Earl. He evidently did not know what to make of the
Duke's open-hearted manner; and for that, no more did I.

"Why, I am certain ye are not mine enemies; therefore ye must be
friends," said Richard. He was laughing now, and acting as though
Rivers had ever been the best friend he had on Earth.

"I meant not that, my Lord," said the King's uncle; "I have ever
accounted myself among thy faithful servants."

"Nay, not so," replied the Prince. "Because it happened that I had the
misfortune to be born so high it does not follow that all men must be
my servants. What! wouldst thou deprive me of the privilege which the
meanest slave may have, take away my dear friends, and turn them into
servants? God forfend!" said he solemnly, as he clasped his hands and
turned his eyes to Heaven. "No, let me to-night be plain Gloucester.
Let no man call me Prince. To-night I'll have none of, 'Your Royal
Highness,' or, 'Your Grace,' or, 'My Lord Duke,' or, 'My Lord,' or
anything that might indicate a title. This must ye swear solemnly, or
I will take it that ye do not love me. Come now, swear that ye four
will not address me this evening by other name than 'Gloucester.'"

So we all laughingly did what he had asked. I could not explain this
jovial conduct by other means than that the Prince and Buckingham had
been wetting their palates too freely ere they rode forth to meet us.

We did not leave the table until the bell had rung out the hour of
midnight.

"Gloucester," said I--for so we all did call him--"wouldst thou not
like a game at dice?"

"In faith I would that same, my friend," replied the Prince.

So we went back to the table and played until the sun began to flash
its rays against the fragments of ragged clouds and set them all ablaze.

I won rapidly from the Duke, and when we left the table my purse
contained every gold piece that he had with him, besides some that he
had borrowed from Buckingham, who did not play.

Richard took his losses all in good part.

"Why, Bradley, thou art a veritable giant at the dice. I have been
told that my fortune at the game is good; but thou dost put me to
shame." And so he rattled on, showing nothing but his overflow of
spirit.

Now and then would he turn to Lord Rivers and enquire how he did fare
with Harleston.

My friend had no such good fortune as had I. When he left the table he
and Rivers stood about the same as when we started.

"Thou hast won everything, Bradley