It was the close of the autumn, in the year 1485, when Lady Margaret came one evening to Robin's cottage, not secretly as heretofore, not in fear and trembling lest it should be known for whom her visit was intended, but openly to greet her son as De Clifford's heir. Little did he guess the purport of her coming as he returned her fond embrace, but he saw that her countenance was radiant with happiness, and he asked if Sir Lancelot had returned. "No, my son, he is in London; and, Henry, I have important news to tell. Have you courage to hear it?" "Why should I need courage, dear mother? You do not look as if you had evil tidings to communicate." "The tidings I bring are not evil; but it requires fortitude to bear a great joy as well as a great sorrow, when it comes upon us unexpectedly." Henry's heart began to beat more quickly, his face flushed, and his voice trembled as he asked-- "Mother, what has happened? Tell me at once, I beseech you." "I told you, Henry, that we were looking for a renewal of the war." "Yes, you told me so. Has it begun again?" "It has begun and ended, I hope, for ever. There has been a battle; King Richard is killed, and a prince of the House of Lancaster now sits on the throne." Henry started up from his seat, his eyes fixed on Lady Margaret's face in an agony of suspense. "And I, mother, what have I to do with this?" "Much, my beloved son. Henry the Seventh is a just and noble prince, and your father, my husband, is at his court even now." "Then, am I--am I--" he could not give utterance to what he wished to say, but Lady Margaret knew what he would ask, and replied-- "Yes, my Henry, it is even so. You are now Lord Clifford before all the world, and I, your mother, may once more fearlessly acknowledge my son." Henry fell on his knees, and raised his clasped hands and streaming eyes in gratitude to heaven. He could scarcely realise this great, this overwhelming happiness. Again and again he embraced that tender mother, who, for so many years had watched over him like a guardian angel, and smoothed the rugged path he had been forced to tread.