Court and played his part there. I believe that he has talent. The prior
of St. Alwyth said that he and young Ormskirk were by far his most
promising pupils; of course, the latter has now ceased to study with him,
having learned as much as is necessary for a gentleman to know if he be
not intended for the Church. Albert is well aware what your wishes are,
and that if you have said naught against his taking up that profession, it
was but because you deemed him fit for no other. Now, you will see that,
having done so much, he may well do more, and it may be that in time he
may himself speak to you and tell you that he has changed his mind on the
matter."

"Perhaps it would be best so, dame, and I have good hope that it will be
as you say. I care not much for the Court, where Lancaster and Gloucester
overshadow the king. Still, a man can play his part there; though I would
not that he should attach himself to Lancaster's faction or to
Gloucester's, for both are ambitious, and it will be a struggle between
them for supremacy. If he goes he shall go as a king's man. Richard, as he
grows up, will resent the tutelage in which he is held, but will not be
able to shake it off, and he will need men he can rely upon--prudent and
good advisers, the nearer to his own age the better, and it may well be
that Albert would be like to gain rank and honour more quickly in this way
than by doughty deeds in the field. It is good that each man should stick
to his last. As for me, I would rather delve as a peasant than mix in the
intrigues of a Court. But there must be courtiers as well as fighters, and
I say not aught against them.

"The boy with his quiet voice, and his habit of going about making little
more noise than a cat, is far better suited for such a life than I with my
rough speech and fiery temper. For his manner he has also much to thank
young Ormskirk. Edgar caught it from his father, who, though a strange man