y grace.

"Warwick," he said, returning to the earl's side, "you cannot advise
me to what is misbeseeming, and therefore in this strait I resign my
conduct to your hands. I will not unsay to yon mutinous gentlemen what I
have already said; but what you judge it right to promise in my name
to them or to the insurgents, I will not suppose that mime honour will
refuse to concede. But go not hence, O noblest friend that ever stood
by a king's throne!--go not hence till the grasp of your hand assures me
that all past unkindness is gone and buried; yea, and by this hand,
and while its pressure is warm in mine, bear not too hard on thy king's
affection for his lady's kindred."

"Sire," said Warwick, though his generous nature well-nigh melted
into weakness, and it was with an effort that he adhered to his
purpose,--"sire, if dismissed for a while, they shall not be degraded.
And if it be, on consideration, wise to recall from the family
of Woodville your grants of lands and lordships, take from your
Warwick--who, rich in his king's love, hath eno' to spare--take the
double of what you would recall. Oh, be frank with me, be true, be
steadfast, Edward, and dispose of my lands, whenever you would content a
favourite."

"Not to impoverish thee, my Warwick," answered Edward, smiling, "did I
call thee to my aid; for the rest, my revenues as Duke of York are at
least mine to bestow. Go now to the hostile camp,--go as sole minister
and captain-general of this realm; go with all powers and honours a king
can give; and when these districts are at peace, depart to our Welsh
provinces, as chief justiciary of that principality. Pembroke's mournful
death leaves that high post in my gift. It cannot add to your greatness,
but it proves to England your sovereign's trust."

"And while that trust is given," said Warwick, with tears in his
eyes, "may Heaven strengthen my arm in battle, and sharpen my brain in
council! But I play the laggard. The sun wanes westward; it should not
go down while a hostile army menaces the son of Richard of York."

The earl rode rapidly away, reached the broad space where his followers
still stood, dismounted, but beside their steeds,--

"Trumpets advance, pursuivants and heralds go before! Marmaduke, mount!
The rest I need not. We ride to the insurgent camp."

CHAPTER III. THE CAMP OF THE REBELS.

The rebels had halted about a mile from the town, and were already
pitching their tents for the night. It