excitement than the first siege of Rhodes, which I have chosen
for the subject of my story.

Yours truly, G. A. Henty



CHAPTER I The King Maker


A stately lady was looking out of the window of an apartment
in the Royal Chateau of Amboise, in the month of June, 1470. She
was still handsome, though many years of anxiety, misfortune, and
trouble, had left their traces on her face. In the room behind
her, a knight was talking to a lady sitting at a tambour frame;
a lad of seventeen was standing at another window stroking a hawk
that sat on his wrist, while a boy of nine was seated at a table
examining the pages of an illuminated missal.

"What will come of it, Eleanor?" the lady at the window said,
turning suddenly and impatiently from it. "It seems past belief
that I am to meet as a friend this haughty earl, who has for fifteen
years been the bitterest enemy of my House. It appears almost
impossible."

"'Tis strange indeed, my Queen; but so many strange things have
befallen your Majesty that you should be the last to wonder at
this. At any rate, as you said but yesterday, naught but good can
come of it. He has done his worst against you, and one can scarce
doubt that if he chooses he has power to do as much good for you,