hood from me,
and I wept.

I have no recollection of any other man ever having raised himself so
much in mine estimation, in so short a time, as did Lord Rivers, when
comforting our little Sovereign. I had always heard that he was a
kind-hearted gentleman, and one of great refinement and education; but
I had never known him, except most slightly. The kind and gentle
manner of the man drew me to him at once.

"Weep not, my dear," said he. "I know how thy heart must ache for the
loss of so noble and kind a parent. Be assured, Edward, we all do feel
the loss most keenly. But think of thy poor mother, and how she must
ache at heart. Remember, now it is your duty to comfort her. A great
responsibility hath fallen upon thee. Think of that and call up thy
courage and determination. Remember the motto which I taught to
thee:--'Do but screw up thy resolution, and all things can be
overcome;' yea, even thy sorrow."

So he kept on, until he had quieted the child, which sat himself down
and, resting his chin upon his hand, gazed thoughtfully out of the
window. I could read the boy's thought. He was looking far away to
Windsor, and the Palace there. He saw his mother and his dear father
as he had last seen them. His sire took him in his arms and kissed
him, ere he mounted his little palfrey to ride to Ludlow with his
uncle. And now all should be changed. When he should arrive at the
Palace his mother alone would meet him, and there would be tears in her
eyes. I knew his mind was drawing the sad picture: and yet, had he but
known what the reality was to be, he had rather stayed where he was,
safe with his uncle, on the borders of Wales--of which he had
heretofore been the Prince, but was now its King--than to have returned
unto his mother. Then his Majesty moved, and this did break my
reverie. I remembered my mission; so I walked across the room to
Rivers, and handed him the Queen's letter, with an expression of regret
for my forgetfulness. He waved mine apologies aside, with the best
show of grace, thus showing his smooth and gentle nature. Indeed,
during all the too short time I had the pleasure in being in this man's
company I never saw him lose temper: and yet, remember, he was one of
England's ablest warriors.

"What meaneth this?" he broke out suddenly. "'Levy an army, and march
to London with the King, my son,'" he read aloud. "Why, Sir Walter,
are things not well at Windsor?"

"As well as may be,