to look on as a foreigner. Now that I am returned again unto my
native land methinks that I will let my judgment take the place of mine
old rule, and speak out freely to those whom I take to be honest. Thee
do I place in this class, which I do regret is very small."

I was prodigiously surprised that a stranger would thus speak unto me
as though I were some disinterested outsider of whom he was speaking.
Again did I flush up and commence to attire myself in my dignity; but
Harleston's honest and inoffensive look of candor did again disarm me,
and he continued, uninterrupted, with his speech.

"For several years have I been acquainted with my Lord Hastings, whilst
he was the governor of Calais. From him did I learn much of the
situation here; but never did he speak of the characters of those in
power; for Hastings, though a proper man, is still a politician and, as
such, must keep his opinions to himself. It is a pleasure to me then
to be permitted to thus discuss the probabilities of England's future
with one not bound by the bonds of policy."

I bowed, and he continued:--

"So far as I can see, if the King dies ere the Prince of Wales be old
enough to take full charge of the government, the people shall be
obliged to choose a protector to rule in the young king's stead, until
such time as the child doth come unto years of proper judgment."

"True," I assented.

"Do then but cast thine eye over the congregation of eager applicants
for this seat of power, and thou shalt behold one whose advantage over
the others doth raise him to a vast height above their heads, and
consequently his chances of success in this great competition are
assured; that one can be no other than Richard, Duke of Gloucester."

"Ay, truly, there is no other with sufficient power to rule England, in
case the King should die."

"Now if Gloucester doth come thus into power will he not desire to have
his revenge upon those which have ever been his enemies?"

"'Tis like he will."

"And will not this lead to uprisings throughout the land? Yea," he
continued, "we have had one example of the troubles, and bloody wars
brought about through the King dying and leaving a child to grasp with
its weakly hands the sceptre and the sword of chastisement. Pray God
we do not have another, and yet I fear that it will be unavoidable. I
have expressed mine own poor opinion, without its being prejudiced by
any others' thoughts; see whether I shall be rig