"Who has preceded us?" said Stanley; and in contrast to the melodious voice of the Lord Chamberlain his tones were like melting ice. "Only the Lord Chancellor and the Bishop of Ely." "Then, Hastings, we shall have time to discuss further the matter I touched on a moment since," said Stanley, making as though to go on. "As you will," Hastings answered indifferently, and without moving, "but believe me, my lord, it will boot little what may be the record. Eleanor and Katharine Neville were sisters, true enough, but Eleanor is dead and you have wed a second time; while Katharine still chatelaines my castles of Ashby and Calais. The matter has been left to her sweet judgment, and her wish is my decision. It is quite needless to debate the subject further." Aymer caught the quick look of resentment that flashed through Stanley's eyes, but Hastings missed it, for he had turned and was gazing toward the royal lodge. And Stanley, with that cool indifference to aught but expediency which characterized his whole life, let the curt speech pass, seemingly unheeded. In a moment the Lord Chamberlain said courteously, as though regretful for his recent abruptness: "Well, my lord, shall we proceed? It will be well for the Council to be assembled when Richard comes." "In truth, yes," said Stanley suavely; and bowing stiffly to the two young Knights, the traitor of Bosworth linked arms with Hastings and went on toward the White Tower. "Did you mark that?" De Wilton queried; "and evidently it was a matter of some moment since Hastings has submitted it to his wife." "There are more than royal prerogatives at issue these days," replied De Lacy, "and private grievance may work deep into the greater game." "It will be the only way by which the Stanley can be led to bear a part," said De Wilton sententiously. "He savors more of the shops in the Cheap yonder than of Castle or Court." "And hence the pity that he has such power of rank and wealth behind him with his new Countess, the Beaufort heiress." "Aye--and what is worse, in her and her son lie the last hope of Lancaster." "You mean the Earl of Richmond?" said Aymer. "I saw him a year or more ago at the Court of Blois. His appearance gave little promise of kingly blood or spirit." "Nathless, my good friend, our own Duke of Gloucester would give a few hides of land to have that same Earl safe within these walls. York sits not firm on England's throne while the Tudor lives in freedom." "It is a shrewd test of Stanley's faith--his step-fathership to this Richmond," De Lacy observed. "Of a truth, yes; and one that will find him wanting if the trial ever come. Had not His late Majesty died so suddenly, this Margaret would have had a brood of treasons hatched ready for the occasion; and I doubt not that she and her adherents are, even now, deep in plottings with the Welsh and France's King." "With Stanley's knowledge?"