ee
what a king dares, when a subject threatens. Admit the worshipful
the deputies from our city of London,--lord chamberlain, it is thine
office,--they await in the anteroom."

Hastings gravely obeyed, and in crimson gowns, with purple hoods and
gold chains, marshalled into the king's presence a goodly deputation
from the various corporate companies of London.

These personages advanced within a few paces of the dais, and there
halted and knelt, while their spokesman read, on his knees, a long
petition, praying the king to take into his gracious consideration
the state of the trade with the Flemings; and though not absolutely
venturing to name or to deprecate the meditated alliance with France,
beseeching his grace to satisfy them as to certain rumours, already very
prejudicial to their commerce, of the possibility of a breach with the
Duke of Burgundy. The merchant-king listened with great attention and
affability to this petition; and replied shortly, that he thanked the
deputation for their zeal for the public weal,--that a king would have
enough to do if he contravened every gossip's tale; but that it was
his firm purpose to protect, in all ways, the London traders, and to
maintain the most amicable understanding with the Duke of Burgundy.

The supplicators then withdrew from the royal presence.

"Note you how gracious the king was to me?" whispered Master Heyford to
one of his brethren; "he looked at me while he answered."

"Coxcomb!" muttered the confidant, "as if I did not catch his eye when
he said, 'Ye are the pillars of the public weal!' But because Master
Heyford has a handsome wife he thinks he tosseth all London on his own
horns!"

As the citizens were quitting the palace, Lord Rivers joined them. "You
will thank me for suggesting this deputation, worthy sirs," said he,
smiling significantly; "you have timed it well!"--and passing by them,
without further comment, he took the way to the queen's chamber.

Elizabeth was playing with her infant daughter, tossing the child in
the air, and laughing at its riotous laughter. The stern old Duchess of
Bedford, leaning over the back of the state-chair, looked on with all
a grandmother's pride, and half chanted a nursery rhyme. It was a
sight fair to see! Elizabeth never seemed more lovely: her artificial,
dissimulating smile changed into hearty, maternal glee, her smooth
cheek flushed with exercise, a stray ringlet escaping from the stiff
coif!--And, alas, th