e
booting crowd to this solitary cell, then, Warwick, I forgave thee,
and prayed to Heaven for pardon for thee, if thou didst wrong me,--for
myself, if a king's fault had deserved a subject's harshness. Rise, Sir
Earl; our God is a jealous God, and the attitude of worship is for Him
alone."

Warwick rose from his knee; and the king, perceiving and compassionating
the struggle which shook the strong man's breast, laid his hand on the
earl's shoulder, and said, "Peace be with thee!--thou hast done me no
real harm. I have been as happy in these walls as in the green parks of
Windsor; happier than in the halls of state or in the midst of wrangling
armies. What tidings now?"

"My liege, is it possible that you know not that Edward is a fugitive
and a beggar, and that Heaven hath permitted me to avenge at once your
injuries and my own? This day, without a blow, I have regained your
city of London; its streets are manned with my army. From the council
of peers and warriors and prelates assembled at my house, I have stolen
hither alone and in secret, that I might be the first to hail your
Grace's restoration to the throne of Henry V."

The king's face so little changed at this intelligence, that its calm
sadness almost enraged the impetuous Warwick, and with difficulty he
restrained from giving utterance to the thought, "He is not worthy of a
throne who cares so little to possess it!"

"Well-a-day!" said Henry, sighing, "Heaven then hath sore trials yet in
store for mine old age! Tray, Tray!" and stooping, he gently patted his
dog, who kept watch at his feet, still glaring suspiciously at Warwick,
"we are both too old for the chase now!--Will you be seated, my lord?"

"Trust me," said the earl, as he obeyed the command, having first set
chair and footstool for the king, who listened to him with downcast
eyes and his head drooping on his bosom--"trust me, your later days,
my liege, will be free from the storms of your youth. All chance of
Edward's hostility is expired. Your alliance, though I seem boastful
so to speak,--your alliance with one in whom the people can confide for
some skill in war, and some more profound experience of the habits and
tempers of your subjects than your former councillors could possess,
will leave your honoured leisure free for the holy meditations it
affects; and your glory, as your safety, shall be the care of men who
can awe this rebellious world."

"Alliance!" said the king, who had caught