In the Wars of the Roses: A Story for the Young

rough the wood. I am quite strong again now, and I

me at the Priory, as all guests are who come with news for the holy brothers from the world without.

helmsford myself," quoth Jack, the farmer's ruddy

n the fields, and he had been absent from home on his first arrival there, bu

here enough and to spare. They know what good living means, those holy

, with something of pleading in her tones, "But, sir, why peril yourself by venturing into the forest alone? You have sti

ughed, as a

full of hiding places. Were I to hear the sound of pursuit, I warrant me I could hide myself so that none should find me. I have done the like many a time before now. In thi

y true that if their guest was to be anything but a close prisoner, he must adventure himself from time

y are capital company if you chance to fall upon their haunts, and they make you welcome. I've spent more than one night amongst them, and never a bit the worse. Men

long evenings of the summer just gone by, and had wondered what took him off, for he seldom gave account of himself. She noted, too, that he spoke in a very different fashion from others of the robber band that was such a terror to the village folks. She did not know whether or not to put these two facts

who would have carried your sister off as a prey of that graceless scamp well-ca

did not speak aloud, for the fashion of the day forbade the young to argue with

y had been bespoken some time, and could be no longer delayed. Paul was weary of an idle life, and eager to see something of the country in which he found himself. He was in

be something of a protection and gain to its inmates; but he had no intention of being a prisoner. His young blood stirred within him, and he longed to be out in the free air of heaven again. His strength had all come back, and even the broken arm was mending so fast that he felt it would not be long before he should gain its full use again.

stronger, gayer, blither than he had been since the never-to-be-forgotten day when he had closed his dead mother's eyes, and been obliged to fly for his life from his ancestral halls, ere the rapacious scions of the House of York fell upon him there, to take into their own possession all that should

during the three years in which he had been a wanderer and an outcast from his home. Of late it had seemed to him that his lost youth was r

to a bright smile, though they could set themselves in lines of resolute determination when occasion demanded. The golden curls clustered round the noble head in classic fashion, but wer

res, and supplied the remote villages with the greater part of those articles not made at home, had recently visited Figeon's Farm, and P

agant fashions of the day. Paul had been able to purchase it without difficulty, for he had by no means exhausted th

ich could contain a score of broad gold pieces. She knew full well that lands might be confiscated, valuables forfeited, houses taken in possession by foes, but the owner of the current gold of the land would never be utterly destitute; so for years before her death she bad been filling this ingeniously contrived belt, and had stored within its many receptacles gold enough to be a s

ys to be had at any monastery or abbey to which chance might guide the wanderer's feet. So Paul had not been forced to draw largely upon his own

eager to enjoy even the mild relaxation of a walk across to the brothers of the neighbouring Priory. The basket was soon packed, and was intrusted to his care; and off he s

l's face had grown somewhat gloomy of late, though Paul did not know it, and he was suffering, if the truth must be told, from the keen pangs of jealousy. For he had long been courting Joan Dev

gure, and pleasant voice and ways, would altogether cut him out with saucy Mistress Joan, who, it must be confessed, was fond of teasing her faithful swain, and driving him to the verge of distraction. So it s

f afraid of incurring the ban of Holy Church, though they care little about anything else. Anyway, I'll walk a part

s to save money to furbish up a little home for her; and how he was now building a snug little cottage under shelter of his father's larger one, so that he might have a little place for her all her own, seeing that she had been us

so much these last days? She has been quite offended by it, I can tell you. It's always being said that you are sure to come today; and when the day goes by and you

rightened up

think sh

. When she sits at her wheel and chatters to me as I lounge by the fire, she is always telling of you and your

for a clumsy fellow like me after she had seen a gentleman like you. You saved her life, you know, a

d sword is my bride. I follow a different mistress from you. I may never know rest or peace till the House of Lancaster is restored to its ancie

these welcome words, and Paul laughed as he r

t a sorry wooer if you yield so soon to depression and despair. But I warrant she will forgive you this time; and if you will b

m his toil; but his open face was comely and honest enough to please the fancy of any maiden, and Paul thought to himself that Mistress Joan would scarce reject so stalwart a

t intruded itself upon him to wean away his first love from the object upon which it had been so ardently bestowed. The little prince--as in his thoughts he still called him sometimes--was the object of his loving homage. King Henry was too litt

ed of him in bygone years. He and not the gentle and half-imbecile king would be

face of the earth. The beautiful medieval building, with its close-shorn turf and wide fish ponds, was a study in itself, and lay so peacefully brooding

he leaven of heretical opinions which was at the root of their rebellion against their lawful king. It was difficult to believe that the warlike Edward would long remain an exile, content to deliver up a kingdom which had once been his without striking a single blow, especially when his own party was so powerful in the land.. London, a hotbed of Lollardism,

enevolent and a strong-willed man. "We will pray for the restoration--the permanent restoration of the go

ey quiet and well-disposed people, seeking in all things the

ks, who made him so welcome to the best of what they had. His reply was considered very satisfactory, and the prior dismissed him with his blessing

a feeling akin to depression. He longed for the restoration of the house he loved and served, but knew that a transitory triumph was not a true victory. There w

at oak tree, when he suddenly became aware of a rapid tread approaching along the narrow track. It seemed as if some youth were a

and that he was an object of special hatred to some amongst them. He decided, therefore, to act with caution; and as the spot in which he had halted was rather an open one,

elf, and hardly had he done so before a figure c

ce. The features were exceedingly noble, and the poise of the head upon the shoulders was almost princely in its unconscious majesty. The eyes were a deep blue gray, and looked out upon the world as if their owner were born to rule. The hair was golden in hue

someone closely resembling himself--and his heart began to beat almost to suffocation; for had not this same experience been his before? and could there be another, a third youth in the realm, whose face and figure he had so accurately copied? Paul had not the royal mien of this wanderer--he had not even the same absolute beauty of feature or peculiar delicacy of colouring;

looked round him, a

ty comrade at hand somewhat might be done; but I fear my poor Jacques never reached the land alive, and I

that? Who com

"My dear, dear lord, how come you here alone, unarmed, defenceless, in the midst of a hostile country? Methinks I do but dream; bu

y chance that has thrown you across my path this day. But Paul, on your life, on your l

, the Princess Yolande. But I had my own purpose in coming thus alone and disguised to our royal realm of England. They say my father reigns here once again. The crown has been placed upon his head by one I have almost

s not to be learned by Edward, Prince of Wales, seated in the midst of proud nobles at his father's court; but it may be learned by a humble wayfarer, who travels from place

y lonely, and my heart sometimes sinks. But I love my people, and

en they see you? But how come you alone, and in these wild woods, too, inf

his hand smiling

d my design, and I knew not that I was in peril from these lawless men in one part of the realm more than the other. Paul, if I ever wield the kingly power, I will put down these bands of marauders with a strong

your travels. Did you not promise me long years ago that the day would co

sked you of yourself. Have you no other tie--no stronger claim? And how comes it that you are

id Paul. "I crave your pardon, but I

g those troubled years of civil strife and of Edward's reign; and young Edward liste

ul, I know what you would say, brave loyal heart; but it lies heavy on my soul for all that. And having suffered

one day called the servant of the Prince of Wales; and then as both were young, both ardent, hot-headed, and hopeful, all stern and s

hall be as brothers we will travel. This strange likeness will be my best safeguard, for none will doubt that we are close akin. Not as knight and squire, as once we thought, will we roam the world in search of adventure. This little realm of England will suffice us, and