shall meet them ere long at Middleham."

"It is a strange way to raise an army," said the archbishop, dryly,
"to begin by getting rid of all the force one possesses!"

"Brother," answered the earl, "I would fain show my son-in-law, who
may be the father of a line of kings, that a general may be helpless
at the head of thousands, but that a man may stand alone who has the
love of a nation."

"May Clarence profit by the lesson! Where is he all this while?"

"Abed," said the stout earl, with a slight accent of disdain; and
then, in a softer voice, he added, "youth is ever luxurious. Better
the slow man than the false one."

Leaving Warwick to discharge the duty enjoined him, we follow the
dissimulating king.




CHAPTER VI.

WHAT BEFALLS KING EDWARD ON HIS ESCAPE FROM OLNEY.

As soon as Edward was out of sight of the spire of Olney, he slackened
his speed, and beckoned Hastings to his side.

"Dear Will," said the king, "I have thought over thy counsel, and will