f the gold
spur, which allows the wearer to ride by the side of king or kaisar,
that thou canst not choose thy bride as the heart bids thee. I pray
thee, sweet cousin, to attend my child Anne to the court, where the king
will show thee no ungracious countenance; but it is just to recompense
thee for the loss of thy post in his highness's chamber. I hold the
king's commission to make knights of such as can pay the fee, and
thy lands shall suffice for the dignity. Kneel down and rise up, Sir
Marmaduke Nevile, lord of the Manor of Borrodaile, with its woodlands
and its farms, and may God and our Lady render thee puissant in battle
and prosperous in love!"

Accordingly, in his new rank, and entitled to ruffle it with the
bravest, Sir Marmaduke Nevile accompanied the earl and the Lady Anne to
the palace of the Tower.

As Warwick, leaving his daughter amidst the brilliant circle that
surrounded Elizabeth, turned to address the king, he said, with simple
and unaffected nobleness,--

"Ah, my liege, if you needed a hostage of my faith, think that my heart
is here, for verily its best blood were less dear to me than that slight
girl,--the likeness of her mother, when her lips first felt the touch of
mine!"

Edward's bold brow fell, and he blushed as he answered, "My Elizabeth
will hold her as a sister. But, cousin, part you not now for the North?"

"By your leave I go first to Warwick."

"Ah, you do not wish to approve of my seeming preparations against
France?"

"Nay, your Highness is not in earnest. I promised the commons that you
would need no supplies for so thriftless a war."

"Thou knowest I mean to fulfil all thy pledges. But the country so
swarms with disbanded soldiers, that it is politic to hold out to them a
hope of service, and so let the clouds gradually pass away."

"Alack, my liege," said Warwick, gravely, "I suppose that a crown
teaches the brow to scheme; but hearty peace or open war seems ever the
best to me."

Edward smiled, and turned aside. Warwick glanced at his daughter, whom
Elizabeth flatteringly caressed, stifled a sigh, and the air seemed
lighter to the insects of the court as his proud crest bowed beneath the
doorway, and, with the pomp of his long retinue, he vanished from the
scene.

"And choose, fair Anne," said the queen, "choose from my ladies whom
you will have for your special train. We would not that your attendance
should be less than royal."

The gentle Anne in vain sought to