Part 10 (2/2)

When these co in, Lord Rivers, Sir Richard Grey and I were kept busy inspecting the them properly equipped

By the end of one e had an army of above ten thousand n, and others were co 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 inforranted so soon as entleer of the Queen

When Rivers heard this he arose hurriedly and ordered hiine my surprise when in walked Harleston

He had never met Lord Rivers, so I presented him

He handed a packet to his lordshi+p, with the words:--”Froreat 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 land, 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 s at court since I had left And these, as you shall hear, were of idom

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 doas 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 ed 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 ht it was not well to let this et 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 hen I sent word untoforce and conduct my son to London,” said the Queen, with a look of anxiety

Gloucester see 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 ar's person were not safe without this strong protection Thinkest thou it had not been better to have consulted with Lord Hastings, and so a step so idom? 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