ow looketh as though there are others
there before us."

While this conversation was going on we had gradually approached a
bench, placed behind a clump of bushes, through which we saw some fair,
fresh, faces, watching our approach. Upon the bench, and talking with
the girls, were two men, in which, as we drew closer, I recognized the
Duke of Gloucester and the Duke of Buckingham. Richard was dressed--as
was his wont--in the extreme of fashion and in the richest of
materials. Buckingham, though not so showily attired, was
magnificently dressed in black, figured velvet, with dark maroon
facings.

After saluting the Prince, the ladies, and Buckingham, I introduced my
new friend to them all. I then said unto his Royal Highness--"Sir
Frederick, here, hath but yesterday been made a brother officer, by his
Majesty."

"Yes," said Harleston, "the King did command me to report to your Royal
Highness for service with thee in your expedition into Scotland."

"Much am I joyed, Sir Frederick, to have thy noble assistance in our
chastisement of the insolent Scot: for England can ill afford to spare
any brave knight from her expeditions, now that they have become so
thinned out by our late, unhappy wars," said the Prince, with that
heartiness he so well could use, and of which he knew the power.

"But let me warn ye both," he continued, with a mock gravity and a
quick glance at the maidens, "that ye shall have short time in which to
enjoy the pleasures of the court; for we march next week. Therefore
make the most of your opportunities."

Buckingham, who ever smiled, but said little, though he was no mean
orator, merely agreed with the Prince's remark, and with a pleasant bow
they left us, the limping Prince leaning on the arm of Buckingham.

"Thank God!" I cried, with a sigh, when the two were out of earshot.

"Is he not most disrespectful?" laughed Hazel, as she turned to
Harleston.

"Nay, of that I cannot judge, fair lady," replied he, with a smile.
"The customs of the court I have yet before me to master. 'Tis
possible that ere I have been here a week I will commend Sir Walter's
act."

"Indeed thou shalt," cried both of the girls at once.

"Oh! those two are simply unbearable," said Hazel with a force that
left no doubt as to her opinion. But then she hath ever been one which
feared not to express her dislikes, and they are ever as passionate as
are her likes.

"And so, Sir Frederick, thou hast come all the w