onville--I have
in view a trusty Yorkist to whom the retainers of that House shall be
assigned. But of that anon. What I now wish from thy wisdom is, to aid
me in rousing Edward from his lethargy; he laughs at his danger, and
neither communicates with his captains nor mans his coasts. His courage
makes him a dullard."

After some further talk on these heads, and more detailed account of the
preparations which Gloucester deemed necessary to urge on the king, the
duke, then moving his chair nearer to Hastings, said with a smile,--

"And now, Hastings, to thyself: it seems that thou hast not heard the
news which reached us four days since. The Lord Bonville is dead,--died
three months ago at his manor house in Devon. [To those who have read
the "Paston Letters" it will not seem strange that in that day the death
of a nobleman at his country seat should be so long in reaching the
metropolis,--the ordinary purveyors of communication were the itinerant
attendants of fairs; and a father might be ignorant for months together
of the death of his son.] Thy Katherine is free, and in London. Well,
man, where is thy joy?"

"Time is, time was!" said Hastings, gloomily. "The day has passed when
this news could rejoice me."

"Passed! nay, thy good stars themselves have fought for thee in delay.
Seven goodly manors swell the fair widow's jointure; the noble dowry she
brought returns to her. Her very daughter will bring thee power. Young
Cecily Bonville [afterwards married to Dorset], the heiress, Lord Dorset
demands in betrothal. Thy wife will be mother-in-law to thy queen's son;
on the other hand, she is already aunt to the Duchess of Clarence;
and George, be sure, sooner or later, will desert Warwick, and win his
pardon. Powerful connections, vast possessions, a lady of immaculate
name and surpassing beauty, and thy first love!--(thy hand
trembles!)--thy first love, thy sole love, and thy last!"

"Prince--Prince! forbear! Even if so--In brief, Katherine loves me not!"

"Thou mistakest! I have seen her, and she loves thee not the less
because her virtue so long concealed the love." Hastings uttered an
exclamation of passionate joy, but again his face darkened.

Gloucester watched him in silence; besides any motive suggested by the
affection he then sincerely bore to Hastings, policy might well interest
the duke in the securing to so loyal a Yorkist the hand and the wealth
of Lord Warwick's sister; but, prudently not pressing the