"The Duke of Buckingham," replied Aymer, "sends to the Duke of Gloucester his most humble greeting and his very sincere condolence upon the death of Your Grace's great brother and sire." "Pass over the formalities, Sir Aymer," interrupted the Duke curtly. "It was scarce for them you rode from London to Pontefract." Aymer bowed. "Buckingham's message was in these words: 'Tell the Duke of Gloucester to hasten to London without delay. I have conferred with the Lords Howard, Hastings, and Stanley, and we are of the one mind that he must be Lord Protector. Tell him we pledge to him our whole support if he will give us his countenance in this crucial struggle against the Woodvilles.'" "Did he say nothing as to the present status of the situation?" inquired Gloucester quietly. "I am far from Court and know little of its happenings." "With them, my lord, I am fully acquainted," said De Lacy, "both from my own observation and by the Duke himself." "How stands the matter, then?" "Rather favorable to the Queen's faction than otherwise. The King's coronation has been fixed for the first Lord's Day of the coming month and His Majesty is to be escorted from Ludlow by two thousand men. The Marquis of Dorset has seized the treasure in the Tower and Sir Edward Woodville has been tampering with the navy, and methinks not without result. The Queen and the whole family are catering to the populace and spare no effort to win their favor. Only action sharp and sudden will enable the Barons to prevail." For a moment Gloucester made no response, but sat with his head bent upon his bosom, as was his habit when in thought. Presently he said: "How do you know that the King's escort will number two thousand?" "The Council so fixed it, and very much against the wishes of the Queen." "She wanted more, I doubt not," said the Duke meditatively. "She long held that less than five thousand would not be fitting the dignity of a King." Gloucester looked up with a trace of a smile around his eyes. "Will the Earl of Rivers accompany his nephew?" he asked. "It was so reported to His Grace of Buckingham; and further, also, that they would not start from Ludlow until the feast of St. George had passed." "Did Stafford advise no plan in case I fell in with his desires?" "None. The lords will follow whatever course you fix. All that they urge is haste." "How long does Buckingham remain at Brecknock?" "Until he receive word from you--or failing in that, until there be but time sufficient to reach London for the coronation." "Was it his purpose that you should carry my answer?" "Nay, my lord Duke," said De Lacy. "Here ends my mission for Buckingham. It was but as friend for friend that I bore this message. I am not of his household nor was it his business that brought me here." "What brought you to Pontefract then, Sir Knight?" said Richard sternly. "As Buckingham's messenger you have received due honor; that aside, your name alone commends you."