One evening we held a council at which it was decided to start for London on the second day following.
The next day, about the hour of noon, a gentleman arrived at the Castle and requested an audience with the Lord Rivers. We were at dinner when he arrived; so he was informed that his audience would be granted so soon as my lord had finished his repast.
The gentleman sent back word that he came from Windsor, as the messenger of the Queen.
When Rivers heard this he arose hurriedly and ordered him to be admitted at once.
Imagine my surprise when in walked Harleston.
He had never met Lord Rivers, so I presented him.
He handed a packet to his lordship, with the words:—"From the Queen, my lord."
Rivers tore open the packet in great excitement, and as he read its contents I saw a cloud of disappointment pass over his brilliant features. Grey went over to his uncle, and read the letter over the other's shoulder. When he had finished, his features wore the same look as did his uncle's, except that they also showed strong traces of anger.
"Well, Bradley," at length said Rivers, "our work hath been for nought. We are commanded, here, to have the army disbanded, and to take only a sufficient retinue to support the dignity of our young King."
"Then things have brightened?" I asked.