er his
shoulders; and the other, though still young, many years older, and
indicating his clerical profession by the absence of all love-locks,
compensated by a curled and glossy beard, trimmed with the greatest
care. But the dress of the ecclesiastic was as little according to our
modern notions of what beseems the Church as can well be conceived:
his tunic and surcoat, of a rich amber, contrasted well with the clear
darkness of his complexion; his piked shoes, or beakers, as they were
called, turned up half-way to the knee; the buckles of his dress were
of gold, inlaid with gems; and the housings of his horse, which was
of great power, were edged with gold fringe. By the side of his steed
walked a tall greyhound, upon which he ever and anon glanced with
affection. Behind these rode two gentlemen, whose golden spurs announced
knighthood; and then followed a long train of squires and pages, richly
clad and accoutred, bearing generally the Nevile badge of the Bull;
though interspersed amongst the retinue might be seen the grim Boar's
head, which Richard of Gloucester, in right of his duchy, had assumed as
his cognizance.

"Nay, sweet prince," said the ecclesiastic, "I pray thee to consider
that a greyhound is far more of a gentleman than any other of the canine
species. Mark his stately yet delicate length of limb, his sleek coat,
his keen eye, his haughty neck."

"These are but the externals, my noble friend. Will the greyhound attack
the lion, as our mastiff doth? The true character of the gentleman is to
know no fear, and to rush through all danger at the throat of his foe;
wherefore I uphold the dignity of the mastiff above all his tribe,
though others have a daintier hide and a statelier crest. Enough of such
matters, archbishop,--we are nearing Middleham."

"The saints be praised! for I am hungered," observed the archbishop,
piously: "but, sooth to say, my cook at the More far excelleth what we
can hope to find at the board of my brother. He hath some faults, our
Warwick! Hasty and careless, he hath not thought eno' of the blessings
he might enjoy, and many a poor abbot hath daintier fare on his humble
table."

"Oh, George Nevile! who that heard thee, when thou talkest of hounds
and interments, [entremets (side dishes)] would recognize the Lord
Chancellor of England,--the most learned dignitary, the most subtle
statesman?"

"And oh, Richard Plantagenet!" retorted the archbishop, dropping the
mincing and affe