the thing factions contend for; absent, insignificant, unheeded,
and, save by a few of the leaders and fanatical priests, absolutely
forgotten!

To this solitary chamber we are now transported; yet solitary is a word
of doubtful propriety; for though the royal captive was alone, so far as
the human species make up a man's companionship and solace, though the
faithful gentlemen, Manning, Bedle, and Allerton, had, on the news of
Warwick's landing, been thrust from his chamber, and were now in the
ranks of his new and strange defenders, yet power and jealousy had not
left his captivity all forsaken. There was still the starling in its
cage, and the fat, asthmatic spaniel still wagged its tail at the sound
of its master's voice, or the rustle of his long gown. And still from
the ivory crucifix gleamed the sad and holy face of the God, present
alway, and who, by faith and patience, linketh evermore grief to
joy,--but earth to heaven.

The august prisoner had not been so utterly cut off from all knowledge
of the outer life as to be ignorant of some unwonted and important stir
in the fortress and the city. The squire who had brought him his morning
meal had been so agitated as to excite the captive's attention, and had
then owned that the Earl of Warwick had proclaimed Henry king, and was
on his march to London. But neither the squire nor any of the officers
of the Tower dared release the illustrious captive, or even remove him
as yet to the state apartments vacated by Elizabeth. They knew not what
might be the pleasure of the stout earl or the Duke of Clarence, and
feared over-officiousness might be their worst crime. But naturally
imagining that Henry's first command, at the new position of things,
might be for liberty, and perplexed whether to yield or refuse, they
absented themselves from his summons, and left the whole tower in which
he was placed actually deserted.

From his casement the king could see, however, the commotion, and the
crowds upon the wharf and river, with the gleam of arms and banners;
and hear the sounds of "A Warwick!" "A Clarence!" "Long live good Henry
VI.!" A strange combination of names, which disturbed and amazed him
much! But by degrees the unwonted excitement of perplexity and surprise
settled back into the calm serenity of his most gentle mind and temper.
That trust in an all-directing Providence, to which he had schooled
himself, had (if we may so say with reverence) driven his beautiful so