“Alas!” said Sir Thomas, “what is going on here?”
He looked at Margaret and regretted she was there; but she seemed entirely unmoved. Margaret
had but one thought, and that admitted of no other.
On approaching the Tower they were still more surprised to see an immense crowd assembled and thronging every avenue of approach. The bridges and decks of the vessels were covered with people, and there seemed to be a general commotion and excitement.
“Thither she comes,” said some women who were dragging their children after them at the risk of having them crushed by the crowd.
“I saw her yesterday,” said another. “She is lovely; the fairest plumes on her head.”
“And how her diamonds glittered! You should have seen them.”
“Be still there, gabblers!” said a fat man mounted on a cask, leaning against a wall. “You keep me from hearing what they are shouting down yonder.”
“My troth! she is more magnificent than the other.”
“They say we are to have fountains of wine at the coronation, and a grand show at Westminster Hall.”