Part 12 (1/2)
We spent the greater part of that afternoon in walking through the town of Ludlohich 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 , for his permission to leave for London that day, as I had private business to attend to
However, ain 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-; 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 lordshi+p did intend to set out so soon”
Early the next oodly train, though not an arentle but a small body of men-at-arms This made it possible for us to travel at a rapid pace, as the whole folloas entle betwixt his uncle and his half brother Harleston and I rode immediately behind his Majesty, and ere followed by a score of other gentleht up the rear
At every hah, the people lined each side of the road and cheered and blessed their young King The boy, pleased with these de well filled, as e started on our journey
I had thought our progress should have been greater, and therefore was ih in reality ere travelling rapidly, considering the nuers were sent ahead to infor Sovereign would soon pass through, so that the townsfolk limpse of the child In several of these places ere coed, most briefly, the demonstrations in his honour
Then would we hasten on, that we ht make up for the time thus lost
On the fourth afternoon a horseh he had ridden hard and far, met us When he drew rein he disreat show of respect
When asked his business, he arose and replied by handing a packet unto Lord Rivers, with the words:--”Frohness, the Duke of Gloucester”
Rivers hastily opened thehurriedly over its contents, said to the hness, with my complier 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, ere again on our way
”He inforham, attended by a noble train, await your Majesty at Northampton,” replied his uncle
So we rode on in silence for soain spoke ”I fear, Edward,” said he, ”that Northaht will then be fallen, and we shall be coo 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 soe 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 acco of the ways, and the young Edas to separate from his uncle, he put his slender arms around River's neck and euess as in store for his dear relative and teacher
The sun was now getting low, so we proceeded rapidly on our journey
When ere yet about a ha The sun had been for so on her black sleeping-robe We rode alnize them Rivers at once made himself known, and thus addressed Gloucester:--”Itaken the liberty of sending the King on to Stony Stratford, there to spend the night I feared Northampton could not accoether with thy following, and his Grace of Buckingham's”