“Perhaps I am the personation of both seignorie and people; but I design this solely for his welfare. Ah, the gallant prince—how well he bore himself to-day!”
“Ay, when stealing all hearts from thee to him.”
“And, Vive Dieu, I never loved him so well as when he did! Methinks it was for a day like this that I reared his youth and achieved his crown. Oh, priest, priest, thou mistakest me. I am rash, hot, haughty, hasty; and I love not to bow my knees to a man because they call him king, if his life be vicious and his word be false. But could Edward be ever as to-day, then indeed should I hail a sovereign whom a baron may reverence and a soldier serve!”
Before the archbishop could reply, the door gently opened, and the countess appeared. Warwick seemed glad of the interruption; he turned quickly—“And how fares my child?”
“Recovered from her strange swoon, and ready to smile at thy return. Oh, Warwick, thou art reconciled to the king?”
“That glads thee, sister?” said the archbishop.
“Surely. Is it not for my lord’s honour?”
“May he find it so!” said the prelate, and he left the room.
“My priest-brother is chafed,” said the earl, smiling. “Pity he was not born a trader, he would have made a shrewd hard bargain. Verily, our priests burn the Jews out of envy! Ah, m’amie, how fair thou art to-day! Methinks even Isabel’s cheek less blooming.” And the warrior drew the lady towards him, and smoothed her hair, and tenderly kissed her brow. “My letter vexed thee, I know, for thou lovest Edward, and blamest me not for my love to him. It is true that he hath paltered with me, and that I had stern resolves, not against his crown, but to leave him to his fate, and in these halls to resign my charge. But while he spoke, and while he looked, methought I saw his mother’s face, and heard his dear father’s tone, and the past rushed over me, and all wrath was gone. Sonless myself, why would he not be my son?” The earl’s voice trembled, and the tears stood in his dark eyes.
“Speak thus, dear lord, to Isabel, for I fear her overvaulting spirit—”