n drawn aside, and the guards
themselves caught sight of the royal princes and the great earl towering
amidst them, than supposing in their ignorance the scene thus given to
them was intended for their gratification, from that old soldiery or
Towton rose a loud and long "Hurrah! Warwick and the king!"--"The king
and the stout earl!" The multitude behind caught the cry; they rushed
forward, mingling with the soldiery, who no longer sought to keep them
back.

"A Warwick! a Warwick!" they shouted. "God bless the people's friend!"

Edward, startled and aghast, drew sullenly into the rear of the tent.

De la Roche grew pale; but with the promptness of a practised statesman,
he hastily advanced, and drew the curtain. "Shall varlets," he said to
Richard, in French, "gloat over the quarrels of their lords?"

"You are right, Sir Count," murmured Richard, meekly; his purpose was
effected, and leaning on his riding staff, he awaited what was to ensue.

A softer shade had fallen over the earl's face, at the proof of the love
in which his name was held; it almost seemed to his noble though haughty
and impatient nature, as if the affection of the people had reconciled
him to the ingratitude of the king. A tear started to his proud eye;
but he twinkled it away, and approaching Edward (who remained erect, and
with all a sovereign's wrath, though silent on his lip, lowering on his
brow), he said, in a tone of suppressed emotion,--

"Sire, it is not for me to crave pardon of living man, but the grievous
affront put upon my state and mine honour hath led my words to an excess
which my heart repents. I grieve that your Grace's highness hath chosen
this alliance; hereafter you may find at need what faith is to be placed
in Burgundy."

"Darest thou gainsay it?" exclaimed De la Roche.

"Interrupt me not, sir!" continued Warwick, with a disdainful gesture.
"My liege, I lay down mine offices, and I leave it to your Grace to
account as it lists you to the ambassadors of France,--I shall vindicate
myself to their king. And now, ere I depart for my hall of Middleham, I
alone here, unarmed and unattended, save at least by a single squire,
I, Richard Nevile, say, that if any man, peer or knight, can be found
to execute your Grace's threat, and arrest me, I will obey your royal
pleasure, and attend him to the Tower." Haughtily he bowed his head
as he spoke, and raising it again, gazed around--"I await your Grace's
pleasure."

"Begone where