rm;
and, disconcerted by so chilling a reception, he dismounted, in less
elevated spirits than those in which he had left Olney, at the pavilion
of his brother-in-law.

The mourning-dress of Anthony, his countenance saddened by the barbarous
execution of his father and brother, did not tend to cheer the king.

But Woodville's account of the queen's grief and horror at the
afflictions of her House, and of Jacquetta's indignation at the foul
language which the report of her practices put into the popular mouth,
served to endear to the king's mind the family that he considered
unduly persecuted. Even in the coldest breasts affection is fanned by
opposition, and the more the queen's kindred were assailed, the more
obstinately Edward clung to them. By suiting his humour, by winking at
his gallantries, by a submissive sweetness of temper, which soothed his
own hasty moods, and contrasted with the rough pride of Warwick and the
peevish fickleness of Clarence, Elizabeth had completely wound
herself into the king's heart. And the charming graces, the elegant
accomplishments, of Anthony Woodville were too harmonious with the
character of Edward, who in all--except truth and honour--was the
perfect model of the gay gentilhomme of the time, not to have become
almost a necessary companionship. Indolent natures may be easily ruled,
but they grow stubborn when their comforts and habits are interfered
with. And the whole current of Edward's merry, easy life seemed to him
to lose flow and sparkle if the faces he loved best were banished, or
even clouded.

He was yet conversing with Woodville, and yet assuring him that, however
he might temporize, he would never abandon the interests of his queen's
kindred, when a gentleman entered aghast, to report that the Lords St.
John and de Fulke, on hearing that Sir Anthony Woodville was in command
of the forces, had, without even dismounting, left the camp, and carried
with them their retainers, amounting to more than half of the little
troop that rode from Olney.

"Let them go," said Edward, frowning; "a day shall dawn upon their
headless trunks!"

"Oh, my king," said Anthony, now Earl of Rivers,--who, by far the least
selfish of his House, was struck with remorse at the penalty Edward paid
for his love marriage,--"now that your Highness can relieve me of my
command, let me retire from the camp. I would fain go a pilgrim to the
shrine of Compostella to pray for my father's sins and my sove