, the matter had not been
mentioned between them; nor did the Duke know that Richard had ever heard
of his outburst. Yet it is sure that from that moment they had
distrusted each other, though they varied not a jot their former bearing.
Stafford remained at Court in constant attendance, and the King continued
to grant him substantial favors and honors, and this day, as they rode
side by side toward Reading (as well as until Buckingham turned aside at
Gloucester for his demesne of Brecknock), the most astute observer could
not have detected in the frank cordiality of their manner, the faintest
trace of unfriendliness on the part of either.

The King had thrown aside his haughty reserve, and laughed and chatted
gayly with those about him. Toward the inhabitants, who were gathered in
crowds along the highways, he was very gracious, doffing bonnet to the
curtsies of the women, and acknowledging with a gracious sweep of his arm
and hand the respectful salutations of the men. And many were the
enthusiastic cries of "God save the King!" or "God save Your Majesty!" or
"God save King Richard!" And they came from the solitary individual as
well as from the multitude; from the laborers in the country as well as
from the tradesmen and artificers in the hamlets and small towns.

It was near evening on the twelfth day after leaving Windsor that the
tall towers of Warwick Castle loomed in the distance, the giant "Caesar"
rising high above its huge brothers, the "Gateway" and the "Grey," and
casting its grim shadow far across the country-side. During much of this
day's journey Richard had been very quiet, riding with his head sunk on
his breast; and observing this, his attendants, save only the particular
Knight of the Body on duty, gradually drew further behind so that their
talk would not annoy him. At intervals he summoned one or more of them,
but after a short time his interest waned, his abstraction returned, and
like discreet courtiers, they quickly dropped again to the rear. As they
neared the fortress he roused himself, and when the bombard on the wall
roared out the royal salute he waved his suite to him. At the same time
Sir William Catesby, who had gone on in advance from Worcester the
previous day, came galloping to meet them with Sir James Gascoyne, the
Constable of the Castle.

Richard supped alone that evening; and then for a while he paced the
floor in meditation, pausing finally at the open window. Presently