"Promise all, however," said the Queen. "I know his inmost soul--it is set upon extending the dominions of his House in every direction. For this he has seized Gueldres--for this he now overruns and occupies Lorraine--for this he covets such poor remnants of Provence as my father still calls his own. With such augmented territories, he proposes to exchange his ducal diadem for an arched crown of independent sovereignty. Tell the Duke, Margaret can assist his views--tell him, that my father René shall disown the opposition made to the Duke's seizure of Lorraine--He shall do more--he shall declare Charles his heir in Provence, with my ample consent--tell him, the old man shall cede his dominions to him upon the instant that his Hainaulters embark for England, some small pension deducted to maintain a concert of fiddlers, and a troop of morrice-dancers. These are René's only earthly wants. Mine are still fewer--Revenge upon York, and a speedy grave!--For the paltry gold which we may need, thou hast jewels to pledge--For the other conditions, security if required." "For these, madam, I can pledge my knightly word, in addition to your royal faith; and if more is required, my son shall be a hostage with Burgundy." "Oh, no--no!" exclaimed the dethroned Queen, touched by perhaps the only tender feeling, which repeated and extraordinary misfortunes had not chilled into insensibility,--"Hazard not the life of the noble youth--he that is the last of the loyal and faithful House of Vere--he that should have been the brother in arms of my beloved Edward--he that had so nearly been his companion in a bloody and untimely grave! Do not involve this poor child in these fatal intrigues, which have been so baneful to his family. Let him go with me. Him at least I will shelter from danger whilst I live, and provide for when I am no more." "Forgive me, madam," said Oxford, with the firmness which distinguished him. "My son, as you deign to recollect, is a De Vere, destined, perhaps, to be the last of his name. Fall, he may, but it must not be without honour. To whatever dangers his duty and allegiance call him, be it from sword or lance, axe or gibbet, to these he must expose himself frankly, when his doing so can mark his allegiance. His ancestors have shown him how to brave them all." "True, true," exclaimed the unfortunate Queen, raising her arms wildly,--"All must perish--all that have honoured Lancaster--all that have loved Margaret, or whom she has loved! The destruction must be universal--the young must fall with the old--not a lamb of the scattered flock shall escape!" "For God's sake, gracious madam," said Oxford, "compose yourself!--I hear them knock on the chapel door."