ualities of
Richard do show up like stars in a deep, dark sky."

"Then the sky is truly black?" asked Sir Frederick, with a smile.

I could not help but laugh at the way I had at last unconsciously
expressed mine opinion of the Duke, after having declined to do so, but
a breathing-space before. I cared not now that I had spoken my mind of
Richard; for the more I looked into the honest face before me, the more
did I trust to his discretion.

Then our conversation changed to the gossip of the court, of which I
told him all. The only part of this in which he showed interest was
when I spoke of the King's health.

"I fear," said he, "that his Majesty's reign is nearing an untimely
end. When a man hath lived the life that the noble Edward hath, and
kept up, with unbated vigor, his licentious habits, even when his body
hath broken down, it doth take but little to blow the candle out. Some
morning we shall awaken to find that Edward IV is dead, and his infant
son is our new king."

"Yes, that is what we must soon expect, for kings must die as well as
subjects; especially, as thou most wisely saidst, kings which insist
upon living a life of three score and ten years in a trifle more than
two score."

"And then God help poor England," said my new acquaintance devoutly.

"Why dost thou take such a pessimistic view of the situation in case of
King Edward's death?" I asked; for the solemn manner in which Harleston
had last spoken strangely thrilled me.

He regarded me thoughtfully whilst one might, with leisure, tell a
score, ere he did answer my question; then he said:--"It hath ever been
a rule of mine, as it evidently is of yours, to not speak mine opinions
unto strangers; but on the contrary to let the other party speak his
mind most freely. I have found this plan to be of exceeding worth in
enabling me to gather most useful information, without a payment in
return."

I felt my face flush red, and I was about to express, in no mild
speech, mine opinion of his action in thus obtaining from me all the
information that I did possess, and then, when I did ask him to explain
the meaning of his own remarks, to thus answer me.

He took no notice of my movement or look, but continued speaking in
that same quiet voice, that never did seem to be disturbed by passion,
and yet had in it something of a force that ever made it to command
attention.

"Many years have I spent in France, and therefore a stranger have I
come