the conceder."

"I have thought how to soothe all things, and without humbling either
party. Your Grace's mother is dearly beloved by Warwick and revered by
all. Since your marriage she hath lived secluded from all state affairs.
As so nearly akin to Warwick, so deeply interested in your Grace, she is
a fitting mediator in all disputes. Be they left to her to arbitrate."

"Ah, cunning prelate, thou knowest how my proud mother hates the
Woodvilles; thou knowest how her judgment will decide."

"Perhaps so; but at least your Grace will be spared all pain and all
abasement."

"Will Warwick consent to this?"

"I trust so."

"Learn, and report to me. Enough for to-night's conference." Edward was
left alone, and his mind ran rapidly over the field of action open to
him.

"I have half won the earl's army," he thought; "but it would be to
lose all hold in their hearts again, if they knew that these unhappy
Woodvilles were the cause of a second breach between us. Certes, the
Lancastrians are making strong head! Certes, the times must be played
with and appeased! And yet these poor gentlemen love me after my own
fashion, and not with the bear's hug of that intolerable earl. How came
the grim man by so fair a daughter? Sweet Anne! I caught her eye often
fixed on me, and with a soft fear which my heart beat loud to read
aright. Verily, this is the fourth week I have passed without hearing
a woman's sigh! What marvel that so fair a face enamours me! Would
that Warwick made her his ambassador; and yet it were all over with
the Woodvilles if he did! These men know not how to manage me, and
well-a-day, that task is easy eno' to women!" He laughed gayly to
himself as he thus concluded his soliloquy, and extinguished the tapers.
But rest did not come to his pillow; and after tossing to and fro for
some time in vain search for sleep, he rose and opened his casement to
cool the air which the tapers had overheated. In a single casement, in a
broad turret, projecting from an angle in the building, below the tower
in which his chamber was placed, the king saw a solitary light
burning steadily. A sight so unusual at such an hour surprised him.
"Peradventure, the wily prelate," thought he. "Cunning never sleeps."
But a second look showed him the very form that chased his slumbers.
Beside the casement, which was partially open, he saw the soft profile
of the Lady Anne; it was bent downwards; and what with the clear
moonlight, and the la