So we all laughingly did what he had asked. I could not explain this jovial conduct by other means than that the Prince and Buckingham had been wetting their palates too freely ere they rode forth to meet us.
We did not leave the table until the bell had rung out the hour of midnight.
"Gloucester," said I—for so we all did call him—"wouldst thou not like a game at dice?"
"In faith I would that same, my friend," replied the Prince.
So we went back to the table and played until the sun began to flash its rays against the fragments of ragged clouds and set them all ablaze.
I won rapidly from the Duke, and when we left the table my purse contained every gold piece that he had with him, besides some that he had borrowed from Buckingham, who did not play.
Richard took his losses all in good part.
"Why, Bradley, thou art a veritable giant at the dice. I have been told that my fortune at the game is good; but thou dost put me to shame." And so he rattled on, showing nothing but his overflow of spirit.
Now and then would he turn to Lord Rivers and enquire how he did fare with Harleston.
My friend had no such good fortune as had I. When he left the table he and Rivers stood about the same as when we started.