nd swear by my
death-bed to live in peace together.

"My brother Richard, I charge thee to look after my children, which
shall soon be fatherless, and may God deal with thee as thou dost deal
with them. I wish thee to be the protector of my son Edward, and to
assist him in his government until such time as he doth come unto years
of discretion."

So there by his bedside they went through the forms which the King did
ask of them. I say, went through the forms; for that was all they did.
I do not believe that one of those present ever intended to keep the
oath he there made to the King; for their conduct after his death is
sufficient evidence of their insincerity.

'Twas told to me afterwards, by one which saw all that which I have
here described, that as Richard left the room, with his handkerchief to
his eyes, it was to hide his laughter rather than his tears. And I do
believe this to be so; for I consider it impossible for that man ever
to have had the tenderness of heart necessary to produce one tear. Be
that as it may, he was not long in demonstrating his love and charity
towards his brother's children.

One morning, some days after this bedside gathering, when I met Hazel
in the park, as was now my wont, her eyes were red with weeping.

"Come, come, my fair one, thou must not look so unhappy, or else I
shall fear that thou hast ceased to love me. Now tell me what is the
matter, that I may console thee."

"Hast thou then not heard the news?" she asked.

"I have not," I replied, "it must be evil news indeed, to make thee so
unhappy."

"The King is dead," she said.

"When did he die?"

"About an hour since;" and then she wiped her eyes again.

"Why dost thou weep so for the King?" I asked; for I did not like to
see Hazel weeping because another man had died.

"Oh, thou stupid!" she cried out impatiently; "cannot you see that it
is on the poor Queen's account? I love her as I did my own dear, and
now dead, mother; and when I see her in such sorrow it maketh me to
feel as if 'twere mine own."

I felt abashed for not having seen this for myself; but men are so
thick headed, in these matters, that they can never know the way a
woman looks at things until she doth explain herself. Now I had rather
face a regiment, single handed, than see a woman weep; so I stood there
as on a pillory, saying nothing, but feeling uncommon uncomfortable.

Presently she looked up sharply, and said,--"Well, what art tho