Gently he kissed the dainty fingers lying in his mighty palm, and then he arose without a word. Why, oh why, are not the kings and rulers of men born with hearts like Michael's? Thy praises, oh my faithful squire, should be sung by masters skilled in the art of playing upon the sympathetic strings of the living harp, in place of the task, so full of possibilities, being left to the feeble hand of such an one as I. But then, who knows as well as thine old master the workings of that great heart whose every throb is one of loyalty? But come, Sir Walter, hasten along in the path where lies thy story, and tarry not, like some gossiping old wife, at every house along the way, telling some news that helps thee not unto thy destination. "I have more ill news for thee, Sir Walter," said Elizabeth, when Michael had arisen and resumed his former place, glad to be no longer the object on which we all did gaze. "Heaven forbid!" I exclaimed devoutly. "Nay, Heaven doth forbid no woe to fall upon mine untimely silvering head; and it is but just that I should have my punishment." "But what new calamity may this be, madam?" "Word reached me a week ago that my little Richard hath disappeared from the Sanctuary in France, where my son, the Marquis of Dorset, left him. "But comes the news from a trusty source?" "Yes, from Dorset himself. It happened thus, he says:-- "Near-by where stands the Sanctuary there a great mount doth lift its rugged brow far above the natural level of the earth. Here did my little Prince delight to stroll and watch the sparkling waters far, far beneath his feet, rush in their tumbling haste from rock to rock along their never-ceasing course. Here last was he seen sitting, as was sometimes his wont, upon a boulder beneath a scraggling bush that there doth grow. At set of sun he came not to the house; so the good folk there went out to bring him in. Nowhere could they find him; and now 'tis thought he fell by accident, or intent, down, down into the cruel waters at his feet. From that day since he hath not been found; but his hat was by a traveller picked up and brought into the Sanctuary. "Now my little Princes both have gone to join their father, and I--though God knows why--remain upon the earth. "If little Richard be dead--the which must be only too true--we will make the Earl of Richmond King. Then shall my daughter, Elizabeth, be his Queen. This is all I can now hope for; but it shall be the means of ridding England of blood-supping tyrants, and shall give unto me my long-desired revenge. "Lord Stanley is now at the head of a strong force, and is marching from the North, apparently to meet the tyrant near by Leicester. "Richmond is now well on his way to London; and as he comes great numbers flock unto his standard. "Stanley will, at the last moment, leave the Usurper to his fate and side with the Earl. "Sir Frederick, here, leaves this morning to join Lord Stanley.