u
staring at? Is there anything about me that does not please thee?"

To this I made no reply, as I knew silence to be the best remedy for
these little outbursts of temper. Remember, my dears, at that time
Hazel had considerable fire in her make up. And I would not give an
old gauntlet for a maid which had not; for this I do consider to be the
very salt of one's character; and what is a fine dish without it be
seasoned properly.

When I had stood quietly for some moments, I saw some signs of
relenting begin to betray themselves in a softening of the face. "Is
the storm passed?" I asked. This brought a smile. All the temper had
vanished, and she was more loving than ever.

"Thou must not think badly of me because I was cross with thee, dear,"
she said, looking up at my face in the most coaxing and bewitching
manner--of which she so well knew the power: "I felt so sorrowful when
I saw the dear Queen weeping and wringing her hands in despair, that I
did not know myself. Thou wilt forgive me, wilt thou not, Walter?"

Then I made a great show of granting her pardon, that I might have a
good reason for a certain show of tenderness.

'Twas like a little whirlwind in a dusty road, when the particles of
sparkling sand have settled back to their proper level the way is more
smooth than ever.

When we were seated upon a bench beneath a fine old oak, which stood in
a place more private than its brethren, as though its dignity had made
it to hold itself aloof from their society, like the head of some most
ancient house keeps ever from the vulgar herd, she asked me how I
thought the King's death should affect the kingdom.

"Ah! my dear," I replied, "that is the question which I have been
trying to answer since some time before his Majesty did leave us. If
Gloucester can be honest all shall be well; for he is a man of great
ability and can, if he will, keep the little King firmly seated on the
throne. What I do fear is, that, when he tastes the sweets of ruling,
he may not be willing to give it up; but like a tiger, when he once
hath tasted blood, must needs have more. Young Edward, in his hands,
will be as wax, and moulded to the form that best suits Gloucester.
The King need not fear his humbler subjects, but must still hold a wary
eye upon his uncle."

I did not think it well to tell her the conversation I had overheard
the night of the great ball; for it could have done no good, and should
but have alarmed her.