this man by whatever +means best serving. But over and above all else, the neglect of which +advice must be the ruin of ye both, permit him to make not any noise; +for the utterance of but one word by him shall be the signal for his +fellows to come to his assistance; in which case escape is impossible. +</P> + +<P> +"When the sentry shall have been removed the moat must be crossed as +best ye can. The water therein is now both fresh and high, and +therefore it will not be difficult for ye to descend into it and swim +across. This ye must do in a most careful manner, that the guard be +not disturbed by the noise of splashing water. +</P> + +<P> +"At a point directly opposite to the place where the wall is now being +repaired ye shall find a ladder made of ropes and cross pieces, placed +there for your especial use and privilege. +</P> + +<P> +"By these same means ye may assist your friend to freedom, and that, +without great risk; providing that the aforesaid instructions be +followed with exactness and care." +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +Then followed a note. It read thus:— +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +"If thy friend, Sir Walter, doth desire to save the Lady Hazel +Woodville from one which now resides within the walls of this place, +and who is as bitter an enemy of Sir Walter as he is ardent lover of +the aforesaid lady, he had best tarry in his flight for a sufficient +time to allow him to take the lady with him along. However, let him +not abide there; but hasten along upon his journey until he cometh unto +the second road turning unto his right after leaving Westminster. Let +him follow this for the distance of about three miles, and he shall +then come unto a house, from the window of which a flag shall hang. +The aforesaid house is not occupied, and may be used by the refugees +for their hiding-place. Let them there remain all day to-morrow; for +the aforesaid enemy of Sir Walter doth intend to take the aforesaid +lady from the Sanctuary, by force if necessary, to-morrow, ere he doth +leave to join the King's army at Leicester. +</P> + +<P> +"Praying with my heart's full strength that this warning may not be too +late to save the gallant knight from the disgraceful death of a traitor +to his country, I am, dear and respected sir, +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +(Signed) "A FRIEND." +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +"A friend? Now what friend can he be who hath access to my room when +the door is locked?" mused Harleston. +</P> + +<P> +"Besides, he must be one in favour to have such an order as is this," +and he picked up the enclosed paper and read as follows:— +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +"Unto the bearer of this order grant admittance to the Tower of London, +or to any part thereof. And further, likewise permit the aforesaid +bearer to have conference with any prisoner or prisoners within the +Tower. And further, permit the aforesaid bearer to have entrance or +exit at whatever hour of day or night best conveniencing him. +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +(Signed) "RICARDUS REX." +</P> + +<BR> + +<P> +My friend stood bent in thought for some time after reading this +strange order. Then he raised his head quickly, as though a sudden +solution of the problem had occurred to him. +</P> + +<P> +"Can it be possible that this is a plot, laid with great cunning by +Catesby, that I may be lured into the Tower, that there I may be kept? +But then, this order doth command that the bearer shall also have exit. +But it may be that the keepers know to whom it doth belong; and were I +to present it they may have orders to arrest me for its theft. That +should be a clever plan for removing me from his way. Then he might +use force to gain admittance to the Sanctuary." These were the +thoughts that now kept running through his mind, causing him great +anxiety. +</P> + +<P> +He then read the letter and order to Michael, and then told him of his +doubts, and asked him for his opinion. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure, sor," said Michael, "methinks the chances are that it were +dangerous for thee, sor, to go thoysilf into that houle o' Hill. But, +yer honour, it moight have come from Lord Stanley, and it may be the +truth he sez. How'd it be, sor, if Oi moysilf wint in yer honour's +place? Sure, Sor Walter must be saved, if Oi lose a scoure o' loives +in the doin' o' it. Sure, sor, 'twould matter little if they did chop +off moy head; but if thou wert wance shut up in that damned Tower what +moight not happen to that swate lady in the Sanctuary?" And Michael's +lips closed into a straight line that bespoke no good unto those which +attempted to keep him in the Tower. +</P> + +<P> +"'Tis good, Michael, that I follow thine advice; for whilst thou art +aiding Sir Walter in his escape, myself will unto the Sanctuary, and +there acquaint the Lady Hazel with our plans, and have her in readiness +for the flight. Besides," he continued, "thy presence with Sir Walter +will give me assurance that the keeper and the soldier guarding the +breach shall make no noise. +</P> + +<P> +"But come, we must make haste; for the night is already far spent, and +Sir Walter and his dear lady must have left the Sanctuary by the dawn +of day. +</P> + +<P> +"Thou must go well armed, and take with thee a horse for Sir Walter." +</P> + +<P> +"Oi will, sor." +</P> + +<P> +"Do thou make ready the horses, that the grooms may know not who took +them from the stable." +</P> + +<P> +"Hadn't Oi bist take with me anither sword for Sor Walter? Thim +spalpeens took his own from him, bad luck to thim fer it." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, Michael; 'twas thoughtful of thee to remember this necessity. +</P> + +<P> +"And now, Michael, for thy directions:— +</P> + +<P> +"Tether your horses in some quiet, and not too light, spot. Then +proceed unto the western entrance, and to the officer in charge thereof +present this order, being sure, however, to have him return it unto +thee. In the same manner, providing that this order be not a trap, +shalt thou pass the other gates. Inform these officers that thou dost +desire to be taken unto the prison of Sir Walter Bradley, in the square +tower. When thou dost see Sir Walter do not appear friendly with him +if there be more than the one keeper present, lest it doth cause them +to watch ye too closely. Thou knowest best how to silence the keeper. +</P> + +<P> +"When this is accomplished give the letter unto Sir Walter. He will +then know how to follow its directions. +</P> + +<P> +"When ye are once out (if Heaven doth so far favour ye) come with all +haste unto the Sanctuary, where the Lady Hazel shall be in readiness." +</P> + +<P> +Whilst Harleston had been thus giving Michael his instructions they +both had been arming each other in haste. They were now fully ready; +so Michael went to prepare the horses. Frederick then followed Michael +to the stables, and in a short time they were ready to set out. +</P> + +<P> +"Do thou go first, Michael, and have a great care that thou dost follow +closely the instructions that I gave thee. Pray God that thou dost +succeed," and he gripped Michael's giant hand with a force that assured +him, had he not already been aware of it, of his sincerity. +</P> + +<P> +"Oi'll remimber, sor, and do as thou hast said. And be sure of this, +yer honour; if the order be but a trap, moure than wan man now aloive +and will shall see Gawd, or the divil, afore they take Moichael a +prisoner." With this he was off, and Harleston stood for some moments +gazing after the gigantic monument of honesty as he gradually faded +from view and was swallowed up in the darkness. Then he himself +mounted and started on his mission. +</P> + +<P> +He had not, however, left the courtyard when he met a horseman, which +called out to him as they passed each other:—"'Tis late for thee to be +riding forth upon a journey, Sir Frederick. And besides, the road is +dark to travel thus, alone." It was Catesby. +</P> + +<P> +"Thanks for thy kindly warning," returned Frederick; "but I have but a +short distance to travel, and the way, methinks, is safe." He then +rode on; but for a few rods only; for here his horse stopped of its own +accord. +</P> + +<P> +As the noise of the horse's hoofs ceased suddenly, Frederick distinctly +heard a low laugh come from out of the darkness, and in the direction +where last he had seen Catesby. +</P> + +<P> +"I fear Michael shall not return," thought Frederick, as he again +proceeded on his way. +</P> + +<BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="footnote"> +<A NAME="chap24fn1"></A> +[<A HREF="#chap24fn1text">1</A>] Rous, the historian, states that these lines were written by Lord +Rivers, during that unfortunate nobleman's imprisonment at Pomfret. +K.M. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap25"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXV +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +MICHAEL AND I +</H4> + +<P> +The key rattled in the lock, and I heard my jailer's voice:— +</P> + +<P> +"This is the place. Best let me go in first; for he's as ugly as the +devil, and may guzzle thee, a stranger, unless I tell him you're +coming. Though methinks he'd soon drop thee, when he found the kind of +game he had caught." +</P> + +<P> +Then the door opened cautiously, and the straw-like head peeped +fearfully around the corner. He had learned this lesson by my almost +breaking his head one day when he happened to enter at a moment when my +rage knew no bounds, as I thought of my wrongs, and imagined all kinds +of fates for Hazel. +</P> + +<P> +"Come in, and fear not, thou fool!" I said, for I liked not to behold +such cowardice. +</P> + +<P> +"Ha! thou hadst best keep quiet now; for here's one can master thee, +big and all as thou art." And he shook his ring of enormous keys in +mockery at me; however, from a safe distance. +</P> + +<P> +I heard a rattle of armour, and, to my great surprise and delight, in +walked Michael. I sprang to my feet and started to rush toward him; +but he put his finger to his lip in warning. +</P> + +<P> +The keeper who was busy with the locking of the door, turned in haste +as he heard me start to my feet. Then, seeing me halt suddenly, he +burst into a loud laugh. +</P> + +<P> +"Ha, ha, ha!" bubbled from his frog-like throat. "Methinks that thou +hast done well to stop and consider ere thou dost spring against a wall +of stone. Well, upon my soul, sir, this is now my turn to laugh! Ha, +ha, ha! Why dost thou stop? Why dost thou not break his head, as thou +didst mine? Ha, ha, ha! Well, upon my—" +</P> + +<P> +The place of the missing word was taken up in a gurgle, different +however from his disgusting, coarse laugh. Michael had changed from +his statue-like stolidity and, in the twinkling of an eye, the +astounded keeper was dangling in the air, held at arm's length by the +mighty Irishman, to whom it was no more exertion than it is to a female +servant to shake, and then hurl from the door, a mischief-making cat. +</P> + +<P> +"Kape still, ye varmint," growled Michael, as the struggling keeper +kicked in every direction, some of his blows striking Michael on the +legs. +</P> + +<P> +Out flew the dagger from the keeper's belt, and with it he struck +wildly at my squire's arm. +</P> + +<P> +"Ha! thou scratchin' divil; why dost thou not be quoite? 'Twill do +thee no good to stroike: mine arm is armoured. Uh! thou baste," he +growled, as the dagger struck his bare hand. "Oi must thin finish +thee." And releasing the hand that he had held at the back of the +swine-like neck, and still holding the struggling keeper from the floor +with the other, he struck him a blow upon the head with his clenched +fist. There was a sound like that made by an egg when it is let fall +upon a stone. A trembling from head to foot. The knees drew partly +up, and then the legs stretched out full length, and stiff, and the +keeper which had flung at me his taunts had died by the hand of my +Herculean squire. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh! my poor Michael, what hast thou done?" I cried. "Now thy honest +life must pay for this." +</P> + +<P> +"Beg pardon, sor, but playze don't spake so loud; some wan may hear +us," said he, as he carried the dead jailer by the neck and laid him +tenderly upon the bed. +</P> + +<P> +"Oi had not mint to kill thee, thou poor fool; but Sor Fridrick tould +me to make thee quoite, and, as thou wouldst scratch, I saw no other +way." This to the body. +</P> + +<P> +"But what means all this, Michael?" I asked, when I had done embracing +him, (I could have kissed him; so glad was I to again see his honest +face) at which he blushed like a maiden. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure, sor, this same mysterious litter 'll till ye all, sor. Ser +Fridrick found it on his table whin he returned to-noight." And then +he told me, shortly, all that had happened since mine arrest. +</P> + +<P> +"And hath Richmond yet landed?" I asked eagerly. +</P> + +<P> +"Yis sor, Sor Fridrick tould me that he was now on his way to London. +The King laves the city to-morrow, with an army, to take up his place +at Leicester, as Oi think." +</P> + +<P> +"Why Leicester?" +</P> + +<P> +"Sor Fridrick said 'twas that he moight be near the cintre o' the +country, so that his min can rache him without havin' to march far." +</P> + +<P> +"That is like the tyrant, ever on the alert to take any advantage. A +clever man is Richard. Such a King as he might have made, had he not +been born a blood-supper." +</P> + +<P> +Then I remembered the letter, and hastily I read it. +</P> + +<P> +"What! is it to assist me to escape from this accursed place that thou +hast come?" +</P> + +<P> +"Sure, sor, fer divil a thing ilse." +</P> + +<P> +The idea of such a chance had not even dawned upon my dazed brain. +Remember, my dears, I had been for many long days and nights confined +within a narrow room within the Tower. Ye cannot understand what that +means, unless ye do go yourselves through it, the which pray God ye +never may. +</P> + +<P> +"But how?" I asked, as I drew the back of my hand across my brow in an +effort to assist my comprehension. "It surely cannot be possible!" +</P> + +<P> +"Possible or not, sor, we can do no worse than fail. But if what that +strange litter sez be true we shan't fail, sor." +</P> + +<P> +Then he told me where Harleston had gone to make all ready, in case we +should succeed. +</P> + +<P> +"What thinks Sir Frederick of this same letter?" +</P> + +<P> +"Sure, sor, he knows not what to make out o' it. But sure, yer honour, +so far the order hath bin all that we could wish, and if the rist o' +what the writer sez be as good as has been the furst, uh! sure we'll +have a good swim, and lave this damned place that gives wan the shivers +to be on the insoide o'." +</P> + +<P> +"It shall be difficult to swim in our armour." +</P> + +<P> +"Sure it's not far, yer honour." +</P> + +<P> +"Then assist me to make haste, that no time may be lost. But first tie +up that scratch upon thy hand." +</P> + +<P> +"Uh! sure, yer honour 'tis nothin'." +</P> + +<P> +However, I bound my scarf about the hand of him I now loved so dearly, +and then he assisted me to arm. +</P> + +<P> +We were soon ready to start on this perilous attempt for freedom, that +meant so much to me, if I should succeed, and such a calamity unto +myself and another which I loved better a thousand times than I did my +life, if I should fail. +</P> + +<P> +I then went to the poor corpse upon the bed and detached the chain by +which the ring that held his keys was suspended from his belt. I then +crossed to the smoky lamp and re-read the letter with great care and +attention, that its contents might be fully engraven upon my memory. I +then carefully placed it within my gauntlet, and, warning Michael to +leave his hands bare, that he might use them freely in quieting the +soldier at the breach—in case we ever reached it—I cautiously +unlocked the door. Then I opened it for a sufficient space to allow my +head an exit, and fearfully I looked both ways along the corridor to +make sure that no one was about. The hall was clear. I opened the +door wider, and motioning Michael to follow, I stepped, as quietly as +mine armour would permit, into the hall. With the quietness of a thief +I re-locked the door and started on tip-toe down the passage. I had +taken but a few steps, however, when Michael's hand was laid upon mine +arm. I started, turned in fear, and then remembering Michael, I +blushed in the darkness at my foolish, girl-like action. +</P> + +<P> +"Beg pardon, sor, but dount ye think 'twould be bitter if we was to +walk along as though we had the roight and didn't give a damn fer a +soul o' thim?" whispered my companion. +</P> + +<P> +"Well thought on, Michael," I returned, and we strode along with the +apparent confidence of two keepers. Then Michael started whistling a +gay Irish tune. This was more than my o'er-strained and assumed +confidence could bear; so I placed my hand over his mouth and his +whistling came to an abrupt end. +</P> + +<P> +Then down the stairs we went until we reached the heavy door opening +into the great archway through this tower. Here we paused for a moment +whilst I asked Michael concerning the portcullis. +</P> + +<P> +"It was up, sor, whin Oi intered." +</P> + +<P> +"Then all is well. Now be careful, Michael, and watch me for any +signal I may give thee; for on thee now depend our chances of success." +</P> + +<P> +Then, with hands trembling with excitement, I at last found the proper +key and inserted it in the lock. Then, with apparent carelessness, I +flung the door wide open and strode forth, Michael following. At this +very moment a soldier, as though on guard, marched with measured step +along the arch-topped way. As he heard the door swing open he halted +and, turning, watched us in the dim light cast by the flickering torch +overhead. To hesitate for but an instant meant failure and certain +death. Adopting Michael's plan I whistled softly an air that came by +inspiration to my mind, and at the same time closed the door again and +locked it with a great show of care. Then taking Michael by the arm I +walked leisurely along, swinging the great ring of keys and whistling +as I went. +</P> + +<P> +Ah! my children, ye know not how trying was that indifferent walk. How +sore was I tempted to break into a run, in a mad effort to leave that +awful place behind me. But then, had I done so, I had not lived to see +the setting of another sun. As we passed beneath the great portcullis +I glanced back to where we had left the sentry. He was still standing +beneath the light and gazing after us. No doubt he wondered who we +were; but my apparent confidence and ease of manner re-assured him; for +as we turned to our left to pass the round tower which adjoins the one +in which I had been confined, he shouldered his pole-axe and resumed +his lonely tramp. +</P> + +<P> +"Two difficulties safely past," I whispered. "Now, Michael, have a +great care and let not the soldier at the breach make the faintest +sound." +</P> + +<P> +"Oi'll do moy bist, sor," and I felt sure he would. Then we came to +the short inner wall that runneth from the tower of St. Thomas back +unto the square tower that we had just left. +</P> + +<P> +As is ever the case, when one is in great haste, I tried every key but +one depending from the ring, and still the great gate remained closed, +none of them mating the lock. When I came to this last key a sudden +horror came over me as I thought of the possibility of the whole affair +being a trap to raise my hopes in the belief that I was about to +escape, and then to have them hurled to the ground with shattering +force. My life depended on this key. Would it turn back the bars and +give me freedom and life, or would it, like the others, mock with its +silent contempt my anxiety? How I longed to know my fate, and yet +dreaded the test, lest I should fail. My hand shook as with palsy, and +made it well nigh impossible for me to insert the key. Then 'twas in +the lock; and still I did not turn it. +</P> + +<P> +Verily, I have faced the deadly cannon, oft, and yet have felt no +anxiety nor fear. But now, as I stood before that heavy gate, with the +key already in the lock, requiring but a turn—that is if it did +work—to set me at least nearer unto liberty, my courage did forsake +me, and I really feared to turn the key. +</P> + +<P> +Some there are, I know, who will say it was unmanly in me to thus +hesitate. Mine answer, in advance, is:—Let them but place themselves +in the same position and see then how they will act. It requires but +little courage to tell what one would do; but it is different when one +doth face the reality and not the argument. +</P> + +<P> +At length, with a mighty effort, such as a man doth make when heaving +with his shoulder in an attempt to move a mighty boulder, I summoned up +all my strength of spirit, and exerted pressure on the key. Thank +Heaven, it turned! I would have cheered with delight had not the plain +warning of the letter remained fresh in my mind. Softly we swung the +gate open and passed beneath the arch. I was about to push on and +leave the gate open behind, but Michael, who seemed less disturbed than +was I—but then he had not been confined within the Tower for long +weeks—whispered:— +</P> + +<P> +"Beg pardon, sor, but dount ye think 'twould be safer to lock the gate +agin? They moight follow loike." +</P> + +<P> +With great care I closed and locked the gate. Then, stealing slowly, +as doth the fox, along the wall, we in time reached the shadow of St. +Thomas tower. It was so dark here that I could scarce see Michael; for +now 'twas past the hour of midnight, and the young moon had grown weary +and was sinking her head upon the lap of earth, casting long, black +shadows as she sank into her sleep. +</P> + +<P> +How I cursed my creaking, yet necessary, armour as I stole along. +</P> + +<P> +Then my heart beat so loudly that I thought the sentry near which we +were now drawing must hear it and break forth with his loud, disturbing +challenge. Back and forth he paced with weary, clanking steps, +unconscious of the two dark forms working their way slowly, and well +nigh breathlessly, towards him. Now we were pressing against the wall, +as he halted almost within arm's length before us. Verily, his eyes +must have been closed in partial sleep, or he had seen us. Then he +tramped round, as though he had been fastened to a cord which permitted +him to go but to its length and then warned him to return. +</P> + +<P> +At that moment I attempted to draw back still further. My spur struck +the wall with a sharp click, and this did cause me to lose my balance, +and mine armoured shoulders clanked against the stones. +</P> + +<P> +The soldier turned like a flash of light, and brought his axe from +shoulder unto thigh. He was about to challenge when Michael, forcing +the axe's point above his head, clapped his mighty hand over the +surprised sentry's mouth, permitting no sound to escape. +</P> + +<P> +I seized the axe, lest it should fall and rouse the guard. +</P> + +<P> +"Be quoiet, thou fool, and no harm 'll come unto thee," whispered +Michael in the fellow's ear, as he held him firmly to the ground. +</P> + +<P> +With haste I searched me for my scarf. +</P> + +<P> +"It's here, sor, about moy hand; jist untoie it, playze sor. Sure a +little blood 'll do thee no harm. Thou shouldst thank the Lord that it +isn't thoine own." This to the sentry. +</P> + +<P> +When he had been made fast at both hands and feet, the which we bound +with his belt, after cutting the leather into two strings, and when he +had been securely gagged with the scarf, we carried him and placed him +close to the wall, and then I warned him. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, sirrah, if thou dost lie still and make no attempt to free +thyself, or to attract attention, thou shalt not be mistreated. But, +by all the fiends, if thou dost make a movement thou shalt be ripped +from ear to ear, and then thrown into the moat. We shall be near at +hand, and any sound from thee must reach us." +</P> + +<P> +Then we proceeded to the breach with less care than we had hitherto +used. Here the wall was torn away until but a foot in height remained. +The artisan's tools were laid upon this low wall, and were well nigh +the cause of our ruin; for just as I made a move to cross the breach my +foot struck upon the pile of tools and almost caused them all to fall +into the moat. Carefully we removed them from our way, and then we +descended into the water. +</P> + +<P> +I had never before attempted to swim while dressed in a complete suit +of heavy armour; and much therefore did I doubt mine ability to do so +now. +</P> + +<P> +"Didst thou ever swim across water, whilst dressed in thine armour?" I +asked of Michael. +</P> + +<P> +"Divil a toime, yer honour." +</P> + +<P> +"It will be difficult, Michael, and I may be compelled to ask thee to +lend me a hand." +</P> + +<P> +"All roight, yer honour." And we set out. +</P> + +<P> +I had not overestimated the difficulty of our task, and ere we reached +the outer wall I was glad to place my hand upon Michael's great +shoulder to keep from sinking. +</P> + +<P> +At length we reached the other side and, still struggling to keep our +heads above the surface, we commenced to feel along the wall for the +ladder mentioned in the letter. +</P> + +<P> +"What if it should not be here?" I asked myself. Truly it should be a +grand device for luring me unto my death; for it had been impossible +for me to again cross the moat, so exhausted was I by the great +exertion. Even the mighty giant by my side was breathing in great +gasps, as though his Herculean strength were ebbing fast. Mine arms +had now become so weak that I could scarce lift them above the surface +for an instant that I might feel for the ladder. +</P> + +<P> +"Here—sor," gasped my faithful squire, as he grasped me by the arm and +drew me to him. "Oi—have it—at last—yer honour. The saints—be +praised." +</P> + +<P> +Yes, there it was, and how welcome did it feel to my trembling hand. +</P> + +<P> +We remained thus, with our heads only above the water, for some +moments, until we regained a part of our breaths. +</P> + +<P> +I mounted the ladder first and climbed wearily to the top. Verily, +never in all my life have I felt my body to be of such prodigious +weight. Ah! I was on the top; and there I sat whilst Michael's +enormous form came dripping out of the water below and wearily climbed +the ladder. +</P> + +<A NAME="img-304"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-304.jpg" ALT=""I climbed wearily to the top."" BORDER="2" WIDTH="367" HEIGHT="537"> +<H4 CLASS="h4center" STYLE="width: 367px"> +"I climbed wearily to the top." +</H4> +</CENTER> + +<P> +"Mither-o'-Gawd! Oi fale loike a damned drowned rat." And indeed I +felt as though the simile applied unto me most thoroughly. +</P> + +<P> +Then we drew up the ropes and, unfastening the hooks, we reversed them +and let down the ladder on the other side. Down this we went, and, +thank Heaven, we were free from that great, black, menacing +congregation of cold, cruel towers and walls. +</P> + +<P> +I felt like a soul but new granted its release from the torturous fires +of purgatory must feel as he looks back, with hunted, awe-struck eyes, +at the place of his late confinement, and sighs with thankfulness for +his freedom; yet shudders in fear that this liberty is but a dream from +which he shall soon awaken to find himself again within the gates of +agony. +</P> + +<P> +Then we hastened on with soggy steps, making as wide an arch as the +river would permit, that we might pass as far as possible from the +Tower of St. Thomas. +</P> + +<P> +We at length reached the place where Michael had left the horses. They +were tethered in a shed attached to a vacant house not far from the +walls of the Tower, and on the western side. +</P> + +<P> +The sword that Michael had brought for my use was hanging from the +lance-rest of the saddle. Hastily buckling it on I felt once more a +man and knight. Then, mounting our horses, we rode forth into the +night, and, at no slow pace, started by the nearest way on our journey +to the Sanctuary. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap26"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXVI +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE HOUSE WITH THE FLAG +</H4> + +<P> +We had no difficulty in passing through the city's gates. I merely +called out in commanding tone:—"On the King's most urgent business," +and the great gates swung back upon their mighty hinges as though there +had been magic in my speech. Mayhap 'twas fortunate that the King had +many messengers passing in and out of the city that night, or our exit +had not been so easily accomplished. As we dashed through beneath the +arch the keeper called out:— +</P> + +<P> +"Is it true that Richmond hath landed?" +</P> + +<P> +"Ay, ay, 'tis true indeed," I cried over my shoulder in reply, and on +we went as though the fiends pursued us. Our horses were urged to +their utmost, that we might leave the Sanctuary ere the day did dawn. +</P> + +<P> +Already was the East casting off her dark robe of night and decking +herself in brighter colours. +</P> + +<P> +When we entered Westminster and drew up before the Sanctuary the door +flew open and there, standing by Harleston, by whom she was restrained +from rushing from the house, was my own fair darling; her body leaning +forward, and her hand held above her eyes, as she peered into the +darkness with a world of expectancy in her pose, as shown up right +nobly by the lamp's bright light behind her. +</P> + +<P> +Mary stood at Frederick's other side; her hand upon his arm, and also +gazing forth. +</P> + +<P> +Springing from my horse and handing the reins to Michael, I hastened +towards them; taking care, however, to speak ere I did step into the +rays of light, that the girls might not be startled by mine unannounced +approach. +</P> + +<P> +"Fear not, it is I—Walter." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, my dear, noble Walter!" +</P> + +<P> +Harleston's arm no longer restrained, and we were locked in each +other's arms in a shorter space of time than takes a thought to travel +unto Heaven. +</P> + +<P> +"Have a care, my darling, lest thou dost destroy that same handsome +habit; for I am nothing if not thoroughly saturated." +</P> + +<P> +Then I kissed the fair Mary as she still stood by Frederick's side, +laughing and weeping both at once. +</P> + +<P> +"My dear friend," said Harleston, "much am I joyed to see thee thus +free from that bloody Tower. And now—though ere this I did fear to +say so—I tell thee truly, I never thought to see thee here this night." +</P> + +<P> +"But why?" I asked. "'Twas thou which sent the letter that did give +unto me—with the noble assistance of this brave friend here—my +liberty," and I slapped Michael—who had tied the horses beneath the +trees by the corner of the building, and now stood near me—on his huge +arm. +</P> + +<P> +"Do but come in and close the door, and I will tell thee all, in as few +words as possible; for the time we have is short." +</P> + +<P> +"Art not afraid to flee with me, my fair one?" I asked; and I drew +Hazel closer to my side, as we were passing down the hall. +</P> + +<P> +"Nay, nay, Walter dear; to the end of the world would I go with thee. +When love, such as is mine, is in the heart it leaveth no room for +fear. Mine only desire now is that we may, with all expediency, avoid +our enemies; and when the Earl of Richmond doth conquer the bloody +Richard, then may we return to happiness and have our dreams of other +days fulfilled." +</P> + +<P> +"Mine own dear, trusting love," I murmured, as I stooped and kissed her +forehead. +</P> + +<P> +The ex-Queen had waited up the whole long night that she might see if I +did succeed in escaping from the Tower. How worn and sorrow-stricken +she did look as I knelt and kissed her hand. +</P> + +<P> +"I thank God, Sir Walter, that thou hast escaped the murderous boar," +she said, in her kind and motherly way. +</P> + +<P> +"So do I too, madam; for besides mine own wrongs I have yet to make a +great effort and redeem mine oath made to the good King Edward, your +noble husband. When my good friend here and I rode from Berwick unto +the Castle at Windsor his Majesty did give unto us each a present +worthy of the giver. At that time, madam, we both did swear to avenge +any wrong that ever did transgress upon your royal son, our late +lamented little King. Much time hath passed and still he's unavenged; +but if the life within me be spared I'll yet strike a hard blow against +his cruel and bloody murderer." +</P> + +<P> +"Ay, ay, we will," assented Frederick. +</P> + +<P> +"He'll doie fer the murtherin' o' the little darlin'," growled Michael +from behind my back, where he towered like some grim monument. +</P> + +<P> +I shamed to confess that I had forgot my faithful squire, until his +voice recalled him to my mind. +</P> + +<P> +"Madam, I beg that thou wilt permit me to make known unto thee the +truest heart, as well as the strongest arm, in all England. Courage, +loyalty, generosity and strength are all that do unite in this, your +faithful servant." And I led Michael, who blushed like a maiden, +before Elizabeth. +</P> + +<P> +She spoke some kindly words unto him, and gave him her hand to kiss. +</P> + +<P> +On his knee his head was still as high as hers. +</P> + +<P> +Gently he kissed the dainty fingers lying in his mighty palm, and then +he arose without a word. +</P> + +<P> +Why, oh why, are not the kings and rulers of men born with hearts like +Michael's? Thy praises, oh my faithful squire, should be sung by +masters skilled in the art of playing upon the sympathetic strings of +the living harp, in place of the task, so full of possibilities, being +left to the feeble hand of such an one as I. But then, who knows as +well as thine old master the workings of that great heart whose every +throb is one of loyalty? +</P> + +<P> +But come, Sir Walter, hasten along in the path where lies thy story, +and tarry not, like some gossiping old wife, at every house along the +way, telling some news that helps thee not unto thy destination. +</P> + +<P> +"I have more ill news for thee, Sir Walter," said Elizabeth, when +Michael had arisen and resumed his former place, glad to be no longer +the object on which we all did gaze. +</P> + +<P> +"Heaven forbid!" I exclaimed devoutly. +</P> + +<P> +"Nay, Heaven doth forbid no woe to fall upon mine untimely silvering +head; and it is but just that I should have my punishment." +</P> + +<P> +"But what new calamity may this be, madam?" +</P> + +<P> +"Word reached me a week ago that my little Richard hath disappeared +from the Sanctuary in France, where my son, the Marquis of Dorset, left +him. +</P> + +<P> +"But comes the news from a trusty source?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, from Dorset himself. It happened thus, he says:— +</P> + +<P> +"Near-by where stands the Sanctuary there a great mount doth lift its +rugged brow far above the natural level of the earth. Here did my +little Prince delight to stroll and watch the sparkling waters far, far +beneath his feet, rush in their tumbling haste from rock to rock along +their never-ceasing course. Here last was he seen sitting, as was +sometimes his wont, upon a boulder beneath a scraggling bush that there +doth grow. At set of sun he came not to the house; so the good folk +there went out to bring him in. Nowhere could they find him; and now +'tis thought he fell by accident, or intent, down, down into the cruel +waters at his feet. From that day since he hath not been found; but +his hat was by a traveller picked up and brought into the Sanctuary. +</P> + +<P> +"Now my little Princes both have gone to join their father, and +I—though God knows why—remain upon the earth. +</P> + +<P> +"If little Richard be dead—the which must be only too true—we will +make the Earl of Richmond King. Then shall my daughter, Elizabeth, be +his Queen. This is all I can now hope for; but it shall be the means +of ridding England of blood-supping tyrants, and shall give unto me my +long-desired revenge. +</P> + +<P> +"Lord Stanley is now at the head of a strong force, and is marching +from the North, apparently to meet the tyrant near by Leicester. +</P> + +<P> +"Richmond is now well on his way to London; and as he comes great +numbers flock unto his standard. +</P> + +<P> +"Stanley will, at the last moment, leave the Usurper to his fate and +side with the Earl. +</P> + +<P> +"Sir Frederick, here, leaves this morning to join Lord Stanley. +</P> + +<P> +"This evening, when thou dost return with our dear Hazel here, I can +give thee a letter to the Earl. I would send it by Sir Frederick, but +I do desire to give Earl Henry full particulars of the force that +Richard doth take with him along. The powers of the Usurper's friends +Richmond already knoweth. Mine agents shall bring in the desired +information concerning the forces of the Usurper as soon as Richard +doth leave the city." +</P> + +<P> +"Then everything goeth well, so far as preparations are concerned, +madam. +</P> + +<P> +"About what time doth Richard march?" +</P> + +<P> +"Soon after sun-up he did intend to go; at least so said the order +given to me," replied Harleston. +</P> + +<P> +"Then we will return before the set of sun. +</P> + +<P> +"But what, madam, is your opinion of this same strange letter?" +</P> + +<P> +"Truly, Sir Walter, I knew not of it until Sir Frederick told me its +strange contents." +</P> + +<P> +I then showed it to her in the hope that she might recognize the hand. +</P> + +<P> +With great care did she observe the writing; then she raised her head +and said:—"It looketh not unlike the hand of my Lord Stanley; though +there is a tremble here not his. Mayhap he did disguise his hand to +guard him from the danger of its falling into other hands than Sir +Frederick's." +</P> + +<P> +"And, Frederick, what dost thou think?" I asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Verily, Walter, I was about to tell thee at the door—and since it had +escaped my mind—of how I did mistrust that same packet until I saw ye +both arrive safe and free." Then it was that he told me of his meeting +Catesby as he left the Palace. +</P> + +<P> +"And dost thou think it safe to go unto this house mentioned in the +writing?" +</P> + +<P> +"Well, since the rest of the directions have been so trustworthy I can +see no danger in following the remainder. Besides," he continued, +"there seemeth to be no other way so secure." +</P> + +<P> +"Well, as no more time may be spared, methinks we had better start. I +shame to doubt the writer's good intent, after the great favour he hath +done me. +</P> + +<P> +"Say farewell, for the present, my dear. We shall be back this +evening." +</P> + +<P> +Tenderly the ex-Queen embraced Hazel; and as I knelt she laid her +gentle hand upon my head and said:— +</P> + +<P> +"God protect thee, Sir Walter, and send thee back to me, with yon fair +child, which loveth thee so dearly, safe to her widowed foster mother." +</P> + +<P> +"Amen," said I softly, from the bottom of my heart. +</P> + +<P> +"Farewell, dearest Hazel, and may the angels guard thee from, and +strike dead those which could so much as harm thee with a thought," +sobbed loving little Mary, as the two dear girls embraced and kissed +each other. +</P> + +<P> +"Farewell, Frederick," said Hazel—for now she looked on him as her big +brother, and spoke unto him as such—"I may not again see thee until +the fate of us all hath been decided. May Heaven bless thee and bring +thee back to this dear girl, safe and victorious. And then may our old +happy days that passed like sunbeams in the park at Windsor be repeated +without disturbing interruption." +</P> + +<P> +This was a confirmation of my suspicion that Harleston had asked Mary +that question which is the London-stone in the lives of us all, and she +had made the promise that I could, long months since, have told she +would. +</P> + +<P> +"Farewell, dear lady," returned Frederick, whilst Mary took advantage +of his speech in trying to regain her wonted complexion; "I hope to see +thee again ere a fortnight be past. One great battle shall decide our +fate; and what that will be I am assured of." +</P> + +<P> +Then turning to me he said:—"We shall meet, no doubt, in the ranks of +the conquering Richmond. Till then farewell, my dear friend." +</P> + +<P> +"Farewell, Frederick, we shall meet near Leicester; that is if Richard +there awaits the Earl." +</P> + +<P> +I kissed Mary, and she and Harleston did bid farewell to big Michael. +</P> + +<P> +Then we proceeded to where our horses waited, Michael bearing upon his +arm a basket, in which was our food for the day. +</P> + +<P> +The morning was now well dawned, and the red bars from the fiery sun +were glancing along the floor of Heaven in beauteous ribbons, like the +gay trappings of a May-pole. +</P> + +<P> +Hazel's palfrey was now brought up; and as we mounted and rode off, the +little group at the door still stood and waved a silent, fluttering +farewell. +</P> + +<P> +We rode on in silence until we came to the turning that we should take, +were we to be guided by the letter. +</P> + +<P> +"This is the cross road mentioned in the packet. What think ye now of +the writer? Dost trust him?" I asked. +</P> + +<P> +"I trust him, and yet I feel some fear. I know not why; but a nameless +something doth stir up in my mind a dread of some calamity." +</P> + +<P> +"Shall we then go search for some place for ourselves?" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, no! It must be but foolish maiden timidity. Let us proceed and +trust the letter, after the way that it hath rescued thee." +</P> + +<P> +So we turned unto our right and, as the letter had said, we came, after +travelling some three miles, upon a large house set back some distance +from the road. From a window in the upper story a small flag of +England did hang lazily. The house looked as it had been +described—unoccupied; so feeling re-assured we rode into the grounds. +I then held Michael's steed whilst he went forward and tried the door. +It was unlocked; so he entered. He then returned, at my call, and +reported everything as well, so far as he could see, though he desired +to inspect it further ere we entered. This I did consider to be +unnecessary. We then tied our horses to some trees near the door, and +walked in. +</P> + +<P> +The room was large and square, and in the centre a round pillar arose +from floor to ceiling. The furniture consisted of a long and broad, +heavy oaken table and some three or four chairs, scattered carelessly +around the room. Several closed and heavy doors, leading to where we +knew not, were set into the walls at irregular intervals. The general +appearance of the interior gave one the impression of recent +occupation; though now it did seem undoubtedly to be vacant. +</P> + +<P> +Michael placed the basket upon the table, and we at once proceeded to +make ourselves comfortable. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah! my dear, we shall have a pleasant holiday, and in the evening +return. Our dear friend, Master Catesby, shall arrive at Westminster +to find that the bird hath flown. Then he may curse his misfortune and +proceed to join his murderous master. Pray God I do but meet him in +the field. Then shall there be no truncheon to be flung down to stop +our fight, as was done at the tournament." +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, Walter dear, methought that thou hadst killed him when, with your +great sword, you drove him senseless from his horse." +</P> + +<P> +"But how didst thou see the tournament?" I asked in wonderment. +</P> + +<P> +Her cheeks then flushed, and she became as confused as a child caught +fairly in a trap. She glanced imploringly at Michael; but he seemed +greatly occupied with the buckle of his sword belt. +</P> + +<P> +"What! is it possible that thou wert one of the old ladies to whom +Michael did show such attention?" +</P> + +<P> +"In faith, Walter, thou hast guessed it; though I did not intend to +tell thee yet." +</P> + +<P> +"And was Mary the other?" +</P> + +<P> +"Yes." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, ye are sly ones. And here is Michael also in the plot." +</P> + +<P> +"Beg pardon, sor, but Oi tould ye the truth." +</P> + +<P> +"Yea, that thou didst; but in your own peculiar way," I laughingly +replied. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, Walter, Michael but did what we did ask of him, and therefore the +whole blame belongs to Mary and me," said Hazel, as she came and patted +me on the cheek. "Art not cross now?" she asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Nay, but Frederick and I will bring ye to account when next we all do +meet." +</P> + +<P> +Soon we sat us down to the pleasantest meal that, methinks, ever had I +partaken of. Clear of the gloomy Tower, and free, and there by my side +the truest and most trusting maid upon the earth's broad face. And +there was our huge Michael at the other side, eating and watching us +with admiring eyes. Verily, my dears, no happier trio ever sat +together, chatting like children at an outing. Hazel's dainty fingers +had put each morsel in most tempting shape, and to add aught to her +arrangement had been as difficult as to improve on the delicacy of soft +moonlight, strained through the misty alabaster curtains of the Heavens. +</P> + +<P> +"Now if Mary and Frederick were but here would it not be like our old +happy days at the Palace at Windsor?" asked Hazel. +</P> + +<P> +"Yea, indeed it should, but even more happy; for our troubles that are +now past make us to appreciate happiness the more." +</P> + +<P> +And so we talked on and were happy in our assurance that all should now +be well and smooth, and after the battle we would go to mine old house +that had stood waiting for its young master for many a day. +</P> + +<P> +Then suddenly I heard a sound that startled me, and caused grave doubts +as to our safety. It sounded not unlike a low whistle, and coming from +some room within the house. +</P> + +<P> +Michael's quick ear had heard it also; for he glanced anxiously first +to me and then to Hazel. She too had heard it, and her face changed +from its merry smile to a startled look of fear. +</P> + +<P> +"Didst thou not hear that whistle, Walter dear?" she asked in alarm. +</P> + +<P> +"What whistle, dearest?" I asked, that I might allay her fears. "'Twas +but thine imagination playing upon thine ears; 'twas nothing." +</P> + +<P> +"Nay, 'twas no imagination; 'twas real,—and hark!—there again it is." +</P> + +<P> +This time there could be no mistaking the sound. Methought it came +from one of the three rooms that did adjoin the large one in which we +were. +</P> + +<P> +"Do thou go, Michael, and with great care open yon door and see if that +room be occupied," I said in a whisper to my squire. +</P> + +<P> +Drawing his heavy sword he advanced cautiously, and, turning the knob, +he thrust the door wide open, whilst he remained at the threshold. +</P> + +<P> +This room was empty; but on the opposite side from where stood Michael +was another door, and to the right of this, in the other wall, was yet +another. +</P> + +<P> +Then I heard a slight click at the lock of the door by which we had +entered the house. I drew my sword and walked to this door and tried +to open it. It was locked. +</P> + +<P> +Then the whole plot flashed upon my mind. This then was Catesby's plan +for getting both Hazel and me within his power. No wonder that he did +laugh as Harleston left the courtyard. Well might he laugh; for never +did a trap work with more success than did this clever one, laid by +this most ingenious scoundrel. +</P> + +<P> +I went to the window and tried to loosen some of the bars that ran +across the square. Even the great Michael's strength should here be of +no avail. The bars were very heavy, and firmly imbedded in the +masonry, of which the lower part of the house was made. +</P> + +<P> +I watched the doors leading from the room in the expectancy that they +were about to fly open and a band of men rush in to do their work. +Still they did remain closed. Michael still stood before the open +door, awaiting mine instructions. +</P> + +<P> +After waiting for a few moments with the painful feeling that one has +when convinced that the eyes of a concealed foe are on him, watching +his every move, I walked to the great table and, placing my sword upon +it, I moved it back across one of the corners of the room; thus forming +a frail barricade to protect my dear Hazel. +</P> + +<P> +I then placed my dagger in her hand and said:—"Be brave my dearest, +and if thou seest that thou canst not escape with honour, thou knowest +the use of this little weapon. However, so long as thou seest hope, +refrain from its use; for even in our position no one can tell what the +result may be." +</P> + +<P> +"Fear not, Walter dear, unless I may be thy spotless bride my husband +shall be death." +</P> + +<P> +"Mine own dear, brave, little maiden," I murmured, and placed her, with +a loving kiss upon her brow, behind the—in some measure—protecting +table. +</P> + +<P> +I then took up my good sword and, holding it at arm's length to test +its reach, I said to Michael:— +</P> + +<P> +"Do thou go, good Michael, to yon door, and see if there be any one +within the room behind it." +</P> + +<P> +"Oi will, sor." And he crossed the inner room in three good lengthy +strides. +</P> + +<P> +This door was unfastened, so he opened it as he had done the other, +except that this one opened towards him, and still stood he upon the +threshold. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure, yer honour, thare's anither door here, sor." +</P> + +<P> +"Open it also, Michael;" though the next moment I had rather have cut +the tongue from my throat than have uttered those words. +</P> + +<P> +Michael had just disappeared into this second unexplored room when, +with a crash, the door that had remained closed in the room adjoining +where Hazel and I waited flew open, and several armed men rushed in. +</P> + +<P> +"Beware Michael! come back! come back!" I cried in warning. +</P> + +<P> +Ere he could obey, however, the door was closed and securely locked and +barred behind him. At the same instant the room in which I stood was +filled with soldiers, which entered by the other doors. +</P> + +<P> +"Come on, ye pack of cowards! Why do ye hesitate? Do ye fear the +single sword of one good knight? Come on, I say, ye pack of sneaking +wolves that fear to attack, and yet stand in a circle round and growl!" +I cried in defiance at them. +</P> + +<A NAME="img-326"></A> +<CENTER> +<IMG CLASS="imgcenter" SRC="images/img-326.jpg" ALT=""Come on, ye pack of cowards."" BORDER="2" WIDTH="364" HEIGHT="545"> +<H4 CLASS="h4center" STYLE="width: 364px"> +"Come on, ye pack of cowards." +</H4> +</CENTER> + +<P> +There must have been well nigh a score; something more than half in my +room, and the others in the room betwixt Michael and us. +</P> + +<P> +The giant now thundered at the separating door, and swore an unceasing +stream of oaths of vengeance. +</P> + +<P> +This door, however, was a heavy oaken one, and withstood even Michael's +mighty assault with great endurance. +</P> + +<P> +Still the soldiers stood waiting, swords in hands. +</P> + +<P> +Presently, with leisurely, swinging stride and clanking armour, a smile +of triumph on his sneering face, entered my dearest foe, Catesby. With +a courtly bow, accompanied by a graceful wave of the hand, he saluted +Hazel, who, with great calmness, stood with clenched hands and +firm-pressed lips behind her barricade. +</P> + +<P> +"Welcome, my dear lady, to this house that taketh in poor troubled +refugees. Methinks the directions in my poor note must have been +clear; for my guests have arrived even earlier than I had expected," +said he, as he folded his arms and regarded us with a smile of +satisfaction. +</P> + +<P> +"Cease thine insolence, thou false and degraded knight, and draw thy +sword and fight me like a man, and do not further stain thy name by +setting upon a gentleman a band of coward ruffians!" +</P> + +<P> +"Nay, nay, Sir Walter, we have twice crossed swords ere this, and on +both occasions thou didst have the better of me. Verily, thou must be +selfish to ever desire to play the victor's part. Oh, no!" he added +with a laugh, "I now do hold the stronger hand, and it should be +casting an insult upon the Goddess of Fortune to thus throw aside her +bounteous gift of advantage. +</P> + +<P> +"Do thou close yon door and lock it, Peter," said he, turning to a +fellow which stood behind him and which carried his arm in a sling; +"that loud disturbing Irishman doth interrupt my speech. And besides," +he continued, with some uneasiness, as I thought, "that door doth seem +not strong enough for his beastlike strength. This other here is +stouter." +</P> + +<P> +The fellow with the disabled arm—no doubt 'twas he which did attempt +to murder me in my tent—then closed and locked the door, whilst three +of the soldiers remained in the inner room, that they might check the +gallant Michael, should he succeed in breaking down the door. And +indeed it now sounded as though the oak must give way; for the giant +had ceased his oaths, and all his breath was now being used to support +his great strength, that was being exerted on the creaking opposition. +</P> + +<P> +I almost smiled as I thought of the fate of the three men when the +great man should rush in upon them. +</P> + +<P> +"And now, Master Catesby," said I, "wilt thou enlighten me as to thine +object, in as few words as possible? for mine ears have no desire to +listen to thee at length, nor have mine eyes the wish to gaze upon thy +recreant body. +</P> + +<P> +"Then hear my purpose in thus luring ye both into this place. I do +desire to have yon same lady, which in her fear is even more beautiful +than when she smileth, delivered up into my hands. Her safety and +tender treatment thou mayest be well assured of; for I do love her to +distraction. +</P> + +<P> +"As for thyself, if thou dost offer no resistance, then shalt thou be +permitted to go forth from this place a free man, even though I do hate +thee as I do a viper." +</P> + +<P> +I bowed, and smiled grimly, and he continued. "If thou dost resist; +well, thou knowest that thou needst not to expect mercy." +</P> + +<P> +"Is that all?" +</P> + +<P> +"That is all." +</P> + +<P> +"Then know, thou slave of degradation and all that is most abominable, +that I, as would any man, reject thy base proposal, with words too poor +and weak to express, in any good measure, my contempt for the proposer." +</P> + +<P> +At this moment the inner door fell from its hinges with a crash; and +then the adjoining room was filled with oaths and the ring of fearful +blows. +</P> + +<P> +"Come then, make haste!" cried Catesby to his followers, "yon Herculean +savage hath burst through the inner door. Next will he break down +this; unless those knaves do stop him." +</P> + +<P> +Then the whole pack of varlets rushed upon me from all points but my +back, where the table did prevent them from surrounding me. +</P> + +<P> +"Ha! thou caitiff! ha! thou slave!" cried I, as I struck down the two +foremost of the assassins. +</P> + +<P> +"What! do ye hesitate, and shrink from a single sword? Strike him +down, ye varlets, or at your peril stay a hand until we have him!" and +the chiefest of mine attackers drew forth his sword and, stepping o'er +the body of one of his fallen band, he did engage with me so hotly as +to cause me to use all of my defence in guarding me from his fierce +cuts and thrusts. +</P> + +<P> +In then there rushed the others; but so many were there that they did +interfere with each other; thus enabling me to still guard off their +blows with my good armoured left arm. +</P> + +<P> +Michael had now overcome his three antagonists, and thundered with his +mighty shoulders against the remaining door. I knew that this would be +more difficult to break down; for, besides being more heavy, as Catesby +had said, it opened towards Michael, and this did add greatly unto its +powers of resistance. I dared not turn mine eyes towards the door, +lest on mine head a stunning blow should fall. +</P> + +<P> +My left arm now had lost its wonted strength, with guarding of the many +blows that fell so hard and thick upon it. +</P> + +<P> +"Now we have him! Press him both close and hard!" cried Catesby, as he +renewed, with all his activity, his lightning-like attack. +</P> + +<P> +Never in my life have I, before that day nor since, fought with such +quickness or strength. I was as a madman for the nonce, and fought +with the delight of intoxicated recklessness. My sword seemed +everywhere at once, and even the shifty Catesby was pressed back. I +stepped forward in the delirium of feverish thirst for slaughter. +</P> + +<P> +"Walter, beware! beware!" cried Hazel. +</P> + +<P> +But it was too late. I had stepped too far forward, and thus permitted +one of the pack to get behind me. A crushing, ringing blow upon my +helm,—a shrill and piercing shriek from Hazel, that lived in mine +ears, and died out at last as though by distance,—and I clattered to +the floor, unconscious. +</P> + +<P> +Mine oblivion could not have lasted for more time than whilst one might +tell a score; for when I regained consciousness Michael still crashed +against the separating oak, and there was Hazel standing behind her +feeble barricade and holding in her small white hand the dagger that I +had placed there. +</P> + +<P> +"Stand back, thou traitorous, deceiving hypocrite! Advance towards me +but one short step more and this dagger's bright blade shall be dyed +red with mine own heart's blood!" +</P> + +<P> +Ah! my children, had ye but seen her then, as she stood there, as pale +as a marble statue; yet with flashing eyes and heaving breast, her +dainty tapering fingers of the right hand grasping, with all her little +flower-like strength, brittle yet easily snapped, the little weapon, ye +would have cheered in unrestrained admiration of the dear, brave, +little maid. +</P> + +<P> +Catesby stood back in awe of this goodly sight, which even his +villainous heart could not help but admire. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, and right nobly done!" he cried. "Thy courage in thus resisting +doth but arouse within my love-sick heart a new and fiercer, and e'en +more consuming passion for thee. Like a boy, I ever love the apple +that doth hang from the limb most difficult to reach. The more the +rich, ripe fruit doth avoid my grasping hand the more determined am I +to have it." +</P> + +<P> +"Cease thine insulting speech, false knight, cowardly assassin, 'tis I +that commandeth thee! I, thine ancient foe, that even now defies +thee!" and I struggled, tottering to my knees, and shook my clenched +fist in defiance at him. +</P> + +<P> +"Come on, Michael! break down the door, and we yet can drive this +murdering pack before us, as doth the wind dry leaves!" +</P> + +<P> +"Oi'm comin', yer honour; do but hould out a little," and the fury of +his attack upon the door was redoubled. +</P> + +<P> +Catesby made a sign with his hand, and instantly four men left the room +in haste. +</P> + +<P> +"Beware, Michael! they may attack thee from the rear!" I cried, as I +staggered to my feet and tried to rush upon mine enemy. I was securely +held back, however, by two of the pack, who forced me to my knees and +held me there. +</P> + +<P> +Catesby merely smiled his hellish smile, and said:—"Bind him hard and +fast to yon pillar, and strip him of his helm. We shall now try +another plan to capture yon same tempting apple," and he nodded in +Hazel's direction. +</P> + +<P> +With cords they bound me until I could not move a muscle. Helmless and +helpless I then stood before my fiendish foe, which drew his dagger and +advanced upon me. +</P> + +<P> +"Stop! stop, thou wretch!" shrieked Hazel. "For the welfare of your +soul slay not a helpless man. Nay, nay, do but wait, I pray thee! I +will do that which thou dost ask! I will go with thee! anything thou +wilt, if thou wilt but spare him!" +</P> + +<P> +"Hazel, in God's name hold thy peace! If thou dost love me do as I +have said! I fear him not; let him do his worst; but use thy dagger +ere thou dost permit this villain to lay on thee a hand!" +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, yes, yes, Walter; but I cannot bear to see thee die before my very +eyes! Oh, merciful Mary, it is too awful!" she cried, as Catesby +seized mine ear and with his dagger clipped off a small part of the +lobe. +</P> + +<P> +The tough oaken door did still resist the efforts of the giant; but it +was plain that it could not long endure. +</P> + +<P> +"Be brave, mine own true little love, Michael shall soon be here!" I +called out above the din. +</P> + +<P> +"So, madam, will I cut him into small pieces here before thee, unless +thou dost surrender. Thou canst save him by coming from behind that +table. Bethink thee of his fate in case thou art obdurate," said the +accursed knave, as he seized mine other car and raised the dagger. +</P> + +<P> +The door was now cracked almost from top to bottom, and Michael still +stormed his blows upon it. +</P> + +<P> +"Uh! ye cursed cowards! Oi'll crack yer damned skulls fer ye in a +minute! Uh! ye blood-suckin' divils, Oi'll rip ye all to paces and +cram ye down yer own bloody throats!" +</P> + +<P> +Louder cracked the door. +</P> + +<P> +"Come, lady, your answer; make haste e'er the door giveth way." +</P> + +<P> +"Hold out, my brave girl! we yet shall conquer!" I cried in +encouragement. +</P> + +<P> +Hazel leaned forward, with her left hand leaning upon the table, her +body stretched forward, her lips compressed until no colour did remain +in them. With her right hand she struck, quickly, the dagger into the +table's top, then drew it out and struck again. Still was she +silent,—and a small piece came off mine other ear. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, God! God! God! it is too much! too much!" shrieked the poor +maiden; and, throwing her hands above her head, she fell forward upon +the table as though she were dead. +</P> + +<P> +Catesby and one of his men then rushed to where she lay, and seized her +in their arms and started for the door. +</P> + +<P> +"Touch her not with your contaminating hands! Oh! false knight, I will +have the last drop in thy heart for this! Oh, thou accursed slave of +Hell! unbind me, and I will tear out thy throat with my bare fingers! +</P> + +<P> +"Michael! for God's sake come! they are carrying her off with them!" +and I cursed, and shrieked, and struggled with my bonds until they cut +deep into my wrists. +</P> + +<P> +"All Hill take this accursed door! It'll go now, or Oi'll brake moy +damned back!" +</P> + +<P> +There was a tremendous crash; the whole house did seem to shake; and +Michael burst through the door with parts of it still clinging to his +armour, which was battered from head to foot; and his great hands were +red with blood. +</P> + +<P> +"At last Oi'm here, yer honour; but, Oi fear, too late," gasped he, as +he tried the outer door, and found it locked. +</P> + +<P> +He then cut with his dagger the cords that bound me. Too late, too +late we were indeed. Another door had to be battered down ere we were +able to gain the outside. This occupied some time, and when at last we +did rush tottering forth we found no sight of our enemies, or our dear, +brave, little maiden. +</P> + +<P> +Our horses' reins had been cut, and the beasts themselves were +wandering far from the house. +</P> + +<P> +How Michael did swear, as tenderly he bound up mine ears with pieces of +the cloth that had served to cover the basket we had brought. +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, sure sor, Oi did moy viry bist; but Oi couldn't git through in +toime, yer honour. Forgive me, Sor Walter; but Oi'll nivir rist till +Oi have the varmint, and the dear swate Lady Hazel is safe returned to +thee, sor," sobbed the poor fellow, like a child, as he knelt at my +feet, praying pardon for not having accomplished more, in but a few +short moments, than three ordinary men might do in one whole day, and +then feel proud of their work. +</P> + +<P> +"Rise, my brave Michael, and never again ask of me pardon; for thy +mighty work this day hath saved my life, and, had it been within the +power of man, it would have saved the Lady Hazel." +</P> + +<P> +Michael brought out my helm and put it on me. The wounds in mine ears +were mere trifles; so I suffered no inconvenience from my headpiece. +</P> + +<P> +We caught our horses and, after mending their harness, we mounted and +set out for Leicester, by roads not travelled by the army. +</P> + +<P> +Now was I determined to join Lord Stanley's force in time to take part +in the great battle. There would I meet Catesby, and kill him; and +somewhere near would I find Hazel. +</P> + +<P> +I did neither storm nor gnash my teeth, as is my wont when my temper +doth control my reason; but with quiet bearing, and lips drawn tightly +in, I rode straight forward under the bright sun that glistened so on +Michael's battered armour. Thus steadily could I have ridden unto the +end of the earth, and never would I rest in peace until I found the man +which so had wronged me. +</P> + +<P> +Michael did seem to share my mood; for no word did he speak; but sat +his steed with his head thrust slightly forward and a fearful look of +unrelenting vengeance stamped on his firm-cut features. +</P> + +<P> +There could be no escape for Catesby. He might cross the world; but +still his grim fate would follow and o'er take him. +</P> + +<P> +"He can never escape me," I kept repeating in my mind. Hell's fire +seemed burning in my heart; but outward I was cold, deliberate and as +unchangeable of feature as is the London-stone. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap27"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXVII +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +THE FIELD OF BOSWORTH +</H4> + +<P> +On the fourth day following, and late in the afternoon, we at last +found the camp of Lord Stanley. +</P> + +<P> +Once we came near running our heads through the noose, and there ending +all our hopes and fears. +</P> + +<P> +It was just as we were nearing the town of Bosworth, in our search for +Stanley's force, that we fell in with a straggling body of yeomen and +some few men-at-arms. I asked them to direct me to Lord Stanley's camp. +</P> + +<P> +"Straight ahead, sir, until thou comest unto the first turning to the +right. Here turn, and that road will take ye unto your destination, +which is the Town of Bosworth," replied their leader. +</P> + +<P> +I thanked him and rode on, following his directions. +</P> + +<P> +Soldiers of all ranks and arms were hurrying along by every road. +</P> + +<P> +Presently we drew in sight of Bosworth. The town seemed filled with +soldiers, and others were arriving at every moment. +</P> + +<P> +"Ho! sirrah, canst thou inform me whose force it is that occupies +yonder town?" I asked of a straggler by my side. +</P> + +<P> +The fellow stared at me in surprise for a breathing space and then +answered:—"Why, his Majesty King Richard's, to be sure. Thou didst +not think that Richmond had taken it, didst thou?" +</P> + +<P> +"Hill!" ejaculated Michael. +</P> + +<P> +I came near to betraying mine emotion; but controlled myself in time +and asked:—"But where doth Lord Stanley keep his camp?" +</P> + +<P> +"To the North and West about a mile, sir." +</P> + +<P> +I muttered a prayer of thanksgiving for mine escape from falling into +the hands of mine enemies, and wheeling our horses about we retraced +our steps until we came upon the road that we had left at the direction +of the yeoman. This we pursued for some little distance, and then we +beheld Lord Stanley's camp before us. +</P> + +<P> +We rode up to before the noble Lord's tent and to the guard before the +door I gave my name and asked to be admitted. +</P> + +<P> +The soldier had scarcely entered when out rushed Harleston. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah! my dear friends!" he cried to Michael and me, "how is it that I +have the delight of having ye both here? Methought ye were with the +noble Earl," and he nodded to the westward. +</P> + +<P> +"But why are ye so glum; hath aught gone amiss?" he asked, with an +anxious look. +</P> + +<P> +"Ay, Frederick, everything has gone amiss." And then I told him all +the sad news. +</P> + +<P> +When I had finished he stood gazing thoughtfully before him. Then he +put his hand upon my shoulder, and tenderly he said:— +</P> + +<P> +"I need not tell thee to be brave; that thou ever art. But console +thee I may. Bethink thee now of that which shall happen to-morrow. +Then shalt thou have thy revenge; for the noble Richmond is not one to +let go, with his head upon his shoulders, such an one as Catesby." +</P> + +<P> +"Ay, but think of that which may happen to my dear Hazel ere we have +Catesby in our power." +</P> + +<P> +"Nay, thou must not think her peril greater than it is." +</P> + +<P> +"How is it possible for it to be greater than it is? Is she not in +that fiend's power?" +</P> + +<P> +"That I grant you. But remember that Catesby must be greatly occupied +with his master's business, and shall have short time in which to +inflict his plague-like presence on her. +</P> + +<P> +"Her, no doubt, he hath sent to some place of safety, where she shall +remain until after the battle. +</P> + +<P> +"The Usurper's friends all think that their victory is assured, and +that Richmond, ere sunset to-morrow, shall be without a head. Little +do they suspect that Northumberland's forces will move not to foul +Richard's aid; or that Lord Stanley here, and his brother there, will +join with the noble Richmond. +</P> + +<P> +"Catesby will take his time and, when thou art dead, the which he +thinks thou soon shalt be, he'll go and gently woo the Lady Hazel. +This doth Catesby intend to do, or else I do know nothing of the man." +</P> + +<P> +"Dost thou think thus, indeed, my friend; or do you say these words +that thou mayst comfort me with false hopes?" I asked, as I trembled +with hope and fear. +</P> + +<P> +"Verily do I believe that which I said will prove to be the case." +</P> + +<P> +"Thanks, thanks! my friend. Thou knowest not the load that thou hast +taken from my heart. What, oh what could I do without the aid of thy +clear insight into the motives and the thoughts of all men?" +</P> + +<P> +"Nay, nay, flatter me not," he replied, with a depreciating smile; +"thou hast the same, if not a better, judgment, if thou wouldst but be +calm and use it." +</P> + +<P> +"Jist wait till to-morrow, and Master Catesby 'll fale the weight o' +moy hand," growled Michael, whose features still wore their look of +grim determination. +</P> + +<P> +Lord Stanley received me most cordially, and expressed his regret at my +great misfortune in falling into the trap set with such prodigious +skill by Catesby. +</P> + +<P> +"Do but be patient, Sir Walter," said he, in that kindly voice of his, +"to-morrow's work shall tell a different tale. Richard doth despise +his foe, and his great conceit doth cause him to underestimate the +hatred his subjects have for him. +</P> + +<P> +"I have a scar upon my head, the which must be revenged. Besides, he +hath taken my son, George Stanley, to keep as an hostage for my +loyalty. That I may save my son's life it shall be necessary for me to +hold back my forces from taking part against the boar, until such time +as he doth engage with Richmond. Then shall the tide of battle change, +and England shall be freed of tyranny." +</P> + +<P> +That night, Harleston, Michael, and I, all occupied the one tent, and +again was the tournament brought afresh to my mind, and with it an even +more intense hatred of my powerful foe, which I now felt I would soon +have within my power to crush. With the sweet thoughts of a speedy +vengeance for all my wrongs, I at length fell into a restless sleep, +from which I was awakened by the shrill blast of the startling trumpet. +</P> + +<P> +The day was just dawning; but with no great cheer of brightness. The +great hollow plain of Redmoor looked dark and misty, as though it did +dislike and dreaded the shock of battle that soon was to disturb its +gloomy, brooding stillness. +</P> + +<P> +When we had breakfasted and armed, the sun had risen sufficiently +high—though still did he remain behind a thick and dreary covering—to +enable us to watch the movements of the two opposing armies. +</P> + +<P> +The shape of this battle-field—as ye all do know—is that of a shallow +saucer, with one side chipped out, or flattened. +</P> + +<P> +From the right of us Richmond's army, numbering some six thousand men, +all told, advanced slowly down the gentle slope to meet the tyrant and +his force of some twelve thousand, or thereabouts, approaching from the +other side. +</P> + +<P> +We now saw that Stanley had well chosen his ground for the successful +carrying out of his plan; for as the two unequal forces did approach +each other it became evident that they must meet directly in front of +us. +</P> + +<P> +Soon the archers were engaged, and the deadly arrows flew through the +intervening space like hail. +</P> + +<P> +Our force, of seven thousand goodly warriors, was now drawn up in +lines, and the command was given to advance. +</P> + +<P> +Slowly did we march down towards the opposing armies that now were +engaged with the full fury of those that have received their baptism of +arrow's flight. As we drew near there was a temporary lull in the +clamour of the battle. Then we swung around and bore down upon the +Usurper's forces from the Earl of Richmond's side. +</P> + +<P> +Then was the heavy air rent asunder with loud, ringing cheers from +Richmond's men, and foul curses and shouts of defiance from the +Usurper's side. +</P> + +<P> +Now did the battle rage with a redoubled fury. The army of the valiant +Earl fought with the confidence of ultimate success; whilst Richard's +struggled on with desperation. Our archers fought side by side with +Richmond's foreigners. +</P> + +<P> +"God and St. George!" rang forth on every side above the battle's din. +</P> + +<P> +Then came the order which we knights had all been long awaiting. +</P> + +<P> +"Charge, gallant knights of England! A Richmond! A Richmond! +Victorious laurel crowns await us!" +</P> + +<P> +Then the long lances with their fluttering streamers bent all together +as they were laid in rest. How looked they like the full grown field +of grain as it doth bend before the hot blasts of summer. +</P> + +<P> +"Now, Walter, we must find Catesby!" cried Harleston. +</P> + +<P> +"Yea, <I>I</I> must find him," I replied between my set teeth, as forward we +dashed. +</P> + +<P> +Michael gave one great cheer and then leaned forward with his mighty +sword, that took the strength of two good men to wield, held beside his +huge steed's neck. +</P> + +<P> +On we flew, whilst forward dashed a band of knights and squires to meet +us. +</P> + +<P> +"Charge! charge! charge!" rang out on every side. +</P> + +<P> +A crash!—curses,—cheers and groans! and then the sharp swords flashed +over head, and the shields rang out right lustily. +</P> + +<P> +My lance did resist the shock of the first encounter; the knight +against whom I aimed it going down before my furious charge as though +he had been a reed. +</P> + +<P> +Sharply I spurred my steed and dashed forward at another knight, which +bravely came on to meet me. Both lances shivered up to the very grasp. +Drawing my good sword I again made at him. Then came a terrible blow +upon my side, and I was shot from my saddle as a stone from a sling. +Some cowardly knave had borne down upon me from the right whilst I was +drawing my sword to attack my more worthy antagonist. His lance's +point had struck beneath mine arm, and 'twas to our good King Edward's +noble present that I owed my life. +</P> + +<P> +I must have been stunned for a moment; for the next thing I knew of was +a knee upon my chest and a visored face bending o'er me. +</P> + +<P> +"Now I will finish the work left incomplete when last we met." It was +Catesby. +</P> + +<P> +In his hand he held a dagger, and now he drew it back to strike. +</P> + +<P> +The only sensation I then felt was a curiosity to know how it would +feel to die. The stroke I cared not for; but yet I wondered, with a +kind of disinterestedness, how one would feel as the soul was parting +from the body. It must have been that my senses were still scattered, +or I had not acted thus. No resistance did I make; but with an +indifferent feeling awaited the fatal blow where my helm joined my +gorget. +</P> + +<P> +All this could not have taken more time than does the lightning to fly +across the heavens; for still the dagger stayed poised in the air. +</P> + +<P> +"Hark ye!" hissed Catesby in mine ear. +</P> + +<P> +"Take with thee this message unto Hell. Say that I, Catesby, did send +thee to thy master, and that, unless the fortunes of the day be +changed, I'll not be long behind thee." Then up higher flew the +threatening blade. Then did it start on its downward course. It never +reached my throat. A great hand seized mine enemy by the wrist; back +flew the dagger-grasping hand until the arm snapped like a dry stick. +Catesby flew into the air as though drawn by a mighty loadstone. Then +was he hurled to the ground again with stunning force, and my great +Michael kneeled beside me. +</P> + +<P> +"Art thou hurt, yer honour?" he asked anxiously. +</P> + +<P> +"Nay, Michael; I got but a sudden fall that dazed me. 'Twas for a +moment only; now again do I feel a man." And with Michael's assistance +I arose to my feet. +</P> + +<P> +Then Catesby stirred, and Michael was upon him in an instant; dagger in +hand, and drawn back for the fatal blow. +</P> + +<P> +"Hold! hold, Michael! slay him not! I must question him!" I cried. +</P> + +<P> +"Uh! bad luck to me fer a blunderin' fool; sure we must foind out whare +he has the dear lady kipt, ere we send the varmint to roast in sulphur." +</P> + +<P> +"Come, Master Catesby, our late respective positions are now reversed," +said I calmly and distinctly, that my speech might be clear to his +dazed senses. "Dost hear me?" +</P> + +<P> +In a feeble voice, and with the use of many curses intermixed with +groans, he answered that he did. +</P> + +<P> +"Before thou diest thou shalt have an opportunity for the making of +some slight restitution for the many wrongs that thou hast done to me. +Tell me where I may find the Lady Hazel." +</P> + +<P> +He raised himself up and leaned on his well arm, whilst the other did +hang limp and twisted at his side. +</P> + +<P> +"And what shall I receive for the telling of this to thee?" +</P> + +<P> +"The weight of one good act to place opposite to the great load of evil +on the scales of justice, when thou dost shortly appear before the seat +of judgment." +</P> + +<P> +"Ha, ha, ha!" loud did he laugh. "And dost thou then think that I am +bereft of reason, to thus fling from me all that I do possess wherewith +to buy my life? Nay, unless thou dost spare my life, thou mayest +search from now until thy death, ere thou dost find the lady that thou +seekest." +</P> + +<P> +I held my dagger to his throat, but still he did hold his secret fast. +</P> + +<P> +"Thy miserable life is then spared, for the present, if thou dost tell +me where the lady is." +</P> + +<P> +"And wilt thou forbid yon demon from murdering me?" +</P> + +<P> +"Thou shalt not be harmed by either of us; but for thy treatment at the +hands of the Earl of Richmond I cannot speak. +</P> + +<P> +"Agreed! my life shall rest upon the hazard of this battle, as it did +ere we met this day." +</P> + +<P> +"Remember, if thou liest it shall be thy last; for thou dost still +remain my prisoner." +</P> + +<P> +"Go then unto the Town of Leicester—if thou ever canst—and within the +Sanctuary near Grey Friars' Church thou shalt find the lady. There was +she sent from the house in which I left thee, and there did I obtain +admittance for her. I have not seen her since thou hast; but last +evening I went unto the place and gave strict orders that there she +must be kept until I sent or came for her. Thou canst not get her out +without this ring. Here, draw it from my finger." +</P> + +<P> +This I did, and then I commanded Michael to take him to the rear of +Richmond's army. +</P> + +<P> +I felt no fear of Catesby's escape; for he might as well have tried to +escape from the unrelenting gates of Hell, as from the mighty Michael. +</P> + +<P> +The battle raged not nearby where I stood; but down at the marsh the +fight was at its thickest. Hastily did I secure a horse, and I spurred +him hard as I made for Richmond's standard. +</P> + +<P> +The royal banner of England now dashed forward, and the two flags were +well nigh together. +</P> + +<P> +"This now must be the finish," cried I, as I waved my good sword in +circles round my head. +</P> + +<P> +Then came there forward, like a thunderbolt, Sir William Stanley's +gallant horsemen, and rode abreast with me. +</P> + +<P> +Down sank the gallant standard of the noble Earl, as Richard himself +smote to the ground Sir William Brandon, who had carried it. Another +knight sprang forward from the side of Richmond and faced the desperate +tyrant. He met the same fate as Brandon. Richmond waved his sword in +defiance of the boar, and the two men were like to meet; but I got +betwixt them and caught Richard's blow upon my shield. +</P> + +<P> +"Ha! Bradley! Escaped, runagate traitor! Have at thee!" +</P> + +<P> +Again did I catch his savage blow, and this time I gave him my straight +point beneath his helm. +</P> + +<P> +At that very moment another good knight dashed in and, as he saw +Richard strike at me, he thought that I was Richmond. His bright blade +flashed through the air and struck the tyrant fair upon his helmed +head. Two such fierce blows, falling both at once, drove Richard from +his saddle as though a bolt from Heaven had struck him. +</P> + +<P> +Down from my steed I sprang, and with my dagger clipped the laces of +his headpiece. Already the eyes were rolled far back, and stared up +blindly at me. Not a quiver stirred his frame. He had died in the +twinkling of an eye. +</P> + +<P> +The sun now rent asunder the clouds of Heaven, as had the two flashing +swords torn the darkest clouds that had surrounded us all for so long a +time, and the whole field was filled with brightness. Mayhap it was +the resounding shouts of victory of our now half-crazed army that did +rend the heavy clouds; for one could scarce hear himself cheer, so loud +were the shouts of gladness all around us. +</P> + +<P> +The remnant of the dead tyrant's force—for above four thousand had +been slain—offered no further resistance, and the great majority of +them did join in and cheer for the victorious Earl. +</P> + +<P> +Then Harleston grasped my hand. His visor was raised up and his face +was flushed with pleasure and exertion. +</P> + +<P> +"Well, Bradley, our oath, made to King Edward, hath been kept; we have +revenged the murder of his little son." +</P> + +<P> +It was he who had struck down Richard at the same moment as had I. +</P> + +<P> +Richmond dismounted and, kneeling, he thanked God for his great +victory. Then he arose and grasped both Harleston and me by the hands, +and heartily he thanked us for the part that we had played. +</P> + +<P> +Sir William Stanley now advanced to where the Earl of Richmond stood. +In his hand he carried the light, gold crown that had been worn by +Richard in the battle. This he placed upon the victor's head, and then +we all knelt down and cried:—"God save King Henry!" Then, as do the +waters spread out in ever widening circling waves after a stone hath +been dropped through their smooth surface, the cries of:—"God save +King Henry!" swept throughout the whole delirious army. +</P> + +<P> +"Great God, I thank thee for this bounteous gift presented by the hands +of these, thy faithful servants," said Henry devoutly, as again he +kneeled. +</P> + +<P> +"May I rule this, my fair, native land with justice, and under thy +direction." +</P> + +<P> +Then again we all arose, and deafening cheers swept with redoubled +vigour over the plains of Redmoor. +</P> + +<P> +"Throw yon bloody carrion across the back of some degraded horse, and +then on to Leicester, where we will spend the night," said the King, as +he pointed to Richard's body. +</P> + +<P> +Frederick and I had little difficulty in finding Michael; for during +the preceding scene he had forced his way through the crowd and stood +near behind us. We then joined in with the guards of our new sovereign +and rode on to Leicester, with hearts lighter than they had been for +many a long, black day; and yet with anxious minds, as we wondered +whether Catesby had told the truth or no. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<A NAME="chap28"></A> + +<H3 ALIGN="center"> +CHAPTER XXVIII +</H3> + +<H4 ALIGN="center"> +CONCLUSION +</H4> + +<P> +When we reached our destination we handed Catesby over to the proper +authorities, and from that time we had naught to do with his fate. +</P> + +<P> +We hastened by the shortest way to the Grey Friars' Church, and from +there, when we had been directed, we went to the Sanctuary. +</P> + +<P> +Catesby had spoken the truth; the ring that I had taken from his finger +gained for us admittance. +</P> + +<P> +At first Hazel refused to see us, and prayed protection of the church +folk. +</P> + +<P> +Then I remembered me, and sent unto her our names. Instantly then were +we admitted into her presence, and happy reunion took the place of +torturous separation and maddening anxiety. +</P> + +<P> +"Come now, art happy and content?" I asked, when our joyous greeting +had gone the rounds. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, yes, so happy now, dear;—but how are thine ears?" she broke in +suddenly. +</P> + +<P> +"Tush! 'twas a mere nothing; he but cut off the skin." +</P> + +<P> +However, she would not be content until I had taken off my helm and she +had redressed the slight wounds. +</P> + +<P> +"But what became of him?" she asked, as a shudder ran through her +frame. "I have not seen him since he was torturing thee. The next I +knew I was within a closed, wheeled litter, travelling at a fearful +pace, and this woman here, beside me. I tried to get out, but could +not. Armed men rode all around the litter. Steadily did we travel on, +stopping but seldom to get fresh horses, food, and some little rest, +until we reached this place. Here have I been locked up and treated as +a mad woman." +</P> + +<P> +"The fiend!" I cried. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes, Catesby had evidently been here and told them that I was his mad +sister, which thought I was another, and this woman here hath been my +keeper since I came." +</P> + +<P> +I walked over to where the woman—an old hag—was crouched on a bench +in a corner, trembling with fear. +</P> + +<P> +"Thou mayest leave this place at once, madam," I said, "and thank God, +which made thee so, that thou hast at least the sex of a woman. +</P> + +<P> +"Your master is now the prisoner of our new King Henry, and, unless the +aforesaid King be of more forgiving nature than I think, Catesby shall +soon be with his master, the usurping tyrant, Richard, which is even +now in Hell's consuming fire." +</P> + +<P> +"Oh, poor Sir William!" she wailed. "Ah, sir! I nursed him at my +breast, and ever since have I been his servant. Oh! save him, sir! I +know he did have his faults; but still do I love and serve him, as +though he were mine own. For God's sake, sir, speak but a word to your +new King, and thou canst save him! Return good for evil, now that thou +hast the power!" and she knelt at my feet and threw her arms about my +legs. +</P> + +<P> +"Strange," thought I, "that even such a villain as is Catesby hath some +one who loves him." Then aloud I said:—"It must not be. My wrongs +are not the only ones that he must answer for. Catesby hath writ a +volume of misdeeds, and the whole world hath perused them. No man can +stop the bad effects of these in other ways than by the suppression of +the one that doeth them." +</P> + +<P> +"Wilt thou not have mercy on him, Walter dear?" asked the +tender-hearted maid which now clung to my side. +</P> + +<P> +I started in surprise. "What! dost thou plead for Catesby?" I asked. +</P> + +<P> +"Nay, not for him; but for this old woman here. She hath done naught +but obey her master. Save the knave, Walter, for this old woman's +sake. We can now afford to be generous, Walter dear; now that all +danger is past. Besides, he can do no harm, and mayhap your generosity +will show him the evil of his acts, and he will then repent," and she +stroked my cheek coaxingly. +</P> + +<P> +Truly, a woman is the most unfathomable work of God. Here was this +maid, quick as a hornet to resent a wrong, and yet forgiving as a dove +when the danger had passed. +</P> + +<P> +I hesitated; but her tender eyes were on me, and I could not resist +their wondrous charm. +</P> + +<P> +"Well,—I will see what may be done," I replied slowly, and with great +reluctance. "But remember, I have little thought that he can avoid the +block, or halter." +</P> + +<P> +Then I went unto the King's headquarters and told him my request. +</P> + +<P> +"What, Bradley! spare the life of Catesby; the man that so hath wronged +thee? By the light of Heaven! my long sojourn across the channel hath +made me to forget the nature of an English gentleman! But may I ask +your reason for this strange request?" he asked more seriously. +</P> + +<P> +I told him. +</P> + +<P> +"'Tis but an old woman's whim; but even so I had been glad to grant +thee this request; but thou art too late. His head was stricken off +but a few moments before thou earnest." +</P> + +<P> +"Thank Gawd!" growled Michael from the door, whither he had followed, +as faithful as my shadow. +</P> + +<P> +"And is this a friend of thine?" asked the King. +</P> + +<P> +"Ay, your Majesty, he is my noble squire. To him, your Grace, do I owe +my life a score of times." And then I told him of the worthy Irishman. +</P> + +<P> +When I came to the part that Michael had played that day the King +exclaimed:— +</P> + +<P> +"What! captured Catesby! Kneel down my faithful subject. What is thy +name?" +</P> + +<P> +"Moichael O'Brien, yer Majesty." +</P> + +<P> +The King drew forth his sword and laid it upon the mighty shoulder. +"Arise, Sir Michael O'Brien." +</P> + +<P> +Still did not Michael stand; but merely raised his head and stared in +bewilderment at the King. +</P> + +<P> +"Come, Sir Michael, let me be the first to congratulate thee on thy +distinction," said I, as I grasped his hand and raised him to his feet. +</P> + +<P> +He could not speak, but looked his surprise and thanks more eloquently +than could have been expressed by a whole volume of words. +</P> + +<P> +When we reached the Sanctuary I informed the old hag that I had been +too late to save Catesby. +</P> + +<P> +How she howled and chattered like a mad creature, and Hazel, like the +dear forgiving angel that she hath ever been, comforted this old woman +with soft, soothing words, and at last succeeded in quieting her. The +old woman was then led off to another room, and since that day I never +have beheld her. And for this I am thankful; for I could not look upon +her without mixed emotions of hate and sympathy struggling within my +heart. +</P> + +<P> +The next morning the dead tyrant was buried, and Frederick, Michael, +and I went to Grey Friars' Church to look the last upon the one on +which the result of our oath made to his brother had fallen. I touched +his hand. In death he was as cold as a salamander, and 'tis like his +soul was in that place where this peculiar beast best flourishes. +</P> + +<P> +"Richard succeeded better than I thought possible, when he drew in the +ship of power," said Harleston. "But when the sailors found what kind +of captain they did have to rule them they mutinied and killed their +tyrant master." +</P> + +<P> +"His tower of crime did fall, and it crushed its builder, as thou +saidst it should," said I. +</P> + +<P> +"Yes," replied Frederick. +</P> + +<P> +Then he continued in his musing way; his head bowed in thought. +</P> + +<P> +"We are all but dry leaves, lying upon the ground of time. The gust of +life doth come along, and it hurls us some distance from the earth. On +we travel for a short space; some of us sailing higher than the others. +The breeze dies out, and we all do fall back to the same low level." +</P> + +<P> +The truth of Harleston's words was made most clear to me then, as I +gazed upon the corpse of him who had been, but a short time since, a +King, and now was a cold lump of earth, such as we all must be. +</P> + +<P> +We then went to ask the King for his permission for us to return to +Westminster with the Lady Hazel. +</P> + +<P> +His Majesty received us in a most friendly manner, and granted us the +desired permission. +</P> + +<P> +"I suppose," said he, as we were leaving his presence, "that I need not +ask thee, Sir Walter, nor thee, Sir Frederick, to remain at my court +when I do reach London; for I have heard of two fair maidens which ye +do intend to make your wives. Well, ye are both right, and, when the +Government hath been set in order, I do intend to follow your worthy +example, and wed the fair, budding young Elizabeth. Ye both have my +heartiest wishes of the happiness that ye have won through many dark +days of misery, and by your gallant acts in the liberating of England +from a rule of tyranny. Never doubt but that ye ever shall live in my +memory, or that I ever will neglect some small reward for noble service +rendered." +</P> + +<P> +"Thanks, thanks, your Majesty!" we replied. +</P> + +<P> +"And if your Grace doth ever require—the which pray God ye never +may—two trusty swords, thou shalt never be compelled to send an order +for them," said Harleston with a heartiness that could not be mistaken. +</P> + +<P> +"Well do I know that, sirs." Then turning to the gigantic fresh-dubbed +knight, he said:— +</P> + +<P> +"Sir Michael, thou hast no love that will keep thee from remaining with +us at the Palace?" +</P> + +<P> +The mighty man started, and looked imploringly at the King, and then +hopelessly at me; yet spoke he not a word. +</P> + +<P> +"Come, Sir Michael," said I, "speak freely your mind to his Majesty. +He is not the tyrant Richard, that ever hated men to give their honest +thoughts expression." +</P> + +<P> +Still did he hesitate and grew more confused with each breath. +</P> + +<P> +"Ah! I see the trouble, and I think none the less of thee for thy +feeling," said the King, with admiration in his voice and manner, as he +walked to where Michael stood and put his hand upon the honest +shoulder. "Thou dost still wish to abide with your old master, and yet +fear to displease me with refusing my request. Come, am I not right?" +</P> + +<P> +"Sure, that's the houle truth o' the thing, yer Majesty." +</P> + +<P> +"Then go with Sir Walter, my good friend. Such loyalty doth raise thee +in mine estimation. I know full well that should I ever need thee, +thou wilt flash thy good sword betwixt the two of these good friends." +</P> + +<P> +"Oi thank yer Majesty." +</P> + +<P> +"Farewell, my faithful friends. In London soon I hope to see ye all." +</P> + +<P> +As we left the room in which this interview took place I felt a great +lump rise up in my throat, as I thought of my faithful Michael's +loyalty. No word did I speak unto him; but I took his great hand in +mine and pressed it hard. +</P> + +<P> +Right after dinner we set out for Westminster and proceeded rapidly, +until we reached the Sanctuary late in the second day following. +</P> + +<P> +Joyous then was our reunion. The girls, the Queen and her daughters +embraced, laughed and wept, whilst we men, which have no part in such +scenes, stood and looked uncomfortably on. +</P> + +<P> +The next day, without preparation, there took place in the chapel of +the Sanctuary a double wedding, in which the fair-haired Mary and the +gallant Frederick, and the dark-eyed Hazel and your most humble father +and grandfather, played the important parts; whilst the ex-Queen and +her daughters, together with the great Michael, lent right noble +assistance. The priests prayed; the soft voices of the choir sang +forth in tender harmony. We were blessed, and then walked from the +chapel, with the sweet music lingering like a love kiss in our ears. +</P> + +<P> +'Twas as we walked forth that Harleston and I both drew from our +doublets—as we had foreplanned we would—the remembrances that the +girls had given us long days before in the park at Windsor. These we +returned to them, and they laughed and kissed them and re-gave them +unto us. +</P> + +<P> +Still have we both those tokens; and mine doth now lie before me as I +pen these words. I take it up and kiss it tenderly, and a tear drops +down upon it. +</P> + +<P> +Place that small glove, my children, in my grave and on my +death-stilled heart when I am gone. +</P> + +<HR ALIGN="center" WIDTH="60%"> + +<P> +The King forgot not the service we had rendered him upon that misty +plain of Redmoor. A handsome wedding portion did he send to both the +girls, although they did not need it. And when, later in his reign, he +did acquire the habit of imposing heavy fines upon all of his subjects, +both Harleston and myself escaped "as though by magic," as said some of +our friends. +</P> + +<HR ALIGN="center" WIDTH="60%"> + +<P> +And now the tale is told, and all that for me remains to do is sit with +folded hands beside that dear grey head before the blazing fire, and +talk away the winter's day. And in the hot summer's evenings stroll, +with that same dear trusting hand upon mine arm, that for sixty years +hath been there, beneath the old oaks of dear Bradley House. And when +your dear cousins, Harleston, and your Uncle Frederick and Aunt +Mary—as ye do call them—come over to spend with us a quiet evening, +we all do sit upon the great lawn and talk the setting sun into his +rest. +</P> + +<P> +And now but a word of the great Michael, which ye all do love so +dearly. Mayhap ye never have heard the reason why we do not call him +"Sir." It was at his own request that we did drop the distinction. +</P> + +<P> +"Sure, yer honour," said he to me one day, "if ye playze, wouldst thou +moind if Oi axed thee to not call me 'Sor'?" +</P> + +<P> +"But for why, my good friend?" +</P> + +<P> +"Uh! sure sor it doesn't sound roight to moy ears, and maketh me to +fale a stranger to thee, sor. Playze, sor, give unto me back moy ould +name and Oi'll fale more loike moysilf." +</P> + +<P> +That, my dears, is the reason why the great man who hath ever lived +with us, and carried ye all on his mighty shoulders, hath ever been +known unto ye all as plain, old, faithful Michael. +</P> + +<P> +And so, like the harmonious voices of a choir, we five are singing the +last, sweet, trembling note. It is dying softly out; but with a +tender, holy peacefulness. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<P CLASS="finis"> +THE END +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR> + +<P> +NOTE.—Sir Walter Bradley's chronicle differs, in some parts, from the +histories of the majority of the writers of his time. His most +important contradictions of his contemporaries are:— +</P> + +<P> +His description of the taking of Berwick—which place, the other +authorities state, was besieged for several weeks, by land and sea, +before it fell. +</P> + +<P> +The death of King Edward—which event, other chroniclers state, took +place at Westminster, not Windsor. +</P> + +<P> +The escape to France of the little Duke of York, who, it is more +generally believed, was murdered with his brother, in the Tower. +</P> + +<P> +On all other important points Sir Walter's statements are corroborated +by his contemporaries. +</P> + +<P CLASS="noindent"> +K.M. +</P> + +<BR><BR><BR><BR> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of With Ring of Shield, by Knox Magee + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH RING OF SHIELD *** + +***** This file should be named 32874-h.htm or 32874-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/2/8/7/32874/ + +Produced by Al Haines + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: With Ring of Shield + +Author: Knox Magee + +Illustrator: F. A. Carter + +Release Date: June 18, 2010 [EBook #32874] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH RING OF SHIELD *** + + + + +Produced by Al Haines + + + + + + + + + +[Illustration: Cover art] + + + +[Frontispiece: Knox Magee] + + + + + +WITH RING OF SHIELD + + + + "_On he came, and, to my great surprise and pleasure, + struck he my shield with the sharp point of his lance_. + + "_Ah! my brave sons, ye all do know the pleasure 'tis + when, with ring of shield, ye are informed an enemy hath + come to do ye battle_." + + + + +BY KNOX MAGEE + + +_Illustrated by_ F. A. CARTER + + + +GEORGE J. McLEOD + +_PUBLISHER ---- TORONTO_ + + + + +COPYRIGHT, 1900 + +BY + +R. F. FENNO & COMPANY + + + + +CONTENTS + + + I. Sir Frederick Harleston + II. The Maidens + III. A First Brush with the Enemy + IV. The Taking of Berwick + V. From Berwick to Windsor + VI. The King's Gifts + VII. The Ball at the Castle + VIII. The Duel + IX. The King's Death + X. I am Sent to Ludlow + XI. Some Happenings at Windsor + XII. Gloucester Shows his Hand + XIII. The Flight from the Palace + XIV. I Reach Westminster + XV. Michael and Catesby + XVI. My Dangerous Position + XVII. At the Sanctuary + XVIII. Richard Triumphs + XIX. A Message is Sent to Richmond + XX. Before the Tournament + XXI. The Tournament + XXII. A Midnight Adventure + XXIII. The Arrest + XXIV. In the Tower + XXV. Michael and I + XXVI. The House with the Flag + XXVII. The Field of Bosworth + XXVIII. Conclusion + + + + +Illustrations + + +Knox Magee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . _Frontispiece_ + +"Both our lances flew into a thousand pieces." + +"The signal was then given." + +"I am to blame, and I alone should suffer." + +"Always remember thy mother and this, her advice." + +"Ha, thou blond varmint." + +"I climbed wearily to the top." + +"Come on, ye pack of cowards." + + + + +With Ring of Shield + + +CHAPTER I + +SIR FREDERICK HARLESTON + +In these days, when the air is filled with the irritating, peevish +sounds of chattering gossips, which tell of naught but the scandals of +a court, where Queens are as faithless as are their lives brief, +methinks it will not be amiss for me to tell a story of more martial +days, when gossips told of armies marching and great battles fought, +with pointed lance, and with the bright swords' flash, and with the +lusty ring of shield. + +Now, my friend Harleston doth contend, that peace and quiet, without +the disturbing clamour of war's dread alarms, do help to improve the +mind, and thus the power of thought is added unto. This, I doubt not, +is correct in the cases of some men; but there are others, to whom +peace and quiet do but bring a lack of their appreciation. I grant +that to such a mind as Harleston's, peaceful and undisturbed meditation +are the fields in which they love to stroll, and pluck, with tender +hand, and thought-bowed head, the most beautiful and most rare of +flowers: but then, such even-balanced brains as his are few and far +between; and even he, so fond of thought and study, did love to dash, +with levelled lance and waving plumes, against the best opponent, and +hurl him from his saddle. + +And there is Michael, which ever thinks the same as do myself, and +longs for fresh obstacles to lay his mighty hand upon and crush, as he +would a reed. + +It is of those bygone days of struggle and deep intrigue that I now +shall write. I do hope that some of ye--my sons and grandsons--may, +after I am laid to rest, have some worthy obstacles to overcome, in +order that ye may the better enjoy your happiness when it is allotted +unto you. Still do I pray, with my old heart's truest earnestness, +that no one of my blood may have as great trials as I went through; but +in which I had the noble assistance and sympathy of the best friends +ever man was blest with. I shall now tell of my meeting with the first +of these, and later in the tale I shall tell ye of the other. + +I, Walter Bradley, then a faithful servant of his Majesty King Edward +IV, was sitting one evening in my room at the palace of the aforesaid +King, at Windsor, engaged in the examination of some of mine arms, to +make sure that my servants had put them all in proper order for our +expedition into Scotland, with the King's brother, the Duke of +Gloucester. A knock came at my door and, upon opening, I beheld Lord +Hastings, then the Chancellor of the Kingdom, and at his side a +gentleman which I had not before seen. This stranger was a man of +splendid physique, about mine own height; long, light brown, waving +hair; blue eyes, that looked me fairly in mine own; sharp features; and +yet, with all his look of unbending will, and proud bearing, he had a +kindly expression in his honest eyes. + +"This is my young friend, Sir Frederick Harleston, just now arrived +from Calais," said Hastings, as they both entered at mine invitation, +and he introduced us to each other. + +The Chancellor stayed but until he got our conversation running freely, +and then he spoke of some business of state that did demand his +immediate attention, and left us to become better acquainted. + +Of course the expedition into Scotland was the chiefest subject of our +conversation; and I learned from Harleston that he too did intend +accompanying the Duke, as the King had that day granted him the desired +permission. + +"And what kind of man is Duke Richard?" asked my new acquaintance, when +we had at length discussed the other leaders of our forces. + +"Hast thou never seen him?" + +"Ay, I have seen him, though I am unknown to him; but I mean what kind +of man is he inwardly, not physically?" + +"As for that, I do not care to speak. Thou, no doubt, hast heard of +some of his Royal Highness' acts; men must be judged but by their acts, +and not by the opinions of such an one as I," I replied cautiously; for +I hesitated to express mine own opinion--the which, in this case, was +not the most favourable--to one which I had but just met. Remember, my +dears, those were times in which a silent tongue lived longer than did +a loose one. + +Harleston's color heightened, but with a smile, he said:--"Thou art in +the right. 'Twas impertinent of me to ask thee, who know me not, a +question of that sort. I had forgot that this is England, and not +Calais; for there we discuss, freely, the King, as though he were but a +plain man." + +The frankness of this man, together with his polite and gentlemanly +speech, made me to feel ashamed of my caution, so I said:--"Duke +Richard hath never been popular with the friends of her Majesty the +Queen; though of late he hath made himself liked better by them, than +he was for many a long day." + +"But he is a valiant soldier, is he not?" + +"Ay, verily, that he is. He is as brave as the lions upon his banner, +and besides, he knoweth well the properest way in which to distribute +his forces in the field. There it is that the good qualities of +Richard do show up like stars in a deep, dark sky." + +"Then the sky is truly black?" asked Sir Frederick, with a smile. + +I could not help but laugh at the way I had at last unconsciously +expressed mine opinion of the Duke, after having declined to do so, but +a breathing-space before. I cared not now that I had spoken my mind of +Richard; for the more I looked into the honest face before me, the more +did I trust to his discretion. + +Then our conversation changed to the gossip of the court, of which I +told him all. The only part of this in which he showed interest was +when I spoke of the King's health. + +"I fear," said he, "that his Majesty's reign is nearing an untimely +end. When a man hath lived the life that the noble Edward hath, and +kept up, with unbated vigor, his licentious habits, even when his body +hath broken down, it doth take but little to blow the candle out. Some +morning we shall awaken to find that Edward IV is dead, and his infant +son is our new king." + +"Yes, that is what we must soon expect, for kings must die as well as +subjects; especially, as thou most wisely saidst, kings which insist +upon living a life of three score and ten years in a trifle more than +two score." + +"And then God help poor England," said my new acquaintance devoutly. + +"Why dost thou take such a pessimistic view of the situation in case of +King Edward's death?" I asked; for the solemn manner in which Harleston +had last spoken strangely thrilled me. + +He regarded me thoughtfully whilst one might, with leisure, tell a +score, ere he did answer my question; then he said:--"It hath ever been +a rule of mine, as it evidently is of yours, to not speak mine opinions +unto strangers; but on the contrary to let the other party speak his +mind most freely. I have found this plan to be of exceeding worth in +enabling me to gather most useful information, without a payment in +return." + +I felt my face flush red, and I was about to express, in no mild +speech, mine opinion of his action in thus obtaining from me all the +information that I did possess, and then, when I did ask him to explain +the meaning of his own remarks, to thus answer me. + +He took no notice of my movement or look, but continued speaking in +that same quiet voice, that never did seem to be disturbed by passion, +and yet had in it something of a force that ever made it to command +attention. + +"Many years have I spent in France, and therefore a stranger have I +come to look on as a foreigner. Now that I am returned again unto my +native land methinks that I will let my judgment take the place of mine +old rule, and speak out freely to those whom I take to be honest. Thee +do I place in this class, which I do regret is very small." + +I was prodigiously surprised that a stranger would thus speak unto me +as though I were some disinterested outsider of whom he was speaking. +Again did I flush up and commence to attire myself in my dignity; but +Harleston's honest and inoffensive look of candor did again disarm me, +and he continued, uninterrupted, with his speech. + +"For several years have I been acquainted with my Lord Hastings, whilst +he was the governor of Calais. From him did I learn much of the +situation here; but never did he speak of the characters of those in +power; for Hastings, though a proper man, is still a politician and, as +such, must keep his opinions to himself. It is a pleasure to me then +to be permitted to thus discuss the probabilities of England's future +with one not bound by the bonds of policy." + +I bowed, and he continued:-- + +"So far as I can see, if the King dies ere the Prince of Wales be old +enough to take full charge of the government, the people shall be +obliged to choose a protector to rule in the young king's stead, until +such time as the child doth come unto years of proper judgment." + +"True," I assented. + +"Do then but cast thine eye over the congregation of eager applicants +for this seat of power, and thou shalt behold one whose advantage over +the others doth raise him to a vast height above their heads, and +consequently his chances of success in this great competition are +assured; that one can be no other than Richard, Duke of Gloucester." + +"Ay, truly, there is no other with sufficient power to rule England, in +case the King should die." + +"Now if Gloucester doth come thus into power will he not desire to have +his revenge upon those which have ever been his enemies?" + +"'Tis like he will." + +"And will not this lead to uprisings throughout the land? Yea," he +continued, "we have had one example of the troubles, and bloody wars +brought about through the King dying and leaving a child to grasp with +its weakly hands the sceptre and the sword of chastisement. Pray God +we do not have another, and yet I fear that it will be unavoidable. I +have expressed mine own poor opinion, without its being prejudiced by +any others' thoughts; see whether I shall be right or wrong." + +Now such a view of that which might soon happen had never been taken by +me; and yet I had spent several years at court, and thought myself well +acquainted with all the intrigues and possibilities of court life. And +here was a young man--in fact not older than myself--which had never in +his life lived at court, prophesying as to what the future would bring +forth. His words were indeed bold, and yet I could not deny that they +were reasonable, and liable to be fulfilled. + +I now did admire this handsome and thoughtful stranger, and therefore +methought it a duty put upon me to give him some warning that might +serve to keep that well-shaped head, for a little longer space, upon +its broad, square shoulders. I therefore said:-- + +"Thine opinions, I have a fear, stand in some likelihood of being +proven true; yet do I pray with my full heart that they may be wrong. +However, whether thou art right or wrong--the which time will +prove--let me now warn thee, which art a stranger here, to keep those +thoughts to thyself. There are those about this place--the more's the +pity--whose shoulders are not bent by the weight of honor they carry, +but from their habit of holding their ears to the keyhole." + +"Thanks for thy kind intent," he replied. "After I have had some +little experience at court I do hope that I may acquire the habit of +smiling whilst, with my dagger, I kill my partner in the conversation. +This, I have heard, is the fashion of the Duke of Gloucester; and if I +do prove a true prophet all good courtiers must soon adopt it." + +That night as Harleston was leaving my room I promised to see him early +in the morning, and show him through the castle and parks. + +As we shook hands at the door I felt as though I had known him for +long, and that we had ever been the best of friends. + +That, my dears, was how I became acquainted with Sir Frederick +Harleston, who, since that day, hath ever been close by my side, +through many harsh experiences, as well as through many sunny days of +happiness. + +Now we are sailing, side by side, down the mighty river, travelled by +all wearing the fleshly habit. The great unknown sea of oblivion is +now near at hand, and soon we shall both cross the bar and sail forth +upon its smooth and peaceful surface. + +But there I go passing over sixty years as lightly as a swallow doth +skim the bosom of smooth waters. And indeed the waters o'er which I am +skimming are not smooth, but rough and troubled. Come, come, Sir +Walter, settle down and tell the tale of days before your hair had lost +its raven hue. My head, as ye all know, is now well capped with snow; +but yet the head itself doth still retain a deal of its wonted fire. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE MAIDENS + +The next morning after Harleston had come unto my rooms I called at his +apartments to see how he did like the way that he had been placed. I +found him in the act of completing his toilet, and therefore, as he had +not broken his fast, I invited him to come and breakfast with me; which +invitation he did readily accept. + +During our meal he asked me many questions as to the manner in which +people conducted themselves at court, to which questions I gave him +very complete answers, so that he might be able to manage without any +breach of etiquette, which thing to do, at Edward's court, was not so +easy as one might imagine. + +"Now, in regard to your ladies," said he, "do they insist upon being +worshiped, as do the ones of France, or are they cold and chilling, as +are the fogs of mine almost forgotten native land?" + +"Thou shalt have an opportunity for the satisfying of thyself as to +that same, to-day; for I am about to take thee with me to see two of +England's fairest primroses; the one, my cousin, Lady Mary Atherby, to +whose tender care I will leave thee, and the other, Lady Hazel +Woodville, to whose mercy I do entrust my soul--if she be pleased to +take the present at my hands." + +"Do these ladies live at court?" + +"Yes," I replied. "They are both ladies-in-waiting to the Queen. And +now, having done all the damage we can to the present repast, what dost +thou say to a stroll through the park, where we are like to meet the +ladies, and there satisfy thy curiosity as to their dispositions?" + +"With all my heart," said he. "I have never been known to be elsewhere +than in the front rank in such an attack, though ever do I meet with a +repulse." + +We then strolled forth into the park, and wandered through the walks, +among the grand old trees, for some time, without meeting anyone. + +"I fear that we are not destined to fall in with the enemy," said +Harleston, after we had walked in silence for some time. + +"Fear not," I replied; "we shall soon commence the encounter; for +there, unless mine eyes do deceive me, is the first sign of danger." + +"Thou meanest that fair outpost yonder, where those two oaks do meet +above the path?" + +"The same," I replied; "but it now looketh as though there are others +there before us." + +While this conversation was going on we had gradually approached a +bench, placed behind a clump of bushes, through which we saw some fair, +fresh, faces, watching our approach. Upon the bench, and talking with +the girls, were two men, in which, as we drew closer, I recognized the +Duke of Gloucester and the Duke of Buckingham. Richard was dressed--as +was his wont--in the extreme of fashion and in the richest of +materials. Buckingham, though not so showily attired, was +magnificently dressed in black, figured velvet, with dark maroon +facings. + +After saluting the Prince, the ladies, and Buckingham, I introduced my +new friend to them all. I then said unto his Royal Highness--"Sir +Frederick, here, hath but yesterday been made a brother officer, by his +Majesty." + +"Yes," said Harleston, "the King did command me to report to your Royal +Highness for service with thee in your expedition into Scotland." + +"Much am I joyed, Sir Frederick, to have thy noble assistance in our +chastisement of the insolent Scot: for England can ill afford to spare +any brave knight from her expeditions, now that they have become so +thinned out by our late, unhappy wars," said the Prince, with that +heartiness he so well could use, and of which he knew the power. + +"But let me warn ye both," he continued, with a mock gravity and a +quick glance at the maidens, "that ye shall have short time in which to +enjoy the pleasures of the court; for we march next week. Therefore +make the most of your opportunities." + +Buckingham, who ever smiled, but said little, though he was no mean +orator, merely agreed with the Prince's remark, and with a pleasant bow +they left us, the limping Prince leaning on the arm of Buckingham. + +"Thank God!" I cried, with a sigh, when the two were out of earshot. + +"Is he not most disrespectful?" laughed Hazel, as she turned to +Harleston. + +"Nay, of that I cannot judge, fair lady," replied he, with a smile. +"The customs of the court I have yet before me to master. 'Tis +possible that ere I have been here a week I will commend Sir Walter's +act." + +"Indeed thou shalt," cried both of the girls at once. + +"Oh! those two are simply unbearable," said Hazel with a force that +left no doubt as to her opinion. But then she hath ever been one which +feared not to express her dislikes, and they are ever as passionate as +are her likes. + +"And so, Sir Frederick, thou hast come all the way from France merely +for the pleasure of marching off to battle and slaughtering poor +Scotchmen, or of being killed thyself?" said gentle cousin Mary. +"Alas, when will ever you men learn that there are other things to live +for, in which there is more glory, far, than in the cruel wars and +slaughters." + +Both Hazel and I did laugh at the little maid for the solemn way in +which she said this; but Harleston did not smile, and on the contrary +listened with attention. Mary without noticing us continued--"Look at +Lord Rivers and behold what he hath accomplished: introduced printing, +and by that one act hath done more real good for England than if he had +won the greatest of all battles." + +"I quite agree with thee, Lady Mary," Sir Frederick replied; "but +battles are also necessary, in order that our homes and country may be +protected, and that we may be permitted to enjoy those luxuries such as +is the one which Lord Rivers hath taken the pains to introduce." + +"Mayhap thou art right; I never looked at it in that way before; but +still I do not like them," said Mary, wrinkling her little forehead, +and shaking her pretty head in the most bewitching way, and causing +some little golden curls to dance and lightly kiss her cheeks. I could +tell by the look on Harleston's face, that he did envy those curls +their position. And who would not? Had ye but seen Mary at that time, +ye should have been changed from freemen into Mary's slave, and that +quite freely, that is, had the Lady Hazel not been there: for had she +been ye would love the one on which your eyes first fell. + +Whilst the afore-put-down conversation was taking place we had been +walking slowly through the park; and now Hazel and I began, gradually, +to drop behind. Of course we had naught whatever to do with this; it +must have been that Harleston and Mary did quicken their pace. + +"What dost thou think of my new friend?" I asked, when they were out of +ear-shot. + +"Quite an acquisition to the court," Hazel replied. "Indeed 'tis time +we had another handsome gentleman at court," (here my chest did begin +to swell, and at least two inches were added unto my stature, which did +not need it;) "besides the King," she added. + +Since that day I have had the greatest sympathy with Lucifer. Verily, +I never fell from such a height before, nor since. I have been thrown +from my horse in battle, and had hundreds ride over me, yet have I felt +better than I did that morning in the park. I stopped and stared at +her, with my mouth open, like a bumpkin gazing at an army passing. + +Now at that time (and I say it without conceit) there were few men at +court who would not have been glad to change their looks with Walter +Bradley; therefore the blow did fall with more stunning force. When I +had somewhat recovered myself, I walked on, wishing every woman at the +bottom of the sea, and swearing revenge on her, which was now walking +by my side; yet cursing myself, silently, for having made a fool of +myself by showing my surprise. Hazel, instead of laughing, which would +have made me feel better, wore the most innocent look that it is +possible to imagine: yet methought the look was overdone. However, I +was now determined not to show my disappointment any more; so I +continued the conversation, using the same subject. + +"I do not believe Harleston need fear the Scottish arrows; for, unless +I be a false prophet, he will leave the most vital part of his body, +namely, the heart, here at Windsor. And yet," I continued, becoming +bolder, and heaving a heavy sigh, "he shall not be the only one to do +so." + +"No," she replied; "the Duke of Gloucester said he was leaving his +heart here." + +"To whom said he that?" cried I, for the one danger of this accursed +court life was the chance of men in high places casting a jealous eye +on the maidens of the court. + +"I heard him tell the Queen that he would leave his heart with the King +and his family," answered Hazel, and she laughed at my apprehension of +the danger which I thought threatened her. + +"Why dost thou like to torment me so?" I asked. + +"Because thou art so easily teased." + +Why, oh why, did the Creator arm these fair creatures with such a power +to make us happy or miserable, good or bad, send us to Heaven or to +Hell, make us sensible men or the veriest of fools as best doth please +their whims? + +"But look, here cometh the Queen," said my fair companion. "I fear I +shall get a scolding for leaving her, to walk with thee." + +"Tell her that the Duke of Gloucester kept thee talking with him, the +which is the truth," I said. + +But when we met her Majesty, who was walking with her daughters and +some others of her suite, she most kindly did receive us, and no +thoughts of scolding were in her gracious mind. When we had spoken for +some time, the Queen enquired as to where Mary was. + +"She came on ahead of us, your Majesty," replied I, "and I had surely +thought that thou must have met her." + +"Do thou go, Hazel dear, and when thou hast found her, tell her that I +wish to speak to her." + +Hazel courtesied, I bowed, and we passed on, searching for Mary and +Harleston. + +"The Queen is the best mistress that any servant could wish for," said +Hazel, when we had gone a few paces. "She is never angry, and so kind; +she treats both Mary and me as though we were her own daughters." + +I did not wonder that the Queen did use them both go well; for who +could help loving either of those dear, dainty maidens? + +We had not gone far ere we met Mary and Harleston returning. + +"They seem to be getting on famously," observed Hazel; "for they are so +preoccupied that they do not see us coming." + +When they came near, Mary, who had evidently been listening with great +attention to something that Harleston was telling to her, burst forth +into her rippling, childlike laugh. Then, as she caught sight of us, +she stopped suddenly and said:-- + +"Oh, here they come now!" Then, as we met them:--"We thought that ye +must have turned back; so we were just coming to search for you." + +"And what has Sir Frederick been telling thee that was so amusing?" I +asked. + +"Oh!" replied Harleston, "the Lady Mary hath been completing mine +education, which thou, Sir Walter, didst start last night, and then I, +in order to, in some small way, repay part of the debt, was telling her +some of the stories that I had heard in France, where indeed they are +most expert in story-telling, though not so accomplished with regard to +the truth." + +Here Hazel delivered the Queen's message, and we all started back to +the Palace, laughing and chattering, like nothing more than school +children. Upon reaching the castle I found some orders from Duke +Richard, the fulfillment of which did keep me busy for the remainder of +the day. + +The next few days, Harleston and I spent in making ready for the march; +so we did not see much of the ladies. However, the morning before we +left Windsor, we met them in the park, whither we had gone in search of +them. When they beheld us, they came forward to meet us, and methought +that Hazel did not look as happy as was her wont; but it may have been +that I was hoping to see her look sorrowful, and therefore, I did +imagine it. + +"We have come to receive the benediction," said Sir Frederick. + +"And also a charm that will give unto us both charmed lives," I +laughingly put in. + +"Indeed thou needst not to laugh, Walter," said Mary, solemnly, and +with reproof in her tone and manner. "I know that thou dost not +believe in such things, and therefore they are worthless to thee; for +in order to be protected by these mysterious benefactors, one must have +unquestioned faith in their ability to protect. Now, Sir Frederick," +she continued, with a slight hesitation, "if thou art not so skeptical +as Walter there, and if thou wilt promise to keep it safe, and not to +lose it, I will lend thee a charm that will indeed protect thee from +all harm. I always have it with me, and nothing hath ever harmed me." + +"'Twould truly be a fiendish fate which could send harm unto one so +fair," said he. Then, as she did hand unto him, the charm (which was a +scarf of scarlet silk, and had been given to her by her father, who had +obtained it from a Turk,) he thanked her, and placing his hand over his +heart, he swore to protect it as he would his life, and never to permit +a thought of doubt, as to its ability to protect, to cross his mind. + +"Wilt thou not give unto me a charm that I may take with me, Lady +Hazel?" I asked, coaxingly, when we had gone some little way. + +"Thou dost not believe in them, and therefore, as Mary doth say, it +would do thee no good," she replied, with a toss of her pretty head, as +much as to say, "Now, thou wouldst be skeptical." + +"Do but give it me, and I do hereby swear to trust in it, and no doubt +as to its virtues shall ever cross my mind; yes, this do I swear by all +the saints of paradise." Now this did I consider an exceeding fine +speech, and therefore I was not prepared for the reception that it did +receive, which was a burst of laughter, and clapping of the hands from +Hazel. + +"Excellent! excellent!" laughed she; "Oh, Sir Walter, thou hast missed +thy calling; thou wouldst have made such a splendid priest; thou saidst +those words with such a religious tone, and looked so saintly." Then, +as I showed my disappointment and annoyance, "Come, come," she added, +"do not sulk; here is my glove, which I do now command to protect thee +through all the dangers of this war. Now, am I not kind to thee?" + +I nearly went wild with delight. I kissed that glove so fondly that +Hazel had to warn me not to eat it, as it would not protect me if I +did. And then I said a lot of things which all my male readers either +have said or are only awaiting an opportunity to say. Presently I was +interrupted in my avowals by coming suddenly upon Harleston and Mary, +who were sitting on a bench beside the path. + +"Is Sir Frederick telling thee some more stories, Mary?" asked Hazel, +when we saw them. + +"Not the kind I heard Walter telling thee, just now," replied Mary, as +she looked at me, with a wicked little smile playing over her fair +features. Then, as I reddened to the ears, both Harleston and Mary +burst out a-laughing, and I, after stammering out some explanation +about some messages I was leaving with Hazel, to deliver to the +Queen,--which set them laughing louder than ever, thought it best to +keep quiet. + +However, as we were bidding good-by to the girls, Hazel said something +that made me to forget mine embarrassment. It was just as we were +leaving them that she called me back and said, as she kept her eyes +staring fixedly at the ground:--"Remember, Walter, I think a great deal +of that same glove, and do not want any harm to come to it; therefore +try and keep it out of danger." + +"Oh, fear not; I now do know that I shall return again." And ere she +could prevent me I seized her hand and kissed it. + +I went back to my rooms with my toes scarce touching the ground. + +Our time was now but short; and soon we did mount our horses and set +out in the train of the Duke of Gloucester, on our march to Scotland, +and had soon left the castle behind. + +However, so long as we could see the left wing, we watched two scarfs +waving, to which we waved our lances in return. + +And so we rode off to the wars. + + + + +CHAPTER III + +A FIRST BRUSH WITH THE ENEMY + +Now I will not weary ye, my children, with a description of our march +unto Scotland, as it was a wearisome one, without any adventures which +might have relieved the tediousness of so long a journey. Indeed there +was nought for us to do, but march all day, and when night did come, +thank Heaven that we could forget our weariness in well earned rest and +sleep. + +At almost every town along the line of march we were joined by +reinforcements; so, by the time we neared the border, we had an army +strong enough to take a considerable fortress. However, as we did +approach nigh unto Berwick, which place was the object of our attack, +we learned that it should require all of our forces to subdue so +formidable a stronghold. When within a few miles of this place, that +hath been so many times the scene of struggle between our nation and +our ever irritating neighbours of the North, and which, some score of +years before, had been turned over unto our enemies, by that gentle and +weak-minded King Henry VI, Duke Richard of Gloucester, on this, his +second expedition unto this place--his first having miscarried--sent +unto the garrison a messenger, under a flag of truce, to demand the +surrender of Berwick, unto the army of its rightful owner. Whilst he +was gone, the army went into camp; for although it was still early in +the day, our leader had decided, in case the Scots did refuse to +surrender--which, in all probability, would be their reply--that we +were not to begin the attack until the morrow, in order that his army +might have an opportunity to rest after their long, hard, march. + +Oh, such a delightful evening did follow that long and weary day of +labour. We were among that magnificent border scenery, where nature +doth seem so busy with her work of carving herself into most fantastic, +and yet admirable, ruggedness. How, in the evening, doth she cast her +beauteous, drooping, eye aslant across her work; and her gentle breath +dies out in hushed and satisfied, yet modest, admiration. The setting +sun did seem to paint a hill, then step a vale and touch another with +its golden brush. + +Here may be seen many a place where nature's liquid emery hath ground +the rocks asunder, and still some sparkling remnant goes trickling down +the groove. + +On this evening Harleston and I did take our usual walk through the +camp and, as the night was glorious, it did tempt us to stray further +from headquarters than might be considered safe. In fact, past the +outposts did we go, and sat us down upon a hill that had seemed bolder +than its comrades, so that we might the better see the surrounding +country. + +As we sat there, our backs were turned towards the camp, and our faces +were tinted with the fading colors of the western sky. To right and +left were hills and hollows of varying height and depth, but all having +in common, shrubs and trees in unfailing irregularity, growing side by +side, above and beneath each other, in the same disorder as had their +seeds been flung there by the hand of the hurrying angel which did sow +the whole of the earth's broad face. At our feet, and betwixt us and +the sister to the hill on which we now were seated, was a smooth and +undeceiving mirror, set, with bashful caution, between these obscuring +hills, that nature's pardonable vanity might not with ease be gazed +upon by the ignorant eye of man. + +"I wonder when we shall be back at Windsor," said Sir Frederick, in a +gentle tone, after we had sat in silence for some time, gazing at the +soul-inspiring sight. + +"Surely thou art not beginning to be homesick?" I asked; for this was +the first time that I had heard my companion speak of the castle, since +we had left it. + +"Oh, no," he replied, "yet I wish that I might be there," and with this +methought he did sigh. + +Now, Heaven knows, no man could have wished to be in Windsor more than +did I at that moment: yet, I had not liked to say so, for fear +Harleston might think that I did relish the lazy life at court, more +than I did that of the camp. But now that he had broken the ice it was +the one subject on which I wished to talk. + +"Well, Sir Frederick, and what dost thou think of her, now that thou +hast had time to well consider?" I asked, coming out boldly. + +"She is indeed perfection," he replied. And then, as though to +himself:--"Eyes like the sky's deep and unfathomable blue, and hair +like nothing more earthy than a sun-reflecting piece of well polished +gold." + +"Nay, not so; her hair is dark, and her eyes are hazel as her name," +said I, in surprise;--and then, after staring at each other for a +moment, we both did see our mistakes, and burst out a-laughing. + +So Harleston and I sat talking on a subject that was very dear to us, +until we did hear the bugles calling, which warned us that it was time +to return and retire. We arose and started down the hill, and back to +camp, both feeling in musing, more than talking, mood. We had not gone +far, however, when my companion called my attention to something behind +a clump of bushes, glistening in the moonlight. + +"If I am not mistaken, there is danger yonder; for if ever I did see +the glisten of a headpiece, I see it now. We had better put that hill +between us and the enemy, if such they be, for, without our armour, a +doublet doth afford but faint resistance to the steel head of an arrow." + +We at once started to cross the low hill that Harleston did refer to. +We had just reached the top, when two or three arrows struck the rocks +at our feet. + +"A good shot, for the distance, upon mine honour," cried Sir Frederick, +as we leapt down behind the shelter of the friendly hill. We ran +quickly along the ravine in the direction of the camp, but Harleston, +suddenly stopping, said:--"Suppose we see from whom we are running, +before we do go any further. If they be but a few archers or +men-at-arms, two good knights should drive the rascals before them as +doth the wind the crisp, dry leaves; ay, though we wear not our full +armour. What dost thou say, Bradley, shall we try conclusions with +them?" + +Readily did I consent to the adventure; for never in my life have I +been known to require a second invitation of this sort. We concealed +ourselves behind some shrubs, and there we awaited our pursuers. +Presently we beheld them approaching at a run; and, as they neared our +hiding place, we could see what we should have to face. They were +three men, armed with swords such as are used by the Scotch, and which +they do manage more after the fashion of a club, than any other weapon +one could compare their use with. Their bows they had evidently thrown +aside, for their empty quivers still hung at their sides. However, +they also carried a small, round shield, and this did give them an +advantage over us, who had nothing but our good swords with which to +protect ourselves. When they came near the place where we were +concealed they stopped and held a short consultation. + +"I saw them stop about this place," said one. + +"No, methinks they went further on," said another. + +"Well, we had better search here anyway," added the third, "for it will +not be safe for us to venture much more close unto the outposts." + +And then they did commence to search the shrubbery all around us. +Nearer did they draw to where we waited, swords in hands. Presently +one came and thrust his sword into the bushes behind which we were +hiding. That was the last thrust he ever made. I was upon him in a +moment, and buried my sword up to its hilt in the fellow's chest. He +sank to the ground, but as he did so he uttered a gurgling yell, the +which did bring his companions unto that spot. + +"Now, Harleston, we shall have some sport," I cried out, as I did +engage with the first of these new arrivals. My friend quickly met the +other, and we fell to in a lively fashion. I soon forced my man to +give ground, despite the difficulty I found in getting past his shield. + +"Now, my brave Scot, I have thee in the right place," said I, as I +prepared to give him his quietus. Then, just as I did step forward, to +run the knave through, my foot slipped on one of those accursed stones, +and I sat down as nicely as I could have done in mine own rooms at the +castle. The fellow aimed a savage blow at my head, but, dropping the +point of my sword to the ground and raising the hilt, I caught the +stroke upon it. Then, reaching swiftly forward, I grasped him by the +ankle and hurled him to the ground. Ere he could move I was upon him +and, seizing his own dagger, I stabbed him to the heart. + +When I had done for my man I turned to see how my friend was +progressing with his. They were still at it for dear life and Sir +Frederick did seem to be bothered with the way the Scotchman used the +little shield. This fellow was much larger and more thick of frame +than the one with which I had been engaged, and did seem to be giving +Harleston all he could do to hold his ground. Still would I not +interfere, for well did I know that my friend would rather die than +have assistance when fighting against a single foe. At length the +Scotchman made a swinging, backhand stroke, full at Sir Frederick's +neck. It was a savage blow, and I did greatly fear me that I had lost +a good comrade. Harleston, however, dropped quickly to one knee, and +as his opponent's blade whistled harmlessly over his head he plunged +his sword into his adversary's side. + +"Well done!" cried I. "A pretty piece of work, upon my soul, was that +fall of thine." + +"I see that thou hast settled with thy man," said he; "but this one did +compel me to use mine artifice." + +With this we took their swords, as remembrances of this night's work, +and walked slowly back to camp, glad at having been the first to draw +blood, and for having found something to relieve the monotony, after +our long and tedious journey. + +When we reached camp we learned that the messenger had returned with an +answer from the Scots, which message was evidently a refusal to comply +with the Duke's demand; for we did at once receive orders to be in +readiness to commence the attack at sunrise. + +When we retired, Frederick and I occupied--as was our wont--the same +tent; and the last thing I heard, as I fell into a peaceful sleep, was +the sounds of the anvils of the armourers, as they worked, getting +everything ready for a day of battle. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE TAKING OF BERWICK + +The next morning, just as day was breaking, we were aroused by our +squires, who, after bringing us our breakfasts, of which we ate +heartily, got our armour and laid it out and ready. So soon as we had +finished with our repast, we were buckled and laced into our harness, +and then, as everything was ready for the march, we did set forth. + +We had not travelled above a mile when our advance guard sent us word +that a strong force of the enemy was coming towards us, evidently with +the intention of attacking our right flank. This was the part of the +army in which Harleston and I were to play our part; we having been +sent there with a body of other knights to add somewhat to its +strength, the which was somewhat weak in comparison with the left wing, +which was led by the Duke of Albany, who was a brother of the Scottish +King, James, against whom he was now about to fight--but then, royal +brothers are ever longing to kill each other. + +As we came over the brow of a hill we could see a considerable body of +knights and men-at-arms, preceded by a stronger force of archers, +coming slowly towards us, as the messenger had said. + +Our archers were now thrown out in front, the knights followed, and the +men-at-arms brought up the rear. As we were drawing near unto the foe +we beheld their main body advancing on our centre, which was led by the +Duke of Gloucester himself. Soon we were engaged, and then we had not +time to see how the Duke did receive the Scotchmen; for indeed we were +too busy with the receiving of them, or rather their arrows, which +poured down on either side like rain. + +When this long distance battle had gone on for a short space we thought +it time that we knights should take part, and not let all of the glory +go to the archers. Therefore, the command was given to swing to the +right, past them, and take the enemy in the flank. Around, as on a +hinge, swung the double ranks of mail-clad figures, and then, when we +had cleared our archers, we placed our lances in the rests, and came +down upon the enemy like a thunderbolt. They, however, had seen us +change position, and, though they be thick-skulled knaves, they did +divine our object, ere our plan was carried out. Their knights dashed +forward at the same time as did we, and we met before their archers +with a crash that was heard for the distance of a mile. + +I had singled out a knight, which, by his size, and the way he sat his +horse, led me to think he should be a foeman worthy of my steel. In +this I was not disappointed; for when we met in the front rank, each +had aimed at the centre of the other's shield, and it is seldom that I +have ever had so heavy a shock. Both our lances flew into a thousand +pieces, as though they had been made of straw. Mine opponent's horse +was forced back upon his haunches, and he was like to lose his seat. +But he did recover himself with such dexterity as did show him to be a +knight of great ability. I had scarce time in which to draw my sword +ere he was upon me, hacking at my head so rapidly as to take all my +time, and the use of all my knowledge, in defending myself. Round and +round we rode, striking furiously at each other, which blows we guarded +with equal quickness. Neither had any advantage, as we seemed to be +both of nearly equal strength and skill. After forcing him closely he +at length began to give ground, though whether from necessity or guile +I do not know. I aimed a terrible blow at his head; he caught it upon +the hilt of his sword. The force of the blow was so great that my +weapon was broken in two, and I was unarmed. Verily I thought mine end +had come, and that I should never see the Lady Hazel again. To my +surprise the knight called out, in French, something to the effect that +we should meet again, and rode off. + +[Illustration: "Both our lances flew into a thousand pieces."] + +"That accounts for it," said I; "he is a Frenchman; and had he been a +Scotchman, I had now been a corpse." + +The enemy was now commencing to give way in places; yet the fight was +still a goodly one. + +Sir Frederick was nowhere to be seen; so I quickly secured a sword from +a poor knight, who had still the head and part of the shaft of a lance +sticking in his side, and then did I plunge into the fight once more. +I forced my way through a struggling crowd of the enemies' foot +soldiers, cutting them down as I went; when suddenly I espied a knight +on foot, surrounded by a score or more of these rascals. + +"To the rescue!" cried I, and dashed into the circle. The knight was +standing beside his horse, which was dead, and making great strokes +with his sword, in all directions. Thus he had kept a circle clear +around him. Several corpses in that deadly circle told why the rest +stood back. But, just as I came up, one of the knaves did venture to +make a dash forward, when the brave champion's head was turned. I was +upon him in an instant. "Ha! thou coward ruffian, take that!" I cried, +as, with a straight downward stroke, I cleft his head from top to chin. +Just then some of our men-at-arms came up, and the few Scots which +escaped us did so by their fleetness of foot, and their knowledge of +the country's many hiding-places. + +"Thou art not too soon," said Harleston, for it was he, as he opened +his visor and wiped his brow. "Indeed I was hard pressed by that pack +of hyenas." + +I quickly secured a horse for my friend, and again we plunged into the +thick of the fight. We soon became engaged with three knights which +were like to have done for us, had not,--when we were sorely +pressed--an arrow struck one of their horses, causing it to fall. The +rider fell with his leg underneath, and so was unable to take any +further part in the fight. I pressed my opponent from the first, and +soon had him at my mercy. I gave him an opportunity to surrender, but +as he refused to do so, I waited until his arm was raised for a blow, +when, with my shield held over my head, I drove my sword straight under +his arm, where the armour divides. I heard my point strike his harness +on the other side, as it went through his body, so great was the force +of the blow. + +Hot and furious was now the fight. The enemy were fleeing in all +directions, and our gallant troops were pressing them full hard. Loud +blew the trumpets, the signal for the continuance of the slaughter. +Berwick itself must now be carried whilst our blood was still at fever +heat. I looked around to see how fared my friend, in his contest with +the knight with whom I had seen him engaged. No sight could I see of +either of them; but there was Harleston's horse straying riderless +about the field. I recognized it by the peculiarity of its housing. A +great sadness did then possess me, for I did greatly fear that my dear +friend must have fallen at the hand of his opponent. "Indeed he must +be dead," said I; "else how could his steed be riderless?" Then did I +swear a great and savage oath of vengeance. "For his life an hundred +Scots shall die, and still shall he be but poorly paid for." Thus did +I think; for during the short time in which I had known Sir Frederick I +had learned to love this noble knight, better far than I would a +brother. + +Our forces came on, eager to avenge the loss of their comrades which +had fallen that day, and these amounted to a considerable number. Now +and then a small body of the foe were driven to bay, and seldom were +they spared. I seemed to be changed into a demon, with the thirst for +blood. Every one of the enemy that did fall into my hands, I +slaughtered, and felt a savage delight in doing it. Ah! the fierce +delirium of victory. + +When we reached the walls of Berwick a white flag was flying from the +Citadel; so the battle was over, and we were stopped from pursuing the +fleeing foe. Berwick was taken, and the war was ended; though we did +not know this latter at that time. That evening we took possession of +the fortress, and the flag of England replaced that of the Scots. + +After I had had my quarters allotted to me, and was just getting out of +mine armour, who should walk into my room but my dear friend. He was +still in his complete harness, and was covered with sand and blood, +from head to foot. + +"The saints be praised that thou art still alive!" cried I, as I rushed +and grasped him by the hand. "I was sure thou must be dead, and many a +poor Scot has paid dearly for my thought. But where, in the name of +Heaven, hast thou been rolling?" + +"Do but wait a moment and I will tell thee all," he replied. Then, +when we were seated, he told me what had happened him. "You saw that +knight, with whom I did engage when the three attacked us?" he asked. + +I nodded, and he went on:--"He is a Frenchman, and he hath a knack of +breaking his opponent's sword with the hilt of his own. He broke mine, +as I aimed a blow at his head; but, before he could strike, I closed +with him, and, putting mine arms around his waist, I threw myself from +my horse and dragged him with me. Of course he fell on top, which +shook me up a little and, as the ground was soaked with blood, I +naturally do not look so clean as I might." + +"And what about the Frenchman?" I asked; "didst thou kill him?" + +"Oh, no," he replied, "he struck his head heavily on the ground, and as +he was badly stunned, I took off his helmet to see what he did look +like, and also to give the poor devil some air, which I was in much +need of myself. He was a handsome man, and evidently he belongs unto a +wealthy house; for his armour was richly inlaid with gold." + +I then told Harleston of my encounter with the same knight earlier in +the day, and when he had heard that the Frenchman had spared my life, +he was glad that he had not given him his _coup de grace_. + +The next morning, as we were dressing, a knock came at our door, and, +upon opening it, a soldier handed unto me a message which, upon +reading, I found to be an order from the Duke of Gloucester to prepare +myself for a journey, and to report to him in an hour's time. I at +once guessed my destination, which I thought to be Windsor; and in this +I was not mistaken; for, on presenting myself at his Royal Highness' +quarters, I was handed a packet and commanded to reach the castle in +the shortest possible time. I then asked the Duke if Harleston might +accompany me. He thought for a moment ere he answered, and then +said:--"Yes, by Saint Paul, take the whole army, and thou wilt! we do +not need them here; these Scotchmen will not dare to draw a sword, +after the lesson we taught them yesterday, eh! Bradley?" and he slapped +me on the shoulder. Of course I agreed with his Royal Highness, which +is ever the proper thing to do, when dealing with a Prince. + +Half an hour later Harleston and I were on our way to Windsor. + +"Not so long a campaign as we had thought," said I, when we were fairly +on the road. + +"No," he replied; "my dream of last night is being now fulfilled." + +And so we rode on, with our faces turned southward. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +FROM BERWICK TO WINDSOR + +On this ride from Berwick to Windsor we had but one adventure to break +the monotony of our journey, and that was of so little importance that +I will not describe it at any great length. It was as we were nearing +York, and passing through a great forest which lines that road on +either side, like two great rustic walls placed there to screen +Nature's lowliest children from the murderous hand of man, for a +considerable distance, that we were attacked by a band of highwaymen, +with which this forest doth abound. Indeed 'tis said that here they do +grow upon the trees like poisonous fruit. We had been riding hard all +day, and, as the evening was drawing nigh, we were walking our horses, +in order to give them a rest in the cool of the forest, ere we should +make our final effort, for that day, and dash into York at a gallop. +Suddenly, about five score yards in front of us, two horsemen did ride +out, one on each side of the great road, with drawn swords in their +hands. They started to come in our direction, so we thought they meant +mischief. Then two more followed, and these were dressed as were the +first. We now became convinced that we were the attraction which +seemed to be drawing these gentlemen of the greenwood. I glanced over +my shoulder, and there, about the same distance behind us as were the +others in front, were four more men, dressed in exactly the same manner +and also carrying their swords in their hands. + +"We are in for a skirmish now," said I. + +"Yes," replied Harleston; "but if we be careful we can do for them yet. +If they do attempt to stop us, cut down the one on the right, and I +will do the same on the left, then dash forward and see if we cannot +pass the others. The ones behind we need not bother with. However, +use great caution and do not show signs of resistance too early in the +game." + +"I'll watch thee for the signal." + +When the first two men were within a few paces of us, they suddenly +wheeled their horses straight across the road, thus compelling us to +stop. + +"And what might you want, sirs?" asked Harleston, in his sweetest tone. +The manner in which he spoke did seem to take their breath away; for +they did nothing but stare for a moment. Then the first to recover +himself answered:-- + +"All that thou hast, and be damned quick about the giving it." This in +a voice that told, in the plainest terms, the life these fellows lead. + +My companion fumbled with his purse for a moment, which example I +followed. The two knaves eyed the bags as the wolf doth gaze in greedy +admiration at a lamb. Then, when the outlaws were off their guards, +our swords did leap from their scabbards, and we cleft their heads as +though they had been made of putty--which, mayhap, they were. We now +drove our spurs into the flanks of our horses and dashed at the other +two. They waited until we were within a score of yards of them, and +then they changed their minds, and did not seem to relish the idea of +meeting the same fate as their fellows; for they turned their horses +into the greenwood, and disappeared along one of those many narrow +paths, with which these forests are burrowed, and which they know as +well as I do the corridors of the palaces at Westminster or Windsor. +We did not attempt to follow them, but rode on at full speed for the +distance of a mile, and when we at length slackened our pace and looked +back, not one of the six was to be seen. + +They had evidently thought to overawe us by a great show of numbers and +the copious use of bluster; but after two of their number had fallen +the courage of the rest did forsake them, and they lost their appetites +for our purses, for which they should have to pay such a price. + +So we rode into York, nothing the worse for our little adventure which +had helped to make us forget the weariness of our long, hard ride. +When we had entered our inn, and were preparing us for our supper, a +great crowd gathered about the door; for the news had soon leaked out, +who we were and what our business was; for around inns every one doth +know one's business better than that person does himself; for what they +do not know they guess at. So we gave them the news of the great +victory our army had won, and told them that the Duke of Gloucester now +occupied Berwick. When they heard this they went wild with delight, +and we had to shut ourselves in our rooms to keep from being carried, +on their shoulders, all over the city; so great was the admiration of +this sturdy, simple, congregation of England's stalwart sons. + +Bonfires were lighted wherever they could find sufficient open space in +which to build them. Processions were continually marching through the +streets, singing and cheering. + +We had intended staying here for a few hours, in order that we might +get some much needed sleep; but we soon found this to be outside the +bounds of possibility, on account of the uproar which was increasing +every moment. + +My friend and I, after cursing our folly in telling them the good news, +decided to not wait for a longer time than should be necessary for us +to get some supper and a change of horses, and then proceed on our +journey. + +Needless to say, we did eat ravenously, after the long ride we had had. +When we had refreshed ourselves, all that it was possible for us to do, +we mounted our horses and set out through the surging, screaming, +half-drunken mass of humanity and made our way slowly towards the city +gates. + +One drunken fellow, which did recognize us as being the persons who had +brought the good news, caught my horse by the head and insisted upon +our joining him in a friendly bowl at a near by inn. When I tried to +persuade him to let me go, and to excuse the duty that did make our +presence with him impossible, he said:-- + +"No, by the Virgin, your Royal Highness shall not pass out of the old +city of your father without drinking with some of its citizens. Were +his Royal Highness, thy father, alive he would not pass out till he had +made the whole town drunk, and so shall not you. Stay and revel with +us, for this is a glorious day for England,--glorious day," and he did +lean his head against the neck of my horse, and seemed inclined to +spend the night thus. + +I spurred my steed sharply and, as he bounded forward, the poor +tradesman was thrown to the ground; but as we rode on we could still +hear him calling out to "his Royal Highness," so long as he could make +himself heard above the uproar that was going on around us. He +evidently thought that I was the Duke of Gloucester, and he was most +determined to show his patriotism and loyalty, by giving us what he +considered a glorious time. + +We were permitted to pass through the gates, when we had told our +business; and so we rode forth from the city and on to the moon-lit +road, upon a long night's ride, through alternate wood and open country. + +All that long night we rode on, now dozing in our saddles, and then +waking with a start, when an owl would break the stillness of the +forest with his unearthly noise, which seemed to us to be in keeping +with bats, serpents, brimstone, and all the general sounds of Hades, +more than the peaceful quiet of our weary ride through the forest. +Then, after cursing all these hideous disturbers, we would spur our +horses on, and let the cool breezes, as they played against our faces +and whistled past our ears and through our hair, refresh us and help to +drive away those heavy veils that did seem ever to be settling down +upon our brains and blotting out our consciousness with their soothing +folds. + +The wolves, as they howled in the distance, seemed to be humming some +unearthly lullaby, in keeping with the scene and with our feelings; and +so weird-sweet did it sound that we would surely have gone to sleep, +had not our horses, which had better sense than their riders, quickened +their paces at each of these, to us, melodious outbursts. How we kept +our seats that night hath ever since been, to me, a mystery; for I have +but scant recollection of that agonizing ride from York. + +When we entered Northampton, early the next day (for this was the road +we came), we had to be lifted from our saddles, so stiff were we, after +that awful night. Here we did refresh ourselves with wine and food, +and had about an hour's sleep. Then we were rubbed with strong waters, +the which did greatly refresh us, and then, mounting our seventh pair +of horses, we did set out for Windsor. + +We stopped but twice before we reached our destination, and then only +whilst we could get some refreshments and changes of horses. + +We reached Windsor that evening, and were so exhausted that we had to +be assisted into the palace, and to the King's apartments. When I saw +the King, however, I remembered my mission, and this did seem to revive +me; for I rushed forward and, dropping to one knee, presented the Duke +of Gloucester's message to his Majesty. So soon as we had entered the +room Harleston, regardless of etiquette, flung himself into a chair and +was sound asleep almost the instant that he touched it. When I had +handed the packet unto the King my duty was done and I had no ambition +to support me further. Mine ears did ring; the room began to whirl all +around me; weights then did seem to hang upon my weary eyelids; my head +sank lower; and there, at the King's feet, I fell into a heavy sleep. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE KING'S GIFTS + +When I awoke I was in mine own sleeping room, undressed and in bed. My +servant was standing by my bedside. The sun was shining into my room, +and it was evidently well on in the day. I had to think for some +moments before I could tell where I was. Then it all came to me like a +flash of light. I remembered that terrible ride; kneeling at the +King's feet, and from that moment everything was a blank. + +I asked my servant what hour it was. + +"Upon the stroke of three, sir," he replied. + +"Is Sir Frederick Harleston yet stirring?" + +"I think not, sir." + +"Go call him, and ask him to breakfast with me, in my sitting room." + +I dressed myself as quickly as my stiff limbs would permit, and soon +Sir Frederick joined me at breakfast. + +Whilst we were yet at our meal a page brought us word that the King did +desire to see us in his apartments. We hastily followed the messenger +and soon found ourselves in the presence of his Majesty, who did +receive us most cordially. + +"Ah! my dear Bradley, I hope thou hast quite recovered from the effects +of thy journey." Then, looking at Harleston, he said:--"And thou, Sir +Frederick, art not so sleep-weary as thou wast yesterday e'en? By the +saints, we thought that ye both were done for! Ye would not even keep +from dreamland for the sake of a flagon of wine. Truly, ye were +greatly exhausted; and no small wonder, when one doth take into account +the time ye made." + +We bowed respectfully, in acknowledgment of this compliment, and he +continued:-- + +"I hope that ye will now give me a description of the battle; for my +brother doth send me the result only." + +After we had described the battle, as well as might be, the King, with +a complimentary expression of his thanks for our services, gave unto +Harleston and me each a suit of the best of Spanish armour, richly +inlaid with gold. I had seen the King wear suits like these, and I did +guess that they were his Majesty's own. This surmise proved to be +correct, for, as we hastened to thank him for his magnificent gift, he +said:-- + +"I know that you will not prize them the less when ye learn that both +of those suits have been worn by us." + +We could not thank his Grace sufficiently for this marked favor: nor +did he want our expressions of gratitude; for he stopped us with a wave +of his hand:-- + +"No more, no more, I pray," said he. "The only thing that I do wish +you to do is promise me that, in case anything should happen me, ye +will ever be as true and faithful to my son, which is now Prince of +Wales, as ye have been to me. Stand by him through his youth, and +should any one--no matter who--wrong him, I wish ye now to swear to do +all in your power to avenge his wrongs. Now, gentlemen, are ye willing +to do this for your King?" + +So there we swore, on the cross of his sword, to do that which the King +had asked of us; and when we bowed ourselves out of the royal presence +and went in search of the girls the thought furthest from our minds was +that we should ever be called upon to fulfil our oaths made to our King +that day. + +Suddenly, as we were making our way slowly through the halls, Harleston +quickened his pace and, without one word, left me, and hastened +forward, almost at a run. + +"I hope that our hard ride hath not turned my dear friend's mind," +thought I, as I hurried after him. But when I turned a corner in the +corridor I learned the reason of his haste. There, a few paces down +the hall, and retreating from me, but with Frederick gaining rapidly +upon them, were Hazel and Mary, walking arm in arm, unconscious of +their pursuers--for by this time they had two. I reached them almost +as soon as did Harleston, so great was my anxiety lest I should be +considered negligent in finding them. When the maidens, hearing the +hasty steps behind them, turned and beheld us, both did utter little +screams of surprise. Then Mary quickly recovered herself and said:-- + +"Oh, dear Cousin Walter, I am so glad to see thee safe returned." And +then, as though less concerned, "And thee, Sir Frederick. I hope thou +hast come through the journey well, even though thou didst not have one +of those grand campaigns that you so glory in." + +I left it to him to explain to her that we did have one of those +glorious "campaigns," of which she so sarcastically spoke; for I did +turn to greet the dearest maid which ever drew the breath of life. + +"Walter, I am glad that thou hast returned safe," said she, after I had +told her when we did arrive, and how we came to be returned before the +others. "Thou knowest,"--although I did not--"I had such a fearful +dream about thee." + +"Almost a confession," thought I. + +"Methought I saw thee attacked by foes hidden in ambush, and thou wert +fighting desperately for thy life. Then, in battle, I saw thee +struggling against fearful odds, and then you seemed to be unarmed, and +at the mercy of your foes. But in this dream I did awake to find +myself in a tremble of excitement, and glad that it was but a dream. +Yet it did trouble me, not to see what became of thee when thou wert in +these great dangers; for I feared that mine awakening, ere I did see +that which did happen, meant that thou wert killed." + +"Well, Lady Hazel, thy dreams were true. Verily some angel did show +unto thee the adventures I went through. Joyed am I, too, that thou +wert kept in ignorance of my fate; for then thou hadst not been so +pleased to see me now. And wert thou greatly troubled when thou didst +see me beset by dangers?" And I drew a trifle closer unto her side. + +"Art anxious to know?" + +"Ay, Ay, so anxious, Lady Hazel," and I seized her pretty hand. She +drew it quickly from my grasp, and motioned with her head in the +direction of Mary and Harleston. + +"Well, then," she said gently, "I was greatly troubled, for I knew not +whether thou hadst been killed or no; and if thou wert dead I should +then greatly miss one of my best friends," and her dark and beauteous +eyes drooped, and she did seem to be greatly engaged in examining her +dainty little slipper, as it nervously tapped the floor, and tempted me +to drop on my knees and kiss that pretty foot. I was on the point of +dropping on my knee and telling her how I did worship her, when I did +hear Mary titter behind me as though she had read my thought. It had +ever been my misfortune to have someone, or something, prevent me from +taking advantage of a golden opportunity, such as was this, when it did +present itself. + +Then Mary and Harleston strolled off down the corridor, and I thought I +should have another chance to complete the story I had started so well +that morning, some weeks before, in the park. But it was too late. My +tongue would not put into words the thoughts that I was dying to +express. So I cursed myself for a dumb idiot, and was compelled to +postpone my declarations until Erato saw fit to untie my stammering +tongue. + +Hazel seemed amused at mine annoyance, and laughed and blushed in my +gloomy face. + +We strolled on and into the library and, as the others were there, we +sat and talked and told the girls all about the campaign and our little +adventures and our ride from Berwick, and then they did tell us +everything that had happened at court whilst we were away, and which is +generally known as court gossip and, as it could not interest you, my +dears, I will not put it down. + +"See, I did not lose the charm thou gavest me when I left," I said, as +I drew it from its hiding-place, over my heart. + +She noticed the locality in which it had been carried, and her color +heightened as I coolly put it back in its place, after I had let her +see it. + +"Art not going to return it?" she asked in a tone which assured me that +she did not wish me to. + +"Oh! no, I cannot tell what dangers may yet beset me; so I must keep it +still, that I may come safely through." + +To this she raised no objection; so it stayed there till another day, +of which I will tell ye later. + +Now I think I hear some one say, as he doth read these lines:--"Was he +not simple, not to see that Hazel loved him?" To this I reply in +advance, by reminding him to look back over his own experience--if he +hath been so fortunate as to have had one--and try to recall how he did +act, under the same trying circumstances. Then, if his memory will be +as fresh as is mine, he will remember the times when he was almost sure +that his lady loved him; yet, was there not a most tormenting +uncertainty, and a doubt that he might be over confident, and so, by +speaking too soon, he feared he might lose all? This I know was mine +experience, and I preferred, like a general with an uncertain force, to +wait until I should find some traitor within the strong fortress that I +was to take, and so make sure of victory by one short, quick stroke. I +now felt that I was winning over part of her garrison; still did I +prefer to make still more certain that I was not deceiving myself with +false hope. + +Nor you, ye ones which have yet to experience this most perplexing, and +yet most delightful of engagements, be not too hasty in your judgment +of one--not the least distinguished of your house--for when ye are +placed in the position in which he here found himself, if you do not +feel, or act, any more foolish than did I, ye may congratulate +yourselves for having conducted the enterprise in the most advantageous +manner. However, in this case--but there, I am getting ahead of my +story. + +When I look back from the mountain of peace and happiness, upon which I +am now sitting, and across the vale of years gone by, to that other, +sun-topped hill of youth, I do not regret that I am no longer young. +For in that valley, which separates the mountains, I see dark clouds, +and storms, and armies marching and engaged in deadly contest. I hear +the cheers of the living intermingled with the prayers and curses of +the dying. Foul murders are being committed; dark plots being laid and +executed by those which struggle in that dark and troubled valley. And +through all this do I see that same group of young people, struggling +with the rest. Another and grand soul hath been added unto their +number; and their united trials seem, to my old eyes, to rank first in +importance. Then, on the near side, those dark and heavy vapors, with +which the depression is filled, are torn asunder by the united force of +a giant arm betwixt two flashing swords, and the five walk out and take +their seats upon this glorious hill, which is the goal of all; and yet, +which so few do reach, whilst wearing the fleshly garment. + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +THE BALL AT THE CASTLE + +About a week after our return to Windsor I learned that there was to be +a grand ball given by the King, in honor of our victory over the Scots. +I at once found the girls and told them the good news. + +"Ah!" cried Hazel; "will it not be delightful to be able to have some +life at court, after all this quiet and monotony, with every one away +and no music, but that which Mary and I do make for ourselves?" And +she clapped her hands, and smiled and courtesied to me, as though I +were her partner in the dance. + +"Not a great compliment to me, nor to Sir Frederick neither, when thou +dost say there is no one at court," said I; for I did not altogether +relish Hazel's superabundance of delight at the prospect of the change. +But the dear one was in one of those teasing fits of hers; so I knew +full well it was useless to say much. + +The only answer she did vouchsafe to my remark was a provoking little +toss of her pretty head. She looked so lovely as she skipped about the +room, that even an over-exacting lover could not help but be +good-natured; even though he did try to be otherwise. + +Mary was equally joyed when she heard that we were to have the dance. + +"But when is it to be?" asked Hazel, stopping suddenly in the midst of +her solitary performance and joining Mary and me. + +"This day week, and the Duke of Gloucester and most of the court will +have returned by then; so we will have a lively time. But here doth +come Sir Frederick; so, Mary, thou hadst better inform him and give him +the first chance to pick out his dances." Mary blushed; but however, +she did go and meet Harleston, at which both Hazel and I laughed +heartily. + +Indeed it was a goodly sight to see those two standing side by side; +the one tall, handsome, and built in the mould of a slightly reduced +Hercules; and the other, small, dainty, and lovely, as a sweet flower +growing beside an oak. I could see by the way in which Mary was drawn +to him that it would take but a word from him, and she would surrender. +And as for him,--well, he was hopelessly entangled in the silken meshes +of love's all-powerful net from the first day on which he did lay eyes +upon this beauteous lily-of-the-valley. + +But why do I look to them for a picture? Had Harleston but cast his +eyes in our direction (the which he did not) he should have beheld as +great a contrast, and, to be modest, at least one as pleasing to the +eye. + +"And how many sets am I to have?" I asked of Hazel. + +"Well, I shall consider, and take note of thy conduct, and, if it be +good, I may give unto thee the second,--and the--" + +"Nay, nay, by mine honour, I do insist upon having the first, and the +second, and a great many more." + +"Oh, Walter, such an appetite as thou hast developed." + +"But remember, I have been fasting for a long time." + +Then she wrinkled her little snow-white forehead, and seemed weighing +the matter very deliberately. "Well," she said, after she had appeared +to consider at great length, "thou mayst have the first; but I will +_not_ promise thee any more before the dance, and if I do like that +one, mayhap I will give thee some others." + +I knew full well what that meant; so I said no more, but made up my +mind to have more when the time did come round. And the time soon did +come; for in those days of happiness and youth the sun scarce seemed to +stay in the heavens for more than an hour at a time; so quickly did +those days of dreams pass by. And yet, though it may sound like a +contradiction, the sun seemed ever to be shining; for we had it in our +hearts. Oh, had we but known the clouds that were to pass over,-- But +there, I must draw the rein again, or I shall be telling the end of my +story ere I shall have come unto it. + +So the days flew past like sunbeams, and the evening when the great +ball was to take place at length arrived. + +Both Harleston and I had engaged the best tailor in London, and when we +walked into the great audience hall that night there was not a soul in +the place which could compete with us, for elegance of dress--except, +perhaps, the Duke of Gloucester. And let me here put it down; that +room contained all the best of fashion that English tailors could +produce. The secret of our success lay in the fact that it was +Gloucester's own tailor which did make our garments; he being not over +busy whilst the Duke was absent in Scotland. + +As the King (for some reason then unknown to us) had not yet arrived, +the ladies and gentlemen, after having been presented to the Queen, +were standing about, in groups of four or more, gossiping and making +all manner of remarks as each of the guests arrived. + +After we had been presented to her Majesty, and saluted the girls, we +walked to the far end of the hall, where Gloucester, Buckingham, and a +fellow by the name of Sir William Catesby, a lawyer, with whom I shall +have to deal later on, were standing. The Prince was giving some +instructions to the musicians as we came up, but when he saw us he +turned, and in that voice, as smooth as the finest silk, he said:--"Ah! +Bradley, my dear friend, I am delighted to see thee here this evening, +and thee, Harleston. I have heard how swift were my messengers, and I +assure you both that it shall be none the worse for you that it was so." + +We thanked his Grace for his pretty speech, in which, however, I could +not help but detect some insincerity; but could not, at that time, +imagine what his object could be--for this man ever did have one,--when +he acted in this manner. However, I learned it later. + +Just then the King did enter, leaning upon the arm of Lord Hastings. +He looked very pale and his magnificent form seemed tottering as though +with age, and yet Edward was still a young man. I could scarce believe +mine eyes, so greatly was he changed since last I had seen him. "If so +short a time can work such a marvel, he must be nearing his end," +thought I. Then Harleston's prophecy, when first I had met him, +flashed through my mind, and I wondered if it were going to be +fulfilled. "But yet, he may be suffering from some temporary attack, +and it will soon pass off." Thus did I try to convince myself that all +was well. + +But Harleston nudged me with his elbow, and said, in a voice that no +one else might hear:--"Dost thou observe the King? If he doth live a +month it shall greatly surprise me; for if the stamp of death be not +upon that brow, then there is no such thing." + +Then Gloucester and Buckingham came forward and, when his Majesty was +seated upon his throne, enquired as to how he did, and kissed his hand, +as though they loved him; when, at the same time, I verily believe, one +of them at least had been happy had the King been dead. + +Every one remarked upon the great change in the noble Edward, and +hastened forward to enquire as to his health; when, if they did use +their eyes, they could see their answer writ in bold letters upon that +pale, yet handsome face. + +His Majesty did not seem to like these enquiries; for he frowned on +some which expressed their hope that he was not ill. When my friend +and I paid our homage to him, however, he smiled and spoke most kindly +unto us. This action of the King's did not seem to please some of +those which had met with a reception less warm; for I observed on the +faces of some of these lords and others, sneers and smiles; then would +they turn to each other and converse, and look in our direction, and +shrug their shoulders, as much as to say:--"It matters not; those upon +whom he smiles to-day may be in the Tower to-morrow." + +But to this we paid little attention; for it was but natural for them +to feel jealous, after their cold reception. + +When the presentation of the guests had been completed, King +Edward--though it must have cost him an effort,--spoke in a clear +voice, and told them the object of this entertainment, which was given, +said his Majesty, in honor of his Royal brother, the Duke of +Gloucester, and the brave nobles and knights who had assisted him in +gaining a victory over our enemies, and so adding another jewel to the +crown of England, by the acquisition of Berwick. Then came a surprise. +The King turned to Gloucester and said: "My brother informs me that +Scotland was assisted, to a great extent, in her unlawful and hostile +acts against us, by our ancient foe--France. Several French noblemen +of importance were taken prisoners on the field of Berwick; which is +strong evidence against that disturber of the peace of nations, across +the Channel. + +"In a few short months we hope to see ye gathered in this same room, +for the purpose of celebrating our victory over France." + +Then, as the King ended this speech, which appeared greatly to exhaust +him, we all did break into a roar of applause, which did not stop until +his Majesty raised his hand, which did command our silence. Then +another motion from the King, and the musicians started up. + +The Duke of Buckingham led the Queen to the centre of the room, and +started the ball in earnest. The scene that followed, reminded me of +one rock starting to slide from the top of a hill: presently, as it +goes, others do join it in its journey, and soon the whole hillside is +one sliding mass. So soon as her Majesty and Buckingham had completed +a measure, others joined in, and in but a few short moments the whole +hall was swaying back and forth, first this way, then that, yet ever in +harmony, like the waves as they rush upon the shore and then recede, +and come back again, with the same delightful time, but ever with a +restful variation. + +Needless to say, I was not long in finding my delightful partner. +However, I was not pleased when I came up to find that fellow, Catesby, +endeavoring to persuade her to give unto him my dance. I was close +beside him ere he knew it, and then I heard him say (the which, had he +the manners of a dog, he had left unsaid) "Methinks, Lady Hazel, thy +partner must have forgotten thee." + +"Thou shouldst not think of matters which do not concern thee, Sir," I +said, quietly, in his ear, as I took Hazel by the hand and led her +forth. + +"And such a trifling matter," said the impudent knave, as he shrugged +his shoulders and walked off. + +Had he struck me a blow upon my cheek he could not have more insulted +me. Verily, I boiled with indignation, and swore a great oath, to +myself, that I would make him eat those words, the first time that I +should have an opportunity. So greatly was I occupied with thinking of +the pleasure I would have when my good sword should be sticking through +his body that Hazel, at last, had to pull me by the sleeve, in order to +attract my attention. + +"What is the matter with thee, Walter? Thou art walking as though in a +dream; and an evil one at that, judging from the expression on your +face. I do hope that my little presence is not so unpleasant as to +make thee look like that." + +This recalled me to my senses; so I apologized for my conduct, and +joined with the others, in their gaiety. + +When I look back at that night, and see that fairy form passing through +the movements with me, it doth seem, unto mine old eyes, like a dream +enacted by the mind, where angels appear in mortal form and glide +around us, with their feet touching nothing more substantial than the +air. And indeed it was a dream, and one that can never be too oft +repeated. Ah, that was indeed a happy night; and so many years ago. + +Hazel had not heard my remark to Catesby, nor--by some happy +chance--his insolent retort, which latter had, to mine ears, sounded +loud enough for the whole great room to hear. But that must have been +on account of the sting it carried for me. Be that as it may, she had +not heard; and for this I was thankful; for had she, it should have +worried her, and the evening had then been spoiled for both of us; and +I would not have had that happen for a kingdom. + +When we had finished our set I asked Hazel if I might have the next. + +"No, Walter," she replied; "I have already promised it to Sir William +Catesby; although I do not think much of lawyers," she added. + +Of course this made me to boil again; but I did not say so, to Hazel, +for fear she might be frightened. All I said was:--"I detest that +fellow, and do not like to see thee dance with him." + +"Well, 'tis much more disagreeable to me," she answered; "and thou +mayst be assured that I will not dance with him again to-night." + +"Nor any other night," thought I, "if I may but get my sword betwixt +his ribs." + +When the next set did start, as I had no desire for dancing with any +other woman, after having danced with that dainty flower, I strolled +into one of the adjoining rooms, and sat myself down in a comfortable +seat, behind the open door; so that I might not be disturbed in my +meditations, which made my heart to beat the faster the further I let +them run. For the one thought in my mind was how and when I had better +declare myself unto the dear maid which I so madly loved, and get her +promise to some day make me the happiest man on earth, by meeting with +me at that trysting place, where the most high ambitions of love are +realized, namely, the altar of Holy Church. Just as I had fully made +up my mind to have Hazel give me a definite answer the first time I +should catch her alone (and now I felt certain what that answer would +be) Gloucester and Buckingham walked into the room; the former leaning +upon the arm of the latter, as was his wont, when the two were +together. I saw them through the opening where the door hangs to the +wall; but they evidently thought that they were the sole occupants of +the room; for, the moment they entered, I heard the Prince say in a low +tone:--"As we are alone here I may say that which thine ears alone +should hear." Then, before I could make a move, and make known my +presence (for Heaven truly knows I have never had any desire to play +the eavesdropper) he continued: "His Majesty's time is short; dost thou +not see the seal of death upon his brow?" + +"Indeed, my lord, methinks that thou art right," replied the other. + +"Then, Buckingham, we may play our hand. Our time is coming; watch and +be prepared for a bold stroke. + +"Hereford, thine own by right of birth, but now usurped by yon grasping +brother of mine, is a grand earldom, is it not, Cousin?" + +I could not hear Buckingham's reply, and in another moment some others +did enter, and the two, after speaking to them pleasantly, left the +room. + +"Now what in the devil's name means all this?" thought I. "His +Majesty's time is short." "Hereford is a grand earldom." These two +remarks kept ringing in mine ears and, although I could not at that +time tell what they did mean, yet was I convinced that there was some +deviltry afoot which meant no good unto the Queen, in case the King +should die; for Gloucester ever did dislike both her and her favorites. +However, my reflections were brought to an end by the musicians, who +started playing for the next set. + +I at once made my way to the crowd, and found Hazel and led her forth +and joined in the dance. I danced next with Mary, and Harleston took +my late partner, so it was a fair exchange. The next two sets I went +through with other ladies whose names I do not now recall and, as they +have no bearing on this tale, it matters nothing. However, both these +ladies seemed prodigiously relieved when our dances were finished; for +I was too much engaged with taking care of a whirl of thoughts, with +which my mind was struggling, to be very talkative. When I had led the +last of these unto her seat, I had fully made up my mind what my course +of action was to be. So I walked over to that fairest of maids, and +asked her if she were not tired dancing. + +"In faith I am, Walter," she answered; "and, when I saw thee coming, I +feared that thou didst want me to go through a set with thee; and then +I should have been afraid to refuse, for thou art such a sensitive and +fiery mortal thou mightst have been offended." + +I led her into the smaller room, where I had been sitting when I heard +Gloucester's remarks to Buckingham, and where I was now going to make +some remarks myself, and personal ones at that, but not to Buckingham. + +How fiercely my heart thumped, as though it were striving to burst +through my ribs and fly unto its little mate. + +When we were seated all my fine speeches seemed to have forsaken me, +and I sat there as mute and dumb as the Tower of London. Now why this +should be I know not, for this was the opportunity I had so long +awaited. At length the dear maid began to be uneasy and, as she told +me afterwards, to suspect what was the matter. Then I saw my time was +come, and if I were to say anything I should have to do it now; so I +started in recklessly, as a sailor throws himself from his sinking +ship, into those tempting waves, and, no matter how great his +confidence may be, yet he knows not if there be rocks beneath the +swells or no. + +"Hazel," said I, "thou hast known me long, and I that same have you, +and ever since the day when first thou earnest to court, I have felt it +mine especial duty to watch over and protect thee, shouldst thou ever +need it. This latter you have never guessed; for what right had I to +so appoint myself your guardian? + +"Until to-night my tongue would never put into words the pleasant +agonies with which my heart hath for so long been bursting. But +to-night, since I have started, I feel as though my tongue were a bell, +rung by mine uncontrollable heart strings, and, as that thumping engine +doth swing back and forth, my tongue rings out the universal notes,--_I +love thee_. For thy happiness and pleasure I would freely give my +life, and then rejoice at having served thee. I can say no more; for +my heart smothers me; so I lay it at thy feet. Do not spurn it, but +give another to fill its place, and one that will be more faithful unto +its keeper." + +During this speech, which was the outburst of mine overloaded soul, the +dear one sat with her precious head bent as that of a dainty flower +before the hot blast of summer. Her hand toyed nervously with a tassel +which hung from her waist. Her bosom rose and fell so quickly that it +seemed like the ripples on the beach; and her whole frame quivered with +emotion,--and so did mine. + +When I had finished she did not speak for a moment, and I began to fear +that I had frightened her with my passionate declaration. But +presently she raised her eyes to mine, and they were full of tears. +Then she laid her head upon my shoulder, and sighed and smiled, both at +once, as though her happiness had forced out her tears, and the smiles +were sent to dry them. + +"There is my hand, Walter," she said, "and with it goes my heart. Take +both of them, for they belong to thee. In faith, the latter thou hast +had some time. I am sure thou wilt be kind to them; for I know thou +lovest me truly. + +"Oh, Walter, when thou speakest to me, with mine ears I hang upon the +flower of thy so earnest speech, and they drink in the precious +sweetness from its bloom." + +I kissed away love's dewdrops from her cheeks, and now I say it truly, +without the recklessness of youth, there has been only one other moment +in my life in which I have felt such heart-expanding joy. But I shall +tell ye of that anon. + +So there we sat and spoke those words which are so dear to lovers, +until that set was over, and we were reluctantly compelled to go back +and join the others in the ball-room. + +So soon as I had taken Hazel unto her place near by the Queen, I +started in search of Harleston. I found him engaged in conversation +with my lord Hastings. As I came up he turned and exclaimed:--"Ah! the +lost is found. I had surely thought that thou must have grown tired of +the dance and gone to bed." + +The High Chamberlain here left us, and took his place beside the King. + +"Frederick, I have something of importance to say to thee. Kindly come +with me to another room, so that we may not be overheard; as that which +I am about to tell is of a private nature." + +So we entered the room which had that night been the scene of two so +important conversations. When I had made sure that we were quite alone +I motioned Harleston to a chair, whilst I remained standing before him. + +"My friend," said I, when he was seated, "I have two communications of +importance to make. The first I know thou shalt be pleased to hear, +the other is not so pleasant; for it may mean great trouble to us all, +if mine interpretation of what I overheard be correct. The first is +this,--" and there I stopped and stood first on the one foot and then +on the other, and felt my face get red, for all the world like a small +boy making a confession when he has done something wrong. Why I should +feel like this I know not, unless it be one of the many peculiarities +of that very eccentric person known as Master Human Nature, of whom we +know so little. + +My friend regarded me with the faintest suspicion of a smile playing +around the corners of his mouth, and also showing itself in a barely +perceptible twinkle in his eyes. + +At length he said:--"Well, Walter, what is it? Out with it man, or +thou shalt never know whether I will be glad to hear it or no." + +"Well, then,--_I have told her_," I almost whispered. + +"Told her what?" he asked, laughing outright at mine embarrassment. + +"Why,--why,--that,--that,--" + +"What in the devil's name is the matter with thee?" cried he, not +giving me time to finish. + +"That I love her,--Hazel,--Lady Hazel Woodville, Lady-in-waiting on her +Majesty the Queen," I answered; thus trying to give the impression that +I had made it perfectly clear before, but that his skull was too thick +to permit my meaning to pass through. + +"Bravo, bravo! my dear friend," cried he, as he sprang to his feet and +grasped my hand and slapped me on the shoulder. "Thou didst get it out +at last. Why, Bradley, I knew it the moment thou didst start to +hesitate and fidget so. Those symptoms, following those dreamy fits, +from which thou hast been suffering of late, are the surest indications +of that peculiar disease of the heart which so sadly affects the mind. +One is almost sure to catch it when one doth come in frequent contact +with fair maidens. Now the one with which thou hast been associated so +much is simply a human moon, to make men mad. Therefore, my dear +fellow, I was quite certain that thou wouldst soon cry out for it. But +tell me," he said, more seriously, "what did she say?" Then before I +could tell him:--"I need not ask; 'tis writ upon your smiling +countenance." + +He had scarcely finished his congratulations when in walked Hazel and +Mary, arm in arm. When they came up to us, my dear maid's face was +crimson with blushes, and Mary's contracted with joyous smiles. + +"Hast thou told him yet?" asked Hazel, glancing in Harleston's +direction. + +I nodded. "And doth Mary know?" I asked. + +"I just told her," she whispered. + +Then Harleston and Mary came up to us, and as my little golden haired +cousin took my hand and congratulated me for having won the dearest +maid in Christendom, Frederick reached across, and taking Hazel's hand, +wished her all happiness, and said some pleasant things of me, the +which I shall not put down. + +So there we stood and talked and laughed--for laughter is ever waiting +to burst forth, when the heart is light and young, and filled with +love's tender passion--till we heard a commotion in the ballroom. We +rushed out to see what was the cause of these unusual sounds. The +scene we beheld prodigiously surprised us. Every one was hurrying in +the direction of the throne, and making all sorts of exclamations. I +left Harleston to look after the ladies, and hurriedly I made my way +through the crushing guests, until I was near the King. His Majesty +was hanging over the arm of his chair; and leaning his head upon the +shoulder of Hastings. He appeared to have fainted; for he was deadly +pale, his eyes closed, and the lids trembling like the wings of a +wounded bird. Some evidently thought that he had already died, or was +just dying; for they were wringing their hands and muttering prayers, +when they might have been of more service had they stood further back, +and so allowed the King to get some fresh air, which--in these cases--I +do consider a better physic than most men's prayers. + +Presently the Physician Royal, which had been sent for by the Queen, +arrived. He at once ordered every one, no matter of what rank he might +be to stand aback. Then he had a bench brought forward, and two +gentlemen carried the King and laid him at full length upon it. +Vigorously did they rub his hands and face, and then they bled him. +Then the noble sufferer did show some signs of recovering. Hastings +and Stanley did now lift up the bench, with its Royal load, and carried +it from the room. The Queen followed, wringing her hands and weeping. + +The great ball was over, much before its time. + +The guests stood, for some time, talking in little groups; most of +their conversation being scarce above a whisper; for there is something +which doth awe us, when the great are thus struck down. + +I went back to the girls and Frederick; but a dampness had fallen upon +our happiness and made us to feel quiet. + +We remained only a short time, and then made our ways unto our several +apartments. + +Thus in sadness ended the entertainment given by his Majesty, King +Edward, the fourth of that name, in honor of our victory over the +Scottish king. But in the hall I did kiss Hazel ere I did let her go +that night. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE DUEL + +When I reached my room I sat down for a moment and thought. Then I +arose and walked about the room, and thought, of nothing but my great +happiness, and my good fortune in having at last accomplished that +which I had for so long desired. + +Was it not delightful to be certain that some day my darling Hazel was +to be the mistress of Bradley House, which had stood without a mistress +for so long a time. + +I pictured to myself how I would have the place altered and brightened, +that it might be in better keeping with its fair inmate. I could even +hear her light-hearted song, as she fluttered about the house, and +played among the flowers, like a gayly-colored butterfly. I saw us +strolling through our park. Her fair hand was resting on my shoulder, +and mine arm did encircle her fairy waist. The sun was pouring through +the trees like streams of fine gold. The birds were singing all around +us, and all nature seemed trying to keep in harmony with our love and +add unto our happiness. Now and then would I stoop and pick a flower +and place it in her beauteous, dark brown hair. Then did I see my +father's faithful old servant, Dickon, come shuffling across the lawn +to tell us that it was time for dinner. + +And so my dream goeth on, till it is interrupted by Harleston, who +enters my room. He was dressed in a long flowing robe, and there was +nothing about his appearance that would tell us he had been to a ball +that night. + +"Well upon my soul, Bradley, art thou still sitting up? Why, methought +that I was the only late bird about the Castle. And your clothes still +on. Come, come, Walter, thou must be careful and do not let this flood +of happiness drown thy reason." + +"Fear not for that," I replied; "for the said flood is so thick that my +reason doth float upon the surface." + +"Indeed thou dost put it well. But come now, I must to that which +brought me here at this unseemly hour. When you did take me into that +small room, this evening, thou saidst that thou hadst two +communications of importance to make. So far you have made but one: it +was my desire to hear the other that brought me here to-night." + +"Ah, yes, I had forgot," I replied. "Now the second is this, and I +will not so hesitate in the telling of it as I did with the first." +Then I told him all I had overheard, and how I came to be the unwilling +listener. + +When I had finished he said:--"Thou mayst thank Heaven that thou didst +overhear that same conversation; for it doth give us the key unto the +puzzle which Richard will present to England, in case the King doth not +recover. The Queen should be warned," he continued. + +"And yet it might avail nothing. In case we warned the Queen, and the +King recovered, we might find our heads upon the block for having +interfered. It is a dangerous matter to play with royalty; for," I +continued, "his Majesty King Edward is a good and kind master, but he +is also one which doth not like his family matters pried into. When he +is roused he is the very devil in human form. We have the Duke of +Clarence for an example. We had better think of his grave of malmsey, +and so profit by the picture, and hold our peace." Methought it better +to warn him; for I began to fear that my dear friend's honesty might +lead off his better judgment, and so he might fall into disfavor with +the King, should his Majesty recover, and this was ever but the first +step in the ladder leading up the scaffold. + +"Perhaps thou art right," he said. "I shall at least keep mine own +counsel so long as the King doth live; for I have no desire to have my +head decorate the walls of the Tower." + +"And now, my friend," said I; "there is another matter that I wish to +speak with thee about." Then I told him of my tilt of the tongue with +Catesby, and asked him to arrange matters so that we might have a +meeting at his earliest convenience. + +"I do not like to see thee fight him," said Sir Frederick, when I had +finished the asking of my request; "for he is a friend of my Lord +Hastings, and though I detest the fellow, yet do I treat him with +civility on the Chancellor's account. However, Walter, after what has +passed, there is nothing left but the swords; at which game methinks +that thou hast little to fear from any man in England." + +"Thou art wrong there, my friend, for this Catesby is the pupil of a +great French swordsman, and there are few in England which dare to +stand before him. However," I continued, with some pride, "it shall +never be said of a Bradley that he quietly did rest with an insult +still hanging to his cheek, and never burning it." + +"Well, thou shalt have fair play at least," said my friend, "and though +he may have studied the art of swordsmanship with a score of Frenchmen, +yet have I no doubt as to the result. I have seen thee use the foils +enough to feel satisfied that Catesby shall have no advantage over +thee; and besides, he hath not more than half thy strength." + +"Yea, that is true." + +"But no matter how thou mayst feel towards him be sure and do not kill +him; for he stands in great favour with Gloucester, whom we cannot now +afford to offend. Run him through the arm or shoulder and thine honour +will be satisfied." + +I knew my friend was talking thus in order that he might lend mine arm +more confidence. But this was not necessary; for even though Catesby +were a skilled swordsman, yet did I account myself his match at the +game, and besides it was true what Harleston said, I had more strength, +which is not the least thing to be taken into account in these affairs. + +Early the next day Sir Frederick saw Catesby and gave him my challenge. + +"And so," said the lawyer, "your friend grows tired of this life and +desires to join the saints?" + +"Indeed, sir," my friend replied, "the chances of your going to another +world are equally good; though whether thy companions there will be +saints or no, I cannot tell." + +To this retort Catesby made no reply. + +The place and time of our meeting were settled. At sundown that +evening we were to meet near the far end of the Little Park, where a +large oak doth stand alone. This time and place were decided on in +order to make certain that we should not be interrupted; for this spot +was never frequented at that hour. + +That evening, at about the half of an hour before the appointed time I, +accompanied by Harleston, set out by a round about way, so that when +Catesby and his second should go to the meeting place no one Would +suspect our object. They, however, having taken the more direct and +therefore shorter path, had reached the spot and were waiting when we +arrived. + +Sir Richard Ratcliffe was to act as Catesby's second. + +The spot chosen was one which seemed made by nature purposely for such +contests. For the distance of about a score of feet all around the +great oak--which arose in the centre like an ever watchful sentinel +guarding that portion of the park--the ground was clear and level as a +round green table. As I looked up at that fine old veteran which had +braved the storms of centuries, and still showed no other signs of its +contests than his battle scarred old features, methought of the many +engagements he had watched, and the tales of bloodshed he might tell if +he but could. + +The sun was no longer shining where we stood, but the top of the great +tree still caught his last gleams as he sank below the horizon. As the +last of these rays left the old oak our time was up, so we began to +strip for the encounter. We took off our cloaks, belts and doublets, +and gave them unto our seconds, who laid them in two heaps, one on each +side of the open space. I rolled up my right sleeve to the shoulder, +and Harleston handed unto me my naked sword. My friend and Ratcliffe +spoke together in whispers, for a moment, and then the latter, standing +with his back to the tree, said in a loud clear voice:-- + +"Gentlemen:--Sir Frederick Harleston and I have agreed, in your behalf, +in case either of you should be disarmed, or placed in a position where +it should be impossible for you to defend yourself, the fight shall be +stopped until such time as ye shall again be upon an equal footing. +Both Sir Frederick and I do insist that this rule shall be observed, +otherwise we do refuse to act. Should either of you take advantage of +your opponent's being unarmed or placed _hors de combat_, and so take +his life, the one so breaking this rule shall be proclaimed a coward +throughout the length and breadth of England. This shall be his +punishment for his unknightly conduct. Have I made all perfectly +clear?" + +We both replied in the affirmative, and agreed to be bound by this +rule, which was a very humane and fair one. + +Ratcliffe then took his place behind Catesby, and Harleston behind me. + +The signal was then given, and we approached each other cautiously, +each looking for an opening. Then our swords came together with a +sharp click, and slid along each other like two icicles being rubbed +together. The moment I felt his sword against mine I knew that I had +not been misinformed when I heard that Catesby was a pupil of one of +the greatest swordsmen in Europe. His wrist was like steel, and his +point began to play on either side of mine with such rapidity as warned +me to stand on the defensive until I got more used to his ways. +Suddenly he lunged with murderous and savage swiftness, his point aimed +at my heart. I met him with a quick and firm guard, and for the next +few moments we did content ourselves with sounding each other with an +occasional lunge. Then he changed his tactics, in the twinkling of an +eye, and flew at me like lightning. His sword seemed everywhere at +once. I felt a sharp sting in my sword arm, as his weapon scratched +it. Then I felt it higher up and near unto my shoulder. I slowly +began to give ground, as it had been the part of a fool to stand still +in an attack of this kind, which I knew could be of no long duration. +In this I was right; for seeing that he could not reach my chest, and +that he was soon wearing himself out with this furious pace, he slowed +his attack somewhat and made more careful lunges. I now saw that I +could, in a short time, wear down his strength, by keeping a cool head +and a wary eye. Soon I touched him lightly on the shoulder, and had +the satisfaction of seeing his shirt stained with his blood. This, +however, seemed to refresh him; for he made another of his fierce +attacks, which again compelled me to give ground. In this I did not +divine his object, which was to force me back against the tree. As I +stepped back to avoid a lunge more savage than the others, I felt my +heel strike the tree. This put me something off my guard. He seized +the opportunity, and drove his sword at my chest with all the remaining +strength in his villainous body. I stepped aside, and gave him my +straight point in the right shoulder, near the neck. However, I had +not been quick enough; for I felt a sharp twinge in the fleshy part of +my left arm, as he nailed it to the oak. His sword snapped off short, +and I was left pinned to the tree, as I have seen boys do with +butterflies. Catesby fell, bathed in blood; but methinks it were more +from exhaustion than from his wound that he did fall; for the latter +was but little more serious than mine own. Sir Frederick pulled at the +blade with his handkerchief wound around his hand, and at length set me +free. Catesby soon regained consciousness, and we were bandaged +carefully with cloths that had been brought for the purpose. + +[Illustration: "The signal was then given."] + +As I saw him walk off, leaning on the arm of Ratcliffe, I regretted +that I had not given him my point lower down. + +But there came a time when I would have given ten years of my life for +the same opportunity of ridding the world of this accursed villain. +But ye, my children, shall judge of that later on in this story. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +THE KING'S DEATH + +Mine arm was quite sore and stiff for some weeks; but as I had at that +time no duties to attend to, it did attract but little attention. I +kept to my rooms most of the time, but occasionally took a walk through +the park with my fair Hazel by my side. + +She was greatly alarmed when she learned that I had been wounded; and +she lectured me most severely for so exposing myself to such "foolish +dangers," as she was pleased to call them. + +"For you know," said she, looking up at me with her head held to the +one side, and her face most serious, "if thou shouldst be killed, it +would kill me too; so, for my sake, promise me that thou wilt fight no +more those fearful duels. Heaven knows 'tis bad enough when thou, as a +soldier, hast to fight battles; but this murder should not be permitted +in a Christian land." + +"But, my darling," I replied, "when one man doth insult another the one +which is insulted must avenge himself." + +"Yes, but if men would ever learn not to insult each other there should +be then no cause for these horrible affairs." + +I attempted to argue the point with her; but found it of no avail. Had +I been the age I now am I might have saved my breath. + +"However," she said, after I had given up the task of trying to +convince her that I was right, "I am glad that thou didst wound him." + +"Why?" I asked. + +"Well," she said, slowly, and at the same time watching me closely, +"that night of the ball--" and she stopped there long enough for a very +pretty blush to cover her face, as a veil, "the impudent fellow had the +temerity to try and make love to me." + +"What?" I cried, as I grasped my scabbard, and started my wound to pain +afresh. "I'll kill the knave the first time I see his sneering face!" + +"No, no, Walter, do nothing of the kind. That was the reason I did not +tell thee ere this; I knew it would set thee mad. Oh, dear! thou hast +such an evil temper. He is now punished enough; so promise me that +thou wilt do nothing to bring about another duel;" and she laid her +hand on mine arm, and coaxed me so nicely that I had to make the +promise; though later I did regret it. + +Since the night of the ball the King's health had been getting worse +with every day that passed. His Majesty, seeing that he had not long +to live, now called a meeting of the different factions who were ever +jangling with each other, for the purpose of reconciling them; for he +feared, that when he should be dead, their quarrels might lead to great +strife in the kingdom, and endanger the rule of his son. + +These parties, as ye must all know, were, first--the Queen and her +favorites, secondly--Buckingham and the most powerful of the ancient +nobility--to which party belonged my Lord Hastings--and +thirdly,--Gloucester himself, for the reason that he did not wish to be +connected with--and so be dependent on--either of the other parties. + +When all these were come unto his bedside, the King addressed them +thus:--"You all must know that I am about to leave this fair kingdom, +where I have had such strife and yet such happiness, to join that other +land to which spirits alone can go. Before I leave it is my pleasure +to have ye all at peace with one another. In case this strife should +continue, it will surely lead to great troubles for poor England, which +we all do love so dearly. Therefore, my faithful subjects and friends, +bethink ye of your duty. Here in this room, before ye leave my +presence, I wish to see ye all embrace each other and swear by my +death-bed to live in peace together. + +"My brother Richard, I charge thee to look after my children, which +shall soon be fatherless, and may God deal with thee as thou dost deal +with them. I wish thee to be the protector of my son Edward, and to +assist him in his government until such time as he doth come unto years +of discretion." + +So there by his bedside they went through the forms which the King did +ask of them. I say, went through the forms; for that was all they did. +I do not believe that one of those present ever intended to keep the +oath he there made to the King; for their conduct after his death is +sufficient evidence of their insincerity. + +'Twas told to me afterwards, by one which saw all that which I have +here described, that as Richard left the room, with his handkerchief to +his eyes, it was to hide his laughter rather than his tears. And I do +believe this to be so; for I consider it impossible for that man ever +to have had the tenderness of heart necessary to produce one tear. Be +that as it may, he was not long in demonstrating his love and charity +towards his brother's children. + +One morning, some days after this bedside gathering, when I met Hazel +in the park, as was now my wont, her eyes were red with weeping. + +"Come, come, my fair one, thou must not look so unhappy, or else I +shall fear that thou hast ceased to love me. Now tell me what is the +matter, that I may console thee." + +"Hast thou then not heard the news?" she asked. + +"I have not," I replied, "it must be evil news indeed, to make thee so +unhappy." + +"The King is dead," she said. + +"When did he die?" + +"About an hour since;" and then she wiped her eyes again. + +"Why dost thou weep so for the King?" I asked; for I did not like to +see Hazel weeping because another man had died. + +"Oh, thou stupid!" she cried out impatiently; "cannot you see that it +is on the poor Queen's account? I love her as I did my own dear, and +now dead, mother; and when I see her in such sorrow it maketh me to +feel as if 'twere mine own." + +I felt abashed for not having seen this for myself; but men are so +thick headed, in these matters, that they can never know the way a +woman looks at things until she doth explain herself. Now I had rather +face a regiment, single handed, than see a woman weep; so I stood there +as on a pillory, saying nothing, but feeling uncommon uncomfortable. + +Presently she looked up sharply, and said,--"Well, what art thou +staring at? Is there anything about me that does not please thee?" + +To this I made no reply, as I knew silence to be the best remedy for +these little outbursts of temper. Remember, my dears, at that time +Hazel had considerable fire in her make up. And I would not give an +old gauntlet for a maid which had not; for this I do consider to be the +very salt of one's character; and what is a fine dish without it be +seasoned properly. + +When I had stood quietly for some moments, I saw some signs of +relenting begin to betray themselves in a softening of the face. "Is +the storm passed?" I asked. This brought a smile. All the temper had +vanished, and she was more loving than ever. + +"Thou must not think badly of me because I was cross with thee, dear," +she said, looking up at my face in the most coaxing and bewitching +manner--of which she so well knew the power: "I felt so sorrowful when +I saw the dear Queen weeping and wringing her hands in despair, that I +did not know myself. Thou wilt forgive me, wilt thou not, Walter?" + +Then I made a great show of granting her pardon, that I might have a +good reason for a certain show of tenderness. + +'Twas like a little whirlwind in a dusty road, when the particles of +sparkling sand have settled back to their proper level the way is more +smooth than ever. + +When we were seated upon a bench beneath a fine old oak, which stood in +a place more private than its brethren, as though its dignity had made +it to hold itself aloof from their society, like the head of some most +ancient house keeps ever from the vulgar herd, she asked me how I +thought the King's death should affect the kingdom. + +"Ah! my dear," I replied, "that is the question which I have been +trying to answer since some time before his Majesty did leave us. If +Gloucester can be honest all shall be well; for he is a man of great +ability and can, if he will, keep the little King firmly seated on the +throne. What I do fear is, that, when he tastes the sweets of ruling, +he may not be willing to give it up; but like a tiger, when he once +hath tasted blood, must needs have more. Young Edward, in his hands, +will be as wax, and moulded to the form that best suits Gloucester. +The King need not fear his humbler subjects, but must still hold a wary +eye upon his uncle." + +I did not think it well to tell her the conversation I had overheard +the night of the great ball; for it could have done no good, and should +but have alarmed her. + +"And dost thou then think that the Duke of Gloucester is not honest?" +asked Hazel. "Why, he seems to be most honourable and just, so far as +I have seen." + +"So far as thou hast seen," I replied. "That distance is not great. +My father--rest his soul--saw this same Richard stab to the heart, +without provocation, and in the coldest blood, young Edward, son of +Henry. I've heard my father, with tears upon his cheeks, tell the tale +of that foul deed. + +"The young Prince, after Tewkesbury, was brought before King Edward and +his brothers. + +"'What meanest thou, so to rebel against the laws of England and her +Sovereign, by thus taking up arms to disturb the peace of this thy +native land?' asked our now dead King. + +"'Proud and rebellious York,' replied the youth; 'by what right dost +thou question us, thy true and lawful Sovereign? Hadst thou the +loyalty equal to thine impertinence, thou wouldst now be at our feet, +craving our pardon for this show of force before us, England's only +King.' + +"My father said 'twas grand to see the young Prince, as he did finish +this speech, so full of dignity and power. His face was flushed with +excitement, and with pride; and as he raised his hand to Heaven, as +though asking of the powers there to bear him out, he looked as though +he were inspired. + +"Then Richard of Gloucester, now our _pro tem._ ruler, unable to look +upon this righteous indignation, with his steel gauntlet, struck young +Edward on that tender cheek. This proud bud of the noble flower of +Lancaster could ill brook this insult; especially from one of a rival +house. His hand flew to his dagger. Gloucester, who knew full well +that this was but an impulse, pounced on the Prince, as doth the tiger +on its tender prey, buried his weapon in that noble flesh, and, as the +body fell upon the ground, he spurned it with his armoured foot. +This," I continued, "doth show the tenderness of Richard, and the +treatment that they may expect, which do not please his Highness, the +Protector. His words and his actions are of but distant kin." + +"Then dost thou not think he will be bound by his oath, made to the +King before his Majesty deceased?" asked Hazel. + +"Indeed who can tell?" I replied. "Mayhap a year will show, mayhap +two. He may be honest, and he may be not. Which course he doth find +to be most profitable, it is mine opinion, he will follow." + +Thus we spent most of the morning, discussing the policy of the new +Protector; and methinks the surmises we made that morning in the park +turned out to be as true as the great majority of the prophecies which +are, even now, so prevalent in this glorious and enlightened reign of +his most gracious Majesty, King Henry, of that name the eighth, which, +despite his faults--and we all must have our own--is a most noble +master. + + + + +CHAPTER X + +I AM SENT TO LUDLOW + +So the King was buried, with a great show of pomp, and much mourning, +in the splendid chapel of Windsor Castle, by those which had followed +him through his career of alternate sunshine and shadow. Many of these +friends, who had basked in the rays of the sun of York, when the sky +was clear, but who, when a cloud had come across its brilliant disk, +found more congenial weather elsewhere, were now the loudest in their +lamentations, as they followed the noble Edward's body to its last +resting place. + +The Queen scarce ate or slept for many days or nights; but walked her +rooms, and wept and prayed. 'Twas a sad sight, as Hazel told me, to +see her wander from one room to another, and gaze upon the articles +which Edward so had loved. But when the King's body had been buried +she seemed to cast off her sorrow as she would a garment. It was now +her duty to protect the interests of her son. He must be brought from +Ludlow Castle, whither he had been sent by his father, that his +presence there might awe the Welsh, and keep them from revolting; for +this was a habit that they had always had, and one which seemed hard +for them to forget. + +"Would that I had a faithful messenger to carry a letter to my brother. +I cannot tell who may be trusted. My son, Dorset, might be sent; but +yet I need him here to counsel me." + +"I know of one whom you may trust," said Hazel, who was present when +the Queen had thus spoken to herself. + +"Thou hast ever been a true girl, Hazel, and I love thee well. Tell me +who this champion is, for well would I like to see a true man about +this court." + +"Sir Walter Bradley, may it please your Majesty. He it was which +brought the news of the taking of Berwick, and who was rewarded by the +late King, your husband." + +"Ah, yes! I do remember me," said the Queen. "He should be a swift +messenger. I will send for him at once." + +So I was sent for, and found, and brought into the Queen's apartments. + +"Sir Walter, thou hast been recommended to me as one of my only too few +faithful friends." As I glanced hastily in Hazel's direction, her +Majesty smiled as though she had read my heart. "I wish thee to be the +bearer of a letter unto my brother, Lord Rivers, which now resides at +Ludlow Castle. This business concerns my son, your King, and is +therefore of great importance. I shall have the packet ready to-morrow +morning; so thou wilt not have much time for thine adieux." And again +she glanced at Hazel, and then at me, smiling the while, with that +sweet smile which could have sent me through fire and water to serve +this most excellent, and yet unfortunate, Queen. + +"I shall be ready and waiting for thine instructions, Madam," I +replied, as I bowed myself from the room. + +Hazel followed me into the next apartment, with an anxious look upon +her dear face. "Is thine arm yet healed enough for thee to make this +journey, Walter dear?" she asked. "I had forgot thy wound, until I saw +thee try to open the door, just now. I was so proud to have thee +chosen as the Queen's messenger, when there are so many upon whom she +hath conferred favours, and yet which she doth not trust, that I +thought not of thy wound. Had I not better tell the Queen, and have +her choose another?" + +"Not for the world, my dear. It is too great an honour to fling to one +side on account of a scratch, when one is chosen from so many which are +more worthy of her trust. Besides, my wound is almost well." This +latter was not in strict conformity with the scripture, which commands +us to speak the truth; but it was necessary for me to keep her from +saying anything to the Queen that might put a stop to my going. + +I hastened to my rooms and instructed my servant to have everything in +readiness for my journey in the morning. Then I went in search of Sir +Frederick. I found him in his room, seated near the window, and poring +over a volume of Virgil. + +"Well, well!" cried I, "a pretty occupation for a soldier. For the +love of Heaven leave such matters to the priests. I had too much of +that ere I did buckle on the sword." + +"My dear Bradley," he replied, "one can never have too much of such +material. + +"Do but listen:-- + + "'_Jamaque ibat dicto pareus et dona Cupido + Regia portabat Tyrues, duce laetus Achate!_'" + + +"Stop, stop! if thou dost have any love or respect for me!" I cried. +"If thou goest on with that I shall surely die. The only Latin line +that I do consider worth remembering was writ by one of those great +pagans, and goeth somewhat in this manner:--'_Dulce et decorum est pro +patria mori_.' That," I continued, "is a line for every soldier to +remember. + +"But come, leave the myth of a masquerading ancient for another time; +for now, my friend, I must talk of other things, which are more real." +Then I told him of the Queen's commission. + +"Dost thou not desire to have a companion on this journey?" he asked. +"Though, if I do go, this time thou must promise to not ride so fast as +we did on our trip from Scotland." + +"No, Frederick," I replied, "methinks it best that thou shouldst remain +here. Your company, as thou knowest, would be greatly appreciated by +me; yet do I think that thou couldst serve her Majesty better wert thou +to stay at Windsor. All the nobles are now flocking unto Gloucester's +side, and she thinks that they do aim at lessening her influence over +the King. If it be possible for thee to serve her I know that thou +wilt do so. Heaven knows she doth need all the assistance she can get, +if she has to cope with Gloucester." + +"And of what use can I be against men of such power?" he asked. + +"Perhaps none; yet thou mayst in some way serve her." + +The next morning, after I had said farewell to Hazel, the Queen, Mary +and Harleston, I set out on my journey, accompanied by three picked men +of my command. Two of these fellows were men which had served under me +ever since I had been at court, and had proven to be, both, most +excellent swordsmen and trusty servants; that is so far as most of +these men are trusty--the which is not an over strong recommendation. +The third was a mighty Irishman, by the name of Michael O'Brien, which +had come to Windsor shortly after our return from Scotland. I knew +nothing of him; but he had a face of exceeding honesty, and besides, +his giant strength was equal to that of four soldiers of the general +kind. + +My trip was quite uneventful and monotonous. + +In order that I may let you know the length of time that it doth take +for news to travel in the country I will tell ye a little incident, by +way of illustration. + +When we reached Tewkesbury, near which Edward had won his battle, and +where Henry's son was murdered, it was the time of day when we must +needs rest and refresh ourselves. When I had entered an inn--which +seemed the best afforded by the town--and was seated at table a sedate +looking old gentleman came and sat himself down on the side opposite to +me. + +"I crave thy pardon, young sir, for my freedom in thus addressing thee, +who are, to me, a stranger; but I perceive, from the trappings of thy +horse, that thou dost come from court. Indeed at one time I did know +the names of most all of the grand court ladies; for I have not always +lived in these God forsaken parts," added the old man, with some show +of pride. "But all this is beside the mark," he continued. "When I +espied thee I came over to thee that I might enquire concerning the +health of his Majesty." + +"He hath not yet been brought to Windsor, or Westminster, and, as he +now resides at Ludlow, of his health I cannot speak." + +"But when went he unto Ludlow?" asked the inquisitive old man. + +"Now that I do not remember," I replied; "but, as I think, it was some +months before his father died." + +"My dear young sir, his father died some twenty years ago." + +I stared at him for several moments, thinking he must be mad. Then I +saw what was the matter. "Why, hast thou not heard that his Majesty, +King Edward IV is dead?" I asked, in surprise. + +"Not until this moment," he replied. + +So now, my children, ye can see how long it took for news to travel in +those days, of which I am writing. True, the people are becoming more +progressive now, but it is surprising still to learn how long it doth +take for news to reach those distant parts, even yet. + +We stayed that night in Tewkesbury. + +The next evening we rode into the town of Ludlow, and entered the +Castle. + +I was admitted into the presence of the young King, who was, at that +time, but twelve years of age. As I was ushered in I beheld the little +King, and his uncle, Lord Rivers, sitting near his Majesty, by the +casement. I went forward, and kneeling at young Edward's feet, I +kissed his hand and said:--"Hail to your Majesty!" + +At first he did not seem to comprehend my words; for he showed surprise +on his fair young face. Then, as Rivers sprang to his feet, the boy's +face became deadly pale, and he almost gasped out the words:--"Is my +father dead?" + +I did not answer; but stood with bowed head, mine eyes upon the floor; +for I could not bear to hurt this young innocent with my cruel news. + +The poor boy burst into a flood of tears, and buried his head beneath +the arm of his uncle, who spake most kindly unto him, and tried to +quiet him with soothing words. + +Meantime I walked to the far end of the room and there, I feel no shame +in the telling of it, I wiped mine eyes, which were by no means dry. +The sight of this poor little fatherless King stole my manhood from me, +and I wept. + +I have no recollection of any other man ever having raised himself so +much in mine estimation, in so short a time, as did Lord Rivers, when +comforting our little Sovereign. I had always heard that he was a +kind-hearted gentleman, and one of great refinement and education; but +I had never known him, except most slightly. The kind and gentle +manner of the man drew me to him at once. + +"Weep not, my dear," said he. "I know how thy heart must ache for the +loss of so noble and kind a parent. Be assured, Edward, we all do feel +the loss most keenly. But think of thy poor mother, and how she must +ache at heart. Remember, now it is your duty to comfort her. A great +responsibility hath fallen upon thee. Think of that and call up thy +courage and determination. Remember the motto which I taught to +thee:--'Do but screw up thy resolution, and all things can be +overcome;' yea, even thy sorrow." + +So he kept on, until he had quieted the child, which sat himself down +and, resting his chin upon his hand, gazed thoughtfully out of the +window. I could read the boy's thought. He was looking far away to +Windsor, and the Palace there. He saw his mother and his dear father +as he had last seen them. His sire took him in his arms and kissed +him, ere he mounted his little palfrey to ride to Ludlow with his +uncle. And now all should be changed. When he should arrive at the +Palace his mother alone would meet him, and there would be tears in her +eyes. I knew his mind was drawing the sad picture: and yet, had he but +known what the reality was to be, he had rather stayed where he was, +safe with his uncle, on the borders of Wales--of which he had +heretofore been the Prince, but was now its King--than to have returned +unto his mother. Then his Majesty moved, and this did break my +reverie. I remembered my mission; so I walked across the room to +Rivers, and handed him the Queen's letter, with an expression of regret +for my forgetfulness. He waved mine apologies aside, with the best +show of grace, thus showing his smooth and gentle nature. Indeed, +during all the too short time I had the pleasure in being in this man's +company I never saw him lose temper: and yet, remember, he was one of +England's ablest warriors. + +"What meaneth this?" he broke out suddenly. "'Levy an army, and march +to London with the King, my son,'" he read aloud. "Why, Sir Walter, +are things not well at Windsor?" + +"As well as may be, under the circumstances," I replied. "His Royal +Highness, the Duke of Gloucester, was appointed Protector by the late +King, shortly before the noble Edward's death." + +"So her Majesty informs me," he interrupted. "How acts Lord Hastings?" + +"He seems to be uncommon friendly with the Prince, my lord." + +"So I thought, so I thought," said he, speaking more unto himself than +me. + +"And what about Buckingham?" he asked, as he stopped suddenly in his +walking back and forth across the room, with his head bent upon his +chest, and his hands clasped behind him. + +"He seems most friendly with the Duke of Gloucester; in fact they are +inseparable." Then did I think it wise to tell him of the conversation +that I had overheard. So I beckoned him to come unto the far end of +the room, that the young King might not be alarmed by what I had to +tell. I repeated it word for word as I had heard it; for it was so +graven upon my memory that it can never be erased. + +He listened attentively until I had finished, and then said in that +quiet manner which so well became him:--"Bradley, there may be trouble +afoot; however, we cannot be too cautious. I need not warn thee to +keep thine own counsel. This is a dangerous time for England; one +false step might cause irreparable damage." And then he asked me every +question he could think of; and had ye but known him you might have had +some idea of that number, which was indeed great. + +The King kindly invited me to sup with them that night. Sir Richard +Grey, one of her Majesty's sons by her first husband, was also present +at supper. + +Soon after the meal the young King retired; but we sat up late, and +discussed the affairs of state, and laid plans for the levying of the +forces to escort the King to London. Lord Rivers and Grey both seemed +to fear that Richard did intend to take the young King away from their +control and influence, unless they took a sufficient force to make such +a step impossible. On this I did not express an opinion; for who could +tell what move a man like Gloucester might make. + +The next morning orders were sent out through several counties to raise +troops. + +When these commenced coming in, Lord Rivers, Sir Richard Grey and I +were kept busy inspecting them and getting them properly equipped. + +By the end of one week we had an army of above ten thousand men ready +to march with our little Sovereign, and others were coming in with +every hour that passed. + +One evening we held a council at which it was decided to start for +London on the second day following. + +The next day, about the hour of noon, a gentleman arrived at the Castle +and requested an audience with the Lord Rivers. We were at dinner when +he arrived; so he was informed that his audience would be granted so +soon as my lord had finished his repast. + +The gentleman sent back word that he came from Windsor, as the +messenger of the Queen. + +When Rivers heard this he arose hurriedly and ordered him to be +admitted at once. + +Imagine my surprise when in walked Harleston. + +He had never met Lord Rivers, so I presented him. + +He handed a packet to his lordship, with the words:--"From the Queen, +my lord." + +Rivers tore open the packet in great excitement, and as he read its +contents I saw a cloud of disappointment pass over his brilliant +features. Grey went over to his uncle, and read the letter over the +other's shoulder. When he had finished, his features wore the same +look as did his uncle's, except that they also showed strong traces of +anger. + +"Well, Bradley," at length said Rivers, "our work hath been for nought. +We are commanded, here, to have the army disbanded, and to take only a +sufficient retinue to support the dignity of our young King." + +"Then things have brightened?" I asked. + +He shook his head sadly. "No, on the contrary, the prospect looks much +darker. I only hope that I may be mistaken; but I do fear we shall +have trouble in England, unless the nobles cease their wrangling." + +Shortly after he and Grey retired, and, as Harleston had not yet dined, +we sat at table; and whilst he ate he told me of the doings at court +since I had left. And these, as you shall hear, were of importance to +the kingdom. + + + + +CHAPTER XI + +SOME HAPPENINGS AT WINDSOR + +I now go back to relate that which happened at Windsor, after I had +left for Ludlow. What I am now about to put down was told to me, +partly by Harleston, as we sat in my rooms in Ludlow Castle, and partly +by Hazel, when next I saw her. + +I had only been gone one day when Gloucester called to see the Queen. +When he was admitted he saluted her Majesty in the most respectful and +kindly manner, and spoke in that smooth and diplomatic way of which he +so well knew the potency. "My dear sister," said he, "I have not come +to thee before to-day, because I knew full well how useless, and even +cruel, it is to speak of affairs of state to one whose heart hath so +recently been caused to bleed, by the loss of a husband which was, and +whose memory ever shall be, so dear to thee, and to us all. But now, +my poor widowed sister, it is thy duty to bethink thee of thy son. He +should be sent for, and be conducted here forthwith, in order that he +may be crowned with proper expediency and pomp. Methought it was not +well to let this matter stand too long; for we must not forget that +Lancaster still doth cast a longing eye upon the crown of England. +'Twas but yester e'en I heard that they were corresponding with that +bastard, which calls himself the Earl of Richmond." + +"Then I did well when I sent word unto my brother to levy a strong +force and conduct my son to London," said the Queen, with a look of +anxiety. + +Gloucester seemed taken aback for a moment; but, quickly recovering +himself, he said:--"I did not know that your Majesty had so instructed +Lord Rivers; and indeed I do not know that this is the wisest course. +The people of the City may not like to see this armed force thus march +on London, as though the King's person were not safe without this +strong protection. Thinkest thou it had not been better to have +consulted with Lord Hastings, and some others, before taking a step so +important to the peace of the kingdom? When didst thou so instruct thy +brother?" + +"But yesterday I sent him a letter by a trusted officer," answered the +Queen, quite innocent, and put off her guard by the oily tongue and +kindly manner of this deceitful hypocrite. + +"What dost thou say? Shall we sound Lord Hastings, and have the +benefit of his opinion before Lord Rivers doth proceed too far with his +preparations?" + +The Queen, suspecting nothing, walked into this trap, set with such +cunning by the Duke (for well he knew the view that Hastings would take +of such a measure) and consented to this course. + +So soon as Gloucester had left the Queen he despatched two messengers, +one to Buckingham, and the other to Hastings. + +When these noblemen arrived they were conducted into the presence of +the Protector. "Well, my friends," said Gloucester, when he had +greeted them, "the Queen hath gained a march on us. Her Majesty seems +determined to still rule England. She now intends to do it through her +son, the young Edward, as she hath heretofore done through her husband, +the older one." + +"What dost thou mean, my lord?" asked Hastings; who, though an honest +man, yet disliked the Queen, or rather, was jealous of her power. + +Then Gloucester told them of his interview with the Queen, and the +message she had sent to Lord Rivers. + +When he had finished speaking, Buckingham broke out:--"By Heaven!" said +he, "if her Majesty has Rivers march on London, as though it were the +stronghold of a band of outlaws, he shall be met with a force stronger +than his own." Then speaking to Lord Hastings, he said, whilst he +pointed to Richard:--"Here sits the Lord Protector, which was appointed +the guardian of the King by the boy's late lamented father; and the +Queen and her brother take it upon themselves to assume his office, and +to issue orders for the raising of an army, without his consent, or +even knowledge; 'tis monstrous! What sayest thou, my Lord Hastings? +Should they not be made to answer for this insult to our Royal +Protector?" + +Then Richard put in a cunning word for himself. "Yes, it seems as +though I am quite forgot. By Saint Paul, I have no love for the +office; but sith it was put upon me, by my dear dead brother, I do +consider it my duty to fulfill the trust he then reposed in me." + +This last stroke brought Hastings to their side. "By the light of +Heaven!" cried he, "unless this order be countermanded, myself will +return to the government of Calais, and the whole damn kingdom may rot +ere I will ever serve under a government led by the Queen and her +upstart kinsmen." + +"Then, my friends, ye think it best for me to inform the Queen that we +do not consider it a wise step on her part to thus make show of force, +which the people of the City would consider a slur upon their loyalty," +said Richard, in his softest tones. + +"Indeed, my lord, had I the saying of it, I would not put it in such +gentle terms," said Buckingham; "what dost thou say, Lord Hastings? +Were it not better that we tell the Queen and her following, in no +fixed, courteous phrases, that we--the ancient nobility of +England--will not put up with such treatment at their hands?" + +To this the Chancellor replied in the affirmative; so Richard made +another call upon the Queen and, after telling her the result of his +conversation with Hastings (he having taken care not to mention +Buckingham's name) asked the Queen what answer he might have the honor +to take to the Chancellor. + +Now whilst Gloucester had been consulting with Buckingham and Hastings +(which conversation I have just put down, and which I had from +Harleston, who got it from a page, which had been concealed in the room +whilst they were talking) the Queen had been consulting with her son, +the Marquis of Dorset, and was therefore resolved to hold firmly unto +her plans. + +"Tell Lord Hastings that I will not countermand the order I have sent +unto my brother." + +"But, madam, he threatens to return to Calais unless this be done." + +"What! doth he threaten? Let him go to Calais, and there may he abide; +methinks that England can manage without him better than can he without +her;" and the Queen, as she said these words, arose and looked like a +defiant lioness defending her cub. + +"It is my poor opinion that thou art making a mistake in thus opposing +a man of such influence; however, I will tell Lord Hastings that your +Majesty hath fully made up your mind to not withdraw the order." + +Hazel, who was present during this interview, told me that Richard, as +he said this speech, looked so kind and gentle that it was well nigh +impossible for her to believe what I had told her of his cruelty. + +This wrangling went on for a whole week. + +Gloucester was always careful to not bring himself into any of these +disputes; but to place himself as the messenger from one side to the +other. + +At length one day Gloucester brought word to the Queen that Hastings +had decided to himself take up arms and forcibly prevent Lord Rivers +from escorting the young King to London, with an army. + +This was the final blow. The poor Queen could resist no longer; so she +consented to write to her brother and instruct him to bring only a +sufficient retinue to sustain the dignity of the King, who was to be +brought unto Westminster Palace, where the Queen would be ere her +little son did there arrive. + +Harleston was chosen as her messenger; so that was how it came about +that he followed me to Ludlow. + + * * * * * + +Now I will tell of other matters which happened whilst I was absent +from court; and this part, although it does not bear on history, was of +the utmost importance to me; for it was but the prologue to the history +of my greatest troubles, as ye shall learn anon. + +The second morning after I had left Windsor, Hazel, feeling quiet, as +she afterwards told me, strolled out into the park, that she might be +alone. She seated herself in a secluded place beneath a beech tree, +whose fresh new garments were fluttering in the soft and tender breeze +of Spring. Bright and young were they, as she; yet why did not she +feel as bright as did those green, fluttering young leaves o'er head? +Still she did not, and her heart felt heavy and weary. Remember, this +was the day after Gloucester's two interviews with the Queen, and she +felt an inspiration which told her that trouble was brewing. + +Looking back, she thought how happy her life had been before King +Edward's death had cast a gloom o'er everything. She could not help +thinking that the life at court would now be very different. Instead +of the Queen having her way, the nobles, no longer held in check by the +firm hand of Edward, would have control of everything. Here was the +King scarce buried, and already Hastings had commenced to show his +authority. All the life would be gone from the court, and instead of +the round of amusements that the Queen had kept agoing, every thing +should now be quiet, morose and cold. + +How she did wish that I were back. She wondered when I would return, +and if I still intended to remain at court, or would I ask her to +fulfil the promise she had made me, to some day meet me at the altar. +Indeed she wished the time would soon fly past till I should again +return. + +With these and kindred thoughts she had been so taken up that she had +not heard the sound of approaching footsteps. + +"Oh! I am so tired of this life at court. I wish I were away from +it," said she, speaking aloud. + +"Indeed I agree with thee, Lady Hazel. 'Tis not the life which best +suits thee nor me." + +She turned with a start and there, leaning over the back of the bench +upon which she was sitting, stood Catesby. A smile was upon his face +as he noted her startled expression. His right arm he still carried in +a sling, and the sleeve of his doublet hung loose at his side. + +"Well, sir, by what right dost thou come aspying upon ladies?" asked +Hazel, as she arose and gazed upon him haughtily, and curled her lip in +scorn. + +"'Twas Cupid led me here, fair lady. Deform not that lovely mouth with +such a scornful sneer; those lips of thine were never made for other +purpose than the tender work of kissing." Then, as she turned her back +and started to leave him, he hurried around the bench and stood in +front of her, thus compelling her to stop. + +"Stand aside, thou impudent cur, or thou shalt regret thine act," said +Hazel, as she commenced to be frightened. + +"Why, thou wilt not kill me with those flashes from thine eyes?" asked +the scoundrel, as he stood and smiled in her face. + +"No, but thou shalt answer for it to the one which made thee to wear +thine arm, as best becomes thee--in a noose, and where thy neck should +be." + +"Ho, ho! sets the wind there? I might have known so much," said he, as +he sneered, and shrugged his one sound shoulder. + +"Be assured sir, thou shalt know more ere thou hast heard the last of +this," said my dear maid, as she again turned to leave the knave. + +"Nay, not so fast, my fair one. In sooth you escape not so;" and he +tried to seize her by the arm. + +But Hazel was now thoroughly frightened, and she avoided his hand and +commenced to run. He sprang after her and caught her firmly by the +wrist; but she, seeing that she was fairly caught, struggled like a +tigress, and broke loose. Hotly did he pursue her, and again tried to +seize her arm. She, however, swung quickly around a large oak. In +following he struck his wounded shoulder against the tree; the wound, +but partly healed, must have broken open afresh, for, with a groan, he +fell down in a faint, as though by the hand of God. Hazel got but a +glimpse of him as he fell; for she slackened not her pace until she +reached her room and threw herself upon her bed, and burst out aweeping. + +Gentle cousin Mary at last succeeded in comforting her; but after that +the dear maids did not again walk in that park, until some great +changes had been wrought at court, and throughout all England; and +then, when they did go, they were guests, without attachment to the +court. + +Mary had told Harleston all about Hazel's experience with Catesby; so +it was from him that I heard it. + +When he had finished I leaped to my feet and swore an oath, which +methinks it best not to set down in writ, as it might not have a good +effect upon the morals of some of my younger grandsons. + +"Calmly, my friend, calmly," said Frederick, in his quiet way; "have +patience; thou shalt yet have an opportunity for making the scoundrel +pay dearly for his act." + +"Hell and furies! Harleston, speak not to me of being calm. Do but +think of that dear girl being subject to such insults. By Heaven I +swear I shall never rest in peace until I have caused his death!" and I +tore about the room, stamping my feet, and overturning whatever +furniture I did come across. "Heaven, why are such dogs permitted to +live? Harleston, I would give my right hand to but have that low-lived +knave by the throat." Here I clasped my hands, in a grip of steel and +tried to imagine that I held him by the neck. 'Twas my wounded arm +that stopped me from this practice. + +When my passion had somewhat abated my friend asked me when I thought +it likely that Lord Rivers would take the King to London. + +"Indeed I know not," I replied; "but one thing is certain, and that is +if he does not start at once I will set out alone. I cannot bear to +think of what might happen unto my poor dear girl, whilst I am away +from her side. That Catesby dare do anything; and that rogue, +Gloucester, would back him up in all his villainy; for he hath been +mighty friendly with the accursed dog of late. I know not what his +object may be; but as I think, he doth intend to use him in order that +he may win Hasting's friendship." + +We spent the greater part of that afternoon in walking through the town +of Ludlow, which Harleston had never seen before. + +That night we sat up until a late hour, and talked of all the strange +actions of those in power, and made surmises as to what the next move +should be; but even our most pessimistic predictions fell far short of +the reality. + +When at length I fell asleep I had fully made up my mind to ask Lord +Rivers, early the next morning, for his permission to leave for London +that day, as I had private business to attend to. + +However, many strange things did happen ere I did again see Hazel. + + + + +CHAPTER XII + +GLOUCESTER SHOWS HIS HAND + +When I asked Lord Rivers for permission to return to the court before +he should start with the King, he replied:--"Why, Bradley, we are to +leave to-morrow morning; and unless your affairs cannot wait one day +more, I would have you accompany his Majesty." + +"In that case, my lord," said I, "one day more can make but little +difference, so I shall wait. I did not know your lordship did intend +to set out so soon." + +Early the next morning--in fact ere day-break--we started for London +with a goodly train, though not an army. Almost every man in the +King's retinue was a gentleman, he having but a small body of +men-at-arms. This made it possible for us to travel at a rapid pace, +as the whole following was mounted. + +About a score of gentlemen went first; then followed the King, riding +betwixt his uncle and his half brother. Harleston and I rode +immediately behind his Majesty, and we were followed by a score of +other gentlemen, and the men-at-arms brought up the rear. + +At every hamlet which we did pass through, the people lined each side +of the road and cheered and blessed their young King. The boy, pleased +with these demonstrations, soon wore an empty purse, in place of its +being well filled, as when we started on our journey. + +I had thought our progress should have been greater, and therefore was +impatient with what I considered its slowness, though in reality we +were travelling rapidly, considering the number of the retinue. + +Messengers were sent ahead to inform the authorities of the different +towns that their young Sovereign would soon pass through, so that the +townsfolk might have a passing glimpse of the child. In several of +these places we were compelled to stop for refreshments, and then the +King acknowledged, most briefly, the demonstrations in his honour. +Then would we hasten on, that we might make up for the time thus lost. + +On the fourth afternoon a horseman, covered with dust, as though he had +ridden hard and far, met us. When he drew rein he dismounted and +kneeled in the road before the King, with a great show of respect. +When asked his business, he arose and replied by handing a packet unto +Lord Rivers, with the words:--"From his Royal Highness, the Duke of +Gloucester." + +Rivers hastily opened the missive and, after glancing hurriedly over +its contents, said to the messenger:--"Tell His Royal Highness, with my +compliments, that his wish shall be carried out." + +The messenger re-mounted and--as fast as his steed would carry +him--rode back the way he came. + +"What says the letter, uncle?" asked his Majesty, when we were again on +our way. + +"He informs me that he and the Duke of Buckingham, attended by a noble +train, await your Majesty at Northampton," replied his uncle. + +So we rode on in silence for some time, till Rivers again spoke. "I +fear, Edward," said he, "that Northampton will be over crowded, if we +all do go there. The night will then be fallen, and we shall be +compelled to spend it there, in case we go. Methinks it would be +better for thee and thy retinue to take the road to Stony Stratford, +and there spend the night, whilst I, and some few others, go to the +Prince and explain this change of plan." + +"As thou wilt, uncle," returned the King. So it was decided that the +King should proceed by another road to Stony Stratford. Lord Rivers +then asked Harleston and me to accompany him to Northampton. + +When we came to the parting of the ways, and the young Edward was to +separate from his uncle, he put his slender arms around River's neck +and embraced him most affectionately. Little did he guess what was in +store for his dear relative and teacher. + +The sun was now getting low, so we proceeded rapidly on our journey. + +When we were yet about a mile from Northampton we were met by +Gloucester and Buckingham, attended by about a score of gentlemen of +their following. The sun had been for some time set, and the earth was +busily engaged with drawing on her black sleeping-robe. We rode almost +into the Prince's party ere we did recognize them. Rivers at once made +himself known, and thus addressed Gloucester:--"I must ask pardon from +your Royal Highness for having taken the liberty of sending the King on +to Stony Stratford, there to spend the night. I feared Northampton +could not accommodate his Majesty's retinue--which is large--together +with thy following, and his Grace of Buckingham's." + +"No excuses are necessary from my Lord Rivers," said Gloucester; and he +smiled most graciously, and extended his hand to the Earl. Buckingham +followed his leader's example and welcomed Rivers as though he had been +a lost brother whom he loved. Then they both received my friend and me +in a polite, and but little less hearty manner. + +"And now," said the Prince, "let us make haste and have our supper. By +Saint Paul! my innards this night seem most rebellious, and call out +loudly for more of life's ammunition. Follow me, gentlemen, and ye +shall not have long to wait." So saying he drove his spurs into his +horse's flanks, and dashed forward in the direction of Northampton. We +followed rapidly; but we had to urge our tired steeds to their utmost, +in order that we might keep the Duke in sight. + +When we at length drew rein it was in front of the best inn that this +city could then afford; though, since that time, more pretentious ones +have been erected. The Royal banner of England floated lazily from its +support in the yard in front of the inn. + +When we had entered Gloucester dismissed all the gentlemen of his +train. Buckingham--as was his custom in everything--followed the +example of the Prince. Harleston and I were about to depart with the +other gentlemen, but Gloucester stopped us with:--"No, by Saint Paul! +ye two shall sup with us; I have not yet forgot how speedy were my +messengers. Richard of Gloucester forgets not his friends. Why, if a +man sups not with his friends, with whom may he eat? What dost thou +say, my Lord of Rivers?" + +"Indeed, my lord, thou dost honour us over much by calling us your +friends," said the Earl. He evidently did not know what to make of the +Duke's open-hearted manner; and for that, no more did I. + +"Why, I am certain ye are not mine enemies; therefore ye must be +friends," said Richard. He was laughing now, and acting as though +Rivers had ever been the best friend he had on Earth. + +"I meant not that, my Lord," said the King's uncle; "I have ever +accounted myself among thy faithful servants." + +"Nay, not so," replied the Prince. "Because it happened that I had the +misfortune to be born so high it does not follow that all men must be +my servants. What! wouldst thou deprive me of the privilege which the +meanest slave may have, take away my dear friends, and turn them into +servants? God forfend!" said he solemnly, as he clasped his hands and +turned his eyes to Heaven. "No, let me to-night be plain Gloucester. +Let no man call me Prince. To-night I'll have none of, 'Your Royal +Highness,' or, 'Your Grace,' or, 'My Lord Duke,' or, 'My Lord,' or +anything that might indicate a title. This must ye swear solemnly, or +I will take it that ye do not love me. Come now, swear that ye four +will not address me this evening by other name than 'Gloucester.'" + +So we all laughingly did what he had asked. I could not explain this +jovial conduct by other means than that the Prince and Buckingham had +been wetting their palates too freely ere they rode forth to meet us. + +We did not leave the table until the bell had rung out the hour of +midnight. + +"Gloucester," said I--for so we all did call him--"wouldst thou not +like a game at dice?" + +"In faith I would that same, my friend," replied the Prince. + +So we went back to the table and played until the sun began to flash +its rays against the fragments of ragged clouds and set them all ablaze. + +I won rapidly from the Duke, and when we left the table my purse +contained every gold piece that he had with him, besides some that he +had borrowed from Buckingham, who did not play. + +Richard took his losses all in good part. + +"Why, Bradley, thou art a veritable giant at the dice. I have been +told that my fortune at the game is good; but thou dost put me to +shame." And so he rattled on, showing nothing but his overflow of +spirit. + +Now and then would he turn to Lord Rivers and enquire how he did fare +with Harleston. + +My friend had no such good fortune as had I. When he left the table he +and Rivers stood about the same as when we started. + +"Thou hast won everything, Bradley, and I shall have to call again on +thee, good cousin, that I may give the honest man which owns this house +a befitting present," and he turned to Buckingham for more gold. + +"But now we must have breakfast and then proceed to join the King at +Stony Stratford," said he, as we left the table. + +Whilst breakfast was being prepared we went to bathe our eyes, which +felt anything but sound after our all night's carouse. Then Harleston +and I strolled forth into the chill, bracing air of morning. + +"I fear we have misjudged the Prince," said I, as we strolled, arm in +arm, about the yard. + +"Remember, Bradley," my friend replied, "he may have an object in +acting as he hath done." + +"What object could he have in thus making us his equals?" I asked. + +"So far I cannot tell," replied my friend, solemnly; "yet when a man of +Gloucester's stamp appears most pleasant he is most dangerous. I may +be doing him a wrong, but I cannot help but fear that there is some +great game about to be played, and Gloucester will play in it a leading +part. I forget not what thou didst overhear the night of the ball. +Remember," he added, "it is not for ourselves I fear; it is for those +far above us." + +"Thou mayst be right," said I, "but, for myself, I must confess I do +begin to not so much dislike the man." + +"Place not great trust in a Prince's smile," returned Harleston. + +By this time the gentlemen in attendance on the Prince and Buckingham +commenced to arrive from their different quarters; so we were compelled +to stop this conversation. We reentered the house and joined the +others at table. + +Gloucester still continued his friendly manner and all through +breakfast kept up a string of pleasant speeches. + +Buckingham spoke but seldom, but when he did it was ever in the same +strain as the Prince. + +At length Gloucester asked in a careless manner:--"Is the King attended +by a sufficient retinue to sustain the dignity of one in such an +exalted position? Had it not been for the strong opposition of that +most turbulent noble--Lord Hastings--his Majesty should have come with +an army, as the Queen, cousin of Buckingham and I wished," he added, +before Rivers had time for making reply. + +"As for his Majesty's train," replied the Earl, "it is not great in +numbers; but is composed, almost entirely, of gentlemen of no mean +blood. We had an army almost complete when the news came that there +was strong opposition to this plan." + +Methought I noticed a trace of suspicion in Rivers' face as he made +this reply; but if it had been there at all it left as quickly as it +came. + +Harleston, however, gave one quick glance, and mine old opinion of our +host returned with a redoubled force. + +"Well," said Richard, "cousin Buckingham and I have no mean following, +and when it is added to that which already attends his Majesty methinks +that Lord Hastings had best keep his tongue betwixt his teeth, and his +sword in his scabbard, when we enter London. + +"But now 'tis time that we set out for Stony Stratford. No doubt his +Majesty will be impatient to be off to London, and to see his mother." + +We then started forth upon our way; Richard and Rivers riding side by +side, whilst Buckingham rode betwixt Harleston and me. + +It was an ideal morning; the sun was shining clear and bright; the air +was of a coolness which made it comfortable to ride. However, we had +not been long upon the road when a haze climbed up the eastern sky, and +spread its gauzy curtain betwixt the sun and us. At first it was +scarcely perceptible; but it was not long ere the sun had been so +thoroughly draped as to be completely blotted out. + +In the meantime we had been proceeding leisurely on our journey. +Gloucester talked with Rivers in most friendly manner. As we were +directly behind them we could not help but overhear a part of their +conversation. + +"How do we now stand with France?" asked Rivers. + +"Not so friendly as might be," replied the Prince. "Before my brother +died, he had intended making war upon old Louis. This hath angered +them; but soon I do hope to be again on good terms with the old +scare-crow." + +"When dost thou think of having the young King crowned?" asked the Earl. + +"Methinks 'twere good to have it done so soon as all necessary +arrangements can be completed," replied Richard. And so the +conversation ran, until the rain commenced to fall like the tears of +children, in large and scattered drops. This caused us to quicken our +pace, and so made all conversation impossible. Then the rain poured +down in torrents, and caused our clothes to cling unto our backs in a +most uncomfortable manner. The vapour arose from the hot bodies of our +horses, and gave our train the appearance of a phantom cavalcade, as we +dashed forward at full speed, that we might reach a place of shelter. +However, as is ever the case, when at last we came in sight of our +destination--Stony Stratford--the sun had burnt through the clouds +which screened it, and again shone forth in all its splendour. So we +slackened our pace, and the conversation started afresh, as the sun's +rays began to dry our backs, and cheer us with its welcome warmth. + +As we drew near the town in which the young King and his following had +spent the night we noticed a considerable procession filing slowly out +of the place and coming in our direction. + +"What may they be?" asked Gloucester. + +"They must be of the King's train, and they come forth to meet us," +replied Lord Rivers. + +We soon met them. They were led by Sir Richard Grey, and Sir Thomas +Vaughan rode by his side. The others consisted of about a score or +more of gentlemen of the King's train, and a body of the men-at-arms +who had accompanied us from Ludlow. + +"What means this, Lord Rivers; an armed force sent out to meet me, as +though I were an enemy to the King?" cried Richard, angrily. + +"Why, Gloucester, they come--" + +"What! speakest thou to me as Gloucester?" cried Richard, as he turned +fiercely upon the Earl, who sat staring in surprise, as did Harleston +and I, at this strange and unprovoked outburst. + +When Gloucester spoke this last sentence a body of men, with drawn +swords, quickly surrounded Rivers, Grey and Vaughan, and took them +prisoners. + +"Best keep your tongues betwixt your teeth," whispered Buckingham, +first to me and then to Harleston. There was an amused smile upon his +face as he said this. + +Then the whole plot flashed through my mind. This then was +Gloucester's reason for entertaining us so well. We had been used but +as blinds to throw Lord Rivers off his guard, and make him to trust the +Prince. This then was the reason we had been made to be so familiar; +it was in order that Gloucester when he chose to consider it a personal +slight might do so. Harleston was right; Gloucester had an object in +view when he acted so. But for that matter, when did this man ever so +much as speak one kindly word, but for his profit. + +Now, though it takes me some moments to put these things down, it did +not take so many heartbeats for them to be enacted; and remember, my +heart was working fast just then. + +When the swords had been taken from these three gentlemen they were +separated, and soldiers, with naked swords, stationed themselves one on +either side of each prisoner. + +"Now off with the traitorous knaves to Pomfret," commanded Richard. +"There let them close prisoners rest, until thou hearest from me." +This he said to Sir Richard Ratcliffe, who seemed to be in command of +the soldiers which had so suddenly appeared. + +Ratcliffe put himself in advance of the guard and set out on his way to +Pomfret Castle. + +Grey's and Vaughan's escorts now joined meekly in with the train of +Gloucester, and we proceeded leisurely into Stony Stratford. + +I know not when I have, before that day or since, been so disgusted by +the traitorous deceit of a man as I was by Gloucester's. + +So soon as Rivers and his friends had been taken off the Prince again +put on his pleasant habit. He laughed and chatted with Buckingham as +though he greatly relished his contemptible act. + +As we rode along I began to form a plan by which I might inform the +Queen of the arrest of her brother and son; for I now began to fear for +the safety of her Majesty. When Gloucester dare arrest, and throw into +prison, men occupying positions which Rivers, Grey and Vaughan held, it +looked to me as though the Queen herself might be the next person to be +put under restraint. This thought was still tormenting me when we drew +rein in front of the house occupied by the little King. + +When young Edward saw his uncle Richard, he came forward, and the two +embraced with a great show of affection. "Ah, your Majesty, let me be +the first member of our noble house of York to congratulate and welcome +thee on thy return homeward." + +"Thanks, for the welcome, uncle," returned the King; "but for the +congratulations I cannot speak. 'Tis but a sad home-coming, when I +know that my dear father cannot be there to meet me." + +"Think not of that," said his uncle. "Thou knowest that we all must +lose our fathers; the old must pass away, and the young take their +places. Thy grief, no doubt, is great; but bethink you of your duty. +Thou must be prepared to rule this fair kingdom as did thy father, with +an iron hand. A King is ever surrounded by traitors. 'Twas but this +morning that I learned of a plot against thine authority, and, though +some of those connected with the movement have, till to-day, been +friends of mine, yet was I compelled to do my duty and cause them to be +arrested. By Saint Paul! I swear I cannot yet believe them guilty; +though by their acts they have caused the dark eye of suspicion to +frown upon them. + +"To whom dost thou refer, uncle?" + +"Why, to those that thou wouldst least suspect," said Richard. "Thine +own uncle--Lord Rivers--thy cousin--Sir Richard Grey--and Sir Thomas +Vaughan." + +"And where are they now?" asked the young King, with alarm. + +"I had them sent to Pomfret Castle, that they might do no damage to +your Majesty. Of course," he added, "when thou art crowned your +Majesty must do with them as thou thinkest best." + +"Indeed I will release them the moment that I do sit upon the throne," +exclaimed the King, with great heat. + +I heard no more of that which followed, for Richard led the little King +into a private room, whither Buckingham followed them. I then took +Harleston to a place where no one might overhear our conversation, and +told to him my plan of going to London to warn the Queen. + +When I had finished my friend thought for some moments ere he remarked +on my plan. "No, it should be dangerous for thee to go," said he; +"Thou shouldst be missed, and then you might find yourself in the +company of Rivers, at Pomfret." + +"What then dost thou suggest?" I asked. "Her Majesty must be warned." + +"Yes, her Majesty must be warned," he replied, musingly. "Ah! I have +it," said he, speaking rapidly. "Send some faithful servant with a +letter unto the Queen. Do but tell her that the three have been +arrested; sign not thy name, for fear it fall into the wrong hands. A +common soldier will not be missed, whereas Sir Walter Bradley should +be." + +But then I thought of a plan that was better than my friend's; so I +retired to a private place, and wrote the following letter, which is +now--through the person to whom it was addressed not following a part +of mine instructions,--in my possession, and which I hope ye will +always preserve after I have gone to join those whose doings I am +putting down. + + +"_With the King, at Stony Stratford._ + +"LADY HAZEL WOODVILLE; + +"_Lady-in-waiting to Her Majesty the Queen, at Westminster._ + +"Perfectest of maids and truest of sweethearts; I send thee this +message that its contents may not be seen by eyes not to be trusted. +No one can suspect this packet to contain news of the greatest +importance to the kingdom. + +"So soon as thou dost receive this go to the Queen, and tell her that +her brother--Lord Rivers--Sir Richard Grey, and Sir Thomas Vaughan, +were all three arrested, by order of Duke Richard, as we were entering +this place to-day. No offence had been committed by any of these +gentlemen. They were at once sent under a strong guard to the Castle +of Pomfret. Also tell her Majesty that last night the Duke of +Gloucester entertained Lord Rivers, Sir Frederick and me, at supper, +and throughout the evening he showed us all prodigious favours. +Therefore his conduct is all the more difficult to understand, if he +doth mean to be just. + +"I send this by a servant which--though I have not known him long--has +hitherto been faithful; though now it doth seem hard to trust anyone. + +"Pray God that the clouds of trouble may soon pass over, and the sun of +happiness again shine forth. + +"I expect to soon be again upon the road to London; but our progress, +methinks, will not be great. + +"Destroy this letter when thou shalt have read it. + +"I remain, dearest, thy servant unto death,-- + +"WALTER." + + +When I had finished this letter I went in search of one of the men +which had gone with me to Ludlow. He was the gigantic and good natured +Irishman, whose honest and determined face made me to select him in +preference to either of his companions, who were better known to me. + +"Michael," said I, when I at length found him, "I wish thee to take +this packet, and set out for Westminster Palace at once. Spare not thy +horse. When thou hast come into the Palace enquire for the Lady Hazel +Woodville. Hand her this packet. That is a part of thy duty. The +other part is for thee to make sure that thou speakest not of thy +message or journey, to anyone." + +"In faith, yer honour, ye may dipind on me fer speed and a close mouth. +Oi'll be thare as soon as could the divil, with all his wings; and as +fer sacrecy, uh! sure, the damned thumb screws thimsilves could no more +draw a wourd through moy teeth than, as the priests sez, ye could pull +a camel through the houle in a nadle." + +I could not help but smile at the extravagance of his speech; but I put +down my head as I fumbled with my purse, for it is not good policy to +laugh at one which is about to carry your life in his hand. "Here is +gold for thee, that thou mayest not want for aught upon thy way," and I +handed him the full of my hand of Gloucester's easily won gold pieces. +I knew that this would lend him the wings of Mercury, and would tie his +mouth more tightly; and so it did. + +"Hivin bliss yer honour!" said he. "Whoy, Oi can buy out the houle o' +London with sich a fortune." + +So the faithful fellow mounted his horse and rode off at such a goodly +pace as left no doubt in my mind that my message would reach Hazel in +time for the Queen to take whatever action she might think best. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +THE FLIGHT FROM THE PALACE + +Hazel was with Mary in their own apartments when she received word that +a messenger desired to see her. + +"Bid him give thee the message, and do thou bring it here," said Hazel. + +The servant went out, but soon returned. "The soldier, madam, doth +refuse to put the packet into other hands than thine," said the maid. + +"What may this mean?" thought Hazel. "Surely this must be of vast +importance," said she to Mary. + +"Mayhap 'tis best that thou shouldst see him," said Mary. + +The two maids walked down the passage to where the man was standing, +cap in hand, and as motionless as a pile of armour. However, when he +saw the ladies approaching he started forward and, dropping on one +knee, he handed the packet to the proper maid, though how he knew her I +cannot understand. But then those fellows about the Palace have naught +to do but learn who people are and all about them. + +"Here is a gold piece for thee," said Hazel, as she reached it toward +him. + +"No, yer ladyship," he replied, "Oi thank thee much fer thoine offer; +but moy master hath alridy given me so much o' the pricious stuff that +it's thinkin' Oi am to know what to do with it." With this he saluted +them smartly and walked away. + +"What is it, Hazel?" asked Mary, when Michael was gone. + +Hazel, however, was so deeply engaged with the reading of my letter +that she did not hear her companion; so Mary leaned on her friend's +shoulder, and read it for herself. + +Neither said anything until they had read twice what was writ. "What +can it all mean?" asked Mary, at last. Then she read aloud, as though +the sound of her voice might make the meaning clearer, as it sometimes +doth. + +"Hush!" said Hazel, as she put her hand over her friend's mouth; "dost +thou not see that he commands me to keep this most secret? Come, let +us to the Queen, and tell her all." + +So they went to her Majesty's apartments; she was talking with her +daughter Elizabeth when they entered. "What causes thee to look so +troubled, Hazel?" asked the Queen, the moment that they had entered; +for my dear girl was badly frightened by the contents of my note. + +"I have just received a letter which is of great import to thee," +answered the maiden; and she handed the Queen the open packet; for her +fear had robbed her of any bashfulness she might have felt in having +her Majesty see the manner in which I did address her. + +The Queen read and reread the letter through, from first to last. At +length she seemed to realize the terrible meaning of it all. "Oh! that +accursed, hump-back knave, to dare to lift his hand against those which +guard and protect the King! No peace shall I now have. He will not +stop with Rivers. I shall be the next to feel his tyranny. But I will +match him yet!" she cried. + +"Send for my son, the Marquis of Dorset," said she, as her eyes flashed +and her face became as though carved from marble. + +When Dorset arrived, and heard from his mother what had happened to his +uncle and his brother, he showed his anger less; but in his cold grey +eyes, and firm cut mouth, one might read even greater determination +than his mother possessed together with all her quickness of perception. + +"Methinks, mother," said he at length, "that thou hadst best leave the +Palace, and take refuge in the Sanctuary yonder. Take with thee my +dear sisters and our little Prince. Whilst he is not in the power of +the boar young Edward shall be safe." + +"You counsel well, my son," replied the Queen. "Let us then make +haste, and be in safety ere the traitorous cur arrives. Girls, ye must +accompany us. Go and make ready, with all expediency, for in haste +alone now lies our safety." This latter she addressed to Hazel and +Mary, who had remained in the room whilst these things were taking +place. + +"Oh, Richard," said the Queen, as though he were there before her, +"thou shalt suffer for this act of thine! Thou thinkest that by taking +from the King the only man in England capable of training his gentle +mind in the properest course thou shalt be able to infuse thy murderous +thoughts into this helpless innocent, and so use him to thy profit. +The curse of poor old Margaret is now falling upon me, and her prophecy +is coming true. But yet," she added, as though to herself, "she cursed +him also. Oh, why hath not her curses first fallen upon him; I never +did her wrong. Ah, yes, this is my punishment for having caused poor +Clarence's death. Would to God it had been this limping dog that I had +asked for, dead. Then all should have been well. Clarence was gentle, +and never did me harm. 'Tis indeed God's curse for my climbing to +great heights upon the necks of others that has now fallen upon my +head, and bent it low. Where I have stepped on others, now others step +on me. It is just, oh Lord, it is just. But oh! merciful Father," +cried she, as her spirit began to give way, "let all thy wrath fall +upon me; for I am the guilty one. Let not the jealousy of Richard +bring harm unto others than me. I am to blame, and I alone should +suffer." As she finished this speech she stood erect, her face turned +heavenward, and her arms upraised in entreaty. As she stood thus her +noble form lost none of that queenly dignity which must ever have +marked her as a Queen among women. + +[Illustration: "I am to blame, and I alone should suffer."] + +"Come, come, mother, thou must not give way thus. Gloucester would +rejoice indeed, if he knew that he had so affected thee," said Dorset, +as he advanced and put his arm around his mother's neck, and patted her +tenderly upon the shoulder. "Besides," he continued, gently, as he led +her to the window, "we are losing valuable time. We know not when +Gloucester may arrive; and when he does, it is then too late for thee +to leave the Palace." + +"Thou art right, my son," said her Majesty. "Indeed 'tis weakness in +me to thus give way. All mine energies must now be set aworking, that +I may cause that traitor's downfall." As she spoke she walked rapidly +to a door leading to some of her servant's quarters. This she opened, +and called within:--"What ho! Jane!" Then as some one made answer, +she continued:--"Have all my belongings put into boxes at once; all my +jewels carefully put together in their case. All things must be in +readiness within the hour." + +"It shall be done, your Majesty," came from the inner room. + +The girls then hastened to their apartments, to get their belongings in +readiness for their departure; whilst Dorset went to give orders to his +following to be prepared to escort her Majesty. + +Within the time specified by the Queen all arrangements had been +completed, and they were ready to cross over to the Sanctuary. + +Though the distance is short--in fact, the two buildings join--yet they +were escorted by a body of armed men. Hazel told me after that they +looked more like Queen Margaret going to battle, in the time of +Warwick, than the good Queen Elizabeth on her way unto a Sanctuary. + +The little Duke of York laughed and chatted as they were collecting his +toy weapons. "Wait, Lady Hazel, until I grow up and am a man, and can +hold a lance in rest. Then I will ride a tourney; and when I am +proclaimed the champion of the day I shall make thee my Queen of +Beauty, and thou shalt put a wreath upon my head. Oh, thou needst not +laugh!" he cried, as Hazel smiled at this confident young gentleman; +"remember, I shall soon be old enough to wear mine armour, and break a +lance; I'm nearly nine already," he added, as he straightened his +little body, and threw back his head with as bold a toss as could any +old champion produce. + +"And wilt thou not make me thy Queen of Beauty?" asked Mary, as though +she did feel the slight. + +"Now come, Lady Mary, do not be cross with me; I'll make thee a Queen +of Beauty too; for I shall ride lots of tourneys, and be the champion +every time. Uncle of Gloucester is going to teach me how to hold my +lance, that I can dismount a knight; so I cannot be other than a great +champion, when I have such a teacher; for ye know uncle of Gloucester +is the greatest lance in the world. Is he not, sister?" And he turned +to the Princess Elizabeth, as though seeking support with which to prop +up his idol. + +"Nay, that I cannot tell," answered his eldest sister. "Thou hast a +greater knowledge of these things than have I." And she smiled sadly +on the young innocent. + +"'Tis very true," said the little Prince, with a wise nod, as they set +out after his mother, "we men know more of those things; yet 'tis the +ladies that do inspire us and lead us on to such great feats." + +The Princess, Mary, and Hazel, could no longer restrain their laughter. +This greatly offended the little Duke. He lowered the butt of the +little whip which he did carry, no matter what his occupation, and +charged, with all the speed he could succeed in forcing from his little +body. He struck his brother, Dorset, fairly between the shoulders, +which gave that nobleman such a start that he scarce kept his feet. +Then the little Prince turned and looked back at the girls, with a +satisfied smile, which plainly said:--"Now, ye would laugh at me? Was +not that course run right well and knightly?" + +By this time they had reached their destination; so, after dismissing +their following, they were all admitted to the Sanctuary. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +I REACH WESTMINSTER + +When we reached Westminster, and neared the Palace, Lord Hastings, +attended by a large following, among which I espied Catesby, came forth +to meet us. As we did near them they lined the road on either side and +cheered the King as we passed between these rows of English oaks. +Hastings himself joined in with us and rode with Buckingham, behind the +King and Gloucester. When we arrived at the Palace and dismounted +Hastings approached Richard and whispered something which I did not +catch, though I was standing just behind the Duke. + +"When did she go?" asked Richard. + +I could not hear what Hastings answered. + +"And took the little Duke along?" cried the Prince, in a voice that +plainly showed his annoyance. "Now by Holy Paul!" he continued, "this +is indeed too much. Her Majesty doth forget herself." + +"What is it, uncle, that my mother does forget?" asked the young King, +who had overheard this last remark. He looked Richard firmly in the +eye as he spake and held his head so high and spoke with such a dignity +as had proclaimed him a King right royal, even had he been dressed in +the garb of a rag monger. + +"Ah, your Majesty, thy mother, I am sad to say, hath not stayed to +greet her son and King; when I said she had forgot herself I meant to +say that she had forgot her duty, which was to stay and welcome thee, +after thy long absence from her sight. And besides not being near +herself, which were in itself strange, she hath taken with her all of +thy dear sisters, and his Grace of York, thy brother." + +"No doubt my mother had good cause for her act, and I do not wish to +hear her criticized," said Edward, with great heat. "But uncle," he +asked, in a more gentle tone, when he saw the look of pain on +Gloucester's face, "whither hath she gone?" + +"To the Sanctuary over yonder, so my Lord of Hastings tells me." + +"But why should she take Sanctuary, as though this were a time of war +and bloodshed?" + +"Nay, that I cannot tell your Majesty. 'Twas this strange act that +made me to say--more in surprise than with premeditation--that thy +Royal mother had forgot herself; for which offense I crave my master's +pardon," said Richard with prodigious meekness. He stood with +uncovered head before the little King and looked, so to perfection, the +saint which thinks he hath transgressed, and humbly prays for pardon, +that not one there--besides some few who knew the man--but thought him +the meekest soul in England. + +"Indeed, mine uncle, I meant not to be cross with thee; when I spoke I +knew not the hurt that my words did carry to thee; and besides, now +that I understand the matter, I wonder not that thou didst express thy +surprise. Indeed 'tis strange that my mother so should flee to +Sanctuary, as though her son were to be considered as her enemy." + +This, no doubt, was the object Gloucester had aimed at when he sued so +meekly for his pardon. He desired to win the King over to his side, +and make him to believe that 'twas from her son she fled. It was now +more easy for me to read his object in his manner, since his treachery +with Rivers and the others. + +We then entered the Palace, where Richard called a council to decide +what measures should be taken in order that the Duke of York might be +brought to keep company with his brother. + +"For," said Gloucester, "'tis an insult to his Majesty, to thus fly +from him as though he had the plague. Indeed his Royal Highness of +York must be returned at once to his proper place, beside his brother. +If this news be bruited abroad," continued he, "'twill make England +precious ridiculous in the eyes of all Europe." + +Cardinal Bouchier and the Bishop of York were present at this council. + +"And what course wouldst thou advise me to pursue, that I may succeed +in releasing the little Duke from his involuntary imprisonment?" asked +Richard, speaking to the Cardinal. + +"Ah! your Royal Highness, it may be very difficult, indeed, to change +the mind of the Queen. Thou knowest as well as I how wilful is her +Majesty, when she hath once made up her mind." + +"Let her not dare to match her strength against me," cried Gloucester, +who now spoke more freely, as the King had left the room. "By Saint +Paul! if she doth not hand the boy over unto his legal protector I +shall be compelled to take him by force, which I do not like to do." + +"Ah! good my lord, commit not the sin of using force on those who have +taken refuge in God's place of protection, where the vilest criminal +need fear no harm!" cried both the Churchmen, with one voice. + +"Yes," returned Richard, with his cunning smile, "but, most reverend +sirs, the Duke of York hath committed no offence, and therefore he has +not the rights of Sanctuary; and, on that account, the Queen must +expect force, if she consents not to return him when politely +requested, by two such worshipful gentlemen, to do so." + +If the Churchmen were looking for some excuse to enable them to agree +with Richard they now had found one. "Ah! your Royal Highness, who but +thyself could have thought of such a reason?" + +"Who indeed?" thought I, but with a different meaning. + +"The point is well taken," consented the Bishop of York. "The Prince, +thy nephew, having committed no sin, has--under the customs of Holy +Church--no right nor reason for taking Sanctuary; and besides," he +continued, "I understand that he hath no desire to remain in seclusion, +and is but detained there by her Majesty, his mother." + +"This she hath no right to do," broke in Richard. "Was not I appointed +the protector of these children, by my Royal brother? And does the +Queen take it upon herself thus to assume mine office?" With this +Gloucester arose and walked back and forth across the room; his left +arm drawn up, and his thumb stuck in his belt, as was his usual custom. +With his right hand he played with his dagger; drawing it partly from +its richly jewelled sheath, and then returning it with a sharp "snick," +thus keeping time with his limping step. As he walked he kept up a +continual string of sharp speeches against the Queen, like the +discharge from a company of archers, each arrow having its mark to +strike. "Ha! Saint Paul, one might think the Protector of England an +office of but little weight. Old Louis will have grand amusement at +our expense. The King's brother not at the coronation, but hidden +away, as though his Majesty were a tyrant. 'Tis monstrous! And the +sacrilege of this act. A boy, not yet nine years of age, which could +never have committed an offence, hidden in a house of God as though it +were a fortress. Ha! my Lord Cardinal," said he, as he stopped +suddenly before that most reverend gentleman, "the slight is as great +to thee as it is to me. What sayst thou? Shall we submit meekly, +whilst others walk over us and break the laws of our several charges; +or shall we demand the person of the Duke, and, if he be not handed +over gently, then rescue him by force?" + +"Most certainly I do agree with his Royal Highness, and think 'tis an +outrage for the Queen to take the stand she hath," said the Bishop, who +evidently desired to curry favor with Gloucester by agreeing with him. +"Of course," he added, methought a little nervously, "if her Majesty +consents to quietly restore the little Duke, so much the better; then +no precedent need be set for using force to obtain those which have +taken refuge in a Sanctuary." + +"And what says my Lord Hastings?" asked Richard, as he turned to that +nobleman, who had not yet expressed his opinion. + +"I am of the same opinion as these most holy gentlemen. If her Majesty +can be persuaded to hand over the Duke, peacefully, so much the better; +if not, why then use force," replied the Chancellor. + +During all this conversation Catesby--who was present--stood beside +Hastings, as a dog by its master. Whenever he caught mine eye he +stared so impudently that I had much ado to restrain myself from +walking across the room and letting the low-lived hound feel the weight +of my hand. All that which Harleston had told me of his insults to +Hazel was brought to my mind with double its former force, and almost +drove me mad. + +"Oh, I will twist thy neck for thee at the first opportunity," said I, +not knowing that I said it half aloud, till Harleston, who was standing +at my side, poked me in the ribs with his elbow. + +"Hush!" said he, "or thou shalt be overheard." + +This recalled me to myself, and I took good care thereafter not to +think aloud when in the presence of men that I regarded as mine enemies. + +The moment that Catesby saw Harleston check me he leaned over the +Chancellor's shoulder and whispered something in his ear. I know not +what it was; but it must have referred to us, for Hastings turned at +once and eyed me suspiciously. His gaze was anything but pleasant; for +he clearly showed his displeasure at something, by his long and +frowning look. + +"Another debt I owe thee, Master Catesby," said I, taking good care, +however, that I did not pronounce the words by other agents than my +mind. + +So it was there decided that the two Churchmen should go together, and +try to persuade the Queen to hand over the Duke of York to them. In +case this failed they were to inform her that Gloucester would have him +taken from her by force. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +MICHAEL AND CATESBY + +Though Harleston and I were both anxious to go at once unto the +Sanctuary, and see the girls, yet my friend, who thought it might +arouse suspicion were we to be seen there by the Cardinal and the +Bishop, persuaded me to wait until the following day. "For," said he, +"I do believe that fellow Catesby already suspects us of being in some +way connected with the Queen's flight. Methinks 'twas in reference to +that he whispered to Hastings, and which caused Lord William to look on +us so unpleasantly." + +"I believe that thou art right," I replied. + +We were sitting in my room when this conversation took place. Just +then a knock came at the door. I feared that we might have been +overheard, so I thought the best plan should be to open, without any +show of mystery. I therefore called out, without changing my +position:--"Come in!" I scarcely know what I expected to see when the +door should open; yet methinks I had not been surprised had it been +either Lord Hastings himself, or a body of yeomen sent to arrest me. +Remember, my dears, after the example I had seen as we were entering +Stony Stratford my mind was in a fit state to expect something of this +kind. It was with a sigh of relief, therefore, that I did recognize +mine Irish messenger, which had so well fulfilled his mission. The +enormous fellow completely filled the door, as he stood upon the +threshold, cap in hand, awaiting a further command ere he did enter. + +"Ah! Michael, it is thou." + +"Divil anither," he replied, without moving a muscle. + +I smiled at his serious humour, and asked him to enter and close the +door; for I knew from his manner that he had something to communicate. +"And now, Michael, I must thank thee for the speedy way in which thou +didst fulfil thy mission." + +"Uh! yer honour, it's no thanks Oi desarve fer doin' moy dooty," and he +shifted from one foot to the other and struck his boot with his cap, as +though my thanks but made him to feel uneasy. With all his giant +strength he was at heart but a great boy. + +"But what is now thy business with me? If there be aught that I can do +for thee thou hast but to ask and it is done, Michael." + +"No, yer honour, it is not that," he replied. "Oi came but to till +thee, sor, that thoine armour--which was rusted some--hath bin clained +and is now ridy fer wear," said he, quickly, as he eyed Harleston +closely. + +"What in the devil's name art thou talking about? Why, I have no +armour that is rusted." + +"No, not now, sor," said he, with that same serene face. When he had +finished this, however, and saw Harleston's head thrown back, as my +friend stared at the ceiling, in an effort to refrain from laughing, +Michael raised his eyebrows, and jerked his head in Frederick's +direction. + +"Ah! so that is the difficulty," said I, laughing. "'Tis my friend +thou fearest. Ah, Michael, I am proud of thy discretion," I continued, +as I walked over to where he stood, and slapped him on that shoulder +which stood out like a block of iron draped with cloth. And indeed one +might as well have struck a piece of steel as that shoulder with its +shirt of mail beneath the rough coarse jacket. "However, thou needst +not fear to speak out boldly before Sir Frederick, as I have no secret +that is unknown to him." + +"In that case, sor, Oi must pray thoy pardon," said he, speaking to +Harleston; "but in these toimes, whin great min, as will as the common +folk, turn out to be divils it be moighty hard to pick out the honest +soul." + +"Indeed thou art right, Michael, and it shall be well for thee to +continue to trust but those that thou knowest full well to be true and +honest men," said my friend, which admired this frank admission of +suspicion. "Thou art an honest fellow, and I like thee well; but be +careful of this," he continued,--"be sure that thou dost practise thine +honesty with great caution. Honesty, now-a-days, seems to be the +shortest road to the block; unless thou art cautious enough to be +honestly dishonest." + +"Oi understand not thoy wourds," said Michael, as he scratched his +head, with a puzzled look; but for a moment only. "Uh!" said he, "Oi +think that Oi have a hould on what yer honour manes, and Oi'll profit +by yer advice, sor." + +"But come," said I, "What is it that thou wishest to tell me? For well +do I know that story about mine armour to be but a disguise." + +"In faith it was, sor, and Oi now craves yer pardon fer the tillin' of +a loie to yer honour." + +"It had been granted ere thou didst ask. Come, to thy news." + +"Will, sor, it was jist after Oi had delivered thoy missage, and was +walkin' along the hall on moy way to look after moy horse, which was +sore toired, that Oi mit his honour, Sor William Catesby. As Oi took +off moy cap to him, he stops me, and sez he:--'Whare didst thou come +from?' + +"'From Oireland, yer honour,' sez Oi. This Oi said that Oi moight have +toime to git a good loie through moy thick skull. + +"'Thou needst not have tould me that,' sez he, and he began to laugh, +though fer the loife o' me Oi know not yit what so playzed him." + +I glanced at Harleston. His head was thrown back in his chair, as was +his habit whilst sitting and listening to anything that interested him. +I could see by his amused smile that he was not surprised at Catesby's +laughter. No more was I. + +"What said you then?" asked I, as I saw Michael looking at me in +surprise. No doubt he was wondering what I saw to so amuse me. + +"Uh! thin Oi said:--'But yer honour axed me, so Oi had to till thee.' + +"'Oi mint not whare wast thou born, but whare hast thou come from jist +now?' sez he. + +"'Uh! yer honour manes whare am Oi jist after lavin', this minit?' sez +Oi. + +"Thin he nodded, and still kipt on a smoilin'. + +"'Bad luck to me fer a stoopid clown,' sez Oi. 'Oi moight have known +what yer honour mint, without kapin' ye standin, explainin' the houle +o' this toime.' + +"Now all this whoile, sor, Oi was warein' out what little brains the +good Lord gave me (and Oi think he moight have bin moure liberal or +ilse kape me out o' the way o' sich confusin' quistions) to troy and +foind a somethin' raisonable excuse fer bein' thare. At last Oi saw +that Oi had gained all the toime that moight be, without makin' him +angry, so Oi said the first thing that came to moy tongue. + +"'Uh! sor,' sez Oi, 'some wan's stray dawg came in at the oupen door, +so Oi came after to troy and put the baste out.' + +"'Thou lookest strangely besmeared with mud. Didst thou git that with +chasin' of the dawg?' sez he, and he oyed me loike the divil. + +"'Uh! sure, yer honour, Oi was jist a gittin off o' moy horse whin Oi +saw the baste inter,' sez Oi. + +"'And whare moight you have bin on thoy horse?' sez he. + +"'Whoy, upon his back, sor,' sez Oi. + +"'Nay, nay,' sez he, 'Oi mane from whare didst thou roide to-day, fer +from thoy looks thou hast bin beyond the city gates?' + +"'Yis, yer honour,' sez Oi, 'thou hast found me out; but Oi pray thee +do not report me to moy master, whin he returns.' + +"'And who is thoy master?' sez he. + +"'Sor Walter Bradley, and it playze yer honour,' sez Oi. + +"Now methought, sor, that this would put him off the scint; fer by the +close way he quistioned me Oi filt sure he must be on it. But whin Oi +mintioned thoy name, sor, he wint into a divil of a timper, indade he +did, yer honour. And thin he turned on me and called me sich avil +names as made it hard fer me to hould back moy hand from brakin' the +head o' the spalpeen; fer indade, sor, he is no gintlemin, with all his +foine airs, and knoight though he be." + +"And what said he of me?" I asked. "Surely he had a bad word for me." + +"Uh! yer honour, Oi would not repate his insults fer the wourld. +Indade its ashamed o' moysilf Oi am fer not crackin' his skull with moy +fist, fer what he said o' thee. The raison Oi did not, was because Oi +feared to do it without thoine order. Do but say the wourd and he is a +corpse, sor." + +"No, do the knave no harm, Michael; for it should but cause thy death. +Indeed thou art right, he is a disgrace to knighthood; still, he is a +friend of my Lord Hastings, whose vengeance would fall on thee." + +"Sure methinks his lordship should thank me fer riddin' him o' sich a +noosance," said Michael, with a shrug of his shoulders which clearly +showed his contempt for Catesby. + +"But did he question thee any further?" I asked. + +"Did he quistion me anny further, yer honour? Hivins, sor! Oi should +think he did that same," said Michael with a force that left no room +for doubt in my mind. + +"'Uh!' sez he, whin he had stopped his foul talk about thee, sor; 'Oi +belave thou hast jist ridden from Northampton, thou villain,' sez he; +as though he had anny roight to call an honest man a villain, But +thin, mayhap he gits other folks mixed up with hissilf, whin he gits +excoited loike," added Michael with prodigious solemness. + +I was compelled to laugh, despite the anxiety I felt about this matter. + +"'Northampton?' sez Oi, in surprise loike, as though Oi had nivir heard +o' sich a place. + +"'Didst thou not roide from Ludlow to Northampton with the King?" sez +he. + +"'From whare, sor?' sez Oi. + +"'From Ludlow, thou stoopid varlet,' sez he; and he raised his hand as +though he filt loike hittin' me a blow on the ear. + +"'Uh! yer honour,' sez Oi, 'it's makin' sport o' poor common souldier +thou art doin'. Hivin knows, sor, whare that place ye spake o' may be; +but fer moy part, yer honour, Oi nivir heard o' it afore.' + +"'Oi know not what to make o' thee,' sez he, after he had stood a +starin' at me whoilst a man moight brathe about the quarter o' a score +o' toimes. + +"'Mither-o'-Gawd!' sez Oi, a prayin' loike, 'dount lit him make me into +anny thing loike hissilf.'" + +This was too much for Harleston. He lay doubled up in his chair like a +wizzled leaf in the fall of the year, and shaking as though the leaf he +resembled was an aspen. He made no sound, but I could see it was all +that he could do to refrain from bursting forth into one roar. + +"Go on, Michael," said I, when I had somewhat recovered myself; for I +too was bursting with pent up laughter, "What did he then say?" + +"Uh! sure sor, he saw that Oi was but a poor fool, and that he could +not git anny news out o' me, so he shrugged his shoulders loike a +damned Frinchmin and walked on. But still he kipt alookin' back as +though he didn't know whither to belave me or not." + +"Ah, Michael, thou art indeed a true soldier and a faithful servant. +From this time forth I do desire thee to attend me as my squire. In +field of battle, or in the lists, do thou attend me; for well do I know +that a truer heart or a stronger arm in England there is not." + +"Thou art right, Bradley," said Harleston, with a hearty warmth, "and +hadst thou not made this man the offer that thou hast just made I would +have asked him to serve me." + +Poor Michael stood speechless before us. First would he look at me, +and then to my friend. He could not speak his thanks in words; but he +did it with such an eloquence by his looks as had been more than +sufficient, even had I done him the greatest favour in my power. But I +believe to this day that I could not have better pleased him had I been +the King and made him my Lord High Chancellor. + +"But, sor," said Michael, when he had somewhat recovered himself, and +knelt and, despite mine efforts to prevent him, kissed my hand, "Oi 'am +not wourthy o' sich an honour. Sure, sor, Oi can lay on a hard blow +and sich loike, but as fer attindin' on a gintlemin, in a proper way +loike, uh! bad luck to me, Oi'd be but a disgrace to thee, sor." + +"Come, come, Michael, thou must not be too modest," said I. + +"Remember this advice that now I give thee," said Harleston. "If thou +wouldst rise in this world that is filled with the gusts of +opportunities do not let modesty nor fear close up thy wings of +advantage. But spread them rather, that they may catch these eddying +gusts, and thou be borne upon them to the heights of greatness." + +Michael stood and stared at Harleston, with his mouth open, for a +breathing space. Then said he in surprise:--"But, yer honour, divil a +wing have Oi to moy name, and Oi dount want thim jist yit, seein' that +one must go through purgatory ere he begins to grow thim." + +Evidently Harleston's speech was beyond the depth of Michael's +understanding. + +"Uh! sor," said he, when he had expressed his opinion of the wings of +advantage, "Oi was about to finish about Sor William whin yer honours +spoke to me so koindly. + +"What, was there more?" + +"Thare was, sor. Oi walked down the hall till Oi came to a corner, +and, as he had koind o' made me inquisitive loike, by his quistioning +o' me so close, Oi jist stipped around the corner and stopped to look +back to see whare he wint, sor." + +"Yes, and where did he go?" I asked with interest. + +"Sure, sor, he wint straight up to the door whare the ladies came out +o', and he stops thare, sor, and he looks back to see if thare was anny +one behoind him loike. Will, sor, Oi was out o' soight by the toime +his eyes had rached the place whare Oi was hidin'. Whin Oi looks out +agin he was not thare; but the ladies' door was open." + +"Death and damnation!" I almost shrieked. Then turning to +Michael:--"Go on, go on!" I cried. + +"He was ounly in fer the space o' whoilst ye moight brathe about a half +a score o' toimes, thin out he comes, with a koind o' disappintment on +his face. + +"'Must be in the park,' sez he, as he started fer the door. 'Damned if +she'll escape me this toime.' + +"Oi gits out as fast as moy long legs could carry me. But Oi waited +outsoide and saw him go into the park, astrollin' along at his aise +loike. + +"As soon as he had got out o' soight Oi takes after him, afollowin' the +same path that he took. He wint all over the houle damned place, +alookin' here and alookin' thare, as though he ixpicted to foind some +wan. Mither-o'-Gawd! sor, had the ladies bin thare he'd o' found some +wan behoind him afore anny harm could o' come to thim fair craters; +fer, yer honour, avin though he be a knoight, Oi'd not trust him as far +as Oi could throw him with a browken arm." + +"Thou art right there," said Harleston; "he hath fallen to the lowest +depths, and needs must soon be called upon to answer for his conduct." + +"Fallen! Harleston; dost thou say fallen?" I cried; "Why, the dog hath +never been aught but what he is. 'Tis but the influence that he hath +obtained with Lord Hastings that is now lending him more audacity." + +"Will, sor," continued Michael, when again I told him to proceed with +his story, "he discouvered not the ladies in the park. Thin, yer +honour, he starts back, and it did give me the divil o' a toime to kape +out o' soight o' the varmint. Jist as he come in soight o' the court +yard he yills out as though some wan had struck him with a dagger--bad +luck that some wan didn't--'What the divil manes this?' sez he, so loud +that Oi could hear him, and he starts off at a run, as though the houle +Palace was afoire. + +"'Uh! murther!' sez Oi, and Oi takes after him. + +"Whin Oi came close enough, Oi saw the Quane, Gawd bliss her, and all +o' the Princesses, and the little Dooke o' York and his Hoighness, the +Marquis o' Dorset, and the Lady Hazel and the Lady Mary, and thare was +a strong body o' souldiers walkin' all around thim and protictin' thim +loike. + +"Sor William stood alookin' after thim as they wint across the yard, +and all the whoile he was standin' he was acursin' and aswearin' as +will as a bitter man moight. + +"Oi lift him astandin' thare whoilst Oi wint and took care o' moy horse. + +"Whin Oi came back near the place whare he had bin, Hivin hilp me if he +wasn't still astandin' thare, with his head down, alookin' at his fate! +"'Uh!' sez he, as Oi came within ear-shot o' his tongue, 'the Dook will +give me the divil fer this. It must have bin that knave o' an +Oirishman that brought her the news o' her brother's and son's fate. +It would not be so bad if they hadn't taken little York,' sez he, still +atalkin' to hissilf, though he ought to be ashamed o' hissilf fer +spakin' to sich a knave. + +"Thin Oi thought it was toime fer me to git out o' soight, as he moight +not loike to be caught atalkin' to hissilf loike--and Oi dount blame +him a bit nather. So Oi jist gits behoind the gate that goes down that +soide alley, and Oi waits fer anny thing more that's comin'. + +"'Bradley shall pay for this,' sez he; 'he must be the wan which hath +warned the Quane,' sez he. 'Oi had bitter go and till Hastin's,' sez +he, after he had agin stood soilent fer some toime. 'Oi wounder what +Lord William will think o' Richard's plan.' + +"'If it's wan that thou dost agray with,' sez Oi to moysilf, the same +as Sor William sez to hissilf, 'and he be an honest man, he'll have a +damned poor opinion o' it,' sez Oi. + +"Thin Sor William goes on agin, amumblin' to hissilf, so that Oi could +hardly hear him. 'If he knows what is good fer him he'll agray with +Dook Richard, and lind him his support. Still,' sez he, after stoppin' +agin, 'if Hastin's was remouved loike Oi moight some day be the +Chancellor moysilf,' sez he, and he straightens hissilf up and rached +up into the air as though he was a-tryin' to catch a floy, though +agoin' so slow that anny smort baste, loike a floy, could git away +afore he got within soight o' it. Thin, whin he thought he had +whativir he was after, he straightins his arm out to the houle o' its +lingth, and houlds it thare, with his head athrown back, as though he +was his Houliness the Pope at Rome. + +"'Ah! wilth, power, and ivirythin',' sez he, and he smoiled loike the +divil. + +"'Ah! Bradley, thoy toime is drawin' short. Whin Oi till Richard the +part that thou hast takin aginst him methinks Oi see thoy head upon the +block, whare Rivers', Grey's and Vaughan's soon shall be.' + +"Lord, sor, Oi did have the divil's own toime to kape from killin' the +murtherin' spalpeen! + +"Whin he had finished his big talk he started off, and had his sarvant +git his horse ridy, and he sits out fer somewhare as though the divil +hissilf was at his hales--and its moysilf that am thinkin' he's in the +varmint's heart. + +"Oi thin waited with fear and trimblin' fer yer honour to return, and +as soon as Oi saw thee come to thoy rooms Oi followed thee at once, +sor, that Oi moight warn thee not to trust that knave, who is full, +intoirely, of all that belongs to Hill, as is plainly seen by his mane +lookin' face." + +When Michael had finished his somewhat lengthy, yet to me the +interestingest story that I might hear, both Harleston and I sat for +some time without speaking. At length I addressed Michael. "Thou hast +done better than I could have wished for, and indeed thine information +is of the greatest use to me. I cannot thank thee, nor repay thee, +sufficiently for this service; but if I fall not into the snares of +this scheming villain thou shalt lack for naught that is in my power to +give thee." + +"Uh! sor, thou hast given thanks that Oi do not desarve; for Oi have +but done my dooty to moy master. But Oi till thee this, sor,--In case +annything should go amiss with thee, through that spalpeen, Oi hare +take moine oath that Oi'll have the loife o' that varmint fer it." + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +MY DANGEROUS POSITION + +"Well, Harleston," said I, after Michael had left us, "here is the +position in which I now find myself placed. Methinks thou wilt agree +with me when I say that my prospects are anything but of the brightness +of the sun. + +"The Queen hath fled from her home and hath taken refuge in a Sanctuary +for reason of her fear of Gloucester. The young King, her son, is in +the power of the man from whom she hath fled. Catesby, who is +evidently in the service of Richard, hath good reason for his belief +that I warned the Queen and thus have been the cause of her taking +refuge. Richard hath some scheme in hand, the object of which we know +not. The death of Rivers, Grey and Vaughan, is evidently decided upon +merely because they are friends to the Queen. Gloucester is bent on +gaining possession of the King's little brother, for what purpose we +know not. What chance then have I of escaping the tusks of the boar?" +asked I, when I had finished this somewhat gloomy list of facts. + +"My dear friend," replied Harleston, "however strange it may sound, I +must say methinks thou hast naught to fear from Catesby's telling to +Richard the part thou hast played in connection with the Queen's +flight." + +"Why?" I asked in surprise. + +"For this reason," replied my friend, "Catesby was evidently instructed +to prevent any messages from reaching the Queen, else why should he so +question Michael, and, when speaking to himself, say that Richard would +give him the devil when he should learn of the Queen's flight?" + +"Well?" I asked, "and what hath that to do with removing the danger +from me?" + +"This," replied my friend in his quiet yet most impressive manner. +"Thinkest thou that Catesby would dare to tell Gloucester that he did +permit a common soldier to carry a message unto the Queen, when he +should have prevented it? No," said he answering his own question, "it +is more likely that he would attribute the warning to Dorset, over whom +he could have no control, and therefore could not be blamed for +allowing him to warn the Queen." + +"That may be so," I cried. "And if it be, why then I still may wear my +head; for if Catesby doth tell Richard I feel a tickling in the back of +my neck which tells me it then must needs be severed." + +"However," said Harleston, "thou art not by any means out of danger. +Remember this," he continued; "some one must have warned Dorset. +Catesby may suggest that thou wert the man which sent the news to him." + +"Then the danger is as great as ever!" I cried in disappointment. +"Come, come, Harleston, thou art becoming as bad as Michael, with thy +surprises and disappointments. Why didst thou raise my hopes only to +dash them again to earth and crush them like an egg?" This I said with +a forced smile; for I tried to accept the inevitable with a philosophy +that I was far from feeling. + +"No," said my friend, with a grave face, "I think thy danger is not +great; for though Catesby may cause Richard to suspect thee of being +the cause of the Queen's flight, he cannot prove it without showing +neglect of duty on his part." + +"Thou art right, my friend," said I, as I grasped his hand and shook it +warmly. "Truly, I know not what I could do without thine advice. + +"But tell me this," I said, as I remembered the incident in the Council +room. "What did Catesby whisper to Lord Hastings that made the +Chancellor frown on us?" + +"Nay, nay, my friend," said Frederick, laughing, "thou must not think +that I can read the thoughts of people." Then he added more +seriously:--"'Tis like he did but tell Lord William that he suspected +thee of being connected with Dorset in the warning of the Queen." + +"Yes, that must have been it. How clear thou dost make everything, +Harleston. I would that I could look on life as calmly, and think more +ere I act. Now who but a prophet could have foreseen any danger in +informing the Queen of her friends' arrest: yet," I added, "I thank God +for having permitted me to succeed in doing it, even though I lose my +head for having done it." + +"Thou must not give me credit for having foreseen any danger in sending +a message by the hand of a servant; for Heaven knows I had no idea that +their plan was so complete as to take precautions to prevent the Queen +from being warned." + +"Still, thou didst think it might be dangerous for me to come myself to +Westminster; therefore, something must have told thee that they did not +wish the Queen to know of her brother's and her son's arrest." + +"Yes," he replied, "but thou dost give me credit that belongs not to +me. The only danger I foresaw was the affront it might give +Gloucester. I did not for one moment think that they would dare to +intercept a message to the Queen." + +"Well, Frederick," said I, "thou seest now that they dare do anything. +When Richard even threatens to take the little Duke from his Mother, by +force, and that when they are in the Sanctuary, which has ever been +considered too holy for force to be used upon it, we need not be +surprised at any move his Highness makes. Harleston, thy prophecy is +being fulfilled." + +"When did I make a prophecy?" asked my friend. + +"Dost thou not remember when first we met, and thou didst say that +Richard, if he were ever made Protector, would be revenged upon those +who did oppose him?" + +"Ah, yes, I do remember me; but since that night my mind and body have +been so occupied that I have not noticed my prediction reaching its +fulfilment. However," he continued, "but part of it, and that the +minor one, is now being played. If this part lasts not too long we +shall live to see the last and bloodiest of the prophecy. Do but, look +back over the history of our race and thou shalt see, wherever a man of +Richard's character--if ever such there has been--came into a position +of power he shone out with the brilliancy of a star. But the star they +all resembled was a falling one, and left a trail of blood behind it, +as it tumbled from its height." + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +AT THE SANCTUARY + +That night my sleep was troubled with strange and fantastic dreams. I +know not how many different forms these delusions took; but through all +these tormenting and hideous scenes, in which I seemed to be playing a +troubled part, there was one person present which ever prevented the +final calamity from falling upon my head. No sooner was I saved from +certain destruction in one form than the dream was changed, gradually, +and, after passing through a cloudy stage, again was I struggling +against some fearful monster. Then would this friend, the face of whom +I could not see, stretch forth a mighty arm and brush the awful +creature from my chest, where he was perched, crushing out my life. + +At last even the cords of sleep, with which I had been so securely +bound, could bear the strain no longer; so I awoke to find myself +completely worn out, from my struggles with these phantom foes. + +It was still too early for the inmates of the Palace to be stirring. + +"'Tis well that I awoke when I did," thought I; "for a double reason. +First, had I slept much longer I had surely been strangled by those +accursed monsters; and second, I now may leave the Palace, and proceed +to the Sanctuary, without fear of arousing suspicion, and therefore, of +being followed." For truly, my dears, I began to fear that I might +soon find myself in the Tower, were I to be seen having any relations +with the Queen; and I felt sure that Catesby would give his right hand +to see my headless corpse. + +I hastily dressed myself and repaired unto my friend's quarters. I had +some difficulty in arousing him without disturbing those in the +adjoining apartments; for Harleston admitted that naught but the sound +of the last trump could ever awaken him until he had finished basking +in the sunny smiles of the Goddess of Sleep. As this speech of his +came to my mind I could not help but shudder as I thought of the +treatment that faithfully-worshipped Goddess had bestowed upon me. +Instead of smiling, how cruelly had she frowned. + +At length I succeeded in drawing forth a lazy enquiry as to who I was +and what was my business. + +"Come, Harleston, bestir thyself, for the love of Heaven. Sleeping at +this time of the day? 'Tis absurd," called I, gently, through the +keyhole. + +"Ah! Walter, it is thou," said Harleston, as he opened the door. +"Heigh-ho! why, art thou completely dressed already? What hour is it?" +he asked, as he made a frantic effort to dislocate his shoulders, neck +and jaw, all at one and the same time. + +"'Tis almost sun up, and we must be stirring and proceed unto the +Sanctuary before the others do arise, that we may not be observed." + +"Ah! a good idea, Bradley. One moment and I will be with thee," he +said, as he began hastily to dress. He was soon ready, so we crossed +over. + +The Queen, her family, and the girls, were at matins when we asked to +be permitted to enter; so we were compelled to walk up and down before +the door, and bide our time as best we could until her Majesty had +finished her devotions; for at that time it was even more difficult to +obtain admittance to the Sanctuary than it had been at any other, on +account of her Majesty being within its sacred walls. + +At the end of what seemed to us an age, but what in reality must have +been but a very short space, for anxious love makes the moments into +hours, the slide in the door was pushed back and a not unpleasant voice +asked what names we might wish to send unto the Queen. + +"Sir Frederick Harleston and Sir Walter Bradley, but late returned from +Ludlow with the King, pray to be admitted to the presence of the Queen, +as we have information that is of importance to her Majesty," said I. + +Again the sliding panel was closed, and again were we compelled to +struggle with our impatient spirits. But this time it was not for +long. Presently the slide was opened to the width of a lady's hand. +To this opening was applied an eye, beautifully draped with long and +curling, dark brown lashes, through which that orb--the true +transmitter of the workings of the soul--sparkled with expectancy and +love, like a precious jewel held in a gentle shadow. And indeed what +jewel could equal it in preciousness? For it belonged to Hazel. Then +the door flew open, and we were locked in each other's arms in a +shorter space of time than one might draw a breath in. + +Seldom, if ever, had that holy house been the scene of such a meeting. +Verily, it is a wonder that we were not struck dead for daring to thus +demonstrate our love in that cold, consecrated edifice, where one is +scarce expected to draw a breath, except for the purpose of praying. +But mayhap this house had become used to unholy men, during the wars of +the white rose with the red. Be this as it may, nothing of harm befell +us for our conduct. + +"Oh! my dear, fair flower," I cried, as my lips touched her on the +forehead; "great is my joy at seeing thee, as is my sorrow that thou +shouldst be compelled to thus seek safety from those accursed +scoundrels which now surround our King." + +"Walter, dear, I think not of that, now that thou art again returned to +me. But come," she said suddenly, as she remembered my mission, "the +Queen awaits thee anxiously; so let us go to her at once. Afterwards +we may talk, as I have much to tell thee." + +"Hast thou no word for Sir Frederick?" I asked, as we started down the +corridor. + +"Ah! Sir Frederick, thou must forgive me;" said Hazel, in confusion, +"but I was so surprised and--" + +"Yes, yes," interrupted Harleston, with a smile, "I quite understand. +Indeed, Lady Hazel, thine oversight carries not with it the sting of +slight; for, under the circumstances, I had been a churl indeed to have +been offended by such a pretty show of love's one-heartedness." + +This brought a succession of crimson waves to Hazel's lovely face, +adding to its beauty as does the evening sunlight to the rose. + +"But how knowest thou so much of these things that thou dost speak of?" +she asked, as she looked up at Harleston's face with her head held to +the one side and a smile of triumph playing about her mouth. "Surely +one could not discourse so learnedly on any subject without having had +practical experience." + +Harleston was fairly taken aback; but as he attempted to stammer out +something in reply we came to her Majesty's room; so Sir Frederick was +permitted to escape Hazel's criticism of his explanation. + +We were admitted to the Queen's presence by her son, the Marquis of +Dorset, who met us at the door. + +"Ah! my friends," said he, pleasantly, "I am indeed pleasured that ye +have come. Her Majesty and I have been awaiting your arrival with +great anxiety; for we would hear from your lips the recital of that +unhappy and treacherous event which took place at Stony Stratford." + +"Yes," said the Queen, "well would I like to hear a fuller description +of that which happened to our dear relatives and friends, than was +given in your letter to me, or rather to Hazel," she corrected. + +Harleston here left me to be spokesman, whilst he, by some admirable +manoeuvring, made his way unto the other end of the room, where was +sitting Mary, apparently most busily engaged in stitching upon a piece +of tapestry. Whilst faithfully I told the story of Gloucester's +treachery, which I have already put down, and therefore need not +repeat, my friend approached Mary, who appeared not to see him until he +stood before her. I say she appeared to not see him; and yet this is +not exactly correct. I should say she tried to appear to have not seen +him. But what then caused that hand of lily whiteness so gently to +tremble, like an aspen leaf? And that bosom of Venus' mould to rise +and fall so quickly, if it were not that the heart beneath had buried +in its core the fire-pointed arrow shot by that lovely tyrant, Cupid, +with such unerring accuracy as had put Robin Hood to shame? + +When at length she did look up it was with the pleasant smile with +which she would greet a friend from whom she had parted but an hour +before. Evidently Mary was becoming more timid, and using the greater +care to conceal her feeling the more hopelessly she felt herself +entangled in love's silken meshes. As is ever the case with those of +proud spirit, when they are fairly trapped, they play the indifferent, +to conceal their real feelings from the eyes of their captors, or the +curious. However, ere I had finished the telling of the tale to the +Queen, Mary had changed her manner as she would a garment, and stood +before Harleston, looking up in to his face, as though drinking in his +every word. I know not what was the tale he was unfolding; but of one +thing I am certain, and that is, it was not the same as I was telling +to the Queen. This could I see by the expression upon Mary's face, +which reflected nothing if not pleasure. + +When I had finished with my story, the Queen, in her gentle look, +thanked me for the service. "But oh! Sir Walter, I have yet greater +trouble than the fate of those at Pomfret," said her Majesty, after +sitting with folded hands and gazing with fixed eyes into vacancy. + +"Yes, madam, and what may be worse than the evil fate of those we +love?" I asked, though I knew full well what would be her answer. + +"Yestere'en," she said, "Cardinal Bouchier, accompanied by the Bishop +of York, came here to see me. When admitted the Cardinal fawned, as is +his custom, and with oily tongue informed me that my late husband's +hump-backed brother desired my little Prince, the Duke of York, to be +permitted to attend his brother's coronation. + +"'Go back to him that sent thee and say that the Queen, the little +Prince's mother, hath the Duke of York in her own keeping, where he +prefers to be, instead of with his uncle.' + +"'But, madam,' said the Bishop, 'the little King desires to have his +brother with him, that he may not be lonely.' + +"'He should be permitted to come and tell his mother so, instead of +resting as a prisoner, the which mayhap he is," I replied. + +"'Nay, madam, truly,' said the Bishop, 'it is the King's own will that +doth not permit him to come and see your Majesty.' + +"'And why, sir, may I ask?' Then, without waiting for his answer, I +continued:--'Ah yes, I understand. His Highness, the Protector, hath +poisoned the boy's mind against his mother. A fit act for his Royal +Highness.' + +"'No, madam, I am sure that thou dost wrong the Duke, who is filled +with all respect and love for your Majesty,' put in the Cardinal. + +"'Ay, my Lord Cardinal,' I replied, 'well hath he shown his love for me +and mine. Look at the prisoners at Pomfret, which never did offence to +Gloucester, except that the love they bore my late lamented husband and +his family hath stirred up anger in his savage bosom.' + +"'Nay, indeed, your Majesty, thou dost abuse and misjudge the Duke of +Gloucester,' said the Cardinal. 'As I understand the matter, it is +this,' he continued; 'Lord Rivers, Sir Richard Grey and Sir Thomas +Vaughan, were suspected of some plot against the King's freedom, and +Duke Richard, when he learned of it, caused these three gentlemen to be +detained until after the King is crowned, when it shall be for his +Majesty to decide whether they shall be set at liberty or no.' + +"'A pretty tale indeed is this about a plot to gain control of the +King's person,' I replied with scorn. 'My Lord Cardinal, no one knows +better than dost thou that my brother would be the last to so conspire +against my son. 'Tis but a lie, devised by that accursed Richard!' I +cried, as mine indignation began to gain ascendency over my better +reason, 'to shield his own black treason. Well do I believe, my Lord +Cardinal, that this limping villain desires but to gain control of both +my sons, that he may work his will upon them; and God, or rather the +devil, and himself do know what that may be. And be assured of this, +Master Cardinal!' I almost shrieked, to such a state of fury had this +rehearsal of my wrongs aroused me, 'I shall not permit my tender son, +the Duke of York, to fall into the hands of that traitorous cur, so +long as this Sanctuary stands to protect the gentle babe. Gloucester +hath already, through treachery, obtained control of one of my pretty +children; but so long as his mother can protect the other be thou +assured, good Cardinal, that hump-backed Gloucester shall not control +him.'" + +The Queen, as she said these words, in her excitement arose from her +chair and, standing like a statue before me, her head thrown a little +aback, her nostrils slightly distended, like those of a horse that hath +just scented fresh-spilled blood, and her whole pose bespeaking +resolution and defiance, looked like some angry Goddess about to hurl +destruction upon those which had been the cause of her anger. Verily, +my children, this was indeed a Queen. + +My soul was so filled with admiration for this noble and unfortunate +woman that I needs must kneel at her feet and kiss the hem of her gown. + +"Arise, Sir Walter," said her Majesty, tenderly; "I do not deserve such +homage. This trouble is but God's punishment for so neglecting his +commands, when I was in a position of power. Ah, my friend, sorrow +doth tame the haughty spirit and maketh us to realize that we must live +for other purposes than the fulfilment of our ambitious dreams. + +"Thou mayest think it strange in me to thus take thee into my +confidence and tell thee of my troubles. But this, I tell thee, Sir +Walter, is the reason. Thy father was ever a faithful servant and +friend of my dear husband's house; and had King Edward lived thou hadst +been raised to considerable power. Thou hast proven thy loyalty to me, +even in my trouble, when those which have received, at my hand, the +greatest honours have deserted, what seems to them, a sinking ship. +Besides all this, my soul must needs pour out its grief on some +sympathetic ear. Therefore I tell thee this story of the troubles of a +Queen which, whilst her husband lived, had scarce to express a wish, +and the policy of an empire changed as does the wind. To-day she seeks +safety for herself and family within the precincts of a Sanctuary, than +which place, where is safer? And even it is not." + +"Come, madam, thou must not yet despair," said Dorset, tenderly, as he +saw tears rushing unto his mother's eyes. "Surely Gloucester dare not +do harm to the little Duke." + +"Ah, my son," replied the Queen, "well do I know that thou dost speak +thus to lighten my heart with hopes of safety for my little Prince. + +"But Sir Walter has not yet heard all of my conversation with the +Churchmen. When I had finished my declaration that Gloucester should +not have my son, so long as Westminster would protect me," continued +the Queen, as she again took her seat, "the Cardinal, with a look of +great sorrow, which methinks was feigned--for well do I believe him to +be of Gloucester's party--again spoke:--'Then, your Majesty,' said he, +'it is only left for me to deliver the rest of the Protector's message. +Believe me, madam, I would rather have my tongue torn from my throat +than be the bearer of such a message unto your Majesty.' + +"'Come, cease thy snivelling, and deliver thy message,' said I. 'Thou +art but a lackey messenger, and therefore thou art not responsible for +aught that thy master doth say, of insult though it be.' This offence +to him mayhap was not good policy, but methinks it had made but little +difference even had I spoken in more gentle tone," said the Queen, +addressing herself to me. + +"'Well then, madam,' said the Cardinal, with a great show of offended +dignity; though how he came by it I know not, 'hear the complement of +the Lord Protector's message. In case thou dost still persevere in +thine obstinate refusal to deliver the young Duke into the hands of his +duly appointed guardian, his Royal Highness, the Duke of Gloucester, +his aforesaid Royal Highness, the Protector, by this act of thine, and +by no desire or willingness of his, must needs obey the wishes of the +King and take the aforesaid little Prince from this place by force; +which act, in any other case than this, shouldst be a sacrilege, and an +offence most grievous unto Heaven.' + +"'What! tellest thou me that Gloucester dare to take from a Sanctuary +one that hath taken refuge there?' I cried. + +"'Indeed, madam, he surely will,' replied the Cardinal. + +"'And wilt thou, a Cardinal, permit such an insult to a house of God?' +I asked. + +"'Ah! your Majesty, thou dost not understand the circumstance,' he +replied, with a smile that had cost him his head, before that hump-back +came to power. + +"'And what strange circumstance, Master Cardinal, is my son placed +under, that so permits of armed force, without the fear of God's +indignation, to take him from a Sanctuary?' I asked. + +"'It is this,' he replied. 'Your son, the Duke of York, is of too +tender years to be, and in fact is not, guilty of any offence. +Therefore he hath not the right of Sanctuary, which right, according to +the strict interpretation of the rules of Holy Church, belongs solely +to those standing in the fear of our Country's laws. This rule,' he +continued, as though he shamed to say the words, 'Duke Richard will see +fit to resort to, in case your Majesty should be obstinate.' + +"'And in this hath he thine approval and help?' I cried. + +"'Nay, madam,' he replied, 'I am but the lackey messenger, and +therefore am far beneath the honour of being consulted in this matter.' + +"'Leave me, thou insolent cur!' I cried; 'How darest thou to stand +before my face and mock me? A pretty servant of God art thou, to side +with one who hath the position of power, against what thou knowest to +be right. Be assured, sirrah, that thou shalt be reported to thy +master, the Pope at Rome, for thy disgraceful conduct in thus seconding +a powerful villain against a defenceless woman. Now leave me, thou +knave, and tell that slave of Hell, the Lord Protector, to send to me +to-morrow, and he shall have mine answer, as to whether he shall have +my little son or no!' + +"Then, sir, he left me," said her Majesty, quietly, as she heaved a +great sigh, as though even the memory of this Churchman's departure +were a relief to her. "But here's the day come around when I must give +my final answer to Gloucester's messenger;" she continued, "and which +it is to be I am not yet determined. If I do refuse to hand my dear +son over to the boar, he, verily do I believe, will carry out his +threat, and tear him rudely from me. 'Twas with the thought of getting +advice from thee--for thou hast had good opportunities for observing +the hump-back's habits lately--as to what course I had best take, that +I did so anxiously await your coming." + +"Ah, madam," I replied, "thou dost honour me over much by asking advice +of one which hath had so little experience. Yet, since thou hast so +honoured me, I needs must tell the truth. Therefore do I say this:--My +natural impulse is to offer what resistance thou canst, in case the +Duke doth make use of force. Yet, what little of the cooler stream of +reason I have within my blood doth tell me how vain must be the effort +to save the little Prince from falling into the Protector's hands, +backed as that villain is by such powers as the nobles that surround +him. + +"Now, shouldst thou grant the Duke's request and hand the little Prince +over to his Highness, his position could not be worse than it now is, +granting of course, that the Duke of Gloucester dare to carry out his +threat, which, I am sad to say, I fear he would not hesitate to do. +Then, if thou dost decide to oppose force by force, the result of +which, unhappily, must be a victory for the Protector, the little +Prince might not receive the same consideration that he should were he +to go to his uncle peaceably." + +"Ah, yes, Sir Walter, thou art right," replied the Queen; "yet I had +hoped to hear that my tender babe had still a chance of escaping the +tusks of the bloody boar." + +"May I crave thy pardon, madam?" said Harleston, who had approached +whilst the Queen was speaking. "Methinks I have a plan which, if thou +hast time to carry it out, may yet keep the little Prince from falling +into the hands of his uncle." + +"Let me hear it, for the love of Heaven!" cried the Queen, to whom any +suggestions of a chance of saving her son from Gloucester was as a +voice from Heaven. + +"Well, madam, it is this," continued Harleston. "With all expediency +let thy son be conducted from this place, without the knowledge of the +Duke of Gloucester. No doubt my Lord of Dorset knows of some place, +either within the kingdom or across the channel, where the little +Prince need have no fear of falling into the Protector's hands." + +"Now, by my soul, that is well thought of!" cried the Marquis, as, in +his delight, he slapped Frederick on the shoulder. + +"Oh! I thank thee, sir, for those words of hope!" cried the Queen as +she started from her seat and, in her excitement, grasped my friend by +the hand, as though he were an equal. + +Frederick dropped to his knee and touched her fingers gently with his +lips. + +"But come, we must make haste!" said her Majesty, "and have my little +son away from here before Gloucester doth send hither for him. Do thou +go, my son," said she, speaking to the Marquis, "and assemble as many +of thy followers as thou canst, whilst I prepare young Richard for the +flight." + +"Again, madam, may I crave permission to offer a suggestion?" +interrupted Harleston. + +"Indeed I long to hear what thou hast to say," replied the Queen. "And +if thine advice shall be as good this time as it was last much +unquietness of spirit shall it save me." + +"Then, madam," said my friend, "I would advise that thou shouldst send +no other than my Lord of Dorset, to escort the little Prince. Were he +to be surrounded by a body of armed men he needs must attract +attention, and therefore could easily be followed. But, madam, if he +goeth unattended, except for one gentleman, no curiosity will be +aroused, and then he will leave no trail behind, that may guide his +pursuers, in case the Duke of Gloucester has him searched for, which +'tis like he will." + +"Again art thou right," replied the Queen. "And yet," she said, as a +troubled expression came into her face, "it likes me not to send my +little son so far, without a stronger guard." + +"Still, mother, Sir Frederick's plan is safer than if we took a +regiment," put in Dorset. "Besides," he continued, "I promise thee +that no harm shall come unto my little brother so long as I can wield a +sword. And be assured, good mother, that every drop of my heart's +blood shall be spilled ere Gloucester shall wrench him from me." + +"Cold comfort for a mother," said the Queen, with a sad smile. "Then, +if I lose one son, I must needs lose another. But come," she said +suddenly, "whilst we talk here precious moments, which might be used in +flight, are passing by. Go, my son, and make thee ready with all speed +for thy journey, whilst I go to prepare thy little brother." + +She followed Dorset from the room, and we were left with the girls, +alone. + +Then it was that Hazel told me of the happenings at court whilst I was +absent therefrom. + +The Queen was not long gone. When she returned she was accompanied by +her little son, the Duke of York. He was fully dressed for the road. + +"Mother, I do not like to leave thee," said he, as they entered. + +"Nay, my darling, no more do I desire thee to go," returned his mother, +tenderly. "But, Richard, my pet," she continued, "thou goest with thy +brother, so thou needst not to be lonely. Besides, thou shalt not be +for long separated from us--I hope," she added. + +"But wilt thou follow me shortly, mother dear?" + +"I hope to soon be with thee, Richard," replied his mother. Then, as +the boy began to cry, she said:--"come, my little man, thou must show +thyself to be the true son of a King. Be brave, and do as thy mother +doth direct thee; then I shall be proud of my little son." + +This had the desired effect upon the proud spirit of his noble father, +that was so easily discernible in this young offshoot of the proud +house to which he belonged. + +At this moment Dorset entered, fully equipped and ready for the road. + +The Queen took the Marquis, Harleston and me, to the far end of the +room, leaving the little Duke with Hazel and Mary, from whom he seemed +most sad to part. + +"Thou hast not yet told me where thou art taking Richard," said her +Majesty, in a low voice, to Dorset. + +"Nay, mother, that have I not," replied he; "for the reason that I yet +know not what place of safety can be reached the most easily; and +besides I do think it best that no fixed place should be set. When I +have come unto some shelter, I shall leave my little brother in good +hands, and return again to thee." + +"Methinks that thy plan is a good one," said his mother, after a pause; +"but what thinkest thou of it, Sir Frederick?" she asked, as she turned +to her new-found counsellor. + +"In my poor opinion," replied Harleston modestly, "it is the only +course left open. However, methinks 'twere best to put the channel +betwixt the little Prince and his uncle, the Protector; for well do I +believe that he will have all England searched, so anxious is he, +madam, to obtain possession of your son." + +"Fear not;" said Dorset, "Gloucester must search with great diligence, +indeed, if he be to find the little Duke. But come," he continued, "we +must take to the road at once, lest we be interrupted by foul Richard's +messenger." + +'Twas a sad sight for the eye to gaze on, that parting of the Queen and +her little son. As her Majesty clasped the child in her gentle arms, +and pressed him to her heart, the strong love of the mother struggled +with the cold dignity of the Queen, that had been worn to bind down +that ruler of the world--love--and, as is ever the case, love +conquered, and the mother sobbed aloud. + +"Richard, my dearest treasure, no matter what may happen to thee, +always remember thy mother and this, her advice," said the Queen, as +her tears fell fast. "Be brave, but gentle, proud, but not haughty, +firm, but not obdurate, generous, but not prodigal, and above all," she +concluded, as she released the Duke from her protecting arms, "forget +not to revenge any wrong that may be inflicted upon any of your family. +That is Heaven's especial favour to the son of a King. Yea, 'tis even +a command." + +[Illustration: "Always remember thy mother and this, her advice."] + +"But why, good mother, dost thou speak as though I never more might see +thee?" asked the poor child, as he struggled vainly to restrain his +tears, and show his courage. + +"Nay, my dear, thou dost not understand my words. I did but mean that +thou shouldst leave me with a full store of advice to help thee through +the world; for no one can foresee what may happen to us ere thou dost +again join us. Of course we trust that all things will be well, but, +in these times, who but a prophet can foresee that which may happen +within the next revolution of the sun." + +Then, after bidding their sisters and us all farewell, Dorset and young +Richard made their exit and departure from the Sanctuary, by an +unfrequented way, that they might avoid the danger of being seen by +eyes to which they might be known. + +As Dorset placed the boy upon his palfrey the child gave way +completely, and, turning to his mother, with outstretched arms, a world +of sadness in his tear-dimmed eyes, he cried out, like the wail of a +soul but new-condemned to an eternity of woe:--"Oh! mother dear, send +me not from thee. Let me abide with thee and with my sisters; for now +I feel within my bosom here something that maketh me to feel that if I +leave thee now I ne'er shall see thee more!" + +"Nay, nay, my dearest, God, the King of Kings, will not be so cruel. +He will again unite those which truly love him and keep his +commandments. Break not one of these by not obeying thy mother. Go +with thy brother, my dear, and thus escape the danger that here must +soon o'ertake thee, if thou dost tarry. Go, go! our prayers follow +thee, and may God protect thee and still have thee in his keeping!" + +Dorset seized the palfrey's rein and started on his journey. The Queen +mother stood gazing after them, and her lips still muttered prayers. +Soon they were lost to view, as they turned a corner in the path. + +As the Queen slowly re-entered the Sanctuary the bell from the chapel +began to toll for some poor soul whose body was about to be returned to +mother earth, to be the food of worms. As the bell rang out, like a +soul-rending cry of anguish, the Queen started as though she had been +stabbed. "A bad omen," I heard her mutter, as she leaned upon mine arm. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +RICHARD TRIUMPHS + +When Gloucester discovered how he had been duped by the Queen his +feelings can better be imagined than described. However, he was too +clever a man, by far, to show his disappointment openly, or even to let +the world know that he had been outwitted. He had the audacity to have +the statement quietly circulated, in such a manner as to give to each +person the impression that he was the trusted possessor of a state +secret, that an attempt had been made to abduct the Duke of York, but +that it had miscarried. "Therefore," said the Duke's friends, "it has +become necessary for the Lord Protector, in the proper fulfilment of +his duties of the high office with which the people have honoured him, +to take every precaution to prevent another attempt of the same kind +from being more successful." + +"Yea," said the gossips, who were no doubt paid by the Protector, "'tis +even feared that the King himself may be the object of their next +attempt. Therefore the good Lord Protector, in his wisdom, and by +reason of his great solicitude for the safety of the King--his lord and +master--hath deemed it best that both the young King and his little +brother, the Duke of York, be placed in safety, within the strong walls +of the noble Tower that Caesar,--though a heathen, was yet no doubt the +instrument of God,--laid the foundations of. And, unquestionably, the +Lord foresaw just such a necessity for such a strong place of safety +when he compelled that ancient pagan to thus work for his ends." + +When my friend and I heard this news, my children, our hearts were +indeed sad. Remember, my dears, we knew not whether the statement that +the little Duke had been taken by Gloucester were true or no. At first +we thought it but a device of Gloucester's to hold the confidence of +the people; but upon more careful consideration we came to the +conclusion that even the Protector could scarcely have the audacity to +thus risk the consequences of such a deception being discovered, which, +according to the rules of all common sense, it must in time be. This +conclusion in no wise served to relieve our feelings of disappointment +and sorrow, on the Queen's account. We could not help but feel in some +measure responsible for the revenge of Gloucester for the attempt made +by the Queen to have her son escape him; for such we considered the +confinement of the Princes to the Tower. + +However, on the day following the King's removal to the prison we again +visited the Sanctuary, or rather some of its inmates, and were rejoiced +to learn that the Queen had received a letter from Dorset, which +informed her of the successful manner in which they had escaped, not +only capture, but even suspicion. Consequently we found the Queen in a +most happy state of mind. This contentment was doomed to be short +lived, for we were reluctantly compelled to inform her of her son's +imprisonment and of the reports circulating about the Duke of York's +attempted abduction. + + * * * * * + +However, we had no great time in which to wonder what was Gloucester's +object in thus causing the young King to be placed under restraint, and +the report to be circulated that his brother kept him company. + +The next news to startle the court, and cause consternation among the +friends of the Queen and exultation in the ranks of her adversaries, +was the condemnation of the three unhappy prisoners at Pomfret--Rivers, +Grey and Vaughan. + +Again was it our unhappy duty to be the bearers of this most heavy news +to that poor woman of woe, the unfortunate wife of the great Edward. + +"What new sorrow do ye bring me now; for well do I know that +countenances painted thus heavy with the brush of sadness must be but +the dark covers to another book of woe?" said her Majesty, as my friend +and I, whose sole duties now seemed to be the bearing of heavy news, +were shown into her presence. + +"Uncommon bad news we bring, madam;" I replied; "yet it is such as we +might all have expected, and therefore do I hope that your Majesty may +bear it better than thou couldst have done had it been unexpected." + + * * * * * + +When we had finished the relation of this latest tale of Richard's +vengeance on the faithful to the Queen her Majesty seemed stupefied +with grief. She sat as one who hath just received a heavy blow with +the flat side of a sword,--dazed and benumbed and still incapable of +raising protest against the causer of the pain. Then with her hand she +feebly tried to brush away from before her eyes some cloud that did +obstruct her vision. A look of hopeless resignation then settled on +her features, and two silent tears ran slowly down her cheeks. A heavy +sigh, like the parting of a soul from its earthy home and comrade, +escaped her, and she asked in a voice in which was nothing but the tone +of resigned indifference:--"When do they die?" + +"This day, madam; even now." + +"I had scarce looked for such expediency," she remarked, without the +least emotion. + +"What do ye think Gloucester's intentions may be with regard to my son, +the King?" she asked in that unnatural voice. + +"Oh, madam," I replied, glad at last to be able to tell her something +not unhappy, "even now the Counsellors are met within the Tower to +decide upon the coronation of his Majesty." + +"And doth Lord Hastings there attend?" + +"He does, madam." + +"And the Protector, I presume?" + +"Ay, madam, the Duke of Gloucester seems bent on having his Majesty's +coronation take place at once; and therefore, at least so says report, +he doth attend in person that his presence there may urge the +Counsellors to set an early day for the ceremony; 'For,' say the +Protector's confidants, 'the Duke desires to have the weight of full +responsibility, that now rests upon his shoulders, in a considerable +measure lightened.' But, madam," I added, "it is for thee to judge the +weight of these reports." + +"Hastings," said her Majesty, without taking any apparent note of my +remark, "though he doth dislike me much, still, methinks, is loyal to +my son, if for no other reason than for the favours the boy's father +showed him, even against my pleasure." + +Then, after sitting silent whilst one might tell an hundred, she spoke +out suddenly, as though she thought aloud:--"Surely his uncle dare not +harm my pretty Edward! Oh, no! not while my little Richard doth remain +to be his avenger," she added, with a smile of satisfaction. + +The Queen had evidently forgot the presence of her woeful messengers, +so absorbed was she in her deep train of thought. + +"A pleasant thing it is indeed to be the widow of a King, and the +mother of a King," she said, again speaking to her heart. "Great, +powerful, respected, happy. Ha, ha, ha! Yes, respected and happy. + +"Hush! fear not; he shall not harm thee. Thou art with thy mother; and +thy mother is the Queen. We had to fly to Sanctuary before, when +Margaret had success. But look how thy father did defeat her, and +again we came to power. Thy father is the King, and a great and +gallant warrior. Again will he trample on his enemies. There, there, +fear not, all things shall be well, all things shall be well. There's +a good pet; go to sleep in thy mother's arms as thou didst years ago," +and she patted an imaginary child in the gentle, soothing way known +only to a mother. + +I glanced enquiringly at Harleston. + +He nodded. + +We walked on tip-toe to the door, and stole softly from the room. + +The sorrow of this woman was too sacred to be looked on by vulgar +mortal eyes. + +"What punishment can be severe enough to repay the causer of such woe +for his accursed acts?" I asked of my friend, when we were alone in the +room adjoining the one we had just left. + +"Fear not," he replied; "his punishment must overtake him. + +"Gloucester is clever. But no man is so clever that he can deceive the +whole world for long. 'Tis possible to do so for a time; and +Gloucester is doing it. But wait," added Harleston; "success is like +everything else in this world; each man has a certain amount allotted +to him when he begins life. If carefully husbanded, and put to a +proper use, it multiplies. But let the possessor use it in an improper +manner and the supply is soon cut off. 'Tis like the pulling of a +heavy boat through the water, by means of a slender line; if pulled +gently, and with great care, success must crown your efforts. But +attempt to force the vessel faster through the water, and the line +parts and the boat is lost. Richard is now attempting to draw in the +ship of power, laden with the cargo of sovereignty. He hath a firm +hold on the line. There are many obstacles betwixt the ship and +Gloucester. By patience, more than that possessed by mortals, these +all might be removed. But Richard, encouraged by his success in +brushing some aside, will pull harder on the line. It cannot bear the +strain of this impatient force. It breaks, and Gloucester tumbles from +his height of audacity, to be dashed to pieces on the rocks of +consequence." + +"Dost thou then think he will dare to usurp the throne, now that the +King's young brother hath escaped falling into his power?" I asked. + +"Why not?" he replied. + +"That which the Queen said methinks is true; Hastings will be loyal; +but after the example we have to-day, the execution of Rivers, Grey and +Vaughan, what may we expect from the Chancellor's influence? Were he +to oppose the Protector he might be the next to post to Heaven. No," +continued my friend, "we must not look for succour, from the tyranny of +Richard, to any source but the whole people. They, when they are all +united, have the power to force him to do right. But no single noble +is sufficiently powerful to cope successfully with Gloucester." + +"But how long must this crime and tyranny endure, ere a period be put +to them?" + +"Not long. Richard is now building a tower of crime. Such structures +are but frail houses in which to dwell. Presently a strong tempest of +popular indignation will sweep across the land; the structure must +fall, and the builder shall be crushed beneath the ruins. He is +building it in great haste; therefore it shall fall the sooner." + +Harleston spoke with such confidence, as though the whole scene had +been enacted before his eyes, that one could not help but believe him +to be right. + +Just then the girls entered. This put an end to our gloomy +conversation, for which I, for one, was glad. The close life of the +Sanctuary was now beginning to make the effects of its work visible in +the paler hues and careworn looks of the girls' faces. + +"Oh, Walter dear, I am so tired of this life of sorrow!" said Hazel, +when we had strolled to that part of the room most distant from Mary +and Frederick. + +"Yes, my fair one, and I can see no reason why thou shouldst forever +share the sorrows and burdens of others, even though they are the +troubles of those which thou lovest well. When the present situation +may change, God alone can tell. + +"Remember the promise that thou didst make, when we lived in happier +times. When our path seemed flooded with the light of Heaven. Then +came this heavy cloud, that seemeth ever to grow blacker. Let us sweep +on from beneath its chilling shadow, and let the sun of love and +happiness, as we stroll among the flowers, beneath the trees of our +joint home, drive away the troubled memories of this heart-chilling +imprisonment within the dreary walls of a Sanctuary, made yet more sad +by the unfortunate family which here takes refuge. Thou canst not help +them by thus sharing their sorrows, and it doth but make two other +souls unhappy." As I spoke these words the scene, drawn by my mind as +I paced back and forth across my room that happy night of the last ball +given by Edward at Windsor, when all my ambitions seemed about to be +realized, and yet when the first clouds were gathering, came again +clearly to my mind. I therefore waited, with the pain of expectation, +for Hazel to answer. + +When, after a short silence, in which she seemed weighing her reasons +both pro and con granting my request, her answer came, and was partly +what I had hoped to hear, and wholly what I had expected. + +"Yes, Walter, the promise that I made to thee that night, when we were +both so light of heart, and which now seemeth such a long time since, I +long to now fulfil. Yet," she continued, with a sigh, "my gratitude +for those which have ever been so kind to me doth whisper to my love +and it bids it wait, for but a little space, and show them some +sacrifice, to repay them for their kindness. Still do I promise thee," +she continued quickly, as she saw my jaw drop in disappointment, "to +wait a short time only; and if, after the King's coronation, the +condition of the Queen's family changes not, then will I ask my dear +foster-mother for her consent to our union taking place at once." + +"Wilt thou indeed?" + +"Ay, indeed; though even this I fear to be selfish in me, and looketh +as though I cared not for the troubles of my friends, when I can be +happy whilst they suffer." + +"Nay, not so," I replied, as some of the reasoning of Harleston came to +my mind. "Life is given but that it may be enjoyed. Some accomplish +this purpose in one way; some, another. Sorrow is sent but that it may +teach us how to enjoy happiness the better. We all must have our +sorrow. Some have more, and some less of this chastening agent's +presence. The reason for this I know not, unless it be that some of us +require a more severe training ere we are capable of following our +especial path in life, without straying off upon by-ways that nature +never intended we should tread. Some, I will admit, seem never to have +found their way. The consequence is, remorseless Nature, who departs +not from her laws, with stern hand of iron scourges him full hard. +Sometimes this drives him to his more fitting path; again it maketh him +to despair, and, filled with spleen and useless stubbornness, he +ploddeth on along a path not suited to his step, when there, within +reach of his sight, had he but turned his head, doth lie his own fair +way. Some few hills there are, of course; but these are suited to his +stature." + +"By my troth thou hast been changed by Frederick into a full-fledged +philosopher," laughed Hazel. "But tell me the lesson that this should +teach to me, and why I should not longer tarry with the Queen." + +"'Tis this," I replied. "Her Majesty's path is now blocked up with +obstacles. 'Tis right that thou shouldst sympathize with her, and +cheer her on. Yea, if it be within thy power to lend to her +assistance, thou art bound by the bonds of love and gratitude to give +it. Still, it is not required of thee, by either of these ennobling +masters, that thou shouldst tread her path thyself. Nay," I continued, +as I saw a look that told me I had gained my point steal o'er her face, +"'tis even wrong for thee to leave the way that Nature chose for thee +to cheer." + +"Thine eloquence hath won me from the doubt that haunted me and made me +to feel ungrateful. But truly, Walter, thou must stop thy bursts of +poetic speeches, lest in the future thy songs do change the minds of +people, and Master Chaucer's wit then be forgot," and she laughed in +mine earnest face, until I joined her in her gaiety. + + * * * * * + +When we reached the Palace imagine our surprise and horror to learn +that Lord Hastings, whilst at the meeting in the Tower, to discuss the +coronation of young Edward, had, through some thoughtless remark +dropped in the presence of Gloucester, given to that most murderous +tyrant a poor excuse for putting on a towering rage and ordering the +execution of the Chancellor. Seized as he sat at the table of the +council he was hurried, by that murderer, Tyrrell, whose list of crimes +were now being added to with lightning swiftness, to the black-stained +block within the courtyard of the Tower, and there his head was severed +from the trunk, and the bleeding trophy carried to the Duke. A fitting +meal it was, indeed, for the vengeance of such a man to feed on. + +This speech of Hastings' that had caused his soul to follow, within so +short a time, the spirits of his rivals, who met their fate at Pomfret, +served also, as I verily believe Richard had foreplanned it should, to +postpone the discussion of the young King's coronation. + +"Richard hath pulled harder on the line," said Harleston, when we had +heard the complement of the news--namely, that Lord Stanley had been +wounded, by accident, during the arrest of Hastings. "Another obstacle +hath been removed from the course of his heavy ship and cargo. The +line still bears the strain. Wait with patience and expectancy: he'll +pull again; observe the result." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +A MESSAGE IS SENT TO RICHMOND + +Harlston's statement, that the line of Richard's success must part, and +that he could not gain the ship's cargo, proved to be wrong. +Gloucester had met with success where'er he turned. + +Hastings' death had been received with but grumblings of discontent and +not, as we had hoped, with clamorous outbursts of bloody insurrection. + +Stanley, for remonstrating with Gloucester, in an attempt to save his +friend, Hastings, from his fate, was now confined within the Tower's +walls. The Archbishop of York and the Bishop of Ely here kept him +company. + +Whisperings there now were of the coronation of a different King from +Edward. Richard's full hand was now being shown to the whole broad +world. Most of those which lived at court had seen it, ere this last +card was laid upon the board. + +Rumours to the effect that young Edward's father's marriage with the +Lady Grey, the young King's mother, had been illegal now had a noble +circulation. 'Twas whispered in the court, and gossipped o'er. 'Twas +the sole story on the tradesman's lips. The urchin in the street had +heard it told, and each ear did either credit or despise the tale, that +Edward, the father of our present King, had been united by the bonds of +wedlock with the Lady Eleanor Talbot, daughter of the Earl of +Shrewsbury, previous to his union with the Lady Grey. This tale, 'tis +scarce necessary for me to say, was but one of many similar inventions +of Richard to throw discredit on the rightful Sovereign, and thus help +him to reach that awful height to which he was determined to climb. + +As my friend and I were one day passing the great Church of St. Paul, +we were attracted by a surging crowd of people trying, as best they +might, to see some poor soul who had just finished doing penance in a +sheet of white, and who now stood, in pitiful abashment, upon the +church's steps. Behold her as she stands there, an object of curiosity +and derision. Hear the coarse jests of the vulgar rabble, who, in +their delight at the sight of fallen power, hurl at her defenseless +ears all the filthy epithets in the vocabulary of the indecent. +Compare her authority of yesterday with her degradation of to-day. Not +one of those who were helped to power and greatness, by this woman, now +speak one word of sympathy or regret. Such a scene should find in Hell +more fitting surroundings for its tragic action. So could I imagine +the condemned souls revel and domineer when a Prince of Darkness hath +been reduced to a lower level. Another triumph for the Protector. +This is Jane Shore, the mistress of the late lamented Edward. +Gloucester, the better to deceive the people, and make them to believe +in his purity and religious ardour, compelled this poor woman, whose +sole crime against the state was that her Creator had given her such +beauty as to cause the amorous Edward to cast a longing eye upon +her--which, with that fiery Sovereign, was ever the prologue to a +history of a woman's loss of character--to thus do penance, draped in a +sheet, before the insulting eyes of the scum of the city's population. + +"Look at the shameless hussy standing, with bowed head, as though she +cared a hair for all this gentle penance. See how she stands, +blushing, as a properer dame might do," said a heartless wretch, +dressed in the garb of a gentleman. + +Harleston stooped and, taking up a stone, he handed it to this fellow, +with these words:--'There, my fine fellow, hurl thou this pebble at the +woman there. 'Tis much to be regretted, sir, that thou didst not live +in the days of Christ. He asked for such an one as thou to hurl the +stone at Mary Magdalene."[1] + +"And who art thou, sir, to criticise my words?" + +"A gentleman," replied Harleston with a slight bow. Then, as the +fellow stared stupidly into his face, my friend again said:--"I +suppose, sir, that thou dost not e'en comprehend the meaning of that +name. I should have used another word. This, then, is the definition +of that article with which you have no doubt often met, and still you +understand not. First, he is a man; second, his speech is courteous, +to those whose manner doth deserve such speech; third, he protects the +weak and defenceless, and doth not insult a helpless woman, as thou +this day hast done; fourth, he is possessed of a quality known by the +name of honour, the which to brush against or attempt to stain means +death to the transgressor or himself; last, and yet first above all +else, he must be brave, and not submit to insult such as thou dost +bear; and 'twould be death for one to strike a blow upon his cheek, as +I now do to thee." And, suiting the action to the word, Harleston gave +him a stinging slap upon the ear that almost caused the other to drop +upon his knees. + +My friend's judgment of the knave was right. He was, as all these +blackguards are, a coward through and through. A plenteous supply of +bluster had he, to be sure, and this he commenced to fling at +Harleston. However, he got not far in his list of compliments; for my +friend, losing all patience with this blackguarding knave, took him by +the ear, that now was the colour of a fiery sunset, and, turning him +about, he placed his knee beneath his doublet tail and hurled him upon +his hands and knees among the legs and feet of the surging crowd about. +I had never known Harleston to act thus before, and greatly was I +surprised to see him so ready to pick up a quarrel. + +When we left the crowd before the Church and continued on our way I +thought to find him still heated with his indignation. But in this I +had again misjudged this man whose brain seemed balanced with such an +exactness. He was as quiet and unruffled as though he had been but +talking with a priest about some books, of which he was most fond. + +"Strange," said he in musing tone, "that men so love to see their +fellows lowered. Why can they not mourn for their sorrows and exult +when others do succeed? Instead of doing this, they glory in another's +fall, and when the downcast tries to regain his feet, cruel and +remorseless blows are heaped upon his head, till the poor creature, +hopeless of success, lies back there where he falls, among the quick +and devouring sands of vice, or other misery. Still he sinks lower, +and, as he disappears, the sands put on their faces of harmlessness and +tempting beauty, to await another victim. And the cold world jeers at +the sufferer's dying struggles, and laughs, and he's soon forgot." + +"Why, my friend, thou art quite mournful," I remarked. + +"Nay, by my troth, mine heart was never lighter. Misunderstand me not. +The picture that my mind now draws is sad, 'tis true. But verily do I +tell thee, Bradley, mine eye enjoys the sight. What song is there so +sweet as that which telleth to our hearts a tale of woe?" + + * * * * * + +Again doth Richard triumph. The ship sails quickly through the water, +brushing aside the difficulties that would impede its progress. +Gloucester steps o'er the rail and takes possession of the cargo. + +Thus, after the disgraceful scene in the Cathedral of St. Paul, when +Doctor Shaw preached his now notorious sermon on the bastardy of young +Edward and his brother, and after the Lord Mayor and the Duke of +Buckingham had wrung from a small gathering of London's citizens an +unwilling consent to the crown being placed upon the head of Richard, +instead of on our gentle, rightful, boyish King, Richard was crowned +with great pomp and ceremony, and ruled England as the rightful heir by +birth, whilst his young nephew lay within the Tower, uncrowned, a stain +attempting to hang upon his name, and treated as a malefactor, who +should have worn the diadem of England. + +Richard's court was now removed to Crosby Place, where the boar +bedecked himself and his surroundings with all the gaudy finery, of +which he was so fond. + +Then whisperings began to circulate, to the effect that both of the +little Princes (for the people all believed that little York was also +there) had been murdered in the Tower. This tale, which soon became +general court gossip, was never contradicted by the friends of our new +King Richard, and therefore it soon came to be believed about the +court, from whence the people had it, and believed. Some said that +Tyrrell, with an order from the usurping King, went to the Tower and +took full charge thereof for but one night. That with him went three +others which, whilst the young Princes slept, smothered them to death. +This was the version most generally believed, and, to my mind, it +indeed seemeth a likely tale, in so far, of course, as it refers to +young Edward; for well did my friend and I know that little York was +far from London at that time; though where he was we knew not. We +dreaded telling to the Queen this news, and therefore waited for some +time before we again visited the Sanctuary. When at length we did go, +we were saved from again inflicting torture on this poor woman. Lord +Stanley, who had been released from his imprisonment but a few days +previous and now had been appointed to the office of Steward at the +Palace, had been there before us and told the Queen the whole sad story +of how her son had, in the night, been murdered whilst he slept. + +This time the Queen was not resigned nor stupefied. Bold determination +and a hunger for revenge were imprinted on her features. + +When I look back to those harsh, cruel days of misery for that woman, I +compare her, in my mind, with those savage tribes which dwell in that +distant land beyond the seas, discovered by that Genoese sailor. 'Twas +told to me, by Cabot and his son, that they, when injured, show but +little spleen; but with deliberation and the greatest care they plan, +with wonderous skill, some grand invention that enables them to have +revenge in the most complete and properest of ways. + +Cold and deliberate was the ex-Queen, as she informed us that she had +sent her son, Dorset (which had returned, after leaving the little Duke +of York in a Sanctuary in France) with a letter to the Earl of +Richmond, who then resided, in exile, at the court of Brittany, asking +him to take up arms in her cause, and his own, and fight King Richard, +with the crown of England as the stake. + +"I have decided on this course," said the ex-Queen, "because I realize +that my son, the Duke of York, may never rule so long as Richard lives. +If Richmond doth accept mine offer, and if he wins the crown away from +the murderous Usurper, then will I make him regent during the minority +of my little Richard. All this I have set forth distinctly in my +letter to the Earl. I also promised him my daughter Elizabeth's hand +in marriage. Such offers, methinks, no sane man would refuse, unless +he be a coward, which 'tis not possible for him to be. 'Tis true he +belongs to the Lancastrian party, which hath ever been our enemies; +but, under the circumstances in which I now find myself placed, I +cannot choose, but must accept that which is best for my poor son's +welfare. Therefore I have asked for Richmond's aid." + +"Madam," said Harleston, when Elizabeth had finished speaking, "I pray +that thou wilt pardon the liberty I am about to take, in making a +remark about thine own affairs. Mine excuse for doing so is that thou, +madam, hast honoured me ere this by asking mine advice." + +"Speak out, Sir Frederick," said Elizabeth. "Well dost thou know that +no word of thine, intended for my help, will be considered as +impertinent." + +"Then, madam, I would ask if thou dost consider it as safe to thus +invite the Earl of Richmond to your aid? Dost thou not fear that +he--should he be successful--will claim the throne as his very own by +right of conquest by the sword? 'Tis but a possibility, madam, but +methinks 'tis worthy of consideration." + +"But how could he claim the throne, having no right thereto?" + +"Richard hath taken it." + +"Ay, true, true, true!" wailed the poor Queen, as she walked about the +room, wringing her hands. + +"Dost thou not think, madam," continued Harleston, "that it would be +better if thou wert to try and win over Buckingham to thy cause?" + +"He is the friend of Richard." + +"Ay, madam; but he is also ambitious. Two such men as he and the +Usurper cannot for long agree. Richard must fear that some day +Buckingham's prestige with the people will be too great. No doubt some +jealousy doth exist already. Have Lord Stanley, in thy behalf, offer +to the Duke some noble inducement to bring him to thy side. The +people, indignant at the murder of thy son, could soon be tempted to +revolt and make up a strong force; drive forth the Usurper from the +throne and place the crown upon the rightful head." + +"But how shall I prevent the Earl of Richmond from coming to mine aid, +now that I have once invited him?" + +"Prevent him not, madam. He shall be of the greatest possible +assistance. He and your brother-in-law, the Duke of Buckingham, united +should face the boar; and then, when victory doth rest upon their arms, +the Duke can hold the Earl in check." + +"A happy thought; I'll act upon it straight away. Ah! Sir Frederick, +what should I do without thine ever sage advice? Pray God the time +will soon come when I can reward my friends, with more than thanks. +When my son cometh to his own thou, Sir Frederick, shalt be his +Counsellor." + +This promise was doomed to never be fulfilled. + + + +[1] Harleston's knowledge of scripture was evidently not great. K.M. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +BEFORE THE TOURNAMENT + +Angry were the people with Richard for his savage murder of the young +and rightful King. Discontent and a proper desire to punish the +criminal for his act were discernible in the sullen manner in which the +Usurper was received where'er he went among them. Scowls, and not +resounding cheers, greeted him as he passed through the streets of +London, as was his almost daily habit. + +Richard was not slow to comprehend the cause, and see what should be +the outcome, of this unpopularity, were it permitted to take a firmer +root in the minds of the people. + +Some people, I know, contend that the best plan for killing discontent +and opposition is to notice them not and they, in time, will realize +their insignificance, and die by cold neglect. To me this seemeth but +a poor device for ridding one of that which doth torment him. Methinks +it is like the neglecting of a weed, in the hope that it will come to +be disheartened by reason of its lack of opposition and wither up and +die. To my poor way of thinking 'tis better, far, to remove the weed, +with all its roots intact. + +Richard was evidently of the same way of thinking; for he at once +proceeded to remove this opposing growth, with all expediency. +Subsequent events shall show whether or no the roots came with the +stalk and leaves. To accomplish his purpose it was necessary for him +to please the people and gain their affection. The most easy and +direct way to do this was to, in some manner, contribute to their +happiness. In what way could this be so well accomplished as by +appealing to the warlike spirit of England, by holding a grand +tournament. Ever hath it been the custom of our country's rulers to +hold these martial gatherings whenever the good will of all classes is +desired. Richard was not slow to follow the example of his +predecessors. Therefore was it given out that our generous-hearted +Sovereign, to in some small way show his appreciation of the honour +done him by the people when they reposed the trust of England's crown +with him, would straight-way give the grandest exhibition of all forms +of war-like skill that ever England gazed with wondering eyes upon. + +Catesby, who had been absent from court ever since the Usurper's +coronation, on some business of Richard's (for now he seemed to be to +Richard the properest man, though to all others a scoundrel) about this +time returned. For this, my dears, I was truly pleasured; for dearly +did I then desire an opportunity to be revenged on him for his insult +to Hazel. I was determined that nothing should now prevent our +meeting; for if he did not willingly enter for the contests I would +openly challenge him to fight, the which to refuse, as ye all do know, +would stamp him as a coward throughout all Christendom. This I knew +well he would not bear; for Catesby, no matter what his failings were, +was no physical coward. + +Long seemed the time whilst we, with the spirit of impatience, were +waiting for the tournament. + +Hazel and I planned and decided on my making some excuse and leaving +the court of Richard, so soon as the jousts should be ended. Settle +down we would and live in peace and quiet within our happy home, far +from the strife and intrigue of the court. 'Tis true I did not promise +to lay aside the sword and shield forever. On the contrary, faithfully +did I promise the ex-Queen to aid her party when the proper time +arrived. And, besides, I had an oath to be fulfilled. + +No longer could I bear to serve the murderous tyrant, even for mine +ends. Indeed he treated me with great civility and some consideration. +Yet ever would there rise before my memory's eye the traitorous scene +at Stony Stratford. 'Twas when Richard smiled I feared him most. +Beware, my children, of a man who smileth on ye all too frequently. +Such men are seldom to be trusted. Never did I fall asleep without the +fear ahaunting me that I should never gaze upon the sun again; but that +the three which murdered our young King would rid our present ruler of +one which visited Elizabeth; for no hope of mine could be so sanguine +as to cause me to believe that I had thus far escaped Richard's +ever-watchful eye. + +At length the day before the commencement of the tournament came +around, and knights and squires all were busy with the work of +preparation. + +The place chosen by the King for the holding of the joust was just +beyond the city's gates, between London and Westminster, and in the +direction of the setting sun, that cast its fiery rays along the bosom +of the earth, that it might point out to each separate champion the +levelest spot for the pitching of his tent. Where'er the ground had +received a wound, and the scar remained, the King of Day, as he settled +down to rest, did paint the surrounding turf and leave a darker spot +upon the earth, to guide the warrior's servants from their putting up +his canvas house. + +My friend and I both occupied the one tent, which was both high and +broad. + +My faithful Michael, and our other servants, bustled about in +preparation for the morrow's work. + +Pennons and streamers of England's noblest sons now floated on the +evening flower-scented breeze, which bore in its fairy arms the sounds +of the armourer's anvils, as the men worked, putting on some fine +completing touches. Some of these pleasant and familiar sounds were +worn to such a thinness as to scarcely have existence, they having +travelled from the far end of the field and, in their flight, visited +the ears of many knights and squires who, fond of this sweet martial +music, consumed a part each one. Others there were ranging in bodily +strength until they reached a rich, full ring, proceeding from before +our own tent door, where our armourers examined the suits given us by +the late King Edward, and which had never since been tested with the +lance. + +The sun at length sank beneath the floor of earth, and the windows of +Heaven began to throw forth their each particular ray of light. As we +sat there, watching those far away, twinkling points, I could not +refrain from wondering why the Saints and Angels there all seem so busy +in the still night time; as can be seen by their passing and repassing +of the windows, in never ceasing numbers, each casting a fleeting +shadow as he goes. As the light on earth kept fading, more shades in +Heaven were drawn aback, as though the kindly folk up there would lend +to us more cheer. + +Then the pale and trouble-featured moon raised up her hairless head +above the earth's surface, and slowly climbed she up the Heaven's arch. + +As the sounds of the armourers and the grooms died out, the nightingale +did make his voice more plainly heard, as he hurled down, from his +perch beside the field, upon our ears, his darts of Heaven's own joy. +Aslanting did the music come, as borne by the gentle evening breeze it +fell, like April's rain, into our ears and drenched our hearts with +sweetness. + +The wide-eyed frogs, far from the field, as they sat on their floating +thrones, flung, from their baggy throats, at the stars, as countless as +themselves, their quavering coward-challenges of battle. Yet no doubt +these were as well meant as some we should hear to-morrow. + +The moon now stood well up the sky and therefore, when the flap was +closed a trifle, shone not far back into the tent. + +The nightingale had ceased to sing. + +The frogs still hurled their insolence. + +Frederick and I, who had been in silence sitting for some time, arose +and walked back under our covering. Michael followed, and, when we had +laid down, stretched his huge frame across the opening. How like a +lifeless statue there he lay; his arms locked o'er his chest. 'Twas +seven feet of Hercules, as broad as two good men. Gazing at this +picture of strength and loyalty, the latter shown in his firm-cut, +honest face, with our shields beneath our heads, my friend and I sank +into sleep. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +THE TOURNAMENT + +After a night of refreshing, sweet oblivion we awakened bright and +strong, well fitted for a day of tilting. It was uncommon early to be +stirring; but Richard had given out that the games should commence +about the hour of ten; therefore it was necessary to rise early, in +order that we might have ample time in which to look over the ground +and judge its character, previous to our arming for the fray. + +Cool and fresh was the morning; but the cloudless sky and bright-faced +sun were indications of a greater warmth when the day should be further +advanced. + +Shortly after we had breakfasted the King, who had spent the night upon +the field instead of at his Palace, rode around the lists, attended by +Buckingham, Stanley, Lovell, Ratcliffe and Catesby. Richard wore not +his armour; but all of the others were fully armed, but for the lack of +their helms; instead of which they wore caps of velvet. + +"Ah! Walter, thou art at last to have an opportunity to slake thy +thirst for vengeance; for Catesby seemeth ready to take to the field at +once," said Harleston, as we stood at the opening of our tent and +watched them as they made their tour of inspection. + +I smiled my satisfaction. + +"Wilt thou ride with headless spear, or wilt thou use the point, and +make thy prize his blood, as well as arms?" + +"I desire not his steed nor arms," I answered. "No, Frederick, I would +rather have the last red drop that now is in his heart than wear King +Richard's crown. Long have I kept me quiet, and but little have I +spoken of the insulting cur since first mine ears did hear of his +black-coward's act. Well dost thou know the human heart, my friend, +and mine the best of all. It must be plain to thee that when the coals +are left upon the hearth, withouten wood to cause a showy flame, they +burn with greater, though more quiet, heat. I made a promise to the +Lady Hazel that I would not challenge him to meet me in a duel. +Therefore have I held my peace, and waited for such an opportunity as +this for working my revenge upon him. If I can kill the knave upon +this field I'll do so with as light a heart as any ever worn by man." + +"Right, right! my friend," cried Frederick. "I wondered how thou, for +this long time since, didst tie down that impatient spirit of thine, +and wait with patience for thy vengeance. Thou art a true knight, Sir +Walter. Mild when not roused; but when thy spleen is stirred thou art +as fiery as the devil," and he grasped my hand and slapped me on the +shoulder, as was his familiar custom. + +The people from the city commenced now to arrive. Some were mounted, +but the majority either rode in carts or came in the less pretentious +style--afoot. + +"By Heaven!" said Frederick, "and they stop not coming in such numbers +we knights shall be compelled to withdraw us from the field and leave +it to the tradesmen." + +"Come," said I, "'tis time that we should arm. What ho! Michael! +where the devil art thou?" Michael, contrary to his habit, did not +appear when I called. I walked to the tent door and called again. +Then, as I looked beyond the barriers that kept the spectators from +crowding into the space reserved for the tents of the knights, I saw +him just leaving two old ladies, after having procured for them +comfortable seats, in a position from where their eyes commanded an +excellent view of the field; and being in that part opposite to where +sat the King. I stood in the doorway, awaiting Michael's return, and +wondering who the old ladies were to whom he showed such attention. + +When Michael, as he hurried back, raised his eyes and beheld me gazing +at him, I heard him mutter, in his short, quick way, which ever so +amused me:--"Hill!" + +When he came up to me he said:--"Pardon sor; but sor, thim ladies, Oi'm +jist after asittin' down, is friends o' a wourthy and gallant knoight +who hath ivir bin most koind to a poor orphan loike moysilf, sor; and +they axed me to foind me a sate fer thim, sor, and Oi hadn't the heart +to refuse thim, sor; though had Oi known that yer honour wanted me so +soon Oi'd have bin a dale quicker than Oi was, sor." + +"I knew not that thou wert known so well among the knighthood of +England," I answered with a smile. "But come, Michael, thou needst not +to crave pardon of Sir Walter Bradley when thou dost serve such a noble +purpose. The ladies, whether known to us or not, come before all true +knights or gentlemen; and 'tis when we pay respect to them that we do +ennoble ourselves." + +"Yis sor," said Michael, as he buckled on my breast plate. "Oi knew +that yer honour would pardon me fer lavin' ye, whin Oi tould what moine +errand was." This as he buckled on a shoulder-piece. + +"Uh! what a pity, sor, to have sich armour, with all that gould in it, +dinted with the pint o' a spear," said he, when he had fastened on all +but my helm. + +The trumpets now sounded a warning blast, and the heralds rode forth +and entered the lists at the southern extremity, all their gay +trappings tossing in the pleasant morning wind. + +Michael, after finishing his employment, by fastening on my sword and +lacing my splendid head-piece, went to the pile of lances, from which +he selected one both straight and heavy, but having no point. + +"Not that to-day, Michael; for the rules of this joust do permit of +pointed weapons." + +"Uh! sure thin, sor, that impudint Catesby 'll take his dinner with his +master, the divil, this day; fer will do Oi know, sor, that he's the +varmint yer honour's after." + +I always forgave Michael for his familiarity; for without it he should +not have been Michael, and never did it harm me. At this remark about +Catesby I merely smiled and said:--"Have a headless spear ready, lest I +do need one also." + +"Oi'll do that same, sor; but Oi'd loike to see yon Catesby's blood +upon the pint o' this, sor," and he motioned with his head in the +direction of mine enemy's tent and patted the point of the lance. The +faithful fellow always looked on Catesby as an enemy common to himself +and me. + +Again the trumpets rang out full merrily, both long and loud. Then the +heralds, which had halted in the centre of the field, separated, one +remaining in the centre and the other two riding with their backs to +one another until one reached the North and the other the South end of +the lists, where each took his especial post. Then the one which had +remained in the centre called out the rules of this passage of arms. + +After the customary prologue, that I ever considered tedious and +unnecessary; for Heaven knows even the balance of these fellow's +speeches is long enough, he at length reached the part that he had set +out to say. + +"Know, all ye true knights and gentlemen of his Most Gracious Majesty +of England, Ireland and of France, or of whatever other Sovereign King +ye may be faithful subjects, that any knight, of proper standing and +untarnished honour, shall here be permitted to enter for these tilts. +All such aforesaid valiant knights and gentlemen, which have not ere +this had their names placed upon the recorder's list, are hereby warned +to do so now, with all expediency, or be content to live without the +honour of taking part in these noble contests. Any untarnished knight +now has the privilege of challenging to combat, either courteous or +martial, any other such knight, whose name is on the record for this +joust. When such a number of these tilts as his Most Gracious Majesty +doth consider to be proper shall have been decided, from amongst the +names contained in the recorder's sheets shall be selected, by means of +draft, two parties of twelve knights each, to which said parties shall +be added one other knight for each party, which knight shall have the +honourable post of leader, each of his particular party, by whom he +shall be drawn. + +"In tilts of courtesy lances without heads must alone be used. In the +more warlike contests both knightly weapons may be used at the +discretion of, and the manner most pleasing to, the combatants. + +"Any contest shall be considered at an end only at such time as his +Majesty, King Richard, shall see fit to signal for its stoppage by the +honourable marshals of the field, or when one or the other of the +opposing champions shall have owned himself up defeated. + +"His Most Gracious Majesty will decide who is the victor in each +separate contest; and to the victor shall go the arms and armour, +together with the charger and its equipment. + +"In the more fiercer contest of the thirteen good knights on each side, +they shall fight with pointed lance and with the sword until his +Majesty doth see good to cause the contest to be stopped. Then will +his Majesty decide which is the winner in the contest. And to the +victors shall go the spoils, the same as in the single contests. + +"God save King Richard!" + +"God save King Richard!" replied the other heralds. + +"God save King Richard!" cried the people, as though they meant the +words they said. + +"God save King Richard!" echoed the city's walls. + +Then the herald at the southern extremity of the lists sang forth the +same long-winded recitation in the self same monotone, that added +nothing to the clearness of the rules, which might have been said in +two score of words. + +When the third had followed the example of his fellows they all three +withdrew from the lists, and the marshals of the field rode forth from +where they had been waiting, drawn up in line, armoured and armed as +though for a day of battle, and took their posts in groups at the four +corners of the field, ready to do their duty. + +My horse, fully caparisoned and impatient, like his master, for the +field, my groom now led to where I stood, by Harleston's side, before +my tent. Hastily mounting I rode down to the barrier gate that gave +entry to the lists. + +My friend overtook me as I reached the gate. He was mounted upon a +splendid charger of a chestnut hue, as I could see from the only +visible part of the animal, namely, his legs. Frederick sat his saddle +like an armoured statue. Verily, my children, and without conceit I +say it, to a spectator we looked as though but few upon that field +would have the courage to touch either shield with any other than a +pointless lance. + +Much then was my surprise when the gate at the end further from where +we waited, with impatient plumes and restless pennants, was, for some +reason unknown to all of us knights which waited at the North, flung +open, whilst ours remained closed. At this opening in dashed a knight +which, when he came sufficient close, I recognized, by his device, to +be none other than mine old foe, Catesby. Straight he rode up to where +I sat, grinding my teeth together, as silently I cursed my fortune for +preventing me from riding forth to meet him, that I might strike his +shield with my lance's point--for verily did I believe he came thus +soon to foil my purpose by challenging me to fight with pointless +weapon. On he came and, to my great surprise and pleasure, struck he +my shield with the sharp point of his lance. + +Ah! my brave sons, ye all do know the pleasure 'tis when, with ring of +shield, ye are informed an enemy hath come to do ye battle. + +Now were the separating bars removed, and, as Catesby rode to the far +end at a gentle trot, I entered with alacrity the field. + +As Catesby passed the centre of the lists he paused for a moment +whilst, with much grace, he saluted the King, and then the ladies. His +example I followed. + +After this came much cheering, and well meant advice, from those which +thought they better understood the game at which we were about to play +than we ourselves did. Most of these warnings came from old warriors +of other days, veterans of our great civil wars. + +The trumpets now rang out from their metal throats the signal for the +fray. Forward we dashed, like two opposing thunderbolts. The hot wind +of the summer's morn whistled past mine ears, and sounded like unto +when one by accident doth irritate the canvas of his tent by scraping +against it with his scabbard's point, causing it to raise its +high-pitched voice in protest against the affront. The space betwixt +us closed up as quickly as when one with haste doth shut the covers of +a book. A crash! a benumbing twinge from finger's tips to shoulder;--a +blow, as from a hammer, on the shield;--the steeds stand up and paw the +air madly, as does a man when struggling in the waters;--my helm's +plumes do bend before mine eyes;--and when the particles of sand are +borne aside by the gentle broom of Nature I hold in my gauntlet's grasp +only a cloth yard's length of shivered spear. As, with a pat upon my +good steed's neck, I brought him to his fore feet, Catesby, whose lance +had met a fate similar to mine own, with brandished sword now dashed +afresh upon me. His lighter weight had enabled him to regain control +of his steed ere I had mastered mine. No time was there for thought. +As he leaped forward I flung with my full force, straight at his iron +head, the remnant of my lance. His horse, affrighted at this strange +weapon, swung from its course to avoid it, and thus saved his master +from the blow. This gave me the respite I wanted, and of which I took +advantage by drawing mine own good sword. + +Loud cheered the crowd of spectators when they saw how equal had been +the tilt; and louder again did they shout when they saw us, with +clamorous blows, hotly engaged in sword play. One voice, clear and +distinct above all others did I hear, and pleased was I when I heard +its rich full ring, as its possessor used to their utmost strength his +mighty lungs. It was Michael. + +I drove my spurs into my horse's flanks and bounded at mine antagonist +with the speed of lightning. He avoided my rush in time to save +himself; but my steed, with his shoulders, struck his in the hind +quarters, and almost bore mine opponent to the earth. As I passed him +in my career I struck at him a backhand blow; but he caught it, with +great dexterity, upon his shield. + +Again did the applause burst forth with all its discordant notes. + +Wheeling quickly around I again rode at him, with my sword swung far +behind my shoulder, determined to beat him from his saddle. I stood up +in my stirrups, and with the full force of my sword arm I drove a blow +fairly at his plumaged head. He caught it right manfully upon his +shield; but the blow was so powerful that he might as well have held up +a frail piece of wood. The keen edge of my sword broke through the +buckler's curving surface and forced the wounded steel protector, and +its supporting arm, with stunning force against their master's head. +He reeled slightly in his saddle; and, ere he could regain control of +his scattered senses, again did my remorseless blade fall on his helmet +crest, with the sound like the driving of an iron spike between a stone +wall's members, by means of a heavy hammer. His horse sprang forward +with its master's senseless body crushed down upon the saddle. Then +the steed swerved from its straight course, and Catesby lurched and +fell headlong, like an armoured scare-crow, all joints and not a bone, +into the dusty lists. + +The King signed to the heralds, and the trumpets warned the marshals to +stop the fight; for in my passion I rode to where mine enemy lay, and, +truly, I would have given him his quietus but for the marshal's +interference. They bore him to his tent, and I saw no more of him that +day. He was not killed however, and this did greatly disappoint me. + +Sharply I spurred my steed till he sprang forward and upward like the +carrier of Valkyrie. Amid the acclamations of the spectators who, as +they ever do, waved their scarfs and bonnets like creatures +dispossessed of reason I dashed up before the King's seat and, pulling +suddenly upon the rein, caused my good steed to paw the air with his +fore feet whilst, with a low bow and a wave of my faithful sword, I +respectfully saluted the Usurper. + +He acknowledged my salute; but methought the smile that he did wear +had, lurking behind it somewhere, a sentiment that, to say the least, +was not favourable to me. + +After saluting mine enthusiastic admirers (which would bestow the same +attentions upon another knight were he to ride out and slay me in the +next tilt) I galloped back to the northern barrier. Here my dear +friend Frederick did warmly shake me by the hand, whilst Michael went +almost mad with delight. So loud, and sometimes profane, were his +remarks about Catesby's defeat that I unwillingly was compelled to keep +him in some check. + +Two other knights now took the field and fought with pointless weapons. +This was but a not interesting combat; as the challenger was, in the +first course run, thrown from his saddle with a considerable force, +after having shown his miserable command of his weapon by altogether +missing his opponent; his lance passing harmlessly past his adversary's +right shoulder. For this exhibition of the lack of all skill he was +prohibited from taking any further part in the tournament, and his name +was stricken from the list. + +Some three or four other pairs of lances were shivered, and then +Harleston gave an exhibition of the most skilled and perfectest way of +unhorsing a knight that ever I had, before that day, seen. He entered +the lists and rode, with stately ease and graceful respect, past the +ladies and the King, until he reached the spot where Sir Thomas +Falstone was sitting his horse in a listless fashion, as though he felt +assured that no one there would dare to touch his shield. For Sir +Thomas was considered one of the first, if not the very first, lance in +England at that time; he having been chosen to represent the late King +Edward in the last tournament given by that indolent Sovereign. My +friend, with a courtly inclination of his head, struck the shield of +Sir Thomas a gentle blow with the blunt end of his spear, and then did +he rein back his steed that he might return to receive his pointless +weapon. + +"Tarry an instant, Sir Knight," called out Sir Thomas. + +"I await thy speech," replied Frederick. + +"Hast thou grown tired of sitting on yon saddle, that thou dost wish to +be removed from off its irritating back? Be assured, young sir, 'twere +more gentle, far, wert thou to have thy squire remove thee." + +"Thou dost mistake my purpose," replied my friend; "I come but to +awaken thee from thy dreams of past conquests; which are but poor +weapons with which to fight fresh battles, unless other arms be brought +to their assistance." + +At this rebuff to the over-confident knight the King laughed both long +and loud, and of course the courtiers which surrounded him followed his +example. + +"By the light of Heaven, thou shalt pay dearly for thine insolence when +I do hurl thee from thy saddle as a stone goeth from its sling!" called +out the enraged Sir Thomas, as my friend rode at a gentle walk in the +direction of the northern end. + +When he heard this Harleston turned hastily around, and rode back to +Sir Thomas and said:-- + +"As thou still dreamest, methinks 'twere better to arouse thee with the +point," and he did strike the surprised knight's shield with the armed +end of his lance, and caused it to ring out right lustily. + +"Ah! that is better," laughed Sir Thomas. "Now I may have the pleasure +of spitting thee like a rotten apple and then hurling thee from my +lance's point." + +"Verily thou speakest from experience," returned Sir Frederick; "thou +hast, no doubt, been in the habit of spitting rotten apples, and +nothing more dangerous; else where didst thou get leisure to grow yon +ponderous paunch, next to thy speech, the most formidable part of +thee?" And amid a roar of applause and laughter he rode back to where +I waited. Here he handed to his squire the lance he carried, and in +its place he chose another, very heavy and unwieldy, as I thought; but +to balance these defects it did have a much greater strength than the +one with which he had challenged. + +The two knights now took their places, and the trumpets again rang out +the signal for the contest. + +Both horses dashed forward as though they had been connected, in some +invisible way, with the voice of the trumpets. + +Sir Thomas aimed straight at Harleston's visor; evidently for the +double purpose of exhibiting his skill and administering a severe blow +to his opponent. + +Sir Frederick, to my great surprise, seemed aiming more at his +adversary's horse than at the rider. I could not believe that he did +intend committing such a breach of the rules of chivalry; and yet it +was clear his point was not directed to the rider. + +A heavy blow;--a clatter;--and a cloud of dust, and my friend rides +bravely on, waving on high a lance without a point; and here, racing +madly towards the northern end, doth come Sir Thomas's steed, without +its rider or its saddle. + +Harleston had, at the last moment, swung his head to the one side, +avoiding the other's point; thus he had escaped unharmed. + +But how did Sir Thomas's horse come to be without a saddle as well as +riderless? + +It happened thus, as my friend told me, when, amidst great cheering, he +rode back to where I sat waving my lance and cheering with the others. +He had aimed, not at his adversary's horse, as had appeared, but at +that part of his saddle where the lance doth lie in rest. This mark he +did hit fairly, and the fury of the onset, aided by the heavy spear, +caused his opponent's saddle girths to break; and thus Sir Thomas was +ignominiously unhorsed, and his gay trappings heaped upon him. + +It was a dangerous game to play; for had Harleston so much as +scratched, with his lance, his adversary's steed, he had then been +disgraced. + +Harleston was satisfied with the punishment he had administered in +return for the other's boasting, and did not further molest the fallen +knight. And indeed there had been but little honour in pressing his +victory to a completer stage; for 'twas with great difficulty that Sir +Thomas's grooms were able to lift up their bulky master and assist him +from the field. + +I now rode forth again, and, stopping in the centre of the lists, I +opened my visor and, standing up in my stirrups, I called out at the +full power of my speech:-- + +"Know, all true knights here assembled to take part in this noble +joust, that I, Walter Bradley, hereby challenge any true knight among +ye, which doth desire so to do, to break a lance, with or without a +point, as the aforesaid knight doth desire." + +For the space of whilst one might tell an hundred no one appeared. At +the end of this time, however, a knight, as though in haste, dashed +into the lists and, riding with the ease of an accomplished horseman, +advanced rapidly to where I waited. He gently touched my shield with +the butt of his lance. + +On his shield was no device; but his rich inlaid armour, and the +courtly bearing of its wearer, seemed to mine eyes as though this were +not the first time they had beheld this unknown champion. + +As we passed each other in turning, the stranger, in a hurried voice, +whose accent told me he was no Englishman, said:-- + +"I have a message for thee, Sir Walter. May I see thee in thy tent?" +There was no time for more. + +"Yes," I answered, in the same low tone. + +As I rode back to take up my position for the tilt my mind kept +tormenting me in its desire to recall where and when I had before heard +that voice. The attempt was useless; so placing my lance in rest I +made ready for the trumpet's signal. + +Loud did they blow. + +A rushing rattle, followed by a clattering, tearing sound, and both +spears burst into a thousand slivers, as though some foul fiend had +been confined within the shaft of each, and at the instant of encounter +they spread apart their arms and threw their frail wooden prisons from +them with the contempt that Sampson had for cords. + +Neither had an advantage. Both his horse and mine own were forced back +on their haunches; but we both kept our seats full firm. + +And thus in succession did we break three pairs of lances' without +either being able to unhorse, or gain any perceptible advantage over +the other. Therefore our contest was declared to be a fair and equal +one, without a victor. + +After this the heralds again rode into the lists and announced that no +more single contests should be permitted; but that the contest of the +six and twenty knights should be the next feature of that day's list of +exhibitions of knightly feats of arms. + +However, preceding this there was now to be an exhibition of skilful +archery and sword play, by the yeomanry of England, and the men-at-arms. + +When this announcement was made the majority of the knights withdrew +them to their tents, as they had no interest in these contests. + +Soon after my friend and I had dismounted and entered our tent the +knight with whom I had last contended, and which had so strangely +spoken with me in the lists, came to where Michael stood before the +door and enquired of him if his master were within. + +Hearing his voice I went to the door and invited him to enter. + +"Ah! Monsieur, I hope that I intrude not," said he, as he saw +Harleston with me. + +"Nay, be assured Sir Knight, whose name I have not the honour of +knowing, that any message that thou art pleased to give me shall be +common to my friend, Sir Frederick Harleston, and me." + +"Then everything is well. I may then speak out boldly and inform you, +gentlemen, what is my true name: and I now do tell ye that it is to but +few here that it is known. My name then is Count Louis de +Saint-Esteve, though in England, upon my present mission, I am known as +Sir Gil de Trailles." + +We expressed our pleasure at the acquaintance and asked him to be +seated. I then ordered Michael to close the flap of the tent, and to +himself remain outside, to see that no one should overhear our +conversation; for I could see by the stranger's manner that what he had +to say was most secret. + +After a silence of a few moments he said, in an almost whisper:-- + +"My business in England upon the present occasion is on the Earl of +Richmond's account. Her Majesty, the ex-Queen of the Royal Edward, +hath informed me that both of you gentlemen are in her confidence. I +therefore speak thus freely of the Earl's plans. In a short time he +shall land in England. The usurping King Richard shall be given to +understand that the landing shall be made upon the eastern coast. On +the contrary, the noble Earl shall land in Wales, where he hath many +followers. Buckingham, Lord Stanley, and his brother are the most +powerful of the Earl's friends. However, Lord Stanley is not to +declare in favour of the noble Richmond until the day of battle; when +the Usurper's forces shall melt away as doth the snow in Spring. An +usurping tyrant cannot prosper; and what should be black treachery, in +another case, in this is but God's retribution." + +"But how long shall it be ere the Earl of Richmond doth land?" asked +Harleston. + +"So soon as the Duke of Buckingham rebels in Wales," replied the +Frenchman. "Any day," he continued, "ye may expect to hear that this +latter hath happened. Watch then and be prepared; for deliverance is +near at hand. + +"But now I come to that part of my mission that most affects thee, Sir +Walter. The ex-Queen, this morning as I was leaving the Sanctuary, +commissioned me to acquaint thee with a plot to ruin thee most +thoroughly. + +"Thine enemy, that one which doth play the dog for Richard, hath +informed his master of the part that he doth suspect that thou didst +play at Stony Stratford. Before he came to such a position of +influence with the Usurper he feared to so inform on thee. But now +that he doth practically rule England he hath planned for thy +destruction. His object in so doing is no doubt better known to thee +than it is to me. 'Twas Lord Stanley who informed the ex-Queen, and he +had it from Richard himself, who now doth trust Stanley as though he +had ever loved him." + +"I thank thee much for thy kindness in thus warning me of the danger +that doth threaten," I replied; "but I scarce see what better I can do +than remain still at court, until Earl Henry doth arrive in England. +The time, you say, is short; therefore Catesby shall not have long in +which to work his vengeance. + +"The Usurper cannot molest me unless he doth have more reason for so +doing than Catesby's mere suspicion." + +"Did the young and rightful King have fair trial, and was he convicted +of rank treachery to the state?" asked Harleston. Then my friend +answered his own question with a definite "No." This was ever his most +forcible way of driving home his opinions. + +'Twas useless for me to try to deceive myself in regard to the danger +threatening me. I ever have considered a man to be but little removed +from a fool when he doth despise his enemies. I therefore admitted +that my friend was right, and asked for his advice. + +"Methinks it were best for thee to betake thee from the court, with all +expediency, and journey in the direction of the coast of Wales, in +order that thou mayest be ready there to join the Earl of Richmond when +he lands," said Frederick, after a brief consideration. "I may remain +at court until the last moment, and then follow thine example." + +"Thou knowest," said I, "that what thou dost propose is not within the +bounds of possibility. How may I leave the Palace, and risk the danger +of the Lady Hazel falling into that scoundrel's hands. He desires to +be rid of me but that he may have her in his power. Were I to fly his +purpose should then be accomplished as well as if my head had fallen on +the block. No," I said, with full determination, "here must I remain +and risk my fate; there is no other way." + +"Why not take the lady with thee, Monsieur?" + +"The danger should be too great," I replied. + +"Then, gentlemen, I can be of no further assistance," said the Count, +as he arose to depart. + +"Tarry a moment, Sir Knight," said Harleston; "a glass of wine before +thou goest." + +"With all my heart," replied the other. And now for the first time +since he had entered the tent he opened his visor. + +"By Heaven and all its Saints!" cried Harleston; "I felt assured that I +had seen yon suit of armour ere this day. Yes," he continued, "the +last time I had the honour of meeting thee was on the field of battle; +when we took Berwick from the Scots." + +"And art thou the knight which did so kindly cut my helm's lace, after +hurling me from my steed?" + +"The same," laughed my friend; "and thou dost owe Sir Walter and me +each a good sword in payment for those that thou didst break that day." + +"When I did come to my senses," said the Frenchman, "I thanked Heaven +that I had fallen before a gentleman." + +Here we each grasped the Frenchman's hands, and we all laughed and were +three good friends. + +And thus we sat over our wine and talked, until the trumpets of the +heralds warned us that it was time to draw for the contest of the six +and twenty knights. Mounting our horses we rode to the southern +extremity of the lists, where the draughting was to take place. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +A MIDNIGHT ADVENTURE + +Tired were we when at length night came and the first day of the great +tournament was ended. 'Twas five of the clock when King Richard threw +down his truncheon, and thus put an end, until the morrow, to the +jousts. + +My total injuries for the whole long day were a few dints in my shield +and armour, and the loss of my fine plumes, which had been shorn off +with a sword blow from behind, whilst I was engaged with another +knight, in the battle of the six and twenty, which had been declared an +even contest; though verily do I think our side had a slight advantage; +for when, at last, the contest was stopped, on account of the great +blood-shed caused, we still had five knights mounted, whilst our +opponents had but four. True our leader had been placed _hors de +combat_, but methinks this was more than compensated for by there being +one more in the saddle on our side. However, it may have been more +fair to both parties to have the decision as it was, though for my own +part I had preferred to have the battle fought to a definite +conclusion. Then again, the Usurper lost not any supporters by +stopping the contest before either side had any decided advantage. + +We had been in our tent for some time previous to the conclusion of the +day's events, the last of which was more archery. + +Michael, after assisting me in the removal of mine armour, asked, in +that fashion that ever made it impossible for me to refuse his +request:-- + +"Sure, yer honour, may Oi agin crave yer honour's pardon fer axin' ye, +sor, to be absent a short toime, whoilst Oi agin look after thim ould +ladies yonder. Sure ye know, sor, Oi'd not be botherin' loike, if Oi +wasn't so bound by moy falein's to look after thim in the crowd." + +"Yes, Michael, thou mayest go; but tarry not after thou hast taken them +safely from the field." + +"Uh! sure, sor, Oi fale loike a thafe fer so botherin' yer honour with +ivir wantin' somethin'. Thank ye sor. Oi'll be back the minute that +Oi takes thim out o' danger," and with a respectful salute he vanished. + +We were at our supper when Michael returned, completely out of breath, +as though he had travelled far at no slow pace. + +"What in the devil's name hast thou been doing unto thyself?" I asked +in surprise. + +"Runnin', sor," he gasped. + +"Short and definite, as well as evident," said I. "But for why didst +thou come in such haste?" + +"Uh! sure, yer honour, as Oi was returning after takin' the ould ladies +to a place o' safety, and as Oi came in soight o' yer honour's tint, +uh! sure if Oi didn't behould a damned varmint o' a raven a floyin' in +circles ouver this viry tint. Sure, sor, it's an ill day fer poor +Moichael when Oi have the misfortune to have to till moy master o' sich +bad luck," and he wrung his enormous hands in pure agony of spirit. + +"Nay, my faithful friend, feel thankful rather that thou wert permitted +to see, and thus inform me of the ill-omened bird's presence, in which +the Royal Arthur now flies on wings of Hell's own darkness o'er this +fair land, employed as he is in the worthy mission of warning those +which danger threatens, and thus giving them some time to be employed +in guarding against the trouble." + +"But did it alight upon the tent, or merely circle overhead?" asked +Harleston. + +"Nay, sor; it was about to aloight, and had its avil bake agap to utter +some foul curse whin, at moy full spade, Oi rushed, with wavin' o' moy +arms in its doirection. + +"I thank thee truly, Michael, for thy timely aid; for since it alighted +not, the danger is less great." + +"True then was what the Frenchman told us of thy danger," said my +friend, speaking most serious. "Come, think again, Walter, and resolve +to leave the court at once. The Lady Hazel shall be protected from +thine enemy so long as Frederick Harleston hath a sword to swing in her +defense. Besides this," he added, "I can contrive to have her leave +the Sanctuary in safety, and go to thee, when thou hast found some fit +abode for both. Thou canst not here avoid the danger that doth +threaten thee; and if thou dost fall a victim to Catesby's vengeance, +bethink thee of the fate that shall then be her's. Let thy love for +thy promised wife o'er-rule thy pride, and resort to flight, where it +is to thy profit." + +"Ah! my friend, it is a bitter draught to swallow, my flying from mine +enemy." + +"Yes, Walter; but remember that one might better fight a giant, which +is armoured cap-a-pie, holding in his hand a sword of ponderous weight, +with edge as sharp as is thy razors, than match thy strength against a +child, which holds in its puny grasp the seal of power." + +I could not help but admit the truthfulness of this statement; but +still I did not relish the idea of fleeing like a hunted animal. I +therefore replied:-- + +"Well, Frederick, I promise thee to consider and debate within my mind +on what thou hast said. In the morning I will tell thee which hath +conquered, my pride or better reason." + +So, wearily throwing ourselves upon the cloaks stretched on the ground, +we soon thought not of danger. + +"Ha! thou bloody varmint! Mither-o'-Gawd! ye murtherin' baste!"--A +scuffle, "Thou wouldst scratch? Thare, damn ye, take that!"--A heavy +blow that sounded like unto when one doth strike, with his clenched +fist, his armoured thigh,--a heavy, clattering fall,--more swearing +from Michael. + +[Illustration: "Ha, thou bloody varmint."] + +These were the confusing and unusual sounds that caused me to awaken +with a start, and in my half dazed state to grasp my sword and shield, +as though by instinct. + +"Anither mouve out o' ye and ye'll have moure than a browken arm to +carry to Hill along with yer bloody soul, if thou hast wan, thou +damned, snakein' dawg," again growled Michael, as he stood and shook +his enormous fist over a prostrate form, lying betwixt the door and me, +from which came groans of agony. + +"What is it, Michael?" asked Harleston and I, both in the same words, +as we sprang to our feet and stood before the enraged squire. + +"Sure, yer honours, its some koind o' baste that useth a dagger with +too great a fradom. + +"Loy quoite, ye spalpeen, or Oi'll tramp the dawg's loife out o' ye +with the hale o' moy boot!" + +"Open still further the flap of the tent," I commanded Michael. Then, +speaking to the prostrate form upon the ground, I said:-- + +"Arise sirrah, and tell us truthfully what is thy name, and what thy +business here at this unseemly hour." + +He slowly rose. Then, as Michael opened wider the tent door, the +bright moon's rays fell on the shining blade of a dagger lying at my +feet. + +"What means this dagger, sirrah?" and I stooped to pick it up. + +"Hold! Beware there, Michael!" cried Harleston, as he dashed after the +stranger, which had taken advantage of my stooping, to attempt to make +good his escape. + +Michael, who was outside of the tent, making fast the flap, sprang +after the fugitive with the speed of a horse. Almost he had the knave +by the collar when, as fortune would have it, his foot caught upon one +of the cords which served in securing the tent from being blown to the +ground, and fell headlong upon his face, with as great a noise as that +made by a falling tree. Harleston, at the same instant, dashed at full +speed from the tent and, tripping on the fallen Michael, fell with his +full weight upon my squire, thereby adding nothing to that angry +person's comfort. + +"Uh!" said Michael, "this is that damned raven's work. 'Tis useless; +the varmint must escape; all Hill is with him." + +I heard no more; but, leaving Harleston and Michael to regain their +feet, I hastened in pursuit of the owner of the dagger. He was at that +moment disappearing among the scores of tents with which this part of +the field was filled. I pursued him until I realized how impossible it +was to here find anyone desirous of escaping capture, and then giving +up the attempt I returned to my own tent. + +Michael was still swearing, and cursing the raven for the luck that it +had brought unto us. + +"Hill! Whoy didn't Oi brake the varmint's skull, instid o' his arm? +Thin the charm had bin browken. Now Gawd knows what'll be the nixt to +curse us." + +"Come, Michael," said Frederick, "no one is to blame for his escape. +Thou didst do right nobly in the saving of our lives from being taken +by the dagger of an assassin." + +"But tell us," said I, "how thou didst learn of his presence here, and +what he was doing when thou didst attack him." + +"Will, sor, it was loike this:--Oi was awakened by some wan astippin' +ouver moy chist, as though he feared to disturb me. At first, sor, Oi +thought it must be ather thee or Sor Fridrick. Thin, thinks Oi to +moysilf, what in the divil's name doth make Sor Walter or Sor Fridrick +walk so cautious loike? He jist takes a stip in the doiriction o' +thee, sor, and thin he stops and waits, whoilst wan moight count a +score, as though he was alistenin' fer somethin'. 'Tis moighty strange +that ather wan o' yer honours would go on loike that in yer own tint, +sez Oi, to moysilf. This koind o' made me curious loike, so Oi jist +sits up and watches him. Thin, Mither-o'-Gawd, sor! the blissid moon +shines on a dagger in the varmint's hand. Thin, sor, Oi pounces upon +him, and the varmint troid to stab me with his damned dagger. This +made me lose moy timper, loike; so Oi jist gives him a rap on the arm, +and sure, sor, the thing snapped loike a rotten branch astickin' from +out the soide o' a dead tree. Thin, sor, Oi lays him down, akoind o' +rough loike, and he thought he'd bitter stay thare. Jist at that toime +yer honours wakened up, and ye know the rist as will, or bitter, than +Oi do." + +"Ah! Michael, my faithful friend, what should I do without thee? Thou +hast saved my life, this night, and repaying that is beyond my power; +unless thou art ever threatened, when I would save thee and risk mine +own life, as thou hast done for me." + +"Uh! sure, yer honour, dount talk loike that; Oi have no moure than +done moy dooty. Sure it's ashamed o' moysilf Oi should be if Oi didn't +crush a snakein' varmint loike that, whin he comes acrawlin' into moy +master's tint, and roight ouver me, as though I wasn't thare to guard +the door." + +I could not help but laugh at the easy way in which Michael turned all +the credit from himself. I grasped his hand, and slapped him on his +huge shoulder. 'Twas useless to say anything more; and indeed my heart +took all my speech away. + +For this Michael seemed thankful. He betook himself to his position, +across the opening of the tent, and, stretching himself at his ease, he +soon forgot the part he had played in that night's almost tragedy. + +However, Frederick and I sat up and conversed in low tones for some +time after Michael had entered that happy land of oblivion, where +troubles or plots--except sometimes those that have no reality--intrude +not. + +"Was it Catesby, thinkest thou?" asked Harleston. "The person was +about his stature; and he spoke not even when his arm was broken; a +circumstance that points to his fear of his voice being known unto us." + +"Verily it was Catesby," I replied. "What other man is there upon this +field would attempt such an act? Besides, he alone hath an interest in +my death. + +"Ah! Catesby," said I, betwixt my clenched teeth, "some day we shall +meet again, where there shall be no rules of tourney to put a stop to +my revenge. + +"Tell me, Frederick, why it is that such scoundrels are permitted to +have such positions of authority? Why doth the Ruler of Heaven and +Earth permit it? Tell me, for I feign would know." + +"My dear Walter," he replied, in that gentle, reasoning way, "thou dost +not observe the laws of nature, or thou shouldst not have asked that +question. + +"The brightest flowers in the stagnant pond of life do rise to the +surface with their worthy blooms." + +"Surely thou dost not put Richard and Catesby in that class?" + +"Nay, nay," he replied, "do but let me finish. + +"True, the flowers do come unto the surface," he continued; "but ever +remember, Walter, that they must first make their way through the green +and evil-smelling scum that also floats on top. The beauteous blossom +is made stronger and more large by reason of its stinking opposition. +Such is life in all its forms, and such shall it ever be. + +"But come," said he, changing from his philosophical to his practical +style of conversation, "does not this night's work make clear to thee +thy danger? Surely thou wilt not longer hesitate?" + +"Verily, I have decided," I replied. + +"That is the part of wisdom." + +"Do but wait until I have finished; as thou but now saidst to me." + +"I do," he smiled. + +"Yes, Harleston, I am fully resolved,--to fly not." + +"What?" + +"Before this incident of the night did happen 'tis possible I might +have decided to follow thine advice, the which is no doubt the +properest and most reasonable course. But sith Master Catesby hath +attempted to play the part of an assassin I am determined to remain and +show to his coward's face that Walter Bradley fears him not. Let him +do his worst. In London I remain until the Earl of Richmond lands." + +"Oh, Bradley, Bradley, that hot head of thine will never be content +until it has been severed from its trunk. And yet," he continued +thoughtfully, "thou hast most excellent reason, if it were not for +thine accursed temper. Well, well, I know that it is now useless to +attempt to change thee. The next best thing to do is to try and save +thee, after thou art in his power. 'Tis a difficult task; but it's all +that your friends can do for thee." + +"What dost thou think his next move will be?" + +"He will not use the dagger, after to-night's failure," replied +Frederick; "and besides, he hath a broken arm if it were he which +visited us." + +"Thou meanest that his next attempt will be the axe of the executioner?" + +"Yes." + +"A pleasant prospect; but one that the loss of sleep cannot save from." +So saying I stretched me upon my cloak and soon thought naught of +Catesby nor his vengeance. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII + +THE ARREST + +Loud and trembling blew the trumpets to arouse the lazy sleepers and +warn them that the second and last day of the grand tournament had +dawned. Then, had one but had the heads of AEgeon, and had he been able +to place heads in separate parts of the field, among the tents of +knights and squires, his numerous ears had heard low-muttered curses +issue from each tent, as the inmates awakened, protested, turned to the +other side, shrugged up their each particular pair of shoulders and +again sank into sleep. + +Another hour passed, and again rang out the trumpets, with their +unwelcome sound. This time they must not be denied, as the sun was +well started on his circling journey. + +Michael was busy superintending the preparing of our morning meal. + +Harleston, as ever, did not rise until the last moment; and then he +hurriedly arose and joined me at breakfast. + +"Well, Michael," said Frederick, "whom dost thou think it was last +night, that thou didst handle so roughly? Thinkst thou that it was +Catesby?" + +"Sure, sor, Oi know not fer a surety, but methinks it must ha' bin +anither." + +"And why?" + +"Because, sor, he seemed to lack the stringth that Catesby doth +possiss." + +"Methinks that it had been all one to thee had he been possessed of +twice the power of Catesby. I doubt me much that thou had noticed any +difference," laughed Frederick. + +At this compliment to his strength Michael blushed like a maiden, and +returned no answer. + +"Come, Walter, what wilt thou wager that the would-be assassin of last +night was or was not Catesby?" asked my friend. + +"Truly, my wish is so strong that it was mine old enemy that I will +make it father of the thought, and for the wager,--say--a new cloak, of +Paris's latest fashion." + +"Done, by Heaven! That cloak will suit me well. I'll lay on Michael's +judgment." + +When we were fully armed we strolled forth from our tent to watch the +spectators arrive in one continuous stream, like a sluggish, winding +river, and well nigh as unceasing. + +Michael again did ask permission to be absent for a little while, that +he might escort the old ladies unto their seats, and protect them in +the enormous crowd. In a short time we saw his head moving towards the +rows of seats, as he brushed aside, as though they had been reeds, the +groups of angry tradesmen, that he might make way for those which he +did escort. + +"What friends of Michael's are those same old ladies, to which he +showeth such faithful attention and care?" asked Frederick. + +"Thou knowest them as well as I." + +"Nay, but hast thou never asked him?" + +"No; I thought it of but little moment until now. But methinks that I +have seen those same figures somewhere ere this; though where, I cannot +now recall," said I, as Michael and his charge appeared from out the +crowd. "I will ask Michael when he returns." + +But ere my squire did return the heralds rode into the lists, and +started their tedious recitation of the rules of that day's sports; the +which we were so absorbed in listening to, in the effort to gather some +small particle of sense from, that I thought not of that which I had +intended asking Michael. + +The marshals then entered the field, and took up their customary +positions to enforce the rules of the joust; the which were, as near as +I could make out, not different from the first day's. + +"There, Walter, I have won my wager; for, if mine eyes do serve me +aright, thine ancient foe, Catesby, hath taken his place among the +King's guards." + +"Thou art right; the cloak is thine. But see! he wears not his armour, +although his both arms appear to be whole and sound." + +"True, your treatment of him yesterday hath been sufficient to satisfy +his appetite for glory and revenge, such as he obtained in the lists." + +Then, as mine enemy turned his head, Michael, who was now standing +behind me, exclaimed, in a voice low but heavy, like the roll of +distant thunder:--"The damned villain's head is cracked; fer look at +the clout that shows beneath his cap. Sure its bad luck that the blow +that did it stopped ere it rached the varmint's chin." + + * * * * * + +That evening, as we journeyed slowly and wearily back from the field +that had been during the last two days the scene of so many noble feats +of arms, and of which nothing now remained but the long and narrow +strip of sandy ground where the sod had been removed to leave a level +and firm place for the list, and the black spots to point out the +places where had glowed the fires, Harleston remarked in his low and +musing voice:-- + +"Verily, yon place doth represent the lives of men." + +"How so?" I asked. + +"Records of our deeds are imprinted in the sand. If a storm doth arise +to-night, all the little mounds that indicate some noble courses run +shall be levelled, and a traveller passing there to-morrow will notice +nothing but a barren strip, with nowhere on its face a mark to tell of +glorious deeds performed." + +The thought of this was sad, and yet 'twas true; as are the most of +gloomy thoughts. It is for this same reason that I ever try to turn my +mind's eye to the pleasures and the joys of life, the which are far +from few. I therefore, on this occasion, turned from the contemplation +of this dreary sight to the scene that should await me when, that +evening, I would go unto the Sanctuary; for such was mine intent. I +could picture, in my mind's eye, my fair Hazel waiting and watching +with the agony of expectation for me; wondering if I ever should return +from that sport which she so much disliked on account of its +"inhumanity," as she had said. + +I wondered if Harleston's mind were not drawing the same picture. Had +he yet asked Mary to be his wife? I believed he had; for the day +before we rode forth to the tournament, when we had visited the girls, +Hazel had let drop a remark that did arouse my suspicions; and when I +questioned her upon the point she laughingly informed me of the fact +that I was "too inquisitive," the which I doubt not. And try as I +would I could get nothing more from her. I had not liked to ask +Harleston; for there seems to be a something, the name of which I know +not, that ever doth keep us from mentioning this subject to one which +we believe to be in love, unless they first do bring it up. + +By this time we had almost reached the Palace of King Richard. + +Loud cheered the people as the King rode along the crowd-lined streets +and scattered gold among them with a lavish hand. + +"God save King Richard!" rang out on every side. + +I had as soon cried:--"God save the devil!" + +The broken-headed Catesby rode beside the King. The two seemed to be +conversing as we reached Crosby Place. + +"Not favourable to me," said I in Harleston's ear, as I nodded in the +direction of the hump-backed King and his adviser. + +My friend did not reply, in words; but he shook his head in a manner +which showed that he realized my danger fully. + +After giving our horses to our grooms we entered the great hall, and +from there--when the King had withdrawn himself--we went to mine own +room. + +How gloomy and lonely did it seem. Something huge, black and terrible +did seem to vanish from the centre of the room, dividing into a score +of parts, and each part retaining, for an instant only, a pair of fiery +eyes, as the light of our lamp burst into the room, dispelling all the +darkness. + +Now, on this night my room seemed not the same. Ever did I expect to +see some spirit of evil arise before mine eyes and stretch out its +fantastic arms to seize me. A great gloom had fallen on us both. +Neither spoke for some time; and when at length I said to Harleston:-- + +"No longer can I bear this life; to-morrow I leave this Palace +forever," mine own voice did seem to startle me; so hollow and +unnatural did it sound. + +Then, as if the words I had said were to be turned into a prophecy, a +knock came at the door, and, upon opening, in walked Sir James Tyrrell +and a half a score of men-at-arms. + +"I regret, Sir Walter Bradley, that I am compelled to ask you for your +sword, and to tell thee that I now arrest thee." + +"Upon what charge?" + +"High treason, Sir Walter." + +Harleston arose and grasped my hand in a grip that could not be +mistaken. + +"Tell not my dear Hazel of this; that is, not at present." + +"Keep up thy courage," he replied; "thou shalt not die by the hand of +an executioner. I, thy friend, Harleston, have said it, and I never +yet have told a lie." + +I thanked him for his kind words with the pressure of my hand, and with +a firm step marched from the room. + +In the hall I met Michael on his way to my quarters. When he saw me he +made a movement as though he thought to attack the soldiers which +surrounded me. + +"Farewell, Michael," I said, as a great lump arose in my throat, and I +gripped his mighty hand. "Go to Sir Frederick, in my room, and in +future serve him as faithfully as in the past thou hast served me." + +He dropped to one knee and, though I tried to prevent him, he kissed my +hand as though I were a King. Then he arose and walked slowly toward +the door where Harleston stood. + +As I marched on I wiped two drops of moisture from the back of my hand. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV + +IN THE TOWER + +I was conducted into the Tower through the "Traitor's Gate," the which, +when I passed through, added nothing unto my lightness of spirit. As I +gazed at the enormous arches, the memory of past events when, as a boy, +I had heard of those which had entered this waterway with the charge of +treason clinging to their names, never again to be heard of by the +outside world, came to my mind with a renewed freshness and a force +never to be by me forgotten, so long as mine old grey head retains its +wonted reason. + +But then, this was as nothing compared with the great feeling of +loneliness, and crushing weight of the conviction of hopelessness which +settled on my heart when the door of my prison had been closed and +locked, and I was left alone, but for my tormenting thoughts, within my +cruel room in that Tower which rumour told had been the place of murder +of our little King. + +When the keepers had departed, and the sound of their clanking steps +had died out, I still stood in the centre of the room, benumbed and +dazed, as the full reality of my situation was gradually absorbed by my +whirling mind. Then I moved, and mine armour rattled with a noise that +sounded, to mine ears, as though a shield had fallen from a great +height and alighted on a floor of stone. I started, gasped, and my +hand flew to the place where should have hung my sword. I felt my +brow. It was cold and moist. I laughed at my foolishness; but the +sound of mine own voice was so awful that I was as much startled as I +had been by the sound of mine armour. Then I stood still and held my +breath and listened, for what I know not. The stillness was so intense +that it did seem to have a substance, and press into mine ears with +such a force as did cause me to think that they were like to burst. + +How long I stood thus I know not; it did seem to be an age. + +Presently I heard a distant footstep. Ashamed of my childish feeling +of fear, I, that would stand alone and face a score of warriors and +never quaver, as the sound of the feet approached, started to pace +hurriedly the floor of my prison. As the causer of the sounds in the +corridor reached my door he stopped, and I heard the key rattle, as he +did insert it in the lock. I sat myself down upon my couch and tried, +as best I could, to appear to be at mine ease when the jailer should +enter. + +He brought with him a lamp and a small table, for both of which I was +glad. + +He was a not-bad-natured, though coarse-looking fellow of about some +forty years; of rather more than middle height, and a girth and breadth +of shoulder which bespoke not lack of bodily strength. A shock of +yellow hair, mixed liberally with grey, stood out from beneath his cap +of steel, like a wisp of straw. + +After placing the articles that he had brought, upon the floor, he cast +but one glance at me, and then turned on his heel and left me. +Presently he returned with my supper, which he placed upon the table +much in the same manner as one would arrange the meal of swine. + +"There, sir," said he, "thou hast nothing to complain of. That supper +is fit for a King. And it's better than one King had whilst he lived +in this very room." + +"What! did the young King Edward occupy this room?" + +"As for whether he occupied it or not, now that I know not; but he was +kept in this same room until he went out feet first." + +"Horrible!" I gasped. + +"Horrible? Lord, sir! methinks that thou shouldst feel honoured by the +thought of being let sleep in the same room where a royal King did +sleep. I know that I would," he added, with a grim smile. + +"And dost thou know who killed him?" I asked. + +"Nay, nay, I said not nothing of his being killed," he replied, with a +grin and a wise twist of his head, accompanied by the uplifting of the +one of his shoulders until it touched his ear. + +"Well then, of what distemper did he die?" + +"Ha, ha!" he laughed, as though I had amused him vastly. "What +distemper? Ha, ha, ha! Well upon my soul! ha, ha, ha!" he burst forth +again. + +His voice, when he laughed, was ample evidence that he had in his day +consumed no small quantity of spirits of different sorts; for it +sounded as though a goodly quantity of the liquids had remained in his +throat, where it did some prodigious bubbling. + +"The distempers that one gets when a prisoner here are most always of +one kind. Ha, ha, ha! What distemper? Well upon my soul!" And still +laughing at that which he no doubt imagined was wit, he went out and +locked the door and I was again alone with my thoughts, which were no +more cheerful than they had been previous to his visit. + +That night my sleep, if such it may be called, was an almost endless +succession of tormenting and extravagant dreams of terror, divided from +each other by an awakening start of horror. + +And so the weary days and nights of mine imprisonment dragged slowly +on. Slowly, for the weight of sorrow and tormenting agony of +uncertainty for the fate of the one I loved did impede their progress, +as doth the heavy weight upon the poor snail's back cause it to drag +its weary body so slowly along its slimy course. + +My sole occupation, with which I tried to prevent my mind from +brooding, was the reading of the different sad histories of those which +writ down their thoughts, and fates to be, upon their--and now +my--prison's walls. One of these, whose sadness and beautiful +resignation--even though it hath no great poetic merit--most affected +me, I now set down. The lines and words are imprinted on the pages of +my memory with such a force as never can fade, so long as the old, worn +book doth hold together. Here they are, my children; and much profit +may be gathered from their calmness and resignation:-- + + "Somewhat musing, and more mourning, + In remembering the unsteadfastness, + This world being of such wheeling, + Me contrarying, what can I guess? + + "I fear, doubtless, remediless, + Is now to seize my woful chance; + For unkindness, withouten less, (lessening) + And no redress, doth me avance. + + "With displeasance, to my grievance, + And no surance of remedy; + Lo, in this trance, now in substance, + Such is my dance, willing to die. + + "Methinks, truly, bounden am I, + And that greatly, to be content; + Seeing plainly Fortune doth wry + All contrary from mine intent + + "My life was lent me to one intent; + It is nigh spent. Welcome Fortune! + But I ne went (thought) thus to be shent, + But she it meant, such is her won (wont)"[1] + + +Evidently the woeful writer of these lines had been condemned to death. +His bones had now lost their fleshly mantle, and forgotten he lay, far +from those he loved. "How long ere I shall be in the same condition?" +thought I, as I stood before my secure-barred window and gazed at the +rain, as it fell in one unceasing torrent. + +"Verily the heavens do weep for the sufferings of poor England," I said +aloud; for now I spoke unto myself as though I were another. + +For I know not how many days, for in my sorrow I lost all track of +time, the rain fell with unabated fury. + +How I longed to hear how fared my gentle Hazel. + +"Hell and furies!" would I cry, and grip at the same time the iron bars +that stood like the gate of Hell betwixt me and my liberty. How +relieving did it feel to my pent up hate to twist at an iron bar and +imagine that it was Catesby's throat I held. + +"Ha! thou accursed villain!" would I cry aloud, "thou now shalt know +the fury of my vengeance!" Then would I strike the cruel metal with my +bare and clenched fist, with such a force as did drive the tender skin +back from the bone and leave a bleeding tear. + +The days lengthened into weeks; and still no word from the outside +world. No trial; no condemnation; no execution; and that which I then +most distasted, no definite knowledge of what should be my fate. + + * * * * * + +But let me now imagine myself as a free man, outside the Tower's +walls--the which I then saw no chance of my ever being--and let me now +describe the strange and important events that there were happening. + +The next day after my arrest the Duke of Buckingham left the court, as +though in haste. He and Lord Stanley had been together in the +apartments of the Duke until a late hour on the night of my arrest. +Whisperings there were to the effect that Buckingham had parted from +the King in a spirit of animosity. Whether this were or were not the +case I know not. However, the next news of Buckingham was of such a +kind that it left no room for a doubt as to their then relations, no +matter what they had been previous to the Duke's departure. + +"Buckingham hath rebelled against King Richard: he is now raising an +army in Wales. The Earl of Richmond is coming to his aid. More war +and bloodshed for poor England." Such was the intelligence that now +flew on from mouth to ear throughout the land. Had mine imprisoned +ears but heard it then, how welcome had it been. + +Catesby, who had on several occasions attempted to gain admittance to +the Sanctuary, and had as many times met with refusal, was now obliged +to attend to the affairs of state. Thus my fair Hazel was saved from +his further molestation. Those days of tortuous anxiety to me could +have been scarce less agonizing to her. + +The Usurper, with that energy ever his chiefest characteristic, now +raised an army to face the rebellious Duke. + +Then did commence to fall those fearful rains, that never once did +cease for days and nights I know not how many; but as I think, some ten +days or two weeks. + +The army of the Duke, thinking this unceasing rain was a message from +Heaven forbidding them to thus rebel, deserted their leader, and each +particular man did betake himself unto his separate home. + +Then, as every congregation of people must have its Judas, the Duke was +betrayed into the hands of the usurping tyrant, and there at Salisbury, +where Richard had taken his post--for he thought that Richmond did +intend joining Buckingham near this place--the Duke's head fell upon +the block, and Richard was rid of one more great enemy. + +Still did not Richmond land; so Richard and his army returned to London. + +When Catesby, who had been with Richard in this expedition, came again +to the Palace it did cause Harleston great anxiety; for he feared for +the safety of the Lady Hazel. However, Catesby, to my friend's +surprise, went not near the Sanctuary. + +This was but the deceiving prologue to another history of suffering and +reverses to us, that ever seemed bent on rending us asunder, whose +hearts were bound together with such mighty bonds of love. + +One evening as Frederick returned from a visit to the Sanctuary--where +he had learned that Richmond had at last landed in Wales, and was even +now on his way to London--on entering his room Michael handed him a +sealed packet which proved to be an order for him to be prepared to +march, at sunrise, in the ranks of Richard's army. This, however, was +no surprise, as he had been expecting it for more than a week. He +walked over to the table and laid the letter upon it. + +"What is this, Michael?" he called, as his eyes fell upon another well +sealed packet. + +Michael, however, knew not from whence it came or how it got there. + +"Michael," said Frederick, "thou knowest that I desire no one to be +permitted to enter this room during mine absence. How is it, +therefore, that this letter found its way here without thy knowledge?" + +"Sure, yer honour, it must have bin thare afore ye lift, sor; fer Oi +was out o' the room but fer a few minutes, and thin Oi made fast the +door behind me, and took the kay along with me, sor. Divil a soul +could inter, sor, barrin' that they came through the kay-houle." + +"Strange," said Harleston, as he commenced to read the lengthy letter. +But stranger still he thought it ere he had finished its contents. It +was writ in a labored hand, as though to avoid recognition, and read as +follows:-- + + +"To SIR FREDERICK HARLESTON, _Greeting_. + +"The writer of these words, though--for reasons that he is not at +liberty to state--he signs not his name, is well known to thee, and to +thine unfortunate friend, Sir Walter Bradley; both of which he loveth +well. + +"To-morrow Sir Walter is to go through a form of trial--the result of +which must be his conviction--and he shall immediately be taken unto +Tower Hill, where his head shall be stricken from the trunk. Unless, +ere to-morrow's dawn, he, by the aid of his friends, doth contrive to +escape from the Tower, and make his way from London to a place of +safety, he must surely die. + +"Sir Walter is now confined within the square tower next after passing +through the Tower of St. Thomas, which, thou no doubt knowest, is that +one into which the "Traitor's Gate" doth lead. + +"If thou wilt but turn to the enclosure in this letter thine eyes shall +behold an order, signed by his Majesty, King Richard, that shall obtain +for the bearer admittance to and exit from any part of the Tower. +However, this cannot give unto thee power to take forth a prisoner with +thee. That must be done at thine own risk, and in the manner +following:-- + +"There is but one keeper in attendance on Sir Walter. Him thou must +master, and in a quiet manner. Take then from his belt the keys that +do depend therefrom. Leave the keeper in such a condition as shall +secure thee of his quietness. The aforesaid keys will give unto you an +exit into the space before the square tower. When ye have reached +this, turn to your left, and again will the keys open the gate in this +wall with which ye shall soon be confronted. Then, looking to your +right, ye shall behold the wall that doth separate the yard from the +watery moat. Approach this with the exercise of great caution and ye +shall then observe an opening where the wall is now being repaired by +workmen, in the day time, and at night it is guarded by a single +soldier, armed with a pole-axe. Ye must quiet this man by whatever +means best serving. But over and above all else, the neglect of which +advice must be the ruin of ye both, permit him to make not any noise; +for the utterance of but one word by him shall be the signal for his +fellows to come to his assistance; in which case escape is impossible. + +"When the sentry shall have been removed the moat must be crossed as +best ye can. The water therein is now both fresh and high, and +therefore it will not be difficult for ye to descend into it and swim +across. This ye must do in a most careful manner, that the guard be +not disturbed by the noise of splashing water. + +"At a point directly opposite to the place where the wall is now being +repaired ye shall find a ladder made of ropes and cross pieces, placed +there for your especial use and privilege. + +"By these same means ye may assist your friend to freedom, and that, +without great risk; providing that the aforesaid instructions be +followed with exactness and care." + + +Then followed a note. It read thus:-- + + +"If thy friend, Sir Walter, doth desire to save the Lady Hazel +Woodville from one which now resides within the walls of this place, +and who is as bitter an enemy of Sir Walter as he is ardent lover of +the aforesaid lady, he had best tarry in his flight for a sufficient +time to allow him to take the lady with him along. However, let him +not abide there; but hasten along upon his journey until he cometh unto +the second road turning unto his right after leaving Westminster. Let +him follow this for the distance of about three miles, and he shall +then come unto a house, from the window of which a flag shall hang. +The aforesaid house is not occupied, and may be used by the refugees +for their hiding-place. Let them there remain all day to-morrow; for +the aforesaid enemy of Sir Walter doth intend to take the aforesaid +lady from the Sanctuary, by force if necessary, to-morrow, ere he doth +leave to join the King's army at Leicester. + +"Praying with my heart's full strength that this warning may not be too +late to save the gallant knight from the disgraceful death of a traitor +to his country, I am, dear and respected sir, + +(Signed) "A FRIEND." + + +"A friend? Now what friend can he be who hath access to my room when +the door is locked?" mused Harleston. + +"Besides, he must be one in favour to have such an order as is this," +and he picked up the enclosed paper and read as follows:-- + + +"Unto the bearer of this order grant admittance to the Tower of London, +or to any part thereof. And further, likewise permit the aforesaid +bearer to have conference with any prisoner or prisoners within the +Tower. And further, permit the aforesaid bearer to have entrance or +exit at whatever hour of day or night best conveniencing him. + +(Signed) "RICARDUS REX." + + +My friend stood bent in thought for some time after reading this +strange order. Then he raised his head quickly, as though a sudden +solution of the problem had occurred to him. + +"Can it be possible that this is a plot, laid with great cunning by +Catesby, that I may be lured into the Tower, that there I may be kept? +But then, this order doth command that the bearer shall also have exit. +But it may be that the keepers know to whom it doth belong; and were I +to present it they may have orders to arrest me for its theft. That +should be a clever plan for removing me from his way. Then he might +use force to gain admittance to the Sanctuary." These were the +thoughts that now kept running through his mind, causing him great +anxiety. + +He then read the letter and order to Michael, and then told him of his +doubts, and asked him for his opinion. + +"Sure, sor," said Michael, "methinks the chances are that it were +dangerous for thee, sor, to go thoysilf into that houle o' Hill. But, +yer honour, it moight have come from Lord Stanley, and it may be the +truth he sez. How'd it be, sor, if Oi moysilf wint in yer honour's +place? Sure, Sor Walter must be saved, if Oi lose a scoure o' loives +in the doin' o' it. Sure, sor, 'twould matter little if they did chop +off moy head; but if thou wert wance shut up in that damned Tower what +moight not happen to that swate lady in the Sanctuary?" And Michael's +lips closed into a straight line that bespoke no good unto those which +attempted to keep him in the Tower. + +"'Tis good, Michael, that I follow thine advice; for whilst thou art +aiding Sir Walter in his escape, myself will unto the Sanctuary, and +there acquaint the Lady Hazel with our plans, and have her in readiness +for the flight. Besides," he continued, "thy presence with Sir Walter +will give me assurance that the keeper and the soldier guarding the +breach shall make no noise. + +"But come, we must make haste; for the night is already far spent, and +Sir Walter and his dear lady must have left the Sanctuary by the dawn +of day. + +"Thou must go well armed, and take with thee a horse for Sir Walter." + +"Oi will, sor." + +"Do thou make ready the horses, that the grooms may know not who took +them from the stable." + +"Hadn't Oi bist take with me anither sword for Sor Walter? Thim +spalpeens took his own from him, bad luck to thim fer it." + +"Yes, Michael; 'twas thoughtful of thee to remember this necessity. + +"And now, Michael, for thy directions:-- + +"Tether your horses in some quiet, and not too light, spot. Then +proceed unto the western entrance, and to the officer in charge thereof +present this order, being sure, however, to have him return it unto +thee. In the same manner, providing that this order be not a trap, +shalt thou pass the other gates. Inform these officers that thou dost +desire to be taken unto the prison of Sir Walter Bradley, in the square +tower. When thou dost see Sir Walter do not appear friendly with him +if there be more than the one keeper present, lest it doth cause them +to watch ye too closely. Thou knowest best how to silence the keeper. + +"When this is accomplished give the letter unto Sir Walter. He will +then know how to follow its directions. + +"When ye are once out (if Heaven doth so far favour ye) come with all +haste unto the Sanctuary, where the Lady Hazel shall be in readiness." + +Whilst Harleston had been thus giving Michael his instructions they +both had been arming each other in haste. They were now fully ready; +so Michael went to prepare the horses. Frederick then followed Michael +to the stables, and in a short time they were ready to set out. + +"Do thou go first, Michael, and have a great care that thou dost follow +closely the instructions that I gave thee. Pray God that thou dost +succeed," and he gripped Michael's giant hand with a force that assured +him, had he not already been aware of it, of his sincerity. + +"Oi'll remimber, sor, and do as thou hast said. And be sure of this, +yer honour; if the order be but a trap, moure than wan man now aloive +and will shall see Gawd, or the divil, afore they take Moichael a +prisoner." With this he was off, and Harleston stood for some moments +gazing after the gigantic monument of honesty as he gradually faded +from view and was swallowed up in the darkness. Then he himself +mounted and started on his mission. + +He had not, however, left the courtyard when he met a horseman, which +called out to him as they passed each other:--"'Tis late for thee to be +riding forth upon a journey, Sir Frederick. And besides, the road is +dark to travel thus, alone." It was Catesby. + +"Thanks for thy kindly warning," returned Frederick; "but I have but a +short distance to travel, and the way, methinks, is safe." He then +rode on; but for a few rods only; for here his horse stopped of its own +accord. + +As the noise of the horse's hoofs ceased suddenly, Frederick distinctly +heard a low laugh come from out of the darkness, and in the direction +where last he had seen Catesby. + +"I fear Michael shall not return," thought Frederick, as he again +proceeded on his way. + + + +[1] Rous, the historian, states that these lines were written by Lord +Rivers, during that unfortunate nobleman's imprisonment at Pomfret. +K.M. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV + +MICHAEL AND I + +The key rattled in the lock, and I heard my jailer's voice:-- + +"This is the place. Best let me go in first; for he's as ugly as the +devil, and may guzzle thee, a stranger, unless I tell him you're +coming. Though methinks he'd soon drop thee, when he found the kind of +game he had caught." + +Then the door opened cautiously, and the straw-like head peeped +fearfully around the corner. He had learned this lesson by my almost +breaking his head one day when he happened to enter at a moment when my +rage knew no bounds, as I thought of my wrongs, and imagined all kinds +of fates for Hazel. + +"Come in, and fear not, thou fool!" I said, for I liked not to behold +such cowardice. + +"Ha! thou hadst best keep quiet now; for here's one can master thee, +big and all as thou art." And he shook his ring of enormous keys in +mockery at me; however, from a safe distance. + +I heard a rattle of armour, and, to my great surprise and delight, in +walked Michael. I sprang to my feet and started to rush toward him; +but he put his finger to his lip in warning. + +The keeper who was busy with the locking of the door, turned in haste +as he heard me start to my feet. Then, seeing me halt suddenly, he +burst into a loud laugh. + +"Ha, ha, ha!" bubbled from his frog-like throat. "Methinks that thou +hast done well to stop and consider ere thou dost spring against a wall +of stone. Well, upon my soul, sir, this is now my turn to laugh! Ha, +ha, ha! Why dost thou stop? Why dost thou not break his head, as thou +didst mine? Ha, ha, ha! Well, upon my--" + +The place of the missing word was taken up in a gurgle, different +however from his disgusting, coarse laugh. Michael had changed from +his statue-like stolidity and, in the twinkling of an eye, the +astounded keeper was dangling in the air, held at arm's length by the +mighty Irishman, to whom it was no more exertion than it is to a female +servant to shake, and then hurl from the door, a mischief-making cat. + +"Kape still, ye varmint," growled Michael, as the struggling keeper +kicked in every direction, some of his blows striking Michael on the +legs. + +Out flew the dagger from the keeper's belt, and with it he struck +wildly at my squire's arm. + +"Ha! thou scratchin' divil; why dost thou not be quoite? 'Twill do +thee no good to stroike: mine arm is armoured. Uh! thou baste," he +growled, as the dagger struck his bare hand. "Oi must thin finish +thee." And releasing the hand that he had held at the back of the +swine-like neck, and still holding the struggling keeper from the floor +with the other, he struck him a blow upon the head with his clenched +fist. There was a sound like that made by an egg when it is let fall +upon a stone. A trembling from head to foot. The knees drew partly +up, and then the legs stretched out full length, and stiff, and the +keeper which had flung at me his taunts had died by the hand of my +Herculean squire. + +"Oh! my poor Michael, what hast thou done?" I cried. "Now thy honest +life must pay for this." + +"Beg pardon, sor, but playze don't spake so loud; some wan may hear +us," said he, as he carried the dead jailer by the neck and laid him +tenderly upon the bed. + +"Oi had not mint to kill thee, thou poor fool; but Sor Fridrick tould +me to make thee quoite, and, as thou wouldst scratch, I saw no other +way." This to the body. + +"But what means all this, Michael?" I asked, when I had done embracing +him, (I could have kissed him; so glad was I to again see his honest +face) at which he blushed like a maiden. + +"Sure, sor, this same mysterious litter 'll till ye all, sor. Ser +Fridrick found it on his table whin he returned to-noight." And then +he told me, shortly, all that had happened since mine arrest. + +"And hath Richmond yet landed?" I asked eagerly. + +"Yis sor, Sor Fridrick tould me that he was now on his way to London. +The King laves the city to-morrow, with an army, to take up his place +at Leicester, as Oi think." + +"Why Leicester?" + +"Sor Fridrick said 'twas that he moight be near the cintre o' the +country, so that his min can rache him without havin' to march far." + +"That is like the tyrant, ever on the alert to take any advantage. A +clever man is Richard. Such a King as he might have made, had he not +been born a blood-supper." + +Then I remembered the letter, and hastily I read it. + +"What! is it to assist me to escape from this accursed place that thou +hast come?" + +"Sure, sor, fer divil a thing ilse." + +The idea of such a chance had not even dawned upon my dazed brain. +Remember, my dears, I had been for many long days and nights confined +within a narrow room within the Tower. Ye cannot understand what that +means, unless ye do go yourselves through it, the which pray God ye +never may. + +"But how?" I asked, as I drew the back of my hand across my brow in an +effort to assist my comprehension. "It surely cannot be possible!" + +"Possible or not, sor, we can do no worse than fail. But if what that +strange litter sez be true we shan't fail, sor." + +Then he told me where Harleston had gone to make all ready, in case we +should succeed. + +"What thinks Sir Frederick of this same letter?" + +"Sure, sor, he knows not what to make out o' it. But sure, yer honour, +so far the order hath bin all that we could wish, and if the rist o' +what the writer sez be as good as has been the furst, uh! sure we'll +have a good swim, and lave this damned place that gives wan the shivers +to be on the insoide o'." + +"It shall be difficult to swim in our armour." + +"Sure it's not far, yer honour." + +"Then assist me to make haste, that no time may be lost. But first tie +up that scratch upon thy hand." + +"Uh! sure, yer honour 'tis nothin'." + +However, I bound my scarf about the hand of him I now loved so dearly, +and then he assisted me to arm. + +We were soon ready to start on this perilous attempt for freedom, that +meant so much to me, if I should succeed, and such a calamity unto +myself and another which I loved better a thousand times than I did my +life, if I should fail. + +I then went to the poor corpse upon the bed and detached the chain by +which the ring that held his keys was suspended from his belt. I then +crossed to the smoky lamp and re-read the letter with great care and +attention, that its contents might be fully engraven upon my memory. I +then carefully placed it within my gauntlet, and, warning Michael to +leave his hands bare, that he might use them freely in quieting the +soldier at the breach--in case we ever reached it--I cautiously +unlocked the door. Then I opened it for a sufficient space to allow my +head an exit, and fearfully I looked both ways along the corridor to +make sure that no one was about. The hall was clear. I opened the +door wider, and motioning Michael to follow, I stepped, as quietly as +mine armour would permit, into the hall. With the quietness of a thief +I re-locked the door and started on tip-toe down the passage. I had +taken but a few steps, however, when Michael's hand was laid upon mine +arm. I started, turned in fear, and then remembering Michael, I +blushed in the darkness at my foolish, girl-like action. + +"Beg pardon, sor, but dount ye think 'twould be bitter if we was to +walk along as though we had the roight and didn't give a damn fer a +soul o' thim?" whispered my companion. + +"Well thought on, Michael," I returned, and we strode along with the +apparent confidence of two keepers. Then Michael started whistling a +gay Irish tune. This was more than my o'er-strained and assumed +confidence could bear; so I placed my hand over his mouth and his +whistling came to an abrupt end. + +Then down the stairs we went until we reached the heavy door opening +into the great archway through this tower. Here we paused for a moment +whilst I asked Michael concerning the portcullis. + +"It was up, sor, whin Oi intered." + +"Then all is well. Now be careful, Michael, and watch me for any +signal I may give thee; for on thee now depend our chances of success." + +Then, with hands trembling with excitement, I at last found the proper +key and inserted it in the lock. Then, with apparent carelessness, I +flung the door wide open and strode forth, Michael following. At this +very moment a soldier, as though on guard, marched with measured step +along the arch-topped way. As he heard the door swing open he halted +and, turning, watched us in the dim light cast by the flickering torch +overhead. To hesitate for but an instant meant failure and certain +death. Adopting Michael's plan I whistled softly an air that came by +inspiration to my mind, and at the same time closed the door again and +locked it with a great show of care. Then taking Michael by the arm I +walked leisurely along, swinging the great ring of keys and whistling +as I went. + +Ah! my children, ye know not how trying was that indifferent walk. How +sore was I tempted to break into a run, in a mad effort to leave that +awful place behind me. But then, had I done so, I had not lived to see +the setting of another sun. As we passed beneath the great portcullis +I glanced back to where we had left the sentry. He was still standing +beneath the light and gazing after us. No doubt he wondered who we +were; but my apparent confidence and ease of manner re-assured him; for +as we turned to our left to pass the round tower which adjoins the one +in which I had been confined, he shouldered his pole-axe and resumed +his lonely tramp. + +"Two difficulties safely past," I whispered. "Now, Michael, have a +great care and let not the soldier at the breach make the faintest +sound." + +"Oi'll do moy bist, sor," and I felt sure he would. Then we came to +the short inner wall that runneth from the tower of St. Thomas back +unto the square tower that we had just left. + +As is ever the case, when one is in great haste, I tried every key but +one depending from the ring, and still the great gate remained closed, +none of them mating the lock. When I came to this last key a sudden +horror came over me as I thought of the possibility of the whole affair +being a trap to raise my hopes in the belief that I was about to +escape, and then to have them hurled to the ground with shattering +force. My life depended on this key. Would it turn back the bars and +give me freedom and life, or would it, like the others, mock with its +silent contempt my anxiety? How I longed to know my fate, and yet +dreaded the test, lest I should fail. My hand shook as with palsy, and +made it well nigh impossible for me to insert the key. Then 'twas in +the lock; and still I did not turn it. + +Verily, I have faced the deadly cannon, oft, and yet have felt no +anxiety nor fear. But now, as I stood before that heavy gate, with the +key already in the lock, requiring but a turn--that is if it did +work--to set me at least nearer unto liberty, my courage did forsake +me, and I really feared to turn the key. + +Some there are, I know, who will say it was unmanly in me to thus +hesitate. Mine answer, in advance, is:--Let them but place themselves +in the same position and see then how they will act. It requires but +little courage to tell what one would do; but it is different when one +doth face the reality and not the argument. + +At length, with a mighty effort, such as a man doth make when heaving +with his shoulder in an attempt to move a mighty boulder, I summoned up +all my strength of spirit, and exerted pressure on the key. Thank +Heaven, it turned! I would have cheered with delight had not the plain +warning of the letter remained fresh in my mind. Softly we swung the +gate open and passed beneath the arch. I was about to push on and +leave the gate open behind, but Michael, who seemed less disturbed than +was I--but then he had not been confined within the Tower for long +weeks--whispered:-- + +"Beg pardon, sor, but dount ye think 'twould be safer to lock the gate +agin? They moight follow loike." + +With great care I closed and locked the gate. Then, stealing slowly, +as doth the fox, along the wall, we in time reached the shadow of St. +Thomas tower. It was so dark here that I could scarce see Michael; for +now 'twas past the hour of midnight, and the young moon had grown weary +and was sinking her head upon the lap of earth, casting long, black +shadows as she sank into her sleep. + +How I cursed my creaking, yet necessary, armour as I stole along. + +Then my heart beat so loudly that I thought the sentry near which we +were now drawing must hear it and break forth with his loud, disturbing +challenge. Back and forth he paced with weary, clanking steps, +unconscious of the two dark forms working their way slowly, and well +nigh breathlessly, towards him. Now we were pressing against the wall, +as he halted almost within arm's length before us. Verily, his eyes +must have been closed in partial sleep, or he had seen us. Then he +tramped round, as though he had been fastened to a cord which permitted +him to go but to its length and then warned him to return. + +At that moment I attempted to draw back still further. My spur struck +the wall with a sharp click, and this did cause me to lose my balance, +and mine armoured shoulders clanked against the stones. + +The soldier turned like a flash of light, and brought his axe from +shoulder unto thigh. He was about to challenge when Michael, forcing +the axe's point above his head, clapped his mighty hand over the +surprised sentry's mouth, permitting no sound to escape. + +I seized the axe, lest it should fall and rouse the guard. + +"Be quoiet, thou fool, and no harm 'll come unto thee," whispered +Michael in the fellow's ear, as he held him firmly to the ground. + +With haste I searched me for my scarf. + +"It's here, sor, about moy hand; jist untoie it, playze sor. Sure a +little blood 'll do thee no harm. Thou shouldst thank the Lord that it +isn't thoine own." This to the sentry. + +When he had been made fast at both hands and feet, the which we bound +with his belt, after cutting the leather into two strings, and when he +had been securely gagged with the scarf, we carried him and placed him +close to the wall, and then I warned him. + +"Now, sirrah, if thou dost lie still and make no attempt to free +thyself, or to attract attention, thou shalt not be mistreated. But, +by all the fiends, if thou dost make a movement thou shalt be ripped +from ear to ear, and then thrown into the moat. We shall be near at +hand, and any sound from thee must reach us." + +Then we proceeded to the breach with less care than we had hitherto +used. Here the wall was torn away until but a foot in height remained. +The artisan's tools were laid upon this low wall, and were well nigh +the cause of our ruin; for just as I made a move to cross the breach my +foot struck upon the pile of tools and almost caused them all to fall +into the moat. Carefully we removed them from our way, and then we +descended into the water. + +I had never before attempted to swim while dressed in a complete suit +of heavy armour; and much therefore did I doubt mine ability to do so +now. + +"Didst thou ever swim across water, whilst dressed in thine armour?" I +asked of Michael. + +"Divil a toime, yer honour." + +"It will be difficult, Michael, and I may be compelled to ask thee to +lend me a hand." + +"All roight, yer honour." And we set out. + +I had not overestimated the difficulty of our task, and ere we reached +the outer wall I was glad to place my hand upon Michael's great +shoulder to keep from sinking. + +At length we reached the other side and, still struggling to keep our +heads above the surface, we commenced to feel along the wall for the +ladder mentioned in the letter. + +"What if it should not be here?" I asked myself. Truly it should be a +grand device for luring me unto my death; for it had been impossible +for me to again cross the moat, so exhausted was I by the great +exertion. Even the mighty giant by my side was breathing in great +gasps, as though his Herculean strength were ebbing fast. Mine arms +had now become so weak that I could scarce lift them above the surface +for an instant that I might feel for the ladder. + +"Here--sor," gasped my faithful squire, as he grasped me by the arm and +drew me to him. "Oi--have it--at last--yer honour. The saints--be +praised." + +Yes, there it was, and how welcome did it feel to my trembling hand. + +We remained thus, with our heads only above the water, for some +moments, until we regained a part of our breaths. + +I mounted the ladder first and climbed wearily to the top. Verily, +never in all my life have I felt my body to be of such prodigious +weight. Ah! I was on the top; and there I sat whilst Michael's +enormous form came dripping out of the water below and wearily climbed +the ladder. + +[Illustration: "I climbed wearily to the top."] + +"Mither-o'-Gawd! Oi fale loike a damned drowned rat." And indeed I +felt as though the simile applied unto me most thoroughly. + +Then we drew up the ropes and, unfastening the hooks, we reversed them +and let down the ladder on the other side. Down this we went, and, +thank Heaven, we were free from that great, black, menacing +congregation of cold, cruel towers and walls. + +I felt like a soul but new granted its release from the torturous fires +of purgatory must feel as he looks back, with hunted, awe-struck eyes, +at the place of his late confinement, and sighs with thankfulness for +his freedom; yet shudders in fear that this liberty is but a dream from +which he shall soon awaken to find himself again within the gates of +agony. + +Then we hastened on with soggy steps, making as wide an arch as the +river would permit, that we might pass as far as possible from the +Tower of St. Thomas. + +We at length reached the place where Michael had left the horses. They +were tethered in a shed attached to a vacant house not far from the +walls of the Tower, and on the western side. + +The sword that Michael had brought for my use was hanging from the +lance-rest of the saddle. Hastily buckling it on I felt once more a +man and knight. Then, mounting our horses, we rode forth into the +night, and, at no slow pace, started by the nearest way on our journey +to the Sanctuary. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI + +THE HOUSE WITH THE FLAG + +We had no difficulty in passing through the city's gates. I merely +called out in commanding tone:--"On the King's most urgent business," +and the great gates swung back upon their mighty hinges as though there +had been magic in my speech. Mayhap 'twas fortunate that the King had +many messengers passing in and out of the city that night, or our exit +had not been so easily accomplished. As we dashed through beneath the +arch the keeper called out:-- + +"Is it true that Richmond hath landed?" + +"Ay, ay, 'tis true indeed," I cried over my shoulder in reply, and on +we went as though the fiends pursued us. Our horses were urged to +their utmost, that we might leave the Sanctuary ere the day did dawn. + +Already was the East casting off her dark robe of night and decking +herself in brighter colours. + +When we entered Westminster and drew up before the Sanctuary the door +flew open and there, standing by Harleston, by whom she was restrained +from rushing from the house, was my own fair darling; her body leaning +forward, and her hand held above her eyes, as she peered into the +darkness with a world of expectancy in her pose, as shown up right +nobly by the lamp's bright light behind her. + +Mary stood at Frederick's other side; her hand upon his arm, and also +gazing forth. + +Springing from my horse and handing the reins to Michael, I hastened +towards them; taking care, however, to speak ere I did step into the +rays of light, that the girls might not be startled by mine unannounced +approach. + +"Fear not, it is I--Walter." + +"Oh, my dear, noble Walter!" + +Harleston's arm no longer restrained, and we were locked in each +other's arms in a shorter space of time than takes a thought to travel +unto Heaven. + +"Have a care, my darling, lest thou dost destroy that same handsome +habit; for I am nothing if not thoroughly saturated." + +Then I kissed the fair Mary as she still stood by Frederick's side, +laughing and weeping both at once. + +"My dear friend," said Harleston, "much am I joyed to see thee thus +free from that bloody Tower. And now--though ere this I did fear to +say so--I tell thee truly, I never thought to see thee here this night." + +"But why?" I asked. "'Twas thou which sent the letter that did give +unto me--with the noble assistance of this brave friend here--my +liberty," and I slapped Michael--who had tied the horses beneath the +trees by the corner of the building, and now stood near me--on his huge +arm. + +"Do but come in and close the door, and I will tell thee all, in as few +words as possible; for the time we have is short." + +"Art not afraid to flee with me, my fair one?" I asked; and I drew +Hazel closer to my side, as we were passing down the hall. + +"Nay, nay, Walter dear; to the end of the world would I go with thee. +When love, such as is mine, is in the heart it leaveth no room for +fear. Mine only desire now is that we may, with all expediency, avoid +our enemies; and when the Earl of Richmond doth conquer the bloody +Richard, then may we return to happiness and have our dreams of other +days fulfilled." + +"Mine own dear, trusting love," I murmured, as I stooped and kissed her +forehead. + +The ex-Queen had waited up the whole long night that she might see if I +did succeed in escaping from the Tower. How worn and sorrow-stricken +she did look as I knelt and kissed her hand. + +"I thank God, Sir Walter, that thou hast escaped the murderous boar," +she said, in her kind and motherly way. + +"So do I too, madam; for besides mine own wrongs I have yet to make a +great effort and redeem mine oath made to the good King Edward, your +noble husband. When my good friend here and I rode from Berwick unto +the Castle at Windsor his Majesty did give unto us each a present +worthy of the giver. At that time, madam, we both did swear to avenge +any wrong that ever did transgress upon your royal son, our late +lamented little King. Much time hath passed and still he's unavenged; +but if the life within me be spared I'll yet strike a hard blow against +his cruel and bloody murderer." + +"Ay, ay, we will," assented Frederick. + +"He'll doie fer the murtherin' o' the little darlin'," growled Michael +from behind my back, where he towered like some grim monument. + +I shamed to confess that I had forgot my faithful squire, until his +voice recalled him to my mind. + +"Madam, I beg that thou wilt permit me to make known unto thee the +truest heart, as well as the strongest arm, in all England. Courage, +loyalty, generosity and strength are all that do unite in this, your +faithful servant." And I led Michael, who blushed like a maiden, +before Elizabeth. + +She spoke some kindly words unto him, and gave him her hand to kiss. + +On his knee his head was still as high as hers. + +Gently he kissed the dainty fingers lying in his mighty palm, and then +he arose without a word. + +Why, oh why, are not the kings and rulers of men born with hearts like +Michael's? Thy praises, oh my faithful squire, should be sung by +masters skilled in the art of playing upon the sympathetic strings of +the living harp, in place of the task, so full of possibilities, being +left to the feeble hand of such an one as I. But then, who knows as +well as thine old master the workings of that great heart whose every +throb is one of loyalty? + +But come, Sir Walter, hasten along in the path where lies thy story, +and tarry not, like some gossiping old wife, at every house along the +way, telling some news that helps thee not unto thy destination. + +"I have more ill news for thee, Sir Walter," said Elizabeth, when +Michael had arisen and resumed his former place, glad to be no longer +the object on which we all did gaze. + +"Heaven forbid!" I exclaimed devoutly. + +"Nay, Heaven doth forbid no woe to fall upon mine untimely silvering +head; and it is but just that I should have my punishment." + +"But what new calamity may this be, madam?" + +"Word reached me a week ago that my little Richard hath disappeared +from the Sanctuary in France, where my son, the Marquis of Dorset, left +him. + +"But comes the news from a trusty source?" + +"Yes, from Dorset himself. It happened thus, he says:-- + +"Near-by where stands the Sanctuary there a great mount doth lift its +rugged brow far above the natural level of the earth. Here did my +little Prince delight to stroll and watch the sparkling waters far, far +beneath his feet, rush in their tumbling haste from rock to rock along +their never-ceasing course. Here last was he seen sitting, as was +sometimes his wont, upon a boulder beneath a scraggling bush that there +doth grow. At set of sun he came not to the house; so the good folk +there went out to bring him in. Nowhere could they find him; and now +'tis thought he fell by accident, or intent, down, down into the cruel +waters at his feet. From that day since he hath not been found; but +his hat was by a traveller picked up and brought into the Sanctuary. + +"Now my little Princes both have gone to join their father, and +I--though God knows why--remain upon the earth. + +"If little Richard be dead--the which must be only too true--we will +make the Earl of Richmond King. Then shall my daughter, Elizabeth, be +his Queen. This is all I can now hope for; but it shall be the means +of ridding England of blood-supping tyrants, and shall give unto me my +long-desired revenge. + +"Lord Stanley is now at the head of a strong force, and is marching +from the North, apparently to meet the tyrant near by Leicester. + +"Richmond is now well on his way to London; and as he comes great +numbers flock unto his standard. + +"Stanley will, at the last moment, leave the Usurper to his fate and +side with the Earl. + +"Sir Frederick, here, leaves this morning to join Lord Stanley. + +"This evening, when thou dost return with our dear Hazel here, I can +give thee a letter to the Earl. I would send it by Sir Frederick, but +I do desire to give Earl Henry full particulars of the force that +Richard doth take with him along. The powers of the Usurper's friends +Richmond already knoweth. Mine agents shall bring in the desired +information concerning the forces of the Usurper as soon as Richard +doth leave the city." + +"Then everything goeth well, so far as preparations are concerned, +madam. + +"About what time doth Richard march?" + +"Soon after sun-up he did intend to go; at least so said the order +given to me," replied Harleston. + +"Then we will return before the set of sun. + +"But what, madam, is your opinion of this same strange letter?" + +"Truly, Sir Walter, I knew not of it until Sir Frederick told me its +strange contents." + +I then showed it to her in the hope that she might recognize the hand. + +With great care did she observe the writing; then she raised her head +and said:--"It looketh not unlike the hand of my Lord Stanley; though +there is a tremble here not his. Mayhap he did disguise his hand to +guard him from the danger of its falling into other hands than Sir +Frederick's." + +"And, Frederick, what dost thou think?" I asked. + +"Verily, Walter, I was about to tell thee at the door--and since it had +escaped my mind--of how I did mistrust that same packet until I saw ye +both arrive safe and free." Then it was that he told me of his meeting +Catesby as he left the Palace. + +"And dost thou think it safe to go unto this house mentioned in the +writing?" + +"Well, since the rest of the directions have been so trustworthy I can +see no danger in following the remainder. Besides," he continued, +"there seemeth to be no other way so secure." + +"Well, as no more time may be spared, methinks we had better start. I +shame to doubt the writer's good intent, after the great favour he hath +done me. + +"Say farewell, for the present, my dear. We shall be back this +evening." + +Tenderly the ex-Queen embraced Hazel; and as I knelt she laid her +gentle hand upon my head and said:-- + +"God protect thee, Sir Walter, and send thee back to me, with yon fair +child, which loveth thee so dearly, safe to her widowed foster mother." + +"Amen," said I softly, from the bottom of my heart. + +"Farewell, dearest Hazel, and may the angels guard thee from, and +strike dead those which could so much as harm thee with a thought," +sobbed loving little Mary, as the two dear girls embraced and kissed +each other. + +"Farewell, Frederick," said Hazel--for now she looked on him as her big +brother, and spoke unto him as such--"I may not again see thee until +the fate of us all hath been decided. May Heaven bless thee and bring +thee back to this dear girl, safe and victorious. And then may our old +happy days that passed like sunbeams in the park at Windsor be repeated +without disturbing interruption." + +This was a confirmation of my suspicion that Harleston had asked Mary +that question which is the London-stone in the lives of us all, and she +had made the promise that I could, long months since, have told she +would. + +"Farewell, dear lady," returned Frederick, whilst Mary took advantage +of his speech in trying to regain her wonted complexion; "I hope to see +thee again ere a fortnight be past. One great battle shall decide our +fate; and what that will be I am assured of." + +Then turning to me he said:--"We shall meet, no doubt, in the ranks of +the conquering Richmond. Till then farewell, my dear friend." + +"Farewell, Frederick, we shall meet near Leicester; that is if Richard +there awaits the Earl." + +I kissed Mary, and she and Harleston did bid farewell to big Michael. + +Then we proceeded to where our horses waited, Michael bearing upon his +arm a basket, in which was our food for the day. + +The morning was now well dawned, and the red bars from the fiery sun +were glancing along the floor of Heaven in beauteous ribbons, like the +gay trappings of a May-pole. + +Hazel's palfrey was now brought up; and as we mounted and rode off, the +little group at the door still stood and waved a silent, fluttering +farewell. + +We rode on in silence until we came to the turning that we should take, +were we to be guided by the letter. + +"This is the cross road mentioned in the packet. What think ye now of +the writer? Dost trust him?" I asked. + +"I trust him, and yet I feel some fear. I know not why; but a nameless +something doth stir up in my mind a dread of some calamity." + +"Shall we then go search for some place for ourselves?" + +"Oh, no! It must be but foolish maiden timidity. Let us proceed and +trust the letter, after the way that it hath rescued thee." + +So we turned unto our right and, as the letter had said, we came, after +travelling some three miles, upon a large house set back some distance +from the road. From a window in the upper story a small flag of +England did hang lazily. The house looked as it had been +described--unoccupied; so feeling re-assured we rode into the grounds. +I then held Michael's steed whilst he went forward and tried the door. +It was unlocked; so he entered. He then returned, at my call, and +reported everything as well, so far as he could see, though he desired +to inspect it further ere we entered. This I did consider to be +unnecessary. We then tied our horses to some trees near the door, and +walked in. + +The room was large and square, and in the centre a round pillar arose +from floor to ceiling. The furniture consisted of a long and broad, +heavy oaken table and some three or four chairs, scattered carelessly +around the room. Several closed and heavy doors, leading to where we +knew not, were set into the walls at irregular intervals. The general +appearance of the interior gave one the impression of recent +occupation; though now it did seem undoubtedly to be vacant. + +Michael placed the basket upon the table, and we at once proceeded to +make ourselves comfortable. + +"Ah! my dear, we shall have a pleasant holiday, and in the evening +return. Our dear friend, Master Catesby, shall arrive at Westminster +to find that the bird hath flown. Then he may curse his misfortune and +proceed to join his murderous master. Pray God I do but meet him in +the field. Then shall there be no truncheon to be flung down to stop +our fight, as was done at the tournament." + +"Yes, Walter dear, methought that thou hadst killed him when, with your +great sword, you drove him senseless from his horse." + +"But how didst thou see the tournament?" I asked in wonderment. + +Her cheeks then flushed, and she became as confused as a child caught +fairly in a trap. She glanced imploringly at Michael; but he seemed +greatly occupied with the buckle of his sword belt. + +"What! is it possible that thou wert one of the old ladies to whom +Michael did show such attention?" + +"In faith, Walter, thou hast guessed it; though I did not intend to +tell thee yet." + +"And was Mary the other?" + +"Yes." + +"Oh, ye are sly ones. And here is Michael also in the plot." + +"Beg pardon, sor, but Oi tould ye the truth." + +"Yea, that thou didst; but in your own peculiar way," I laughingly +replied. + +"Yes, Walter, Michael but did what we did ask of him, and therefore the +whole blame belongs to Mary and me," said Hazel, as she came and patted +me on the cheek. "Art not cross now?" she asked. + +"Nay, but Frederick and I will bring ye to account when next we all do +meet." + +Soon we sat us down to the pleasantest meal that, methinks, ever had I +partaken of. Clear of the gloomy Tower, and free, and there by my side +the truest and most trusting maid upon the earth's broad face. And +there was our huge Michael at the other side, eating and watching us +with admiring eyes. Verily, my dears, no happier trio ever sat +together, chatting like children at an outing. Hazel's dainty fingers +had put each morsel in most tempting shape, and to add aught to her +arrangement had been as difficult as to improve on the delicacy of soft +moonlight, strained through the misty alabaster curtains of the Heavens. + +"Now if Mary and Frederick were but here would it not be like our old +happy days at the Palace at Windsor?" asked Hazel. + +"Yea, indeed it should, but even more happy; for our troubles that are +now past make us to appreciate happiness the more." + +And so we talked on and were happy in our assurance that all should now +be well and smooth, and after the battle we would go to mine old house +that had stood waiting for its young master for many a day. + +Then suddenly I heard a sound that startled me, and caused grave doubts +as to our safety. It sounded not unlike a low whistle, and coming from +some room within the house. + +Michael's quick ear had heard it also; for he glanced anxiously first +to me and then to Hazel. She too had heard it, and her face changed +from its merry smile to a startled look of fear. + +"Didst thou not hear that whistle, Walter dear?" she asked in alarm. + +"What whistle, dearest?" I asked, that I might allay her fears. "'Twas +but thine imagination playing upon thine ears; 'twas nothing." + +"Nay, 'twas no imagination; 'twas real,--and hark!--there again it is." + +This time there could be no mistaking the sound. Methought it came +from one of the three rooms that did adjoin the large one in which we +were. + +"Do thou go, Michael, and with great care open yon door and see if that +room be occupied," I said in a whisper to my squire. + +Drawing his heavy sword he advanced cautiously, and, turning the knob, +he thrust the door wide open, whilst he remained at the threshold. + +This room was empty; but on the opposite side from where stood Michael +was another door, and to the right of this, in the other wall, was yet +another. + +Then I heard a slight click at the lock of the door by which we had +entered the house. I drew my sword and walked to this door and tried +to open it. It was locked. + +Then the whole plot flashed upon my mind. This then was Catesby's plan +for getting both Hazel and me within his power. No wonder that he did +laugh as Harleston left the courtyard. Well might he laugh; for never +did a trap work with more success than did this clever one, laid by +this most ingenious scoundrel. + +I went to the window and tried to loosen some of the bars that ran +across the square. Even the great Michael's strength should here be of +no avail. The bars were very heavy, and firmly imbedded in the +masonry, of which the lower part of the house was made. + +I watched the doors leading from the room in the expectancy that they +were about to fly open and a band of men rush in to do their work. +Still they did remain closed. Michael still stood before the open +door, awaiting mine instructions. + +After waiting for a few moments with the painful feeling that one has +when convinced that the eyes of a concealed foe are on him, watching +his every move, I walked to the great table and, placing my sword upon +it, I moved it back across one of the corners of the room; thus forming +a frail barricade to protect my dear Hazel. + +I then placed my dagger in her hand and said:--"Be brave my dearest, +and if thou seest that thou canst not escape with honour, thou knowest +the use of this little weapon. However, so long as thou seest hope, +refrain from its use; for even in our position no one can tell what the +result may be." + +"Fear not, Walter dear, unless I may be thy spotless bride my husband +shall be death." + +"Mine own dear, brave, little maiden," I murmured, and placed her, with +a loving kiss upon her brow, behind the--in some measure--protecting +table. + +I then took up my good sword and, holding it at arm's length to test +its reach, I said to Michael:-- + +"Do thou go, good Michael, to yon door, and see if there be any one +within the room behind it." + +"Oi will, sor." And he crossed the inner room in three good lengthy +strides. + +This door was unfastened, so he opened it as he had done the other, +except that this one opened towards him, and still stood he upon the +threshold. + +"Sure, yer honour, thare's anither door here, sor." + +"Open it also, Michael;" though the next moment I had rather have cut +the tongue from my throat than have uttered those words. + +Michael had just disappeared into this second unexplored room when, +with a crash, the door that had remained closed in the room adjoining +where Hazel and I waited flew open, and several armed men rushed in. + +"Beware Michael! come back! come back!" I cried in warning. + +Ere he could obey, however, the door was closed and securely locked and +barred behind him. At the same instant the room in which I stood was +filled with soldiers, which entered by the other doors. + +"Come on, ye pack of cowards! Why do ye hesitate? Do ye fear the +single sword of one good knight? Come on, I say, ye pack of sneaking +wolves that fear to attack, and yet stand in a circle round and growl!" +I cried in defiance at them. + +[Illustration: "Come on, ye pack of cowards."] + +There must have been well nigh a score; something more than half in my +room, and the others in the room betwixt Michael and us. + +The giant now thundered at the separating door, and swore an unceasing +stream of oaths of vengeance. + +This door, however, was a heavy oaken one, and withstood even Michael's +mighty assault with great endurance. + +Still the soldiers stood waiting, swords in hands. + +Presently, with leisurely, swinging stride and clanking armour, a smile +of triumph on his sneering face, entered my dearest foe, Catesby. With +a courtly bow, accompanied by a graceful wave of the hand, he saluted +Hazel, who, with great calmness, stood with clenched hands and +firm-pressed lips behind her barricade. + +"Welcome, my dear lady, to this house that taketh in poor troubled +refugees. Methinks the directions in my poor note must have been +clear; for my guests have arrived even earlier than I had expected," +said he, as he folded his arms and regarded us with a smile of +satisfaction. + +"Cease thine insolence, thou false and degraded knight, and draw thy +sword and fight me like a man, and do not further stain thy name by +setting upon a gentleman a band of coward ruffians!" + +"Nay, nay, Sir Walter, we have twice crossed swords ere this, and on +both occasions thou didst have the better of me. Verily, thou must be +selfish to ever desire to play the victor's part. Oh, no!" he added +with a laugh, "I now do hold the stronger hand, and it should be +casting an insult upon the Goddess of Fortune to thus throw aside her +bounteous gift of advantage. + +"Do thou close yon door and lock it, Peter," said he, turning to a +fellow which stood behind him and which carried his arm in a sling; +"that loud disturbing Irishman doth interrupt my speech. And besides," +he continued, with some uneasiness, as I thought, "that door doth seem +not strong enough for his beastlike strength. This other here is +stouter." + +The fellow with the disabled arm--no doubt 'twas he which did attempt +to murder me in my tent--then closed and locked the door, whilst three +of the soldiers remained in the inner room, that they might check the +gallant Michael, should he succeed in breaking down the door. And +indeed it now sounded as though the oak must give way; for the giant +had ceased his oaths, and all his breath was now being used to support +his great strength, that was being exerted on the creaking opposition. + +I almost smiled as I thought of the fate of the three men when the +great man should rush in upon them. + +"And now, Master Catesby," said I, "wilt thou enlighten me as to thine +object, in as few words as possible? for mine ears have no desire to +listen to thee at length, nor have mine eyes the wish to gaze upon thy +recreant body. + +"Then hear my purpose in thus luring ye both into this place. I do +desire to have yon same lady, which in her fear is even more beautiful +than when she smileth, delivered up into my hands. Her safety and +tender treatment thou mayest be well assured of; for I do love her to +distraction. + +"As for thyself, if thou dost offer no resistance, then shalt thou be +permitted to go forth from this place a free man, even though I do hate +thee as I do a viper." + +I bowed, and smiled grimly, and he continued. "If thou dost resist; +well, thou knowest that thou needst not to expect mercy." + +"Is that all?" + +"That is all." + +"Then know, thou slave of degradation and all that is most abominable, +that I, as would any man, reject thy base proposal, with words too poor +and weak to express, in any good measure, my contempt for the proposer." + +At this moment the inner door fell from its hinges with a crash; and +then the adjoining room was filled with oaths and the ring of fearful +blows. + +"Come then, make haste!" cried Catesby to his followers, "yon Herculean +savage hath burst through the inner door. Next will he break down +this; unless those knaves do stop him." + +Then the whole pack of varlets rushed upon me from all points but my +back, where the table did prevent them from surrounding me. + +"Ha! thou caitiff! ha! thou slave!" cried I, as I struck down the two +foremost of the assassins. + +"What! do ye hesitate, and shrink from a single sword? Strike him +down, ye varlets, or at your peril stay a hand until we have him!" and +the chiefest of mine attackers drew forth his sword and, stepping o'er +the body of one of his fallen band, he did engage with me so hotly as +to cause me to use all of my defence in guarding me from his fierce +cuts and thrusts. + +In then there rushed the others; but so many were there that they did +interfere with each other; thus enabling me to still guard off their +blows with my good armoured left arm. + +Michael had now overcome his three antagonists, and thundered with his +mighty shoulders against the remaining door. I knew that this would be +more difficult to break down; for, besides being more heavy, as Catesby +had said, it opened towards Michael, and this did add greatly unto its +powers of resistance. I dared not turn mine eyes towards the door, +lest on mine head a stunning blow should fall. + +My left arm now had lost its wonted strength, with guarding of the many +blows that fell so hard and thick upon it. + +"Now we have him! Press him both close and hard!" cried Catesby, as he +renewed, with all his activity, his lightning-like attack. + +Never in my life have I, before that day nor since, fought with such +quickness or strength. I was as a madman for the nonce, and fought +with the delight of intoxicated recklessness. My sword seemed +everywhere at once, and even the shifty Catesby was pressed back. I +stepped forward in the delirium of feverish thirst for slaughter. + +"Walter, beware! beware!" cried Hazel. + +But it was too late. I had stepped too far forward, and thus permitted +one of the pack to get behind me. A crushing, ringing blow upon my +helm,--a shrill and piercing shriek from Hazel, that lived in mine +ears, and died out at last as though by distance,--and I clattered to +the floor, unconscious. + +Mine oblivion could not have lasted for more time than whilst one might +tell a score; for when I regained consciousness Michael still crashed +against the separating oak, and there was Hazel standing behind her +feeble barricade and holding in her small white hand the dagger that I +had placed there. + +"Stand back, thou traitorous, deceiving hypocrite! Advance towards me +but one short step more and this dagger's bright blade shall be dyed +red with mine own heart's blood!" + +Ah! my children, had ye but seen her then, as she stood there, as pale +as a marble statue; yet with flashing eyes and heaving breast, her +dainty tapering fingers of the right hand grasping, with all her little +flower-like strength, brittle yet easily snapped, the little weapon, ye +would have cheered in unrestrained admiration of the dear, brave, +little maid. + +Catesby stood back in awe of this goodly sight, which even his +villainous heart could not help but admire. + +"Well, and right nobly done!" he cried. "Thy courage in thus resisting +doth but arouse within my love-sick heart a new and fiercer, and e'en +more consuming passion for thee. Like a boy, I ever love the apple +that doth hang from the limb most difficult to reach. The more the +rich, ripe fruit doth avoid my grasping hand the more determined am I +to have it." + +"Cease thine insulting speech, false knight, cowardly assassin, 'tis I +that commandeth thee! I, thine ancient foe, that even now defies +thee!" and I struggled, tottering to my knees, and shook my clenched +fist in defiance at him. + +"Come on, Michael! break down the door, and we yet can drive this +murdering pack before us, as doth the wind dry leaves!" + +"Oi'm comin', yer honour; do but hould out a little," and the fury of +his attack upon the door was redoubled. + +Catesby made a sign with his hand, and instantly four men left the room +in haste. + +"Beware, Michael! they may attack thee from the rear!" I cried, as I +staggered to my feet and tried to rush upon mine enemy. I was securely +held back, however, by two of the pack, who forced me to my knees and +held me there. + +Catesby merely smiled his hellish smile, and said:--"Bind him hard and +fast to yon pillar, and strip him of his helm. We shall now try +another plan to capture yon same tempting apple," and he nodded in +Hazel's direction. + +With cords they bound me until I could not move a muscle. Helmless and +helpless I then stood before my fiendish foe, which drew his dagger and +advanced upon me. + +"Stop! stop, thou wretch!" shrieked Hazel. "For the welfare of your +soul slay not a helpless man. Nay, nay, do but wait, I pray thee! I +will do that which thou dost ask! I will go with thee! anything thou +wilt, if thou wilt but spare him!" + +"Hazel, in God's name hold thy peace! If thou dost love me do as I +have said! I fear him not; let him do his worst; but use thy dagger +ere thou dost permit this villain to lay on thee a hand!" + +"Oh, yes, yes, Walter; but I cannot bear to see thee die before my very +eyes! Oh, merciful Mary, it is too awful!" she cried, as Catesby +seized mine ear and with his dagger clipped off a small part of the +lobe. + +The tough oaken door did still resist the efforts of the giant; but it +was plain that it could not long endure. + +"Be brave, mine own true little love, Michael shall soon be here!" I +called out above the din. + +"So, madam, will I cut him into small pieces here before thee, unless +thou dost surrender. Thou canst save him by coming from behind that +table. Bethink thee of his fate in case thou art obdurate," said the +accursed knave, as he seized mine other car and raised the dagger. + +The door was now cracked almost from top to bottom, and Michael still +stormed his blows upon it. + +"Uh! ye cursed cowards! Oi'll crack yer damned skulls fer ye in a +minute! Uh! ye blood-suckin' divils, Oi'll rip ye all to paces and +cram ye down yer own bloody throats!" + +Louder cracked the door. + +"Come, lady, your answer; make haste e'er the door giveth way." + +"Hold out, my brave girl! we yet shall conquer!" I cried in +encouragement. + +Hazel leaned forward, with her left hand leaning upon the table, her +body stretched forward, her lips compressed until no colour did remain +in them. With her right hand she struck, quickly, the dagger into the +table's top, then drew it out and struck again. Still was she +silent,--and a small piece came off mine other ear. + +"Oh, God! God! God! it is too much! too much!" shrieked the poor +maiden; and, throwing her hands above her head, she fell forward upon +the table as though she were dead. + +Catesby and one of his men then rushed to where she lay, and seized her +in their arms and started for the door. + +"Touch her not with your contaminating hands! Oh! false knight, I will +have the last drop in thy heart for this! Oh, thou accursed slave of +Hell! unbind me, and I will tear out thy throat with my bare fingers! + +"Michael! for God's sake come! they are carrying her off with them!" +and I cursed, and shrieked, and struggled with my bonds until they cut +deep into my wrists. + +"All Hill take this accursed door! It'll go now, or Oi'll brake moy +damned back!" + +There was a tremendous crash; the whole house did seem to shake; and +Michael burst through the door with parts of it still clinging to his +armour, which was battered from head to foot; and his great hands were +red with blood. + +"At last Oi'm here, yer honour; but, Oi fear, too late," gasped he, as +he tried the outer door, and found it locked. + +He then cut with his dagger the cords that bound me. Too late, too +late we were indeed. Another door had to be battered down ere we were +able to gain the outside. This occupied some time, and when at last we +did rush tottering forth we found no sight of our enemies, or our dear, +brave, little maiden. + +Our horses' reins had been cut, and the beasts themselves were +wandering far from the house. + +How Michael did swear, as tenderly he bound up mine ears with pieces of +the cloth that had served to cover the basket we had brought. + +"Oh, sure sor, Oi did moy viry bist; but Oi couldn't git through in +toime, yer honour. Forgive me, Sor Walter; but Oi'll nivir rist till +Oi have the varmint, and the dear swate Lady Hazel is safe returned to +thee, sor," sobbed the poor fellow, like a child, as he knelt at my +feet, praying pardon for not having accomplished more, in but a few +short moments, than three ordinary men might do in one whole day, and +then feel proud of their work. + +"Rise, my brave Michael, and never again ask of me pardon; for thy +mighty work this day hath saved my life, and, had it been within the +power of man, it would have saved the Lady Hazel." + +Michael brought out my helm and put it on me. The wounds in mine ears +were mere trifles; so I suffered no inconvenience from my headpiece. + +We caught our horses and, after mending their harness, we mounted and +set out for Leicester, by roads not travelled by the army. + +Now was I determined to join Lord Stanley's force in time to take part +in the great battle. There would I meet Catesby, and kill him; and +somewhere near would I find Hazel. + +I did neither storm nor gnash my teeth, as is my wont when my temper +doth control my reason; but with quiet bearing, and lips drawn tightly +in, I rode straight forward under the bright sun that glistened so on +Michael's battered armour. Thus steadily could I have ridden unto the +end of the earth, and never would I rest in peace until I found the man +which so had wronged me. + +Michael did seem to share my mood; for no word did he speak; but sat +his steed with his head thrust slightly forward and a fearful look of +unrelenting vengeance stamped on his firm-cut features. + +There could be no escape for Catesby. He might cross the world; but +still his grim fate would follow and o'er take him. + +"He can never escape me," I kept repeating in my mind. Hell's fire +seemed burning in my heart; but outward I was cold, deliberate and as +unchangeable of feature as is the London-stone. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII + +THE FIELD OF BOSWORTH + +On the fourth day following, and late in the afternoon, we at last +found the camp of Lord Stanley. + +Once we came near running our heads through the noose, and there ending +all our hopes and fears. + +It was just as we were nearing the town of Bosworth, in our search for +Stanley's force, that we fell in with a straggling body of yeomen and +some few men-at-arms. I asked them to direct me to Lord Stanley's camp. + +"Straight ahead, sir, until thou comest unto the first turning to the +right. Here turn, and that road will take ye unto your destination, +which is the Town of Bosworth," replied their leader. + +I thanked him and rode on, following his directions. + +Soldiers of all ranks and arms were hurrying along by every road. + +Presently we drew in sight of Bosworth. The town seemed filled with +soldiers, and others were arriving at every moment. + +"Ho! sirrah, canst thou inform me whose force it is that occupies +yonder town?" I asked of a straggler by my side. + +The fellow stared at me in surprise for a breathing space and then +answered:--"Why, his Majesty King Richard's, to be sure. Thou didst +not think that Richmond had taken it, didst thou?" + +"Hill!" ejaculated Michael. + +I came near to betraying mine emotion; but controlled myself in time +and asked:--"But where doth Lord Stanley keep his camp?" + +"To the North and West about a mile, sir." + +I muttered a prayer of thanksgiving for mine escape from falling into +the hands of mine enemies, and wheeling our horses about we retraced +our steps until we came upon the road that we had left at the direction +of the yeoman. This we pursued for some little distance, and then we +beheld Lord Stanley's camp before us. + +We rode up to before the noble Lord's tent and to the guard before the +door I gave my name and asked to be admitted. + +The soldier had scarcely entered when out rushed Harleston. + +"Ah! my dear friends!" he cried to Michael and me, "how is it that I +have the delight of having ye both here? Methought ye were with the +noble Earl," and he nodded to the westward. + +"But why are ye so glum; hath aught gone amiss?" he asked, with an +anxious look. + +"Ay, Frederick, everything has gone amiss." And then I told him all +the sad news. + +When I had finished he stood gazing thoughtfully before him. Then he +put his hand upon my shoulder, and tenderly he said:-- + +"I need not tell thee to be brave; that thou ever art. But console +thee I may. Bethink thee now of that which shall happen to-morrow. +Then shalt thou have thy revenge; for the noble Richmond is not one to +let go, with his head upon his shoulders, such an one as Catesby." + +"Ay, but think of that which may happen to my dear Hazel ere we have +Catesby in our power." + +"Nay, thou must not think her peril greater than it is." + +"How is it possible for it to be greater than it is? Is she not in +that fiend's power?" + +"That I grant you. But remember that Catesby must be greatly occupied +with his master's business, and shall have short time in which to +inflict his plague-like presence on her. + +"Her, no doubt, he hath sent to some place of safety, where she shall +remain until after the battle. + +"The Usurper's friends all think that their victory is assured, and +that Richmond, ere sunset to-morrow, shall be without a head. Little +do they suspect that Northumberland's forces will move not to foul +Richard's aid; or that Lord Stanley here, and his brother there, will +join with the noble Richmond. + +"Catesby will take his time and, when thou art dead, the which he +thinks thou soon shalt be, he'll go and gently woo the Lady Hazel. +This doth Catesby intend to do, or else I do know nothing of the man." + +"Dost thou think thus, indeed, my friend; or do you say these words +that thou mayst comfort me with false hopes?" I asked, as I trembled +with hope and fear. + +"Verily do I believe that which I said will prove to be the case." + +"Thanks, thanks! my friend. Thou knowest not the load that thou hast +taken from my heart. What, oh what could I do without the aid of thy +clear insight into the motives and the thoughts of all men?" + +"Nay, nay, flatter me not," he replied, with a depreciating smile; +"thou hast the same, if not a better, judgment, if thou wouldst but be +calm and use it." + +"Jist wait till to-morrow, and Master Catesby 'll fale the weight o' +moy hand," growled Michael, whose features still wore their look of +grim determination. + +Lord Stanley received me most cordially, and expressed his regret at my +great misfortune in falling into the trap set with such prodigious +skill by Catesby. + +"Do but be patient, Sir Walter," said he, in that kindly voice of his, +"to-morrow's work shall tell a different tale. Richard doth despise +his foe, and his great conceit doth cause him to underestimate the +hatred his subjects have for him. + +"I have a scar upon my head, the which must be revenged. Besides, he +hath taken my son, George Stanley, to keep as an hostage for my +loyalty. That I may save my son's life it shall be necessary for me to +hold back my forces from taking part against the boar, until such time +as he doth engage with Richmond. Then shall the tide of battle change, +and England shall be freed of tyranny." + +That night, Harleston, Michael, and I, all occupied the one tent, and +again was the tournament brought afresh to my mind, and with it an even +more intense hatred of my powerful foe, which I now felt I would soon +have within my power to crush. With the sweet thoughts of a speedy +vengeance for all my wrongs, I at length fell into a restless sleep, +from which I was awakened by the shrill blast of the startling trumpet. + +The day was just dawning; but with no great cheer of brightness. The +great hollow plain of Redmoor looked dark and misty, as though it did +dislike and dreaded the shock of battle that soon was to disturb its +gloomy, brooding stillness. + +When we had breakfasted and armed, the sun had risen sufficiently +high--though still did he remain behind a thick and dreary covering--to +enable us to watch the movements of the two opposing armies. + +The shape of this battle-field--as ye all do know--is that of a shallow +saucer, with one side chipped out, or flattened. + +From the right of us Richmond's army, numbering some six thousand men, +all told, advanced slowly down the gentle slope to meet the tyrant and +his force of some twelve thousand, or thereabouts, approaching from the +other side. + +We now saw that Stanley had well chosen his ground for the successful +carrying out of his plan; for as the two unequal forces did approach +each other it became evident that they must meet directly in front of +us. + +Soon the archers were engaged, and the deadly arrows flew through the +intervening space like hail. + +Our force, of seven thousand goodly warriors, was now drawn up in +lines, and the command was given to advance. + +Slowly did we march down towards the opposing armies that now were +engaged with the full fury of those that have received their baptism of +arrow's flight. As we drew near there was a temporary lull in the +clamour of the battle. Then we swung around and bore down upon the +Usurper's forces from the Earl of Richmond's side. + +Then was the heavy air rent asunder with loud, ringing cheers from +Richmond's men, and foul curses and shouts of defiance from the +Usurper's side. + +Now did the battle rage with a redoubled fury. The army of the valiant +Earl fought with the confidence of ultimate success; whilst Richard's +struggled on with desperation. Our archers fought side by side with +Richmond's foreigners. + +"God and St. George!" rang forth on every side above the battle's din. + +Then came the order which we knights had all been long awaiting. + +"Charge, gallant knights of England! A Richmond! A Richmond! +Victorious laurel crowns await us!" + +Then the long lances with their fluttering streamers bent all together +as they were laid in rest. How looked they like the full grown field +of grain as it doth bend before the hot blasts of summer. + +"Now, Walter, we must find Catesby!" cried Harleston. + +"Yea, _I_ must find him," I replied between my set teeth, as forward we +dashed. + +Michael gave one great cheer and then leaned forward with his mighty +sword, that took the strength of two good men to wield, held beside his +huge steed's neck. + +On we flew, whilst forward dashed a band of knights and squires to meet +us. + +"Charge! charge! charge!" rang out on every side. + +A crash!--curses,--cheers and groans! and then the sharp swords flashed +over head, and the shields rang out right lustily. + +My lance did resist the shock of the first encounter; the knight +against whom I aimed it going down before my furious charge as though +he had been a reed. + +Sharply I spurred my steed and dashed forward at another knight, which +bravely came on to meet me. Both lances shivered up to the very grasp. +Drawing my good sword I again made at him. Then came a terrible blow +upon my side, and I was shot from my saddle as a stone from a sling. +Some cowardly knave had borne down upon me from the right whilst I was +drawing my sword to attack my more worthy antagonist. His lance's +point had struck beneath mine arm, and 'twas to our good King Edward's +noble present that I owed my life. + +I must have been stunned for a moment; for the next thing I knew of was +a knee upon my chest and a visored face bending o'er me. + +"Now I will finish the work left incomplete when last we met." It was +Catesby. + +In his hand he held a dagger, and now he drew it back to strike. + +The only sensation I then felt was a curiosity to know how it would +feel to die. The stroke I cared not for; but yet I wondered, with a +kind of disinterestedness, how one would feel as the soul was parting +from the body. It must have been that my senses were still scattered, +or I had not acted thus. No resistance did I make; but with an +indifferent feeling awaited the fatal blow where my helm joined my +gorget. + +All this could not have taken more time than does the lightning to fly +across the heavens; for still the dagger stayed poised in the air. + +"Hark ye!" hissed Catesby in mine ear. + +"Take with thee this message unto Hell. Say that I, Catesby, did send +thee to thy master, and that, unless the fortunes of the day be +changed, I'll not be long behind thee." Then up higher flew the +threatening blade. Then did it start on its downward course. It never +reached my throat. A great hand seized mine enemy by the wrist; back +flew the dagger-grasping hand until the arm snapped like a dry stick. +Catesby flew into the air as though drawn by a mighty loadstone. Then +was he hurled to the ground again with stunning force, and my great +Michael kneeled beside me. + +"Art thou hurt, yer honour?" he asked anxiously. + +"Nay, Michael; I got but a sudden fall that dazed me. 'Twas for a +moment only; now again do I feel a man." And with Michael's assistance +I arose to my feet. + +Then Catesby stirred, and Michael was upon him in an instant; dagger in +hand, and drawn back for the fatal blow. + +"Hold! hold, Michael! slay him not! I must question him!" I cried. + +"Uh! bad luck to me fer a blunderin' fool; sure we must foind out whare +he has the dear lady kipt, ere we send the varmint to roast in sulphur." + +"Come, Master Catesby, our late respective positions are now reversed," +said I calmly and distinctly, that my speech might be clear to his +dazed senses. "Dost hear me?" + +In a feeble voice, and with the use of many curses intermixed with +groans, he answered that he did. + +"Before thou diest thou shalt have an opportunity for the making of +some slight restitution for the many wrongs that thou hast done to me. +Tell me where I may find the Lady Hazel." + +He raised himself up and leaned on his well arm, whilst the other did +hang limp and twisted at his side. + +"And what shall I receive for the telling of this to thee?" + +"The weight of one good act to place opposite to the great load of evil +on the scales of justice, when thou dost shortly appear before the seat +of judgment." + +"Ha, ha, ha!" loud did he laugh. "And dost thou then think that I am +bereft of reason, to thus fling from me all that I do possess wherewith +to buy my life? Nay, unless thou dost spare my life, thou mayest +search from now until thy death, ere thou dost find the lady that thou +seekest." + +I held my dagger to his throat, but still he did hold his secret fast. + +"Thy miserable life is then spared, for the present, if thou dost tell +me where the lady is." + +"And wilt thou forbid yon demon from murdering me?" + +"Thou shalt not be harmed by either of us; but for thy treatment at the +hands of the Earl of Richmond I cannot speak. + +"Agreed! my life shall rest upon the hazard of this battle, as it did +ere we met this day." + +"Remember, if thou liest it shall be thy last; for thou dost still +remain my prisoner." + +"Go then unto the Town of Leicester--if thou ever canst--and within the +Sanctuary near Grey Friars' Church thou shalt find the lady. There was +she sent from the house in which I left thee, and there did I obtain +admittance for her. I have not seen her since thou hast; but last +evening I went unto the place and gave strict orders that there she +must be kept until I sent or came for her. Thou canst not get her out +without this ring. Here, draw it from my finger." + +This I did, and then I commanded Michael to take him to the rear of +Richmond's army. + +I felt no fear of Catesby's escape; for he might as well have tried to +escape from the unrelenting gates of Hell, as from the mighty Michael. + +The battle raged not nearby where I stood; but down at the marsh the +fight was at its thickest. Hastily did I secure a horse, and I spurred +him hard as I made for Richmond's standard. + +The royal banner of England now dashed forward, and the two flags were +well nigh together. + +"This now must be the finish," cried I, as I waved my good sword in +circles round my head. + +Then came there forward, like a thunderbolt, Sir William Stanley's +gallant horsemen, and rode abreast with me. + +Down sank the gallant standard of the noble Earl, as Richard himself +smote to the ground Sir William Brandon, who had carried it. Another +knight sprang forward from the side of Richmond and faced the desperate +tyrant. He met the same fate as Brandon. Richmond waved his sword in +defiance of the boar, and the two men were like to meet; but I got +betwixt them and caught Richard's blow upon my shield. + +"Ha! Bradley! Escaped, runagate traitor! Have at thee!" + +Again did I catch his savage blow, and this time I gave him my straight +point beneath his helm. + +At that very moment another good knight dashed in and, as he saw +Richard strike at me, he thought that I was Richmond. His bright blade +flashed through the air and struck the tyrant fair upon his helmed +head. Two such fierce blows, falling both at once, drove Richard from +his saddle as though a bolt from Heaven had struck him. + +Down from my steed I sprang, and with my dagger clipped the laces of +his headpiece. Already the eyes were rolled far back, and stared up +blindly at me. Not a quiver stirred his frame. He had died in the +twinkling of an eye. + +The sun now rent asunder the clouds of Heaven, as had the two flashing +swords torn the darkest clouds that had surrounded us all for so long a +time, and the whole field was filled with brightness. Mayhap it was +the resounding shouts of victory of our now half-crazed army that did +rend the heavy clouds; for one could scarce hear himself cheer, so loud +were the shouts of gladness all around us. + +The remnant of the dead tyrant's force--for above four thousand had +been slain--offered no further resistance, and the great majority of +them did join in and cheer for the victorious Earl. + +Then Harleston grasped my hand. His visor was raised up and his face +was flushed with pleasure and exertion. + +"Well, Bradley, our oath, made to King Edward, hath been kept; we have +revenged the murder of his little son." + +It was he who had struck down Richard at the same moment as had I. + +Richmond dismounted and, kneeling, he thanked God for his great +victory. Then he arose and grasped both Harleston and me by the hands, +and heartily he thanked us for the part that we had played. + +Sir William Stanley now advanced to where the Earl of Richmond stood. +In his hand he carried the light, gold crown that had been worn by +Richard in the battle. This he placed upon the victor's head, and then +we all knelt down and cried:--"God save King Henry!" Then, as do the +waters spread out in ever widening circling waves after a stone hath +been dropped through their smooth surface, the cries of:--"God save +King Henry!" swept throughout the whole delirious army. + +"Great God, I thank thee for this bounteous gift presented by the hands +of these, thy faithful servants," said Henry devoutly, as again he +kneeled. + +"May I rule this, my fair, native land with justice, and under thy +direction." + +Then again we all arose, and deafening cheers swept with redoubled +vigour over the plains of Redmoor. + +"Throw yon bloody carrion across the back of some degraded horse, and +then on to Leicester, where we will spend the night," said the King, as +he pointed to Richard's body. + +Frederick and I had little difficulty in finding Michael; for during +the preceding scene he had forced his way through the crowd and stood +near behind us. We then joined in with the guards of our new sovereign +and rode on to Leicester, with hearts lighter than they had been for +many a long, black day; and yet with anxious minds, as we wondered +whether Catesby had told the truth or no. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII + +CONCLUSION + +When we reached our destination we handed Catesby over to the proper +authorities, and from that time we had naught to do with his fate. + +We hastened by the shortest way to the Grey Friars' Church, and from +there, when we had been directed, we went to the Sanctuary. + +Catesby had spoken the truth; the ring that I had taken from his finger +gained for us admittance. + +At first Hazel refused to see us, and prayed protection of the church +folk. + +Then I remembered me, and sent unto her our names. Instantly then were +we admitted into her presence, and happy reunion took the place of +torturous separation and maddening anxiety. + +"Come now, art happy and content?" I asked, when our joyous greeting +had gone the rounds. + +"Yes, yes, so happy now, dear;--but how are thine ears?" she broke in +suddenly. + +"Tush! 'twas a mere nothing; he but cut off the skin." + +However, she would not be content until I had taken off my helm and she +had redressed the slight wounds. + +"But what became of him?" she asked, as a shudder ran through her +frame. "I have not seen him since he was torturing thee. The next I +knew I was within a closed, wheeled litter, travelling at a fearful +pace, and this woman here, beside me. I tried to get out, but could +not. Armed men rode all around the litter. Steadily did we travel on, +stopping but seldom to get fresh horses, food, and some little rest, +until we reached this place. Here have I been locked up and treated as +a mad woman." + +"The fiend!" I cried. + +"Yes, Catesby had evidently been here and told them that I was his mad +sister, which thought I was another, and this woman here hath been my +keeper since I came." + +I walked over to where the woman--an old hag--was crouched on a bench +in a corner, trembling with fear. + +"Thou mayest leave this place at once, madam," I said, "and thank God, +which made thee so, that thou hast at least the sex of a woman. + +"Your master is now the prisoner of our new King Henry, and, unless the +aforesaid King be of more forgiving nature than I think, Catesby shall +soon be with his master, the usurping tyrant, Richard, which is even +now in Hell's consuming fire." + +"Oh, poor Sir William!" she wailed. "Ah, sir! I nursed him at my +breast, and ever since have I been his servant. Oh! save him, sir! I +know he did have his faults; but still do I love and serve him, as +though he were mine own. For God's sake, sir, speak but a word to your +new King, and thou canst save him! Return good for evil, now that thou +hast the power!" and she knelt at my feet and threw her arms about my +legs. + +"Strange," thought I, "that even such a villain as is Catesby hath some +one who loves him." Then aloud I said:--"It must not be. My wrongs +are not the only ones that he must answer for. Catesby hath writ a +volume of misdeeds, and the whole world hath perused them. No man can +stop the bad effects of these in other ways than by the suppression of +the one that doeth them." + +"Wilt thou not have mercy on him, Walter dear?" asked the +tender-hearted maid which now clung to my side. + +I started in surprise. "What! dost thou plead for Catesby?" I asked. + +"Nay, not for him; but for this old woman here. She hath done naught +but obey her master. Save the knave, Walter, for this old woman's +sake. We can now afford to be generous, Walter dear; now that all +danger is past. Besides, he can do no harm, and mayhap your generosity +will show him the evil of his acts, and he will then repent," and she +stroked my cheek coaxingly. + +Truly, a woman is the most unfathomable work of God. Here was this +maid, quick as a hornet to resent a wrong, and yet forgiving as a dove +when the danger had passed. + +I hesitated; but her tender eyes were on me, and I could not resist +their wondrous charm. + +"Well,--I will see what may be done," I replied slowly, and with great +reluctance. "But remember, I have little thought that he can avoid the +block, or halter." + +Then I went unto the King's headquarters and told him my request. + +"What, Bradley! spare the life of Catesby; the man that so hath wronged +thee? By the light of Heaven! my long sojourn across the channel hath +made me to forget the nature of an English gentleman! But may I ask +your reason for this strange request?" he asked more seriously. + +I told him. + +"'Tis but an old woman's whim; but even so I had been glad to grant +thee this request; but thou art too late. His head was stricken off +but a few moments before thou earnest." + +"Thank Gawd!" growled Michael from the door, whither he had followed, +as faithful as my shadow. + +"And is this a friend of thine?" asked the King. + +"Ay, your Majesty, he is my noble squire. To him, your Grace, do I owe +my life a score of times." And then I told him of the worthy Irishman. + +When I came to the part that Michael had played that day the King +exclaimed:-- + +"What! captured Catesby! Kneel down my faithful subject. What is thy +name?" + +"Moichael O'Brien, yer Majesty." + +The King drew forth his sword and laid it upon the mighty shoulder. +"Arise, Sir Michael O'Brien." + +Still did not Michael stand; but merely raised his head and stared in +bewilderment at the King. + +"Come, Sir Michael, let me be the first to congratulate thee on thy +distinction," said I, as I grasped his hand and raised him to his feet. + +He could not speak, but looked his surprise and thanks more eloquently +than could have been expressed by a whole volume of words. + +When we reached the Sanctuary I informed the old hag that I had been +too late to save Catesby. + +How she howled and chattered like a mad creature, and Hazel, like the +dear forgiving angel that she hath ever been, comforted this old woman +with soft, soothing words, and at last succeeded in quieting her. The +old woman was then led off to another room, and since that day I never +have beheld her. And for this I am thankful; for I could not look upon +her without mixed emotions of hate and sympathy struggling within my +heart. + +The next morning the dead tyrant was buried, and Frederick, Michael, +and I went to Grey Friars' Church to look the last upon the one on +which the result of our oath made to his brother had fallen. I touched +his hand. In death he was as cold as a salamander, and 'tis like his +soul was in that place where this peculiar beast best flourishes. + +"Richard succeeded better than I thought possible, when he drew in the +ship of power," said Harleston. "But when the sailors found what kind +of captain they did have to rule them they mutinied and killed their +tyrant master." + +"His tower of crime did fall, and it crushed its builder, as thou +saidst it should," said I. + +"Yes," replied Frederick. + +Then he continued in his musing way; his head bowed in thought. + +"We are all but dry leaves, lying upon the ground of time. The gust of +life doth come along, and it hurls us some distance from the earth. On +we travel for a short space; some of us sailing higher than the others. +The breeze dies out, and we all do fall back to the same low level." + +The truth of Harleston's words was made most clear to me then, as I +gazed upon the corpse of him who had been, but a short time since, a +King, and now was a cold lump of earth, such as we all must be. + +We then went to ask the King for his permission for us to return to +Westminster with the Lady Hazel. + +His Majesty received us in a most friendly manner, and granted us the +desired permission. + +"I suppose," said he, as we were leaving his presence, "that I need not +ask thee, Sir Walter, nor thee, Sir Frederick, to remain at my court +when I do reach London; for I have heard of two fair maidens which ye +do intend to make your wives. Well, ye are both right, and, when the +Government hath been set in order, I do intend to follow your worthy +example, and wed the fair, budding young Elizabeth. Ye both have my +heartiest wishes of the happiness that ye have won through many dark +days of misery, and by your gallant acts in the liberating of England +from a rule of tyranny. Never doubt but that ye ever shall live in my +memory, or that I ever will neglect some small reward for noble service +rendered." + +"Thanks, thanks, your Majesty!" we replied. + +"And if your Grace doth ever require--the which pray God ye never +may--two trusty swords, thou shalt never be compelled to send an order +for them," said Harleston with a heartiness that could not be mistaken. + +"Well do I know that, sirs." Then turning to the gigantic fresh-dubbed +knight, he said:-- + +"Sir Michael, thou hast no love that will keep thee from remaining with +us at the Palace?" + +The mighty man started, and looked imploringly at the King, and then +hopelessly at me; yet spoke he not a word. + +"Come, Sir Michael," said I, "speak freely your mind to his Majesty. +He is not the tyrant Richard, that ever hated men to give their honest +thoughts expression." + +Still did he hesitate and grew more confused with each breath. + +"Ah! I see the trouble, and I think none the less of thee for thy +feeling," said the King, with admiration in his voice and manner, as he +walked to where Michael stood and put his hand upon the honest +shoulder. "Thou dost still wish to abide with your old master, and yet +fear to displease me with refusing my request. Come, am I not right?" + +"Sure, that's the houle truth o' the thing, yer Majesty." + +"Then go with Sir Walter, my good friend. Such loyalty doth raise thee +in mine estimation. I know full well that should I ever need thee, +thou wilt flash thy good sword betwixt the two of these good friends." + +"Oi thank yer Majesty." + +"Farewell, my faithful friends. In London soon I hope to see ye all." + +As we left the room in which this interview took place I felt a great +lump rise up in my throat, as I thought of my faithful Michael's +loyalty. No word did I speak unto him; but I took his great hand in +mine and pressed it hard. + +Right after dinner we set out for Westminster and proceeded rapidly, +until we reached the Sanctuary late in the second day following. + +Joyous then was our reunion. The girls, the Queen and her daughters +embraced, laughed and wept, whilst we men, which have no part in such +scenes, stood and looked uncomfortably on. + +The next day, without preparation, there took place in the chapel of +the Sanctuary a double wedding, in which the fair-haired Mary and the +gallant Frederick, and the dark-eyed Hazel and your most humble father +and grandfather, played the important parts; whilst the ex-Queen and +her daughters, together with the great Michael, lent right noble +assistance. The priests prayed; the soft voices of the choir sang +forth in tender harmony. We were blessed, and then walked from the +chapel, with the sweet music lingering like a love kiss in our ears. + +'Twas as we walked forth that Harleston and I both drew from our +doublets--as we had foreplanned we would--the remembrances that the +girls had given us long days before in the park at Windsor. These we +returned to them, and they laughed and kissed them and re-gave them +unto us. + +Still have we both those tokens; and mine doth now lie before me as I +pen these words. I take it up and kiss it tenderly, and a tear drops +down upon it. + +Place that small glove, my children, in my grave and on my +death-stilled heart when I am gone. + + * * * * * + +The King forgot not the service we had rendered him upon that misty +plain of Redmoor. A handsome wedding portion did he send to both the +girls, although they did not need it. And when, later in his reign, he +did acquire the habit of imposing heavy fines upon all of his subjects, +both Harleston and myself escaped "as though by magic," as said some of +our friends. + + * * * * * + +And now the tale is told, and all that for me remains to do is sit with +folded hands beside that dear grey head before the blazing fire, and +talk away the winter's day. And in the hot summer's evenings stroll, +with that same dear trusting hand upon mine arm, that for sixty years +hath been there, beneath the old oaks of dear Bradley House. And when +your dear cousins, Harleston, and your Uncle Frederick and Aunt +Mary--as ye do call them--come over to spend with us a quiet evening, +we all do sit upon the great lawn and talk the setting sun into his +rest. + +And now but a word of the great Michael, which ye all do love so +dearly. Mayhap ye never have heard the reason why we do not call him +"Sir." It was at his own request that we did drop the distinction. + +"Sure, yer honour," said he to me one day, "if ye playze, wouldst thou +moind if Oi axed thee to not call me 'Sor'?" + +"But for why, my good friend?" + +"Uh! sure sor it doesn't sound roight to moy ears, and maketh me to +fale a stranger to thee, sor. Playze, sor, give unto me back moy ould +name and Oi'll fale more loike moysilf." + +That, my dears, is the reason why the great man who hath ever lived +with us, and carried ye all on his mighty shoulders, hath ever been +known unto ye all as plain, old, faithful Michael. + +And so, like the harmonious voices of a choir, we five are singing the +last, sweet, trembling note. It is dying softly out; but with a +tender, holy peacefulness. + + + + +THE END + + + + +NOTE.--Sir Walter Bradley's chronicle differs, in some parts, from the +histories of the majority of the writers of his time. His most +important contradictions of his contemporaries are:-- + +His description of the taking of Berwick--which place, the other +authorities state, was besieged for several weeks, by land and sea, +before it fell. + +The death of King Edward--which event, other chroniclers state, took +place at Westminster, not Windsor. + +The escape to France of the little Duke of York, who, it is more +generally believed, was murdered with his brother, in the Tower. + +On all other important points Sir Walter's statements are corroborated +by his contemporaries. + +K.M. + + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of With Ring of Shield, by Knox Magee + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WITH RING OF SHIELD *** + +***** This file should be named 32874.txt or 32874.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/2/8/7/32874/ + +Produced by Al Haines + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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