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

Paul, I have wearied sorely for you. Why followed you not me to France, as we planned?

n the precincts of the Abbey of Cerne, not far from the seaport of Weymouth. His hands were

y hours--yet the bright face of the Prince of Wales bore no signs of fatigue or disappointment. The weary days of waiting were over. He and his mother had come to share his father's royal state, and drive from the shores--if he came--the bold usurper who had hitherto triumphed in the strife of the Roses.

smiling glances, and it seemed as if Edward marked in Paul a

spurs of knighthood too--nay, now, what means that, good comrade? Were we not to ha

er himself gave me audience, to ask news of you (for it became known that you had visited the realm by stealth); and after I had told him all my tale, he with his own hand bestowed that honour upon me. Then the noble earl made over to me a fair m

and pressed his lips

had heard every detail of that which had befallen Paul, from the moment they had parted up till the present, and listening with intense excitement to his account o

nd me. I am glad they loved me still, Lancastrian though they knew me at last to be. Oh, if they were willing to follow my fortunes and own

ame of king, and it was well known that the prince was to be the real ruler, with the name of regent, and that it would

he great invincible earl fighting on their side? And had he not already placed Henry once mor

ght, although the sight of the pr

much longer delayed. I knew not whether to fly to welcome you, or to stay and draw the sword on your behalf, and strive to be the one to bring to you the glorious news of victory. I cannot think but what the great earl will again be victorious; but the despatches he intrusted to me, with commands to hasten westwards to try and meet you on your lan

ork? Fie on thee, Paul! talk not to me of defeat. Nay, after we have heard the holy mass of this glad Easter day, let us rather to horse and away--you and I together, Paul, as

de. Ah, I must present you to her--my gentle Lady Anne. I wot she will not be far off She will be seeking for me, as is her fashion if we are long apart. She must

rst blush of maiden bloom and beauty, her face ethereally lovely, yet tinged, as it seemed, with some haunting melancholy, which gave a stran

fe. As the gentle lady listened to the eager tale poured out by Paul, she stretched out her hand to him, and when he would have bent the knee she raised him up with sweet smiles, and told him how her dear lord had always pra

tely figure advancing to meet them he recognized the great queen he had not seen since he was a child, and scarce dared to raise his eyes to note the ravages th

e perusal of the despatches Paul had brought; and although her natural courage and hopefulness would not permit her to despond, she could not but admit that danger menaced

to that cause which might be absolutely fatal to the hopes of the other. If it were true that some battle were being fought or about to

nd flocked eagerly to pay their homage to the queen and the prince, and look upon the fair face of the Lady Anne, whose position as Warwick's daughter and Edward's bride alike made her an object of the greatest interest

s who kept flocking all day to join their standard, and there was no ri

g of note has occurred this very day. We will be the first to bring the news to my mother. Be ready with a couple of horses and some few men-at-arms

saddle with the first glimmering light of day, and by the time that the rosy glow of dawn was transforming the fair world of nature and clothing it with an indescribable radiance of gossame

the vivid red of the east; and Paul smiled, and tried to banish from his mind the old adage le

s then considered, though we should scarce call the rude tracks of those days roads--when the quick eye

espair! for from the haste with which these horsemen rode, it was plain they were the bearers of tidings, and if of tidings, most likely those of some battle, in which the King Maker

igures, their horses flecked with foam, nostrils wide, chests heaving, showing every sign of distress; and Paul, reco

ost. The armies met on Barnet Heath. The Earl of Warwick, the great earl, was there slain. His Majesty King Henry is again a prisoner in the

h his share of the terrible news. He had seen the prodigies of valour performed by the mighty earl. He had witnessed the death of that warrior--such a death as was fitting for one of his warlike race. The testimony of eyewitnesses could not be doubt

rned who he was, fell to the rear, and observed an awed silence. But their tale had been told. They had said enough. The worst was made known, and not even

and stately figure of the royal Margaret stood outlined in the doorway. Perhaps something in the very silence and confused looks of the little group told a tale of disaster, for the quee

rsely. "Do not keep me in suspen

e Earl of Warwick was killed in desperate fight. My father is a prisoner in the enemy's hands. Edward

ough her limbs, and she fell senseless to the ground. That cry found its echo upon the pale lips of another--one who had closely followed the queen to learn the tidings of the travellers; and Edward turned to catch h

ck is slain. Whom have we now to trust to? Let us back to France, and hide our dishonoured heads there. My father's

at that moment her proud spirit seemed crushed and broken, and i

never to have disturbed again the peace of this realm; but having summoned to our banner the loyal adherents of the Red Rose, it is not for us to fly to safety, and leave them to the wrath and cruelty of Edward. No

--that all is lost. Let us win the crown of England by the power of the name and of the righteous cause w

e New Forest; and there the party found the widowed Countess of Warwick, who had landed at Portsmouth before the royal party had reached Weymouth, and had just heard of her terrible loss. To have her daughter with her once again, and to mingle their tears together, was some consolati

as well it might. Some of the unpopularity Margaret of Anjou had early won for herself at the English co

half brother, and they drew glowing pictures of the loyalty of the western counties; and of Wales, where a large band of troops was mustering for her support; and repres

ulation from all, and reinforcements to their little band from every town through which they passed. Small wonder was it that they learned to feel confident of ultimate success. The young prince, with Paul at his side, would ride through the ranks of h

still spoke of as king; and she knew that he would be upon their track. Any day they might see his banners threatening their rear,

was here that she had reckoned upon crossing the deep and treacherous waters of the Severn, and to be thus foiled might mean the ruin of the

had been firmly and respectfully declined her. But he had learned tidings which disquieted him not a little, and it was at full gallop that he da

es away, and in hot pursuit after us. They have had certain news of our movements, and unless we can push on across the river and meet our friends t

tand; "but the wide river runs before us, and the bridge is barred to us. Unless we r

at Edward was just upon them ran like wildfire through the ranks, and all the most experienced leaders, including the royal Margaret herself, were of opinion that it would be better not to run the risk of a battle, but r

they did but act boldly and hastened to the attack. To fly were fatal; their troops would become disheartened and melt away. Their foes would openly triumph, and all men would be draw

There could scarce be more than one reply to such an appeal so made. They drew their swords and vowed to live or die with him, and the enthusiasm of the moment was such that all

nd Tewkesbury with cheerful alacrity. Paul and the prince rode side by side in the van of the advancing host,

ome one head more firmly than ever it has been set before. God grant the cause of right may triumph! But whichever way the conflict goes, I pray that this distracted land may find peace and rest, and that I may be either a victor in the strife, or may find a soldier's grave. Paul, will you give me your prom

ance; but the young knight an

inted, and I may not do the thing you ask. Death or captivity I will gladly share with you, or spend every drop of

s own bright, sweet smile, grasping that of

le beside me. Let us fight side by side, even as we have always hoped to do. I would that you were in very truth my brother, as in love you have long been. And if I fall whilst yo

d deaths to save his prince from the foeman's steel. And then, with grave faces but brave hearts and unclouded brows, the comrades rode side by s

the name of the Red Piece. The Lancastrians had the best of the situation, as they were established amongst trenches

t the close of the day. "They have only to stand firm and hold their position, and all will be well. Oh that the night were past, and

upon him. The soldiers greeted him with cheers and blessings; the generals bent the knee to him, and vowed to die to win him back his crown. The ligh

and laid his hand affecti

r what the world beyond will be like, for those wh

e look with one infinitely loving, and