while assuredly your adherents would stand aloof altogether
from such a struggle. Powerful as he is, Warwick could not alone
withstand the united forces of all the nobles pledged to the support
of the House of York. Thence, as I take it, does it happen that
he has resolved to throw in his lot with Lancaster, if your Majesty
will but forgive the evil he has done your House and accept him as
your ally. No doubt he will have terms to make and conditions to
lay down."

"He may make what conditions he chooses," Queen Margaret said
passionately, "so that he does but aid me to take vengeance on
that false traitor; to place my husband again on the throne; and
to obtain for my son his rightful heritage."

As she spoke a trumpet sounded in the courtyard below.

"He has come," she exclaimed. "Once again, after years of misery
and humiliation, I can hope."

"We had best retire, madam," Sir Thomas Tresham said. "He will
speak more freely to your Majesty if there are no witnesses. Come,
Gervaise, it is time that you practised your exercises." And Sir
Thomas, with his wife and child, quitted the room, leaving Queen
Margaret with her son to meet the man who had been the bitterest
foe of her House, the author of her direst misfortunes.

For two hours the Earl of Warwick was closeted with the queen;
then he took horse and rode away. As soon as he did so, a servant
informed Sir Thomas and his wife that the queen desired their
presence. Margaret was standing radiant when they entered.