CHAPTER IV.

THE NORMAN EARL AND THE SAXON DEMAGOGUE CONFER.

On leaving the camp, Warwick rode in advance of his train, and his
countenance was serious and full of thought. At length, as a turn in
the road hid the little band from the view of the rebels, the earl
motioned to Marmaduke to advance with his prisoner. The young Nevile
then fell back, and Robin and Warwick rode breast to breast out of
hearing of the rest.

"Master Hilyard, I am well content that my brother, when you fell into
his hands, spared your life out of gratitude for the favour you once
showed to mine."

"Your noble brother, my lord," answered Robin, dryly, "is, perhaps,
not aware of the service I once rendered you. Methinks he spared me
rather, because, without me, an enterprise which has shaken the
Woodvilles from their roots around the throne, and given back England
to the Neviles, had been nipped in the bud!--Your brother is a deep
thinker!"

"I grieve to hear thee speak thus of the Lord Montagu. I know that he
hath wilier devices than become, in my eyes, a well-born knight and a
sincere man; but he loves his king, and his ends are juster than his
means. Master Hilyard, enough of the past evil. Some months after