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Richard had turned impatiently. “For the love of Heaven, truncate your abominable periods. Be off with you. Yonder across that river is the throne of England, which you appear, through some hallucination, to consider a desirable possession. Take it, then; for, praise God! the sword has found its sheath.”

The King answered: “I do not ask you to reconsider your dismissal, assuredly–Richard,” he cried, a little shaken, “I perceive that until your death you will win contempt and love from every person.”

“Ay, for many years I have been the playmate of the world,” said Richard; “but to-day I wash my hands, and set about another and more laudable business. I had dreamed certain dreams, indeed–but what had I to do with all this strife between the devil and the tiger? Nay, Glyndwyr will set up Mortimer against you now, and you two must fight it out. I am no more his tool, and no more your enemy, my cousin–Henry,” he said with quickening voice, “there was a time when we were boys and played together, and there was no hatred between us, and I regret that time!”

“As God lives, I too regret that time!” the bluff King said. He stared at Richard for a while wherein each understood. “Dear fool,” he said, “there is no man in all the world but hates me saving only you.” Then the proud King clapped spurs to his proud horse and rode away.

More lately Richard dismissed his wondering marauders. Now were only he and Branwen left, alone and yet a little troubled, since either was afraid of that oncoming moment when their eyes must meet.

So Richard laughed. “Praise God!” he wildly cried, “I am the greatest fool unhanged!”

She answered: “I am the happier. I am the happiest of God’s creatures,” Branwen said.

And Richard meditated. “Faith of a gentleman!” he declared; “but you are nothing of the sort, and of this fact I happen to be quite certain.” Their lips met then and afterward their eyes; and either was too glad for laughter.