St. John and De Fulke, you shall teach us how your fathers led
warriors who did not fight more gallantly than we will. And when
rebellion is at rest, when we meet again in our suzerain's hall,
accuse us new men, if you can find us faulty, and we will answer you
as we best may."

This address, which could have come from no man with such effect as
from Hastings, touched all present. And though the Woodvilles, father
and son, saw in it much to gall their pride, and half believed it a
snare for their humiliation, they made no opposition. Raoul de Fulke,
ever generous as fiery, stretched forth his hand, and said,--

"Lord Hastings, you have spoken well. Be it as the king wills."

"My lords," returned Edward, gayly, "my will is that ye be friends
while a foe is in the field. Hasten, then, I beseech you, one and
all, to raise your vassals, and join our standard at Fotheringay. I
will find ye posts that shall content the bravest."

The king made a sign to break up the conference, and dismissing even
the Woodvilles, was left alone with Hastings.

"Thou hast served me at need, Will;" said the king. "But I shall
remember" (and his eye flashed a tiger's fire) "the mouthing of those
mock-pieces of the lords at Runnymede. I am no John, to be bearded by
my vassals. Enough of them now. Think you Warwick can have abetted
this revolt?"

"A revolt of peasants and yeomen! No, sire. If he did so, farewell
forever to the love the barons bear him."