see," she whispered, "before we
visit your father, let me see the turret in which the unhappy Henry is
confined."

And Sibyll led her through the arch of that tower, now called "The
Bloody," and showed her the narrow casement deep sunk in the mighty
wall, without which hung the starling in the cage, basking its plumes in
the wintry sun. Anne gazed with that deep interest and tender reverence
which the parent of the man she loves naturally excites in a woman; and
while thus standing sorrowful and silent, the casement was unbarred,
and she saw the mild face of the human captive; he seemed to talk to
the bird, which, in shrill tones and with clapping wings, answered
his address. At that time a horn sounded at a little distance off; a
clangour of arms, as the sentries saluted, was heard; the demoiselles
retreated through the arch, and mounted the stair conducting to the
very room, then unoccupied, in which tradition records the murder of the
Third Richard's nephews; and scarcely had they gained this retreat, ere
towards the Bloody Gate, and before the prison tower, rode the king who
had mounted the captive's throne. His steed, gaudy with its housing, his
splendid dress, the knights and squires who started forward from every
corner to hold his gilded stirrup, his vigorous youth, so blooming and
so radiant,--all contrasted, with oppressive force, the careworn face
that watched him meekly through the little casement of the Wakefield
tower. Edward's large, quick blue eye caught sudden sight of the once
familiar features. He looked up steadily, and his gaze encountered the
fallen king's. He changed countenance: but with the external chivalry
that made the surface of his hollow though brilliant character, he bowed
low to his saddle-bow as he saw his captive, and removed the plumed cap
from his high brow.

Henry smiled sadly, and shook his reverend head, as if gently to rebuke
the mockery; then he closed the casement; and Edward rode into the yard.

"How can the king hold here a court and here a prison? Oh, hard heart!"
murmured Anne, as, when Edward had disappeared, the damsels bent their
way to Adam's chamber.

"Would the Earl Warwick approve thy pity, sweet Lady Anne?" asked
Sibyll.

"My father's heart is too generous to condemn it," returned Anne, wiping
the tears from her eyes; "how often in the knight's galliard shall I see
that face!"

The turret in which Warner's room was placed flanked the wing inhabited
by the ro