noured than ourselves." Edward turned
round to his courtiers as he spoke, and saw that his last words had
called a haughty and angry look to the watchful countenance of Montagu.
"Lord Hastings," he continued, "to your keeping, as our representative,
we intrust this gentleman. He must need refreshment ere we present him
to our queen."

The count bowed to the ground, and reverently withdrew from the royal
presence, accompanied by Hastings. Edward then, singling Anthony
Woodville and Lord Rivers from the group, broke up the audience, and,
followed by those two noblemen, quitted the hall.

Montagu, whose countenance had recovered the dignified and high-born
calm habitual to it, turned to the Duke of Clarence, and observed
indifferently, "The Count de la Roche hath a goodly mien, and a fair
tongue."

"Pest on these Burgundians!" answered Clarence, in an undertone, and
drawing Montagu aside. "I would wager my best greyhound to a scullion's
cur that our English knights will lower their burgonets."

"Nay, sir, an idle holiday show. What matters whose lance breaks, or
whose destrier stumbles?"

"Will you not, yourself, cousin Montagu--you who are so peerless in the
joust--take part in the fray?"

"I, your Highness,--I, the brother of the Earl of Warwick, whom this
pageant hath been devised by the Woodvilles to mortify and disparage in
his solemn embassy to Burgundy's mightiest foe!--I!"

"Sooth to say," said the young prince, much embarrassed, "it grieves
me sorely to hear thee speak as if Warwick would be angered at this
pastime. For, look you, Montagu, I, thinking only of my hate to Burgundy
and my zeal for our English honour, have consented, as high constable,
and despite my grudge to the Woodvilles, to bear the bassinet of our own
champion, and--"

"Saints in heaven!" exclaimed Montagu, with a burst of his fierce
brother's temper, which he immediately checked, and changed into a tone
that concealed, beneath outward respect, the keenest irony, "I crave
your pardon humbly for my vehemence, Prince of Clarence. I suddenly
remember me that humility is the proper virtue of knighthood. Your
Grace does indeed set a notable example of that virtue to the peers of
England; and my poor brother's infirmity of pride will stand rebuked for
aye, when he hears that George Plantagenet bore the bassinet of Anthony
Woodville."

"But it is for the honour of the ladies," said Clarence, falteringly;
"in honour of the fairest maid of al