r meet more, after eighteen years of youth spent
together.

'Youth is gone,' said Bedford. 'We have been under a mighty master, and
now God help us to do his work.'

'You!' said James; 'but for me--it is like to be the library and the
Round Tower again.'

'Scarcely,' said Bedford, 'the Beauforts will never rest till Joan is on
a throne.'

James smiled.

'Ay,' said Bedford, 'the Bishop of Winchester will be no small power, you
will find. Would that I could throw up this France and come home, for he
and Humfrey will clash for ever. James, an you love me, see Humfrey
alone, and remind him that all the welfare of Harry's child may hang on
his forbearance--on union with the Bishop. Tell him, if he ever loved
the noblest brother that ever lived, to rein himself in, and live only
for the child's good, not his own. Tell him that Bedford and Gloucester
must be nothing henceforth--only heads and hands doing Harry's will for
his babe. Oh, James, what can you tell Humfrey that will make him put
himself aside?'

'You have writ to him Harry's words as to Dame Jac?'

'The wanton! ay, I have; and if you can whisper in his ear that matter of
Malcolm and the signet, it might lessen his inclination. But,' he
sighed, 'I have little hope, James; I see nothing for Lancaster but that
which the old man at York invoked upon us!'

'Yet, when I look at you and Humfrey, and think of the contrast with my
own father's brethren, I see nothing but hope and promise for England,'
said James.

'We must do our best, however heavy-hearted,' said John of Bedford,
pausing in his walk, and standing steadfast. 'The rod becomes a palm to
those who do not freshly bring it on themselves. May this poor child of
Harry's be bred up so that he may be fit to meet evil or good!'

'Poor child,' repeated James. 'Were he not there, and you--'

'Peace, James,' said Bedford; 'it is well that such a weight is not
added! While I act for my nephew, I know my duty; were it for myself,
methinks I should be crazed with doubts and questions. Well,' as a
messenger came up with tidings that all was ready, 'fare thee well,
Jamie. In you I lose the only man with whom I can speak my mind, or take
counsel. You'll not let me gain a foe, as well as lose a friend, when
you get home?'

'Never, in heart, John!' said the King. 'As to hand--Scotland must be to
England what she will have her. Would that I saw my way thither! Windsor
will have lost all that made