her."

"This she hath no right to do," broke in Richard. "Was not I appointed
the protector of these children, by my Royal brother? And does the
Queen take it upon herself thus to assume mine office?" With this
Gloucester arose and walked back and forth across the room; his left
arm drawn up, and his thumb stuck in his belt, as was his usual custom.
With his right hand he played with his dagger; drawing it partly from
its richly jewelled sheath, and then returning it with a sharp "snick,"
thus keeping time with his limping step. As he walked he kept up a
continual string of sharp speeches against the Queen, like the
discharge from a company of archers, each arrow having its mark to
strike. "Ha! Saint Paul, one might think the Protector of England an
office of but little weight. Old Louis will have grand amusement at
our expense. The King's brother not at the coronation, but hidden
away, as though his Majesty were a tyrant. 'Tis monstrous! And the
sacrilege of this act. A boy, not yet nine years of age, which could
never have committed an offence, hidden in a house of God as though it
were a fortress. Ha! my Lord Cardinal," said he, as he stopped
suddenly before that most reverend gentleman, "the slight is as great
to thee as it is to me. What sayst thou? Shall we submit meekly,
whilst others walk over us and break the laws of our several charges;
or shall we demand the person of the Duke, and, if he be not handed
over gently, then rescue him by force?"

"Most certainly I do agree with his Royal Highness, and think 'tis an
outrage for the Queen to take the stand she hath," said the Bishop, who
evidently desired to curry favor with Gloucester by agreeing with him.
"Of course," he added, methought a little nervously, "if her Majesty
consents to quietly restore the little Duke, so much the better; then
no precedent need be set for using force to obtain those which have
taken refuge in a Sanctuary."

"And what says my Lord Hastings?" asked Richard, as he turned to that
nobleman, who had not yet expressed his opinion.

"I am of the same opinion as these most holy gentlemen. If her Majesty
can be persuaded to hand over the Duke, peacefully, so much the better;
if not, why then use force," replied the Chancellor.

During all this conversation Catesby--who was present--stood beside
Hastings, as a dog by its master. Whenever he caught mine eye he
stared so impudently that I had much ado to restrain myself fro