, paler than pearls
and fragile as Venetian glass, yet calm and self-contained, moved
slowly in the heavy royal robes; and after her walked Margaret,
Countess of Richmond and mother of him who next would wear the crown,
the usurping Tudor.

And then the throne was reached--the music swelled in solemn
chorus--the aged Primate raised the crown and placed it on Richard
Plantagenet's head--the "Te Deum" rolled out in thunderous tones--and a
new King reigned in England.

It was in the late afternoon of the following day that De Lacy,
strolling along Bishopgate Street, chanced upon Sir John de Bury near
the White Hart Inn, the newest and most popular hostelry in London.

"By St. Luke," Sir John exclaimed, "you are a welcome sight. Come and
drink a measure of Burgundy, and I will tell you a bit of news."

They pushed their way through the motley throng in the main room and,
coming upon the landlord, were conducted with many bows and smiles to a
retired corner and in a moment the wine was set before them. Sir John
lifted high the vessel and watched the heavy liquid fall. Then taking
a sip he let it run slowly down his throat.

"Not bad, by half," he said, smacking his lips with the air of a
connoisseur, and drained his cup at a draught. "What think you of the
Coronation?"

"It was a noble spectacle, and a proper act for England."

"Aye, it was--yet I would that Hastings and not Stanley had borne the
Mace."

"And that Stanley had been sent in Hastings' place to Chapel Green?" De
Lacy asked.

"By St. Luke, yes!" said Sir John instantly; then he leaned over and
put his hand on Aymer's shoulder--"and truly, it was a gallant thing
you and De Wilton did that mournful morning. Has Gloucester--the King,
I mean--said aught to you of it, or has it not reached his ears?"

De Lacy laughed. "He knew it ere he left the Tower, but he found no
fault with us."

"And if I know Richard, he liked you both the better for it. . . Here,
fellow, another measure of wine, and see that it be of the same
barrel. . . These rogues need watching else will they serve poorer
stuff the second time, as you have likely noticed."

"Human nature, and innkeepers' nature in particular, does not change
between Dover and Calais; yet they would hardly do us the discourtesy
to think that our heads muddled so easily."

"Nay, lad, I was but following my motto that it is better to warn
before the fight than after."

"Did you warn before the figh