"You are very thoughtful, my lord," De Lacy answered brokenly.
"And I am enjoined by the King," said Ratcliffe, "to assure you that your domains shall not be forfeited or your Line attainted."
The Duke looked at the Master of Horse steadily for a moment.
"Verily, Richard is a mystery," he said. "Is he then greedy of naught save power, that he passes thus my lands and castles?"
"Methinks there are many who misjudge him," Ratcliffe answered.
"Perchance! Yet my judgment is of small import now. Nathless, I thank him for his clemency and consideration toward my wife and son. And touching my body, I trust it may be decently interred."
"It will be laid beside your ancestors; and with every ceremony your family may desire."
"Truly, this death is not so hard," Stafford said, with a bit of a laugh. "You have just robbed it of its only terrors. Farewell, my friends, farewell!"—And again he took their hands.
Turning to the headsman, who had stood motionless the while, he ran his eyes over the stalwart figure.
"Have you been long at the trade, fellow?" he asked.