nnerly bearing, as his black plume disappeared in the arch of
the vaulted door.

While such the scene in the interior chambers of the palace, Marmaduke,
with the frank simpleness which belonged to his youth and training, had
already won much favour and popularity, and he was laughing loud with a
knot of young men by the shovel-board when Warwick re-entered. The earl,
though so disliked by the courtiers more immediately about the person
of the king, was still the favourite of the less elevated knights and
gentry who formed the subordinate household and retainers; and with
these, indeed, his manner, so proud and arrogant to his foes and rivals,
relapsed at once into the ease of the manly and idolized chief. He was
pleased to see the way made by his young namesake, and lifting his cap,
as he nodded to the group and leaned his arm upon Marmaduke's shoulder,
he said, "Thanks, and hearty thanks, to you, knights and gentles, for
your courteous reception of an old friend's young son. I have our king's
most gracious permission to see him enrolled one of the court you grace.
Ah, Master Falconer, and how does thy worthy uncle?--braver knight never
trod. What young gentleman is yonder?--a new face and a manly one; by
your favour, present him. The son of a Savile! Sir, on my return, be
not the only Savile who shuns our table of Warwick Court. Master Dacres,
commend me to the lady, your mother; she and I have danced many a
measure together in the old time,--we all live again in our children.
Good den to you, sirs. Marmaduke, follow me to the office,--you lodge
in the palace. You are gentleman to the most gracious and, if Warwick
lives, to the most puissant of Europe's sovereigns. I shall see Montagu
at home; he shall instruct thee in thy duties, and requite thee for all
discourtesies on the archery-ground."

BOOK III. IN WHICH THE HISTORY PASSES FROM THE KING'S COURT TO THE
STUDENT'S CELL, AND RELATES THE PERILS THAT BEFELL A PHILOSOPHER FOR
MEDDLING WITH THE AFFAIRS OF THE WORLD.

CHAPTER I. THE SOLITARY SAGE AND THE SOLITARY MAID.

While such the entrance of Marmaduke Nevile into a court, that if far
less intellectual and refined than those of later days, was yet more
calculated to dazzle the fancy, to sharpen the wit, and to charm the
senses,--for round the throne of Edward IV. chivalry was magnificent,
intrigue restless, and pleasure ever on the wing,--Sibyll had ample
leisure in her solitary home to muse over the