destination, the Dukes of Orleans, Berri, Bourbon, and Burgundy, princes of the blood royal of France, came out to meet him, followed by a long train of nobles and prelates. The meeting was cordial on both sides, and the cortége of mingled English and French entered Paris with great display and amid much enthusiasm. King Charles received Bolingbroke on the steps of the Hôtel de St. Paul, which was at that time the favorite royal residence, welcomed him to his dominions, and assured him of his protection and good-will while he should tarry near the French court. Bolingbroke's bearing toward the King was so courtly and agreeable, that he became at once a favorite, and received attentions on every hand; while his winning manner toward the populace charmed and won the Parisians, as it had already gained the hearts of his own countrymen. After taking wine and refreshments with the King of France, the Duke was introduced to the Queen, Isabella of Bavaria, who detained him some time, and entertained him with elegant hospitalities. Thence he went to the Hôtel de Clisson near the Temple, which had been provided for him, and supped with his English companions.

A succession of balls, dinners, and pleasure excursions celebrated his arrival in Paris. The King and princes exerted themselves to the utmost to relieve the monotony of his exile. In no court could he have been more gracefully received; for the French then, as now, were especially skilful in the arts of pleasure and entertainment. Yet Bolingbroke, who had a thoughtful cast of mind, and passed much time in the contemplation of the closet, was often oppressed by melancholy, and awaited with impa

tience the expiration of his term of banishment. A man so proud and independent of spirit was ill satisfied to owe the necearssies of his existence to the favor of a foreign monarch, or to live idle while events of moment were going forward in Europe. The sum of five hundred crowns, to be sure, was drawn weekly from the French treasury for his maintenance; and constant regard was paid to his comfort and dignity. But this seemed to put him in an attitude of dependence upon Charles, and this consideration made him ill at ease. Even the fascinating attentions of the bril liant and beautiful Isabella of Bavaria, the queen of Charles, could not reconcile the young noble to his lot.

A chance soon seemed to offer a relief from his impatience. About this time an invasion of Hungary by the Turks, Tartars, and other infidels took place, which threatened the existence of that kingdom. Fortunately for Christendom, the late schism in the papacy had just been healed by the vigorous action of the King of France, who had seized the Pope of Avignon, Benedict, and forced him to abdicate his claim to the sacred throne. The Christian nations, therefore, once more united under the Roman pontiff, Urban, could devote themselves to the expulsion of the common enemy from the soil of Hungary. This project awoke the activity and chivalrous ambition of those knights and adventurers who loved the pageantry and excitement of war, and whose chieftains were the sons of the royal houses throughout Catholic Europe. Boucicaut, Marshal of France, who had just returned from the conquest of the little papal court at Avignon, was designated as the leader of the French armament, which was to hast en to Hungary. He began his preparations with all despatch. The stir and bustle in military circles ex

cited the attention and aroused the enthusiasm of Bolingbroke. His temper just then was well toned to such a project as that contemplated. It struck him as a favorable occasion on which to exercise himself in those martial arts which were congenial to him, and to withdraw himself from dependence upon the hospitality of Charles. If he should go to the Hungarian war, he would make his name known and honored by a brilliant career, and the tedious length of his term of exile would pass rapidly away. He therefore sent to England a knight named Dymocke, to solicit the consent of the head of his house, his father, the Duke of Lancaster.

The envoy was received with cordial welcome by the venerable prince, who had grieved sorely at the banishment of his favorite son, and who had learned with pride that his manly character had won the friendship of the French court. Dymocke found Lancaster at Hereford Castle, having lately taken but little part in public affairs; and here the envoy was entertained with profuse hospitality. The Duke's answer to his son regarding the Hungarian expedition was, however, unfavorable to Henry's hopes. He advised him not to go, but either to remain at Paris, or to travel for amusement in Spain and Portugal. It is probable that the old man felt the near approach of death, and wished his son to be near at hand, in case his forebodings proved true, that he might succeed without difficulty to the inheritances of Lancaster and Hereford. Indeed, the doctors who attended the aged Duke assured Dy. mocke that disease had so far penetrated his system. that his death might be looked for at a period not far remote. This consideration determined Boling

broke, however reluctant, to tarry at Paris, and to give over further hope of present adventure.

Bolingbroke's banishment took place in September, 1398. About the Christmas time following Lancaster began to grow rapidly worse. In February, 1399, this venerable and illustrious prince died, mourned by the court and the people, but to the illconcealed joy of the King. He had brooded over his son's exile, and the feelings natural to one so affectionate doubtless hurried on the disease which overcame him. He was the last of those heroic children of the great King Edward the Third, who emulated and kept in mind the fame of their father; for the Duke of York,* the last surviving brother, was, as is evident, of so gentle and retiring a disposition, that he seemed not of the same blood with his kinsmen.

The death of the Duke of Lancaster gave rise to many surmises on the part of the nobles and citizens in England, as to what course Richard would now pursue toward his cousin Bolingbroke. The rich inheritances which Lancaster had enjoyed in his own and his wife's right lay idle, and awaited their rightful possessor. A seat in the King's council, due to a prince of the blood royal, was vacant. Would the King forget his jealousy of Bolingbroke, pardon his offence, remit further punishment, and generously recall him to the rank and estate of which he was the heir? By putting confidence in his cousin, said some, Richard would gain to himself a wise counsellor and an active general; his throne, now tottering, would be propped up by the strong support of a royal Duke, at once the pride of the nobility and the universal favorite of the people. Several courtiers

* Known also as the Earl of Cambridge.

were bold enough to hint these considerations to Richard, and to warn him against the danger of still encouraging the enmity of so proud and popular a nobleman. But Richard was obstinate. He weakly gave way to his anger, and indignantly sent the officious counsellors from his presence. Then, as if to defy the indignation of his cousin and of his subjects, he sent his officers to seize the estates of Lancaster, devoted the rents to the royal treasury, and commanded that none of the proceeds of the inheritance should be conveyed to Henry at Paris. At the same time he wrote a letter to the King of France, announc ing the death of John of Lancaster, the expressions of which but feebly concealed the exultation which that event had given him. Meanwhile, he did not deign to intimate the news to Henry. The latter, however, received the intelligence from his private couriers before Richard's letter reached the court of France, and appeared publicly with his retinue in full mourning. He ordered the obsequies of his father to be performed with great pomp at Paris; and the King of France and the royal dukes manifested their sympathy for Bolingbroke by attending the ceremony in a body. He was visited by the principal personages at the metropolis, and received abundant proof that the malignity of his royal cousin was by no means approved of by the French.

Bolingbroke, whose titles had been Earl of Derby and Duke of Hereford, was now Duke of Lancaster; he stood second in the succession to the throne; and as the heir presumptive, the young Earl of March, had hardly reached the years of manhood, he was the most considerable subject of England. The reflection that one entitled to stand so near the throne was not only