ld a council at which it was decided to start for
London on the second day following.

The next day, about the hour of noon, a gentleman arrived at the Castle
and requested an audience with the Lord Rivers. We were at dinner when
he arrived; so he was informed that his audience would be granted so
soon as my lord had finished his repast.

The gentleman sent back word that he came from Windsor, as the
messenger of the Queen.

When Rivers heard this he arose hurriedly and ordered him to be
admitted at once.

Imagine my surprise when in walked Harleston.

He had never met Lord Rivers, so I presented him.

He handed a packet to his lordship, with the words:--"From the Queen,
my lord."

Rivers tore open the packet in great excitement, and as he read its
contents I saw a cloud of disappointment pass over his brilliant
features. Grey went over to his uncle, and read the letter over the
other's shoulder. When he had finished, his features wore the same
look as did his uncle's, except that they also showed strong traces of
anger.

"Well, Bradley," at length said Rivers, "our work hath been for nought.
We are commanded, here, to have the army disbanded, and to take only a
sufficient retinue to support the dignity of our young King."

"Then things have brightened?" I asked.

He shook his head sadly. "No, on the contrary, the prospect looks much
darker. I only hope that I may be mistaken; but I do fear we shall
have trouble in England, unless the nobles cease their wrangling."

Shortly after he and Grey retired, and, as Harleston had not yet dined,
we sat at table; and whilst he ate he told me of the doings at court
since I had left. And these, as you shall hear, were of importance to
the kingdom.

CHAPTER XI

SOME HAPPENINGS AT WINDSOR

I now go back to relate that which happened at Windsor, after I had
left for Ludlow. What I am now about to put down was told to me,
partly by Harleston, as we sat in my rooms in Ludlow Castle, and partly
by Hazel, when next I saw her.

I had only been gone one day when Gloucester called to see the Queen.
When he was admitted he saluted her Majesty in the most respectful and
kindly manner, and spoke in that smooth and diplomatic way of which he
so well knew the potency. "My dear sister," said he, "I have not come
to thee before to-day, because I knew full well how useless, and even
cruel, it is to speak of affairs of state to one whose heart hath so
recently been