s, is half pity and half respect."

At this moment a loud shout arose from the youths in the yard, or
sporting-ground, below, and the sisters, startled, and looking up,
saw that the sound was occasioned by the sight of the young Duke
of Gloucester, who was standing on the parapet near the bench the
demoiselles had quitted, and who acknowledged the greeting by a wave
of his plumed cap, and a lowly bend of his head; at the same time
the figures of Warwick and the archbishop, seemingly in earnest
conversation, appeared at the end of the terrace. The sisters rose
hastily, and would have stolen away, but the archbishop caught a glimpse
of their robes, and called aloud to them. The reverent obedience,
at that day, of youth to relations left the sisters no option but to
advance towards their uncle, which they did with demure reluctance.

"Fair brother," said the archbishop, "I would that Gloucester were to
have my stately niece instead of the gaudy Clarence."

"Wherefore?"

"Because he can protect those he loves, and Clarence will ever need a
protector."

"I like George not the less for that," said Warwick, "for I would not
have my son-in-law my master."

"Master!" echoed the archbishop, laughing; "the Soldan of Babylon
himself, were he your son-in-law, would find Lord Warwick a tolerably
stubborn servant!"

"And yet," said Warwick, also laughing, but with a franker tone,
"beshrew me, but much as I approve young Gloucester, and deem him the
hope of the House of York, I never feel sure, when we are of the same
mind, whether I agree with him, or whether he leadeth me. Ah, George!
Isabel should have wedded the king, and then Edward and I would have had
a sweet mediator in all our quarrels. But not so hath it been decreed."

There was a pause.

"Note how Gloucester steals to the side of Anne. Thou mayst have him for
a son-in-law, though no rival to Clarence. Montagu hath hinted that the
duke so aspires."

"He has his father's face--well," said the earl, softly. "But yet," he
added, in an altered and reflective tone, "the boy is to me a riddle.
That he will be bold in battle and wise in council I foresee; but would
he had more of a young man's honest follies! There is a medium between
Edward's wantonness and Richard's sanctimony; and he who in the heyday
of youth's blood scowls alike upon sparkling wine and smiling woman, may
hide in his heart darker and more sinful fancies. But fie on me! I will
not wrongfully mistrus