got a little
wisdom lately by association with Your Majesty."

"Nay, Stafford has no statecraft in him and can learn none."

"Yet it would seem he deems himself a second Kingmaker," the Earl
Marshal remarked sententiously.

"Let him beware then lest he meet a Warwick's death--or one less noble."

"But, Sire, do you trust entirely this De Lacy if Buckingham grow
discontent? Was he not first vouched for by him?"

"Did you ever hear of a De Lacy untrue to England's King?"

"By the Rood, no! they were ever stanch for him who wore the
crown--even as Howard has been."

"And I trust De Lacy as I trust Howard," with the winning smile he
could use so well when he wished.

The old Peer bent knee and made to kiss the royal hand.

"Not so, John," said Richard, raising him; "let that go save where
ceremony demand it. Your honest grip makes faith enough for
Gloucester."

After some serious consultation Norfolk took his leave, and Richard,
passing on to his apartments and to the window that overlooked the
courtyard, watched him ride off to his own abode. Then with serious
face he turned away.

"Norfolk and Surrey are trustworthy," he said half aloud, "but who else
of the Peers? . . . By St. Paul! it would seem well to finish Edward's
business of snuffing out the old Nobility. Yet I have no Teuton and
Tewkesbury to work an opportunity, nor are the Yorkists united behind
me. . . It is a hard problem; and the way through is far from
clear. . . Buckingham--the Stanleys--Northumberland--all their
friends--I trust them not . . . yet must favor them with power that ere
long may work my ruin. . . It has become fashionable in England it
would seem, since the Second Richard's time, to crown a new King ere
the old one died. It was so with him of Bordeaux--of Windsor--and my
own dear nephew--and pardieu! it may be the same with me. Yet, no! By
St. Paul, no! If that time ever come, there shall be a change in the
fashion: when the new King feels his crown, Richard of Gloucester will
be dead."

XIII

AT ROYAL WINDSOR

But the following day brought a change of plans. The King had held
council with himself during the night; and in the morning there went
forth the word that in late July he would make a royal progress through
his realm, and in the ancient town of York be crowned a second time.
Of this purpose Richard had promptly informed the Queen at Westminster;
and the same messenger who bore her answer bore also