used in a game called "closbeys," which she carried in her hand, at the same time calling him a varlet and saucy knave.

The esquire fixed his eyes upon her with an expression of malignity so intense, that it caused even her firm heart to tremble. "Sorceress!" he said, "we shall meet again!"

And then she trembled more: it was not the first time the accusation had been levelled against her.

CHAPTER V.

"Swear to avenge me of mine enemies,

Or else thou dost not love me. Be pitiless,

As they have proved to me."

OLD PLAY.

THE death of her father and brother-so savagely murdered by Warwick and Clarence at Northampton-produced a fearful effect upon Elizabeth, whose heart was devoted to her family. For the first time she seemed to have forgotten the natural gentleness of her nature, and vowed a deep revenge—a sentiment which was kept alive by the passionate grief of the Duchess of Bedford, her mother, who, according to an old chronicler of the time, made the palace ring with her cries and imprecations against the assassins.

The day on which John Gould brought the fatal intelligence had been passed by Edward in hunting the stag in the royal chase at Windsor. The hour was so late when he returned, that he would have immediately retired to rest, had not the lights which he saw in the queen's apartments, and the loud cries of his mother-in-law, attracted his attention; and he proceeded to visit her.

When the gallant monarch entered the chamber of the queen, he discovered her, to his astonishment, reclining upon a pile of cushions, supported by her women, her eldest daughter sobbing

and crying beside her. The long golden hair of his wife, which he was so proud of, had escaped from the linen coif, and fell in wavy curls down her neck and shoulders; her tears and broken sighs added to her beauty. Jaquetta, furious as a bereaved lioness, was questioning the bearer of the fatal news.

"In the name of every saint in heaven!" exclaimed the king, "what has happened?"

Elizabeth started from her recumbent position at the sound of his voice, and, throwing herself into his arms, exclaimed: "Safe! safe! thanks to our Lady of Eltham, the traitors have not reached my sweet lord's life!"

This might have been acting, or it might have been the natural impulse of her woman's heart, alarmed for the safety of her husband.

"What traitors, Lady Bessy ?" he demanded; addressing her by the name which he was accustomed to use in the moments of endearment.

Elizabeth only clung the closer to his embrace, and her tears fell the faster. She could not speak.

"The traitors who have robbed me," replied the Duchess of Bedford, "both of a husband and a son; Elizabeth, of a father and a brother; your majesty of two staunch friends and leal defenders of your throne."

The countenance of Eward became flushed with indignation as he listened to the astounding intelligence. At this period of his life he was still the active soldier, and excess had not weakened the natural energy either of his mental or physical organization. "Name them!" exclaimed Edward, impatiently.

"The man," continued Jaquetta, "who boasts that he holds the crown of England in his iron gauntlet; that his coronet outweighs the crown; whose influence with the people placed your house upon the throne!-the traitor Warwick, the enemy of me and mine, and the ready tool of your unnatural brother, the ambitious, feeble, aspiring Clarence!"

The features of the king grew darker and darker as he listened to words so well calculated to sting his pride and arouse the

natural jealousy of his fiery nature, which had long been galled by the airs which the powerful earl gave himself, both in parliament and in the council.

"Indeed!" he muttered; "it is time to show them which is the strongest, the sceptre or the sword; and Clarence-you said Clarence!-the brother whom I loved-trusted! Don't weep, Bessy!" he added; "don't weep. Since he has forgotten the tie of blood between us, I will forget it too. Their victims shall be well avenged! I swear it by the oath of the Plantagenets and my father's death!"

A smile of ferocious joy flitted for a moment over the pale features of the duchess, as she listened to his words. She felt assured that he would keep his oath; indeed, it was the only one he was never known to break.

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'My father!" sobbed Elizabeth; "my poor, kind father! Oh! my sweet lord, they will take thy life next! Would I were dead; I am not worth the coil they make for me!"

Under the mask of affected moderation, the queen concealed a hatred of her enemies if possible more intense even than her mother's; but she knew the disposition of her husband-knew that her tears and pretended resignation would tend more to confirm him in his resolution than violence and passionate demands for vengeance could have done.

My answer to this bold rebellion," he observed, "must be by acts-not words! I have long foreseen that the time would arrive when the sword must decide whether Warwick or Edward is to rule in England. 'Tis well that we can rely on the fidelity of the citizens of London!" he added; "they have ever been constant in their devotion to our cause."

With many soothing words and endearments, he consigned the queen to the care of Alice and her tirewomen, at the same time recommending his mother-in-law to send for Dr. Serigo, her physician.

As he was about to leave the apartment, he observed for the first time the presence of John Gould in the privy-chamber of queen. The circumstance appeared to annoy him, for he did

the