d and soiled by travel; the black plume on
his cap was broken, and hung darkly over his face; his horseman's boots,
coming half way up the thigh, were sullied with the dust of the journey;
and yet as he entered, before the majesty of his mien, the grandeur
of his stature, suddenly De Roche, Rivers, even the gorgeous Edward
himself, seemed dwarfed into common men! About the man--his air, his
eye, his form, his attitude--there was THAT which, in the earlier
times, made kings by the acclamation of the crowd,--an unmistakable
sovereignty, as of one whom Nature herself had shaped and stamped for
power and for rule. All three had risen as he entered; and to a deep
silence succeeded an exclamation from Edward, and then again all was
still.

The earl stood a second or two calmly gazing on the effect he had
produced; and turning his dark eye from one to the other, till it rested
full upon De la Roche, who, after vainly striving not to quail beneath
the gaze, finally smiled with affected disdain, and, resting his hand on
his dagger, sank back into his seat.

"My liege," then said Warwick, doffing his cap, and approaching the king
with slow and grave respect, "I crave pardon for presenting myself to
your Highness thus travel-worn and disordered; but I announce that news
which insures my welcome. The solemn embassy of trust committed to me
by your Grace has prospered with God's blessing; and the Fils de Bourbon
and the Archbishop of Narbonne are on their way to your metropolis.
Alliance between the two great monarchies of Europe is concluded on
terms that insure the weal of England and augment the lustre of your
crown. Your claims on Normandy and Guienne King Louis consents to submit
to the arbitrement of the Roman Pontiff, [The Pope, moreover, was to
be engaged to decide the question within four years. A more brilliant
treaty for England, Edward's ambassador could not have effected.] and to
pay to your treasury annual tribute; these advantages, greater than your
Highness even empowered me to demand, thus obtained, the royal brother
of your new ally joyfully awaits the hand of the Lady Margaret."

"Cousin," said Edward, who had thoroughly recovered himself, motioning
the earl to a seat, "you are ever welcome, no matter what your news; but
I marvel much that so deft a statesman should broach these matters
of council in the unseasonable hour and before the gay comrades of a
revel."

"I speak, sire," said Warwick, calmly, though t