I am not of his household nor was it his business that brought me here."

"What brought you to Pontefract then, Sir Knight?" said Richard
sternly. "As Buckingham's messenger you have received due honor; that
aside, your name alone commends you."

"I sought Pontefract," De Lacy replied, "for the single purpose of
tendering my sword to the Duke of Gloucester, hoping in his service to
brighten the dimmed lustre of my House."

Not for an instant did the searching eyes of Richard leave the young
Knight's face.

"Why do you prefer the Boar of Gloucester to the Stafford Knot?
Buckingham is most puissant."

"A De Lacy, my lord," answered Aymer proudly, "follows none but
Plantagenet."

"Bravely spoken," said Gloucester, suddenly dropping his stern air,
"and worthy of the great name you bear. I accept your sword. Nay,
kneel not, sir; Richard Plantagenet deems himself most fortunate to
have you at his side."

At that moment the arras was drawn aside and a young and slender woman
entered. Her gown was black, unrelieved by any color, save the girdle
of gold; her face was almost flawless in its symmetry; her complexion
was of a wondrous whiteness; and her eyes, of the deepest blue, soft
and melting, and shaded by lashes long and heavy, were of the sort that
bespeak the utmost confidence and know no guile. She hesitated as she