of his chamber; but being perceived, he was retaken in the garden, and from that moment placed under a strong, rigorous guard. On reaching London, he was met by a concourse of citizens, who cursed him and extolled the Duke. The streets rang with the incessant acclamation of "Long live Lancaster, our friend and deliverer !" but for the King, to use the emphatic words of the poet, "None cried, God bless him !" He was sent to Westminster, and thence on the following day to the Tower, and as he went along he was hooted at, and greeted with the appellation of " the Bastard," in allusion to a report which had been spread that he was not the son of the Black Prince, but of a canon of Bourdeaux. This report, absurd and false as it was, was generally received as a true story amongst the vulgar; and although the absurdity was too gross to be openly avowed either by Lancaster or his friends in parliament, every pains was taken to promulgate it and give it the colouring of truth, as it greatly strengthened the cause of the usurper. The news of Richard's captivity was immediately followed by the surrender of Wallingford Castle, where the Queen resided, to Bolingbroke, who, in the eventful changes that followed, hurried the young Queen from place to place, as policy or necessity dictated. Whilst detained a state prisoner in Leeds Castle, Isabella was visited by Lady de Courcy, that governess whom Richard had dismissed for her neglect and extravagance. But delighted as the Queen was with the society of her first English instructor, the popular party, convinced that Lady de Courcy secretly favoured the cause of the King, expelled her from the Castle, and threatened to take her life, if she ever again held oral or written correspondence with the Queen. CHAPTEB III. Richard's dejection and mad despair—He demands Isabella—-Resigns the crown—• Is deposed-—Lancaster is elected King, hy the title of Henry the Fourth—Isabella joins in the revolt for the restoration of Richard—Death of Richard—His burialTomb—Fpitaph—Isabella's widowhood—Loss of her dower and jewels—She refuses the Prince of Wales in marriage—Returns to France—Fs welcomed back with joy—Married to the heir of Orleans—Murder of her husband's father—Her death—Verses to her Memory—Grave—Her husband''s misfortunes and death. HILST Richard lay a forsaken, dejected prisoner in the Tower, the ambitious Leicester exerted all his power to obtain from him a resignation of the crown. Promises, entreaties, and threats were alike resorted to, ere the royal captive could be prevailed upon to solemnly renounce his royal dignity. Generally, he abandoned himself to lamentation and despair. But once,at least, he made the insolent usurper quail before the lion-like fury of his wrath. On this occasion, Lancaster, accompanied by York and Aumerle, went to the Tower, and ordered the King into their presence. " Tell Lancaster," said Richard to the messenger, with an air of pride, " I consent to give him audience by himself, but he must come to me." On entering-, Lancaster, with a respectful salute, said, " Sir, our uncle of York and our cousin of Aumerle would speak with you." " Take them away, they are not worthy to speak tome," answered the King, angrily. " They are here, I beseech you give them audience," said the Duke, at the same time ushering York and Aumerle into his presence. 1 1 By the cross of Christ !" exclaimed Richard, " this I will not hear." Then addressing York, he continued, " Thou double-faced villain ! thou whom I left regent of England, and who surrendered