caused to bleed, by the loss of a husband which was, and
whose memory ever shall be, so dear to thee, and to us all. But now,
my poor widowed sister, it is thy duty to bethink thee of thy son. He
should be sent for, and be conducted here forthwith, in order that he
may be crowned with proper expediency and pomp. Methought it was not
well to let this matter stand too long; for we must not forget that
Lancaster still doth cast a longing eye upon the crown of England.
'Twas but yester e'en I heard that they were corresponding with that
bastard, which calls himself the Earl of Richmond."

"Then I did well when I sent word unto my brother to levy a strong
force and conduct my son to London," said the Queen, with a look of
anxiety.

Gloucester seemed taken aback for a moment; but, quickly recovering
himself, he said:--"I did not know that your Majesty had so instructed
Lord Rivers; and indeed I do not know that this is the wisest course.
The people of the City may not like to see this armed force thus march
on London, as though the King's person were not safe without this
strong protection. Thinkest thou it had not been better to have
consulted with Lord Hastings, and some others, before taking a step so
important to the peace of the kingdom? When didst thou so instruct thy
brother?"

"But yesterday I sent him a letter by a trusted officer," answered the
Queen, quite innocent, and put off her guard by the oily tongue and
kindly manner of this deceitful hypocrite.

"What dost thou say? Shall we sound Lord Hastings, and have the
benefit of his opinion before Lord Rivers doth proceed too far with his
preparations?"

The Queen, suspecting nothing, walked into this trap, set with such
cunning by the Duke (for well he knew the view that Hastings would take
of such a measure) and consented to this course.

So soon as Gloucester had left the Queen he despatched two messengers,
one to Buckingham, and the other to Hastings.

When these noblemen arrived they were conducted into the presence of
the Protector. "Well, my friends," said Gloucester, when he had
greeted them, "the Queen hath gained a march on us. Her Majesty seems
determined to still rule England. She now intends to do it through her
son, the young Edward, as she hath heretofore done through her husband,
the older one."

"What dost thou mean, my lord?" asked Hastings; who, though an honest
man, yet disliked the Queen, or rather, was jealous of her power.