Montagu as that which would make the influence irresistible and
permanent--"Beau sire," resumed Hastings, "Lord Warwick is beloved by
the people, because they consider him maltreated; he is esteemed by
the people, because they consider him above all bribe; he is venerated
by the people, because they believe that in all their complaints and
struggles he is independent (he alone) of the king. Instead of love,
I would raise envy; for instead of cold countenance I would heap him
with grace. Instead of esteem and veneration I would raise suspicion;
for I would so knit him to your House, that he could not stir hand or
foot against you; I would make his heirs your brothers. The Duke of
Clarence hath married one daughter,--wed the other to Lord Richard.
Betroth your young princess to Montagu's son, the representative of
all the Neviles. The earl's immense possessions must thus ultimately
pass to your own kindred. The earl himself will be no longer a power
apart from the throne, but a part of it. The barons will chafe
against one who half ceases to be of their order, and yet monopolizes
their dignities; the people will no longer see in the earl their
champion, but a king's favourite and deputy. Neither barons nor
people will flock to his banner."

"All this is well and wise," said Edward, musing; "but meanwhile my
queen's blood? Am I to reign in a solitude?--for look you, Hastings,
you know well that, uxorious as fools have deemed me, I had purpose
and design in the elevation of new families; I wished to raise a fresh
nobility to counteract the pride of the old, and only upon new nobles
can a new dynasty rely."

"My Lord, I will not anger you again; but still, for a while, the
queen's relations will do well to retire."