as joined, the same day, by the Duke and Duchess of Clarence.

The Lincolnshire rebellion gained head: Edward made a dexterous feint
in calling, by public commission, upon Clarence and Warwick to aid in
dispersing it; if they refused, the odium of first aggression would
seemingly rest with them. Clarence, more induced by personal ambition
than sympathy with Warwick's wrong, incensed by his brother's recent
slights, looking to Edward's resignation and his own consequent
accession to the throne, and inflamed by the ambition and pride of a
wife whom he at once feared and idolized, went hand in heart with the
earl; but not one lord and captain whom Montagu had sounded lent favour
to the deposition of one brother for the advancement of the next.
Clarence, though popular, was too young to be respected: many there were
who would rather have supported the earl, if an aspirant to the throne;
but that choice forbidden by the earl himself, there could be but two
parties in England,--the one for Edward IV., the other for Henry VI.
Lord Montagu had repaired to Warwick Castle to communicate in person
this result of his diplomacy. The earl, whose manner was completely
changed, no longer frank and hearty, but close and sinister, listened in
gloomy silence.

"And now," said Montagu, with the generous emotion of a man whose nobler
nature was stirred deeply, "if you resolve on war with Edward, I am
willing to renounce my own ambition, the hand of a king's daughter for
my son, so that I may avenge the honour of our common name. I confess
that I have so loved Edward that I would fain pray you to pause, did I
not distrust myself, lest in such delay his craft should charm me back
to the old affection. Nathless, to your arm and your great soul I have
owed all, and if you are resolved to strike the blow, I am ready to
share the hazard."

The earl turned away his face, and wrung his brother's hand.

"Our father, methinks, hears thee from the grave!" said he, solemnly,
and there was a long pause. At length Warwick resumed: "Return to
London; seem to take no share in my actions, whatever they be; if I
fail, why drag thee into my ruin?--and yet, trust me, I am rash and
fierce no more. He who sets his heart on a great object suddenly becomes
wise. When a throne is in the dust, when from St. Paul's Cross a voice
goes forth to Carlisle and the Land's End, proclaiming that the reign of
Edward the Fourth is past and gone, then, Montagu, I claim thy p