m the better for that, like me, the sword was more meet than the
pen for his bold hand." Here Warwick scanned, with some slowness, the
lines dictated by the dead to the priest; and when he had done, he
laid the letter respectfully on his desk, and bowing his head over it,
muttered to himself,--it might be an Ave for the deceased. "Well," he
said, reseating himself, and again motioning Marmaduke to follow his
example, "thy father was, in sooth, to blame for the side he took in the
Wars. What son of the Norman could bow knee or vail plume to that shadow
of a king, Henry of Windsor? And for his bloody wife--she knew no more
of an Englishman's pith and pride than I know of the rhymes and roundels
of old Rene, her father. Guy Nevile--good Guy--many a day in my boyhood
did he teach me how to bear my lance at the crest, and direct my sword
at the mail joints. He was cunning at fence--thy worshipful father--but
I was ever a bad scholar; and my dull arm, to this day, hopes more from
its strength than its craft."

"I have heard it said, noble earl, that the stoutest hand can scarcely
lift your battle-axe."

"Fables! romaunt!" answered the earl, smiling; "there it lies,--go and
lift it."

Marmaduke went to the table, and, though with some difficulty, raised
and swung this formidable weapon.

"By my halidame, well swung, cousin mine! Its use depends not on the
strength, but the practice. Why, look you now, there is the boy Richard
of Gloucester, who comes not up to thy shoulder, and by dint of custom
each day can wield mace or axe with as much ease as a jester doth his
lathesword. Ah, trust me, Marmaduke, the York House is a princely one;
and if we must have a king, we barons, by stout Saint George, let no
meaner race ever furnish our lieges. But to thyself, Marmaduke--what are
thy views and thy wishes?"

"To be one of thy following, noble Warwick."

"I thank and accept thee, young Nevile; but thou hast heard that I am
about to leave England, and in the mean time thy youth would run danger
without a guide." The earl paused a moment, and resumed: "My brother of
Montagu showed thee cold countenance; but a word from me will win
thee his grace and favour. What sayest thou, wilt thou be one of his
gentlemen? If so, I will tell thee the qualities a man must have,--a
discreet tongue, a quick eye, the last fashion in hood and shoe-bobbins,
a perfect seat on thy horse, a light touch for the gittern, a voice for
a love-song, and--"