e clouds
which screened it, and again shone forth in all its splendour. So we
slackened our pace, and the conversation started afresh, as the sun's
rays began to dry our backs, and cheer us with its welcome warmth.

As we drew near the town in which the young King and his following had
spent the night we noticed a considerable procession filing slowly out
of the place and coming in our direction.

"What may they be?" asked Gloucester.

"They must be of the King's train, and they come forth to meet us,"
replied Lord Rivers.

We soon met them. They were led by Sir Richard Grey, and Sir Thomas
Vaughan rode by his side. The others consisted of about a score or
more of gentlemen of the King's train, and a body of the men-at-arms
who had accompanied us from Ludlow.

"What means this, Lord Rivers; an armed force sent out to meet me, as
though I were an enemy to the King?" cried Richard, angrily.

"Why, Gloucester, they come--"

"What! speakest thou to me as Gloucester?" cried Richard, as he turned
fiercely upon the Earl, who sat staring in surprise, as did Harleston
and I, at this strange and unprovoked outburst.

When Gloucester spoke this last sentence a body of men, with drawn
swords, quickly surrounded Rivers, Grey and Vaughan, and took them
prisoners.

"Best keep your tongues betwixt your teeth," whispered Buckingham,
first to me and then to Harleston. There was an amused smile upon his
face as he said this.

Then the whole plot flashed through my mind. This then was
Gloucester's reason for entertaining us so well. We had been used but
as blinds to throw Lord Rivers off his guard, and make him to trust the
Prince. This then was the reason we had been made to be so familiar;
it was in order that Gloucester when he chose to consider it a personal
slight might do so. Harleston was right; Gloucester had an object in
view when he acted so. But for that matter, when did this man ever so
much as speak one kindly word, but for his profit.

Now, though it takes me some moments to put these things down, it did
not take so many heartbeats for them to be enacted; and remember, my
heart was working fast just then.

When the swords had been taken from these three gentlemen they were
separated, and soldiers, with naked swords, stationed themselves one on
either side of each prisoner.

"Now off with the traitorous knaves to Pomfret," commanded Richard.
"There let them close prisoners rest, until thou hearest fro