d was again by the earl's side; a moment more,
and the earl's proud knee bent in homage to the queen, joyful tears were
in the eyes of her friends and kindred, a triumphant smile on the lips
of Louis, and Margaret's face, terrible in its stony and locked repose,
was raised above, as if asking the All-Merciful pardon--for the pardon
which the human sinner had bestowed! [Ellis: Original Letters from the
Harleian Manuscripts, letter 42.]

CHAPTER X. LOVE AND MARRIAGE--DOUBTS OF CONSCIENCE--DOMESTIC
JEALOUSY--AND HOUSEHOLD TREASON.

The events that followed this tempestuous interview were such as the
position of the parties necessarily compelled. The craft of Louis, the
energy and love of Prince Edward, the representations of all her
kindred and friends, conquered, though not without repeated struggles,
Margaret's repugnance to a nearer union between Warwick and her son. The
earl did not deign to appear personally in this matter. He left it, as
became him, to Louis and the prince, and finally received from them the
proposals, which ratified the league, and consummated the schemes of his
revenge.

Upon the Very Cross [Miss Strickland observes upon this interview: "It
does not appear that Warwick mentioned the execution of his father, the
Earl of Salisbury, which is almost a confirmation of the statements of
those historians who deny that he was beheaded by Margaret."] in St.
Mary's Church of Angers, Lord Warwick swore without change to hold the
party of King Henry. Before the same sacred symbol, King Louis and his
brother, Duke of Guienne, robed in canvas, swore to sustain to their
utmost the Earl of Warwick in behalf of King Henry; and Margaret
recorded her oath "to treat the earl as true and faithful, and never for
deeds past to make him any reproach."

Then were signed the articles of marriage between Prince Edward and the
Lady Anne,--the latter to remain with Margaret, but the marriage not to
be consummated "till Lord Warwick had entered England and regained the
realm, or most part, for King Henry,"--a condition which pleased the
earl, who desired to award his beloved daughter no less a dowry than a
crown.

An article far more important than all to the safety of the earl and
to the permanent success of the enterprise, was one that virtually
took from the fierce and unpopular Margaret the reins of government, by
constituting Prince Edward (whose qualities endeared him more and more
to Warwick, and were such as