antagenet as well. Accept it not," taking his hand and speaking with
deep entreaty; "the Protectorship can add nothing to Richard of
Gloucester, and it may work not only your doom but that of the great
House of Anjou."

"Nay, Anne, you are ill, surely," said Richard, putting his arm around
her. "What has put such uncanny notions into your mind?"

"I do not know; yet I implore you to humor me in this. . . . You have
not already despatched an answer to Buckingham?" she suddenly demanded.

"No--not yet," then turned sharply to De Lacy. "It seems, Sir Aymer,
that you are to be admitted to my confidence as well as to Stafford's.
So be it, for I trust you. Yet, believe me, it is well sometimes to
forget."

De Lacy bowed low, saying simply, "I have forgotten."

"Forgive me, Richard," said the Duchess. "My heart so ruled my head
that I quite lost myself."

The Duke took her hand and pressed it affectionately. "Think no more
now of the matter; we will consider it to-morrow."

"And you will make no decision until then?"

"None, by St. Paul!" and striking the bell he ordered the page to
summon the Duchess' lady-in-waiting.

In a moment she appeared: a slender figure in dark blue velvet, with
ruddy tresses and deep grey eyes--the maid of Windsor Forest.

De Lacy caught his breath and stood staring, like one bereft of sense,
until the dropping of the arras hid her from his sight. Then he saw
Gloucester regarding him with a smile.

"You are not the first," he observed, "nor, I warrant, will you be the
last."

"Her name?" said the Knight so eagerly the Duke smiled again.

"She is Beatrix de Beaumont, in her own right Countess of Clare, and
save our own dear spouse no sweeter woman lives."

"In truth do I believe it; else has God sent a plague upon the Nobles
of England.'"

"If disappointed love and blasted hopes can be so reckoned," said
Richard with a shrug, "then does many a fair lord suffer from the
disease. See that you do not become affected also."

"Nay, my lord Duke," replied De Lacy; "I know better than to allow a
poor Knight's mind to dwell upon the charms of a great heiress--and she
the Countess of Clare."

"Pardieu!" said Gloucester; "be not so humble. Your birth is equal to
her own; it was only for your peace of mind I cautioned you."

III

THE VOICE ON THE RAMPARTS

On quitting the Duke, De Lacy dispatched a page for his squire and was
then conducted to his quarters on the floor a