e noble and gracious eno' to understand and forgive
me when I say that I have had, in the upstart of my fortunes, the
countenance of the late King Edward and his queen; and though the public
weal made me advise my fellow-citizens not to resist your entry, I would
not, at least, have it said that my desertion had benefited my private
fortunes."

Warwick coloured, and his lip curled. "Tush, man, assume not virtues
which do not exist amongst the sons of trade, nor, much I trow, amongst
the sons of Adam. I read thy mind. Thou thinkest it unsafe openly to
commit thyself to the new state. Fear not,--we are firm."

"Nay, my lord," returned Alwyn, "it is not so. But there are many better
citizens than I, who remember that the Yorkists were ever friends to
commerce. And you will find that only by great tenderness to our crafts
you can win the heart of London, though you have passed its gates."

"I shall be just to all men," answered the earl, dryly; "but if the
flat-caps are false, there are eno' of bonnets of steel to watch over
the Red Rose!"

"You are said, my lord," returned Alwyn, bluntly, "to love the barons,
the knights, the gentry, the yeomen, and the peasants, but to despise
the traders,--I fear me that report in this is true."

"I love not the trader spirit, man,--the spirit that cheats, and
cringes, and haggles, and splits straws for pence, and roasts eggs
by other men's blazing rafters. Edward of York, forsooth, was a great
trader! It was a sorry hour for England when such as ye, Nick Alwyn,
left your green villages for loom and booth. But thus far have I spoken
to you as a brave fellow, and of the north countree. I have no time to
waste on words. Wilt thou accept mine offer, or name another boon in
my power? The man who hath served me wrongs me,--till I have served him
again!"

"My lord, yes; I will name such a boon,--safety, and, if you will,
some grace and honour, to a learned scholar now in the Tower, one Adam
Warner, whom--"

"Now in the Tower! Adam Warner! And wanting a friend, I no more an
exile! That is my affair, not thine. Grace, honour,--ay, to his heart's
content. And his noble daughter? Mort Dieu! she shall choose her
bridegroom among the best of England. Is she, too, in the fortress?"

"Yes," said Alwyn, briefly, not liking the last part of the earl's
speech.

The earl rang the bell on his table. "Send hither Sir Marmaduke Nevile."

Alwyn saw his former rival enter, and heard the earl commis