Beatrix of Clare | Page 6

him critically. A trifle over the average height and rather slender, and
clad in complete mail except for the bascinet which he carried in his
hand, there was something in his appearance and bearing that
impressed even the warlike Richard. His dark hair hung in curls to his
gorget. His hauberk of polished steel was but partially concealed by the
jupon of azure silk emblazoned with a silver stag trippant; his cuissarts
and greaves glistened in the firelight, and his long sollerets bore on
their heels the golden spurs of his rank. Around his waist was a broad
belt wrought in gold, and from it, almost in front, hung a great
two-handed sword whose point reached to within a few inches of the
floor.
"You are welcome," said Gloucester. "A De Lacy should ever find a
ready greeting at Pontefract. Of what branch of the family are you?"
"One far removed from that which built this fortress, most noble
Duke," returned the Knight, with a peculiarly soft accent. "My own
ancestor was but distantly connected with the last great Earl of Lincoln
whom the First Edward loved so well."
"I do not recall your name among those who fought for either York or
Lancaster. Did your family wear the White Rose or the Red?"
"Neither," said De Lacy. "Providence removed my sire ere the fray
began aright and when I was but a child in arms. When Your Grace
won fame at Tewkesbury I had but turned my thirteenth year."
"Where is your family seat?"
"At Gaillard Castle in the shire of Leicester, close by the River

Weak--or at least it stood there when last I saw it. It is ten long years
since I crossed its drawbridge and not twelve months of my life have
been spent within its walls."
"Your accent smacks of a Southern sun," said the Duke.
"My mother was of a French house, and to her own land she took me
when my father died;" and, observing the Duke glance at his spurs, he
added: "It was from France's Constable that I received the accolade."
"Then right well did you deserve it; St. Pol gave no unearned honors."
"I was favored much beyond my deserts," De Lacy replied, although
his face flushed at a compliment from the renowned Gloucester.
"Your modesty but proves your merit," returned the Duke. . . "And now
your message. From whom come you?"
"From the Duke of Buckingham, my lord," said De Lacy; and the keen
look that accompanied the words did not escape the Prince. But De
Lacy did not know the man before whom he stood, else would he have
wasted no energy in any such attempt. As well try to read the visage of
a granite cliff as to discover the thoughts of Richard Plantagenet from
the expression of his face. And if the royal Duke were in aught
concerned as to the communication of the powerful Buckingham, there
was no evidence of it in his voice or in the eminently courteous and
appropriate question as he instantly responded:
"How did you leave His Grace and where?"
"He was most hearty when we parted at Gloucester; he for his castle of
Brecknock and I for Pontefract."
"He had been in London?"
"Yes, my lord, since before King Edward's demise."
"Then are his letters very welcome."

"Your pardon, sir," said De Lacy, "but I bear no letters;" and as Richard
regarded him in sharp interrogation he added: "My message is by word
of mouth."
"And why," said the Duke in the same calm tone he had employed
throughout the conversation, "should I credit your story, seeing that I
neither know you nor recall your silver trippant stag among the present
devices of our land."
"My bearing," returned De Lacy tranquilly, "comes to me from my
mother's family, of which she was the heiress, and on English
battlefield it has never shone. And unless this ring attest the authority
of my message it must be unsaid," and drawing from his finger a broad
gold band, in which was set a great flat emerald with a swan exquisitely
cut on its face, he handed it to the Duke.
Richard examined it for a moment, then returned it with a smile.
"You are sufficiently accredited," he said. "I will hear your message.
What said Stafford?"
"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,