presently Isabel, in conference with the lady whom her mother had
referred to, passed into the room, on her way to her private chamber.
The countenance of this female diplomatist, whose talent for intrigue
Philip de Comines [Comines, iii. 5; Hall, Lingard, Hume, etc.] has
commemorated, but whose name, happily for her memory, history has
concealed, was soft and winning in its expression to the ordinary
glance, though the sharpness of the features, the thin compression of
the lips, and the harsh dry redness of the hair corresponded with the
attributes which modern physiognomical science truly or erringly assigns
to a wily and treacherous character. She bore a light in her hand, and
its rays shone full on the disturbed and agitated face of the duchess.
Isabel perceived at once the forms of her parents, and stopped short in
some whispered conversation, and uttered a cry almost of dismay.

"Thou leavest the revel betimes, fair daughter," said the earl,
examining her countenance with an eye somewhat stern.

"My lady," said the confidant, with a lowly reverence, "was anxious for
her babe."

"Thy lady, good waiting-wench," said Warwick, "needs not thy tongue to
address her father. Pass on."

The gentlewoman bit her lips, but obeyed, and quitted the room. The earl
approached, and took Isabel's hand,--it was cold as stone.

"My child," said he, tenderly, "thou dost well to retire to rest; of
late thy cheek hath lost its bloom. But just now, for many causes, I
was wishing thee not to brave our perilous return to England; and now,
I know not whether it would make me the more uneasy, to fear for thy
health if absent or thy safety if with me!"

"My lord," replied Isabel, coldly, "my duty calls me to my husband's
side, and the more, since now it seems he dares the battle but reaps not
its rewards! Let Edward and Anne rest in safety, Clarence and Isabel go
to achieve the diadem and orb for others!"

"Be not bitter with thy father, girl; be not envious of thy sister!"
said the earl, in grave rebuke; then, softening his tone, he added,
"The women of a noble House should have no ambition of their own,--their
glory and their honour they should leave, unmurmuring, in the hands of
men! Mourn not if thy sister mounts the throne of him who would have
branded the very name to which thou and she were born!"

"I have made no reproach, my lord. Forgive me, I pray you, if I now
retire; I am so weary, and would fain have strength and health