"Marriages do not count for much, mother. Another of Warwick's
daughters married Clarence, Edward's brother, and yet he purposes
to dethrone Edward."

The queen gave an angry gesture and said, "You have my permission
to retire, Edward. I am in no mood to listen to auguries of evil
at the present moment."

The prince hesitated for a moment as if about to speak, but with an
effort controlled himself, and bowing deeply to his mother, left
the room.

"Edward is in a perverse humour," the queen said in a tone of much
vexation to Sir Thomas Tresham, when Gervaise had left the room.
"However, I know he will bear himself well when the hour of trial
comes."

"That I can warrant he will, madam; he has a noble character, frank
and fearless, and yet thoughtful beyond his years. He will make,
I believe, a noble king, and may well gather round him all parties
in the state. But your Majesty must make excuses for his humour.
Young people are strong in their likes and dislikes. He has never
heard you speak aught but ill of Warwick, and he knows how much
harm the Earl has done to your House. The question of expediency
does not weigh with the young as with their elders. While you see
how great are the benefits that will accrue from an alliance with
Warwick, and are ready to lay aside the hatred of years and to
forget the wrongs you have suffered, the young prince is unable so
quickly to forget that enmity against the Earl that he has learnt