r and sink it, that being the
easiest and the quickest way of covering up all traces and proofs of
the crime.

[Sidenote: Gloucester.]

The writer who relates this story says that Gloucester's reason for
wishing to have his agency in this transaction concealed was not that
he feared any punishment, for the laws in those days were wholly
powerless to punish deeds of violence like this, committed by men of
Gloucester's rank and station. He only thought that if it were known
that he had murdered in this way so many innocent people, in order
merely to make sure of killing an object of his own private jealousy
and hate, it would injure his popularity!

[Sidenote: Escape of Lady Neville.]

In the mean time, Lady Neville, for it was really Lady Neville whom
Gloucester had stabbed, and who had leaped into the river, floated
on down the stream, borne up by her dress, which was made, according
to the fashion of the times, in a manner to give it great buoyancy in
the water, by means of the hoops with which the sleeves of the robe
were distended, and also from the form of the head-dress, which was
very large and light, and well adapted to serve as a float to keep the
head from sinking.

[Illustration: Female Costume in the Time of Henry VI.]

[Sidenote: Under the bridge.]

[Sidenote: Rescued.]

She floated on in this manner down the river until she had passed
London Bridge, being carried through by the current under one of the
arches. On emerging from the bridge, she came to the part of the river
where the ships and other vessels bound down the river were moored. It
happened that among other vessels lying at anchor in the stream was
one bound to Normandy. The captain of this vessel had been on shore,
but he was now coming off in his boat to go on board again. As the
captain was looking out over the water by the light of a lantern which
he held in his hand, to discern the way to his vessel, he saw
something floating at a short distance from him which resembled the
dress of a woman. He urged the boat forward in that direction. He
succeeded, with great difficulty, after arriving at the spot, in
getting the now almost lifeless form of Lady Neville on board his
boat, and then rowed on as fast as possible to the vessel.

[Sidenote: Received on board a vessel.]

[Sidenote: Her determination.]

Here every thing was done which the case required to restore the
drowning lady to life. She soon recovered her senses, and looked ab