esteem and veneration I would raise suspicion; for I would so knit him
to your House, that he could not stir hand or foot against you; I would
make his heirs your brothers. The Duke of Clarence hath married one
daughter,--wed the other to Lord Richard. Betroth your young princess to
Montagu's son, the representative of all the Neviles. The earl's immense
possessions must thus ultimately pass to your own kindred. The earl
himself will be no longer a power apart from the throne, but a part of
it. The barons will chafe against one who half ceases to be of their
order, and yet monopolizes their dignities; the people will no longer
see in the earl their champion, but a king's favourite and deputy.
Neither barons nor people will flock to his banner."

"All this is well and wise," said Edward, musing; "but meanwhile my
queen's blood? Am I to reign in a solitude?--for look you, Hastings,
you know well that, uxorious as fools have deemed me, I had purpose
and design in the elevation of new families; I wished to raise a fresh
nobility to counteract the pride of the old, and only upon new nobles
can a new dynasty rely."

"My Lord, I will not anger you again; but still, for a while, the
queen's relations will do well to retire."

"Good night, Hastings," interrupted Edward, abruptly, "my pillow in this
shall be my counsellor."

Whatever the purpose solitude and reflection might ripen in the king's
mind, he was saved from immediate decision by news, the next morning, of
fresh outbreaks. The commons had risen in Lincolnshire and the county
of Warwick; and Anthony Woodville wrote word that, if the king would
but show himself among the forces he had raised near Coventry, all
the gentry around would rise against the rebellious rabble. Seizing
advantage of these tidings, borne to him by his own couriers, and
eager to escape from the uncertain soldiery quartered at Olney, Edward,
without waiting to consult even with the earl, sprang to horse, and his
trumpets were the first signal of departure that he deigned to any one.

This want of ceremony displeased the pride of Warwick; but he made
no complaint, and took his place by the king's side, when Edward said
shortly,--

"Dear cousin, this is a time that needs all our energies. I ride towards
Coventry, to give head and heart to the raw recruits I shall find there;
but I pray you and the archbishop to use all means, in this immediate
district, to raise fresh troops; for at your name arme