realm can suit with the careless
dance and the wanton music? But not at that moment did I think of those
mightier cares; my thoughts were nearer home. Hast thou noted, sweet
wife, the silent gloom, the clouded brow of Isabel, since she learned
that Anne was to be the bride of the heir of Lancaster?"

The mother suppressed a sigh. "We must pardon, or glance lightly over,
the mood of one who loves her lord, and mourns for his baffled hopes!
Well-a-day! I grieve that she admits not even me to her confidence. Ever
with the favourite lady who lately joined her train,--methinks that new
friend gives less holy counsel than a mother!"

"Ha! and yet what counsels can Isabel listen to from a comparative
stranger? Even if Edward, or rather his cunning Elizabeth, had suborned
this waiting-woman, our daughter never could hearken, even in an hour of
anger, to the message from our dishonourer and our foe."

"Nay, but a flatterer often fosters by praising the erring thought.
Isabel hath something, dear lord, of thy high heart and courage; and
ever from childhood, her vaulting spirit, her very character of stately
beauty, hath given her a conviction of destiny and power loftier
than those reserved for our gentle Anne. Let us trust to time and
forbearance, and hope that the affection of the generous sister will
subdue the jealousy of the disappointed princess."

"Pray Heaven, indeed, that it so prove! Isabel's ascendancy over
Clarence is great, and might be dangerous. Would that she consented to
remain in France with thee and Anne! Her lord, at least, it seems I have
convinced and satisfied. Pleased at the vast fortunes before him, the
toys of viceregal power, his lighter nature reconciles itself to the
loss of a crown, which, I fear, it could never have upheld. For the more
I have read his qualities in our household intimacy, the more it seems
that I could scarcely have justified the imposing on England a king
not worthy of so great a people. He is young yet, but how different the
youth of Lancastrian Edward! In him what earnest and manly spirit! What
heaven-born views of the duties of a king! Oh, if there be a sin in the
passion that hath urged me on, let me, and me alone, atone! and may I be
at least the instrument to give to England a prince whose virtues shall
compensate for all!"

While yet the last word trembled upon the earl's lips, a light flashed
along the floors, hitherto illumined but by the stars and the full moon.
And