“With me or with the Countess?” Sir John laughed.

Upon leaving De Bury, Sir Aymer de Lacy bent his steps to Baynard Castle, where the King had come that evening.

At the main door he encountered the Duke of Buckingham in company with Sir William Stanley and was passing them with a courteous salutation when Stafford caught his arm.

“Here, De Lacy,” he exclaimed—­and Aymer saw he was excited and angry, “you know all the facts!  Tell Sir William who is most responsible for the crowning of Gloucester . . . who sent him message to Pontefract . . . who joined him at Northampton . . . who has done all the open work here in London?”

“Nay, Stafford,” broke in Stanley, “be not so wrathful.  Doubtless His Majesty will be most fair and liberal in the matter.  Give him time to feel his crown.”

“Time!” retorted the other.  “Time!  He has had time and to spare.  Am I not co-heir to De Bohun through Aleanore, Hereford’s daughter, and will Richard of Gloucester think to retake what Henry of Monmouth abjured?  By the Lord Omnipotent, let him dare it!”—­and with a fiercely menacing gesture he stalked into the courtyard, and springing to horse rode noisily away followed by his attendants.

“His Grace appears a trifle annoyed,” said De Lacy.

Sir William Stanley shrugged his shoulders.  “It would seem so; yet it were unwise to parade it.  However, Buckingham was ever hasty of temper.”

“Nathless, the question was embarrassing and I would not care to answer it before a Stanley,” Aymer reflected, as he ascended the stairs to the presence chamber.

Baynard Castle, though large and roomy for a nobleman’s town residence, was not suited to the needs of a monarch, and as the Court was about to move from Westminster to Windsor, Richard had brought only a few of his favorite Knights and personal attendants with him for the short time he intended to tarry in London.  When De Lacy entered the Hall, Richard was not in presence, and lounging at ease on the numerous bancals were some of the minor officers of the Household.  He made his way by them to join a group that was gathered about the Duke of Norfolk, when immediately there was a touch upon his arm, and a page summoned him to the King.

Richard was standing at an open window that overlooked the courtyard.  He turned as De Lacy entered and demanded abruptly: 

“What said Buckingham and Stanley yonder?”

Aymer was too used, by this time, to Richard’s ways to be surprised, and he repeated the conversation as accurately as his memory held it and without comment.

The King listened with half-closed eyes, an inscrutable smile upon his lips.

“It may happen, De Lacy,” he said, “that there will come a time when you must choose between Henry Stafford and Richard Plantagenet.”

“Not so, Sire,” Aymer replied.  “As against Your Majesty there can never be a choice for me.”