esigned nor stupefied. Bold determination
and a hunger for revenge were imprinted on her features.

When I look back to those harsh, cruel days of misery for that woman, I
compare her, in my mind, with those savage tribes which dwell in that
distant land beyond the seas, discovered by that Genoese sailor. 'Twas
told to me, by Cabot and his son, that they, when injured, show but
little spleen; but with deliberation and the greatest care they plan,
with wonderous skill, some grand invention that enables them to have
revenge in the most complete and properest of ways.

Cold and deliberate was the ex-Queen, as she informed us that she had
sent her son, Dorset (which had returned, after leaving the little Duke
of York in a Sanctuary in France) with a letter to the Earl of
Richmond, who then resided, in exile, at the court of Brittany, asking
him to take up arms in her cause, and his own, and fight King Richard,
with the crown of England as the stake.

"I have decided on this course," said the ex-Queen, "because I realize
that my son, the Duke of York, may never rule so long as Richard lives.
If Richmond doth accept mine offer, and if he wins the crown away from
the murderous Usurper, then will I make him regent during the minority
of my little Richard. All this I have set forth distinctly in my
letter to the Earl. I also promised him my daughter Elizabeth's hand
in marriage. Such offers, methinks, no sane man would refuse, unless
he be a coward, which 'tis not possible for him to be. 'Tis true he
belongs to the Lancastrian party, which hath ever been our enemies;
but, under the circumstances in which I now find myself placed, I
cannot choose, but must accept that which is best for my poor son's
welfare. Therefore I have asked for Richmond's aid."

"Madam," said Harleston, when Elizabeth had finished speaking, "I pray
that thou wilt pardon the liberty I am about to take, in making a
remark about thine own affairs. Mine excuse for doing so is that thou,
madam, hast honoured me ere this by asking mine advice."

"Speak out, Sir Frederick," said Elizabeth. "Well dost thou know that
no word of thine, intended for my help, will be considered as
impertinent."

"Then, madam, I would ask if thou dost consider it as safe to thus
invite the Earl of Richmond to your aid? Dost thou not fear that
he--should he be successful--will claim the throne as his very own by
right of conquest by the sword? 'Tis but a possibility, ma