e; while his companion, who resembled him
somewhat, was considerably younger. Meanwhile, Gloucester had kept
steadily on; but when the others dismounted and advanced on foot, he
instantly drew rein, and as Ratcliffe threw himself from the saddle and
held the stirrup he stepped to the ground.

"Welcome, noble Rivers and Grey!" he exclaimed. "How fares His
Majesty?"

The two men bent over the Duke's hands, and the elder replied: "Fit as
a King, and most anxious to greet his great and noble uncle."

"Not more than is his uncle to greet him," said Gloucester; and Rivers
read two meanings in the words. "Therefore, let us proceed; and do you
and Sir Richard ride beside me; I have questions by the score to ask."

Presently, as they neared the gate of the town, Gloucester turned to
the Earl.

"Where does the King lodge--at the castle?" he asked.

"His Majesty," replied Rivers, with a quick glance at the Duke, "has a
boy's eagerness to reach London, and insisted upon pushing on as far as
Stoney Stratford--this afternoon. He had already left Northampton when
we learned of your approach. A moment more and we also would have been
gone, for it found us with foot in stirrup."

There was a smile on the Duke's lips as he listened to this unexpected
news.

"I do not wonder at Edward's haste," he answered lightly. "Who would
not be impatient when a crown is waiting for him?--though I regret that
it postpones our meeting till the morrow."

"You will not follow the King to-night?" asked Rivers quickly.

"No, I shall lie here if you and Sir Richard will bear me company. But
if you rejoin him, I must perforce go, too--for me now to remain here
alone would be discourteous."

"Your Grace honors us overmuch; we shall stay and gladly," replied
Rivers readily. "Edward has the others of his Household, and can spare
us for one night."

"Marry, yes!" said Richard. "Vaughan and Croft and Worcester's Bishop
can hold him tight enough, else has the Welsh air changed them greatly."

At the large inn near the market-place the party halted, and
Gloucester, after a few words aside with Ratcliffe, summoned Catesby
and retired to his room. An hour later he descended and requested
Rivers and Grey to join him at the evening meal.

Scarcely had it begun when down the street came the rattle of
bridle-rings and the click of many hoofs. Rivers glanced
apprehensively at the Duke, and then at Grey, and then back again at
the Duke, who was