"He has his father's face--well," said the earl, softly. "But yet,"
he added, in an altered and reflective tone, "the boy is to me a
riddle. That he will be bold in battle and wise in council I foresee;
but would he had more of a young man's honest follies! There is a
medium between Edward's wantonness and Richard's sanctimony; and he
who in the heyday of youth's blood scowls alike upon sparkling wine
and smiling woman, may hide in his heart darker and more sinful
fancies. But fie on me! I will not wrongfully mistrust his father's
son. Thou spokest of Montagu; he seems to have been mighty cold to
his brother's wrongs,--ever at the court, ever sleek with Villein and
Woodville."

"But the better to watch thy interests,--I so counselled him."

"A priest's counsel! Hate frankly or love freely is a knight's and
soldier's motto. A murrain on all doubledealing!"

The archbishop shrugged his shoulders, and applied to his nostrils a
small pouncet-box of dainty essences.

"Come hither, my haughty Isabel," said the prelate, as the demoiselles
now drew near. He placed his niece's arm within his own, and took her
aside to talk of Clarence; Richard remained with Anne, and the young
cousins were joined by Warwick. The earl noted in silence the soft
address of the eloquent prince, and his evident desire to please Anne.
And strange as it may seem, although he had hitherto regarded Richard
with admiration and affection, and although his pride for both
daughters coveted alliances not less than royal, yet, in contemplating
Gloucester for the first time as a probable suitor to his daughter
(and his favourite daughter), the anxiety of a father sharpened his