e of suspicion in Rivers' face as he made
this reply; but if it had been there at all it left as quickly as it
came.

Harleston, however, gave one quick glance, and mine old opinion of our
host returned with a redoubled force.

"Well," said Richard, "cousin Buckingham and I have no mean following,
and when it is added to that which already attends his Majesty methinks
that Lord Hastings had best keep his tongue betwixt his teeth, and his
sword in his scabbard, when we enter London.

"But now 'tis time that we set out for Stony Stratford. No doubt his
Majesty will be impatient to be off to London, and to see his mother."

We then started forth upon our way; Richard and Rivers riding side by
side, whilst Buckingham rode betwixt Harleston and me.

It was an ideal morning; the sun was shining clear and bright; the air
was of a coolness which made it comfortable to ride. However, we had
not been long upon the road when a haze climbed up the eastern sky, and
spread its gauzy curtain betwixt the sun and us. At first it was
scarcely perceptible; but it was not long ere the sun had been so
thoroughly draped as to be completely blotted out.

In the meantime we had been proceeding leisurely on our journey.
Gloucester talked with Rivers in most friendly manner. As we were
directly behind them we could not help but overhear a part of their
conversation.

"How do we now stand with France?" asked Rivers.

"Not so friendly as might be," replied the Prince. "Before my brother
died, he had intended making war upon old Louis. This hath angered
them; but soon I do hope to be again on good terms with the old
scare-crow."

"When dost thou think of having the young King crowned?" asked the Earl.

"Methinks 'twere good to have it done so soon as all necessary
arrangements can be completed," replied Richard. And so the
conversation ran, until the rain commenced to fall like the tears of
children, in large and scattered drops. This caused us to quicken our
pace, and so made all conversation impossible. Then the rain poured
down in torrents, and caused our clothes to cling unto our backs in a
most uncomfortable manner. The vapour arose from the hot bodies of our
horses, and gave our train the appearance of a phantom cavalcade, as we
dashed forward at full speed, that we might reach a place of shelter.
However, as is ever the case, when at last we came in sight of our
destination--Stony Stratford--the sun had burnt through th