Count de la Roche was his guest. And therefore you may trust me when I
say now that Edward, after promises, however rash, most solemn and
binding, is dishonoured forever if he break off the contract. New
circumstances, too, have arisen, to make what were dishonour danger
also. By the death of his father, Charolois has succeeded to the Duke
of Burgundy's diadem. Thou knowest his warlike temper; and though in
a contest popular in England we need fear no foe, yet thou knowest
also that no subsidies could be raised for strife with our most
profitable commercial ally. Wherefore we earnestly implore thee
magnanimously to forgive the past, accept Edward's assurance of
repentance, and be thy thought--as it has been ever--the weal of our
common country."

"I may add, also," said the archbishop, observing how much Warwick was
touched and softened,--"that in returning to the helm of state, our
gracious king permits me to say, that, save only in the alliance with
Burgundy, which toucheth his plighted word, you have full liberty to
name conditions, and to ask whatever grace or power a monarch can
bestow."

"I name none but my prince's confidence," said Warwick, generously;
"in that, all else is given, and in return for that, I will make the
greatest sacrifice that my nature knoweth, or can conceive,--I will
mortify my familiar demon, I will subdue my PRIDE. If Edward can
convince me that it is for the good of England that his sister should
wed with mine ancient and bitter foe, I will myself do honour to his
choice. But of this hereafter. Enough now that I forget past wrongs
in present favour; and that for peace or war, I return to the side of
that man whom I loved as my son before I served him as my king."