the vespers chime."

"There will be some shrewd tongue play, methinks, and perchance sharp
action this night," remarked De Wilton to De Lacy as, late in the
afternoon, the towers of Northampton lifted before them. "Rivers and
Grey are with young Edward--it will be Woodville against Plantagenet,
and England for the stakes."

"A royal game, indeed," said De Lacy; "yet, surely, Edward's kingdom is
secure."

"Pasque Dieu!" exclaimed De Wilton, "I can answer that better after he
is crowned. All that I think now is that the situation is very grave.
This meeting in yonder town is big with fate."

"I fear I am too new to my native land to appreciate the present
situation," replied De Lacy; "yet I hope that war may be averted.
There has been bloodshed enough in this fair land since the Roses were
plucked."

"By St. George! my heart is with yours," returned De Wilton instantly;
"yet, mark me, this night will make history for England. If not, then
I mistake the Duke of Gloucester. It is obvious now that, to him, this
meeting is no accident--it was timed for most adroitly. Why did he
tarry so long at Pontefract, unless because it were easier to prick the
Woodville bubble at Northampton than in London?"

"You know the Prince far better than I," said De Lacy, "but perchance
you do not know that with Rivers ride two thousand men. If Gloucester
intended such a course, why did he not bring a larger following? He