第4章

"Thenyieldthee！"criedMyles，exultantly。

ThetriumphantshoutsoftheKnightsoftheRosestungBluntlikealash，andthebattlebeganagain。Perhapssomeoftheolderladswereofamindtointerfereatthispoint，certainlysomelookedveryserious，butbeforetheyinterposed，thefightwasended。

Blunt，grindinghisteeth，struckoneundercutathisopponent——thesameundercutthatMyleshadthattimestruckatSirJamesLeeattheknight’sbiddingwhenhefirstpractisedattheDevlenpels。MylesmettheblowasSirJameshadmettheblowthathehadgiven，andthenstruckinreturnasSirJameshadstruck——fullandtrue。ThebascinetthatBluntworeglancedtheblowpartly，butnotentirely。Mylesfelthisswordbitethroughthelightsteelcap，andBluntdroppedhisownbladeclatteringuponthefloor。Itwasalloverinaninstant，butinthatinstantwhathesawwasstampeduponMyles’smindwithanindelibleimprint。Hesawtheyoungmanstaggerbackward；hesawtheeyesrollupward；andaredstreakshootoutfromunderthecapandrundownacrossthecheek。

Bluntreeledhalfaround，andthenfellprostrateuponhisface；

andMylesstoodstaringathimwiththedeliriousturmoilofhisbattledissolvingrapidlyintoadumbfearatthatwhichhehaddone。

Onceagainhehadwonthevictory——butwhatavictory！"Ishedead？"hewhisperedtoGascoyne。

"Iknownot，"saidGascoyne，withaverypaleface。"Butcomeaway，Myles。"Andheledhisfriendoutoftheroom。

SomelittlewhilelateroneofthebachelorscametothedormitorywhereMyles，hiswoundssmartingandachingandthrobbing，laystretcheduponhiscot，andwithaveryseriousfacebadehimtogopresentlytoSirJames，whohadjustcomefromdinner，andwastheninhisoffice。

BythistimeMylesknewthathehadnotslainhisenemy，andhisheartwaslightinspiteofthecominginterview。TherewasnooneintheofficebutSirJamesandhimself，andMyles，withoutconcealinganything，told，pointbypoint，thewholetrouble。SirJamessatlookingsteadilyathimforawhileafterhehadended。

"Never，"saidhe，presently，"didIknowanyoneofyesquires，inallthetimethatIhavebeenhere，gethimselfintosomanybroilsasthou，MylesFalworth。Belikethousoughttotakethislad’slife。"

"Nay，"saidMyles，earnestly；"Godforbid！"

"Ne’theless，"saidSirJames，"thoufetchedhimamainshrewdblow；anditisbygoodhap，andnofaultofthine，thathewilllivetodomoremischiefyet。Thisisthysecondventureathim；

thethirdtime，haply，thouwiltendhimforgood。"Thensuddenlyassuminghisgrimmestandsternestmanner："Now，sirrah，doIputastoptothis，andnomoreshallyefightwithedgedtools。Gettheetothedormitory，andabidethereafullweekwithoutcomingforth。Michaelshallbringtheebreadandwatertwiceadayforthattime。Thatisallthefoodthoushalthave，andwewillseeifthatfarewillnotcoolthyhothumorswithal。"

Myleshadexpectedapunishmentsomuchmoreseverethanthatwhichwasthusmetedtohim，thatinthesuddenreliefhebrokeintoaconvulsivelaugh，andthen，withahastysweep，wipedabrimmingmoisturefromhiseyes。

SirJameslookedkeenlyathimforamoment。"Thouartwhitei’

theface，"saidhe。"Artthouwoundedverysorely？"

"Nay"saidMyles，"itisnotmuch；butIbesickinmystomach。"

"Aye，aye，"saidSirJames；"Iknowthatfeelingwell。Itisthusthatonealwaysfeelethincomingoutfromasorebattlewhenonehathsufferedwoundsandlostblood。Anthouwouldstkeepthyselfhale，keepthyselffromneedlessfighting。Nowgothoutothedormitory，and，asIsaid，comethounotforthagainforaweek。

Stay，sirrah！"headded；"IwillsendGeorgebarbertotheetolooktothysores。Greenwoundsarebestdrawnandsalvederetheygrowcold。"

IwonderwhatMyleswouldhavethoughthadheknownthatsosoonashehadlefttheoffice，SirJameshadgonestraighttotheEarlandrecountedthewholemattertohim，withadealofdrygusto，andthattheEarllistenedlaughing。

"Aye，"saidhe，whenSirJameshaddone，"theboyhathmettle，sure。Nevertheless，wemusttransplantthisfellowBlunttotheofficeofgentleman—in—waiting。Hemustbeoldenoughnow，andginhestayethinhispresentplace，eitherhewilldotheboyaharm，ortheboywilldohimaharm。"

SoBluntnevercameagaintotroublethesquires’quarters；andthereaftertheyoungstersrenderednomoreservicetotheelders。

Myles’sfirstgreatfightinlifewaswon。

CHAPTER17

Thesummerpassedaway，andthebleakfallcame。Myleshadlongsinceacceptedhispositionasonesetapartfromtheothersofhiskind，andhadresignedhimselftotheevidentfactthathewasnevertoserveinthehouseholdinwaitingupontheEarl。I

cannotsaythatitnevertroubledhim，butintimetherecameacompensationofwhichIshallhavepresentlytospeak。

Andthenhehadsomuchthemoretimetohimself。Theotherladsweresometimesoccupiedbytheirhouseholddutieswhensportswereafootinwhichtheywouldlikedtohavetakenpart。Myleswasalwaysfreetoenterintoanymatterofthekindafterhisdailyexercisehadbeenperformedatthepels，thebutts，orthetilting—court。

Buteventhoughhewasnevercalledtodoservicein"myLord’shouse，"hewasnotlongingainingasortofsecond—handknowledgeofallthefamily。MyLady，athin，sallow，fadeddame，notyetpastmiddleage，butlookingtenyearsolder。TheLadyAnne，thedaughterofthehouse；atall，thin，dark—eyed，dark—haired，handsomeyoungdameoftwentyortwenty—oneyearsofage，hawk—nosedlikeherfather，andsilent，proud，andhaughty，Mylesheardthesquiressay。LadyAlice，theEarlofMackworth’snieceandward，agreatheiressinherownright，astrikinglyprettyblack—eyedgirloffourteenorfifteen。

ThesecomposedtheEarl’spersonalfamily；butbesidesthemwasLordGeorgeBeaumont，hisEarl’sbrother，andhimMylessooncametoknowbetterthananyofthechiefpeopleofthecastleexceptingSirJamesLee。

ForsinceMyles’sgreatbattleinthearmory，LordGeorgehadtakenalaughingsortoflikingtothelad，encouraginghimattimestotalkofhisadventures，andofhishopesandaspirations。

PerhapstheEarl’syoungerbrother——whowashimselfsomewhatasoldieroffortune，havingfoughtinSpain，France，andGermany——feltacertainkinshipinspiritwiththeadventurousyoungsterwhohadhisunfriendedwaytomakeintheworld。

Howeverthatmighthavebeen，LordGeorgewasverykindandfriendlytothelad，andthewillingservicethatMylesrenderedhimreconciledhimnotalittletotheEarl’sobviousneglect。

BesidestheseofthemoreimmediatefamilyoftheEarlwereanumberofknights，ladies，andgentlemen，someofthemcadets，someofthemretainers，ofthehouseofBeaumont，fortheprincelynoblesofthosedayslivedinstatelittlelessroyalthanroyaltyitself。

MostoftheknightsandgentlemenMylessooncametoknowbysight，meetingtheminLordGeorge’sapartmentsinthesouthwingofthegreathouse，andsomeofthem，followingtheleadofLordGeorge，singledhimoutforfriendlynotice，givinghimanodorawordinpassing。

Everyseasonhasitspleasuresforboys，andtheconstantchangethattheybringisoneofthegreatestdelightsofboyhood’sdays。

Allofus，aswegrowolder，haveinourmemorypicturesofby—gonetimesthataresomehowmorethanusuallyvivid，thecolorsofsomenotblurringbytimeasothersdo。Oneofwhich，inremembering，alwaysfilledMyles’sheartinafter—yearswithanindefinablepleasure，wastherecollectionofstandingwithothersofhisfellowsquiresinthecrispbrownautumngrassofthepaddock，andshootingwiththelong—bowatwildfowl，which，whentheeastwindwasstraining，flewlowoverheadtopitchtothelakeintheforbiddenprecinctsofthedeerparkbeyondthebrowofthehill。Morethanonceabraceortwoofthesewildfowl，shotintheirsouthwardflightbytheladsandcookedbyfat，good—naturedMotherJoan，gracedtherudemess—tableofthesquiresinthelonghall，andeventhetoughestandfishiestdrake，sothefruitoftheirskill，hadasavorthat，somehoworother，thedaintiestfarelackedinafter—years。

Thenfallpassedandwintercame，bleak，cold，anddreary——notwinterasweknowitnowadays，withwarmfiresandbrightlightstomakethelongnightssweetandcheerfulwithcomfort，butwinterwithallitsgrimnessandsternness。Inthegreatcoldstone—walledcastlesofthosedaystheonlyfireandalmosttheonlylightwerethosefromthehugeblazinglogsthatroaredandcrackledinthegreatopenstonefireplace，aroundwhichthefolksgathered，shelteringtheirfacesasbesttheycouldfromthescorchingheat，andcloakingtheirshouldersfromthebitingcold，foratthefartherendoftheroom，wheregiantshadowsswayedandbowedanddancedhugeandblackagainstthehighwalls，thewhitefrostglistenedinthemoonlightonthestonepavements，andthebreathwentuplikesmoke。

Inthosedayswerenobookstoread，butatthebestonlyrudestoriesandjests，recitedbysomestrollingmummerorminstreltothelisteningcircle，gatheredaroundtheblazeandwelcomingthecoarse，grossjests，andcoarser，grossersongswithroarsofboisterouslaughter。

Yetbleakanddrearyaswasthewinterinthosedays，andcoldandbitingaswasthefrostinthecheerless，windyhallsandcorridorsofthecastle，itwasnotwithoutitsjoystotheyounglads；forthen，asnow，boyscouldfindpleasureeveninslushyweather，whenthesoddensnowisfitfornothingbuttomakesnowballsof。

Thricethatbitterwinterthemoatwasfrozenover，andthelads，makingthemselvesskatesofmarrow—bones，whichtheyboughtfromthehallcookatagroatapair，wentskimmingoverthesmoothsurface，red—checkedandshouting，whilethecrowsandthejackdawslookeddownatthemfromthetopofthebleakgraywalls。

ThenatYule—tide，whichwassomewhatofarudesemblancetotheMerryChristmasseasonofourday，agreatfeastwasheldinthehall，andallthecastlefolkwerefedinthepresenceoftheEarlandtheCountess。Oxenandsheepwereroastedwhole；hugesuetpuddings，madeofbarleymealsweetenedwithhoneyandstuffedwithplums，wereboiledingreatcaldronsintheopencourtyard；wholebarrelsofaleandmalmseywerebroached，andallthefolk，gentleandsimple，werebiddentothefeast。

Afterwardstheminstrelsdancedandplayedarudeplay，andintheeveningamiracleshowwasperformedonaraisedplatforminthenorthhall。

Foraweekafterwardsthecastlewasfedupontheremainsofthegoodthingsleftfromthatgreatfeast，untileveryonegrewtoloathefinevictuals，andlongedforhonestbeefandmustardagain。

Thenatlastinthatconstantchangethewinterwasgone，andeventheladswhohadenjoyeditspassingweregladwhenthewindsblewwarmoncemore，andthegrassshowedgreeninsunnyplaces，andtheleaderofthewild—fowlblewhishorn，astheywhointhefallhadflowntothesouthflew，arrow—like，northwardagain；whenthebudsswelledandtheleavesburstforthoncemore，andcrocusesandthendaffodilsgleamedinthegreengrass，likesparksandflamesofgold。

Withthespringcametheout—doorsportsoftheseason；amongothersthatofball——forboyswereboys，andplayedatballeveninthosefarawaydays——agamecalledtrap—ball。EvenyetinsomepartsofEnglanditisplayedjustasitwasinMylesFalworth’sday，andenjoyedjustasMylesandhisfriendsenjoyedit。

Sonowthatthesunwaswarmandtheweatherpleasantthegameoftrap—ballwasinfullswingeveryafternoon，theplay—groundbeinganopenspacebetweenthewallthatsurroundedthecastlegroundsandthatoftheprivygarden——thepleasanceinwhichtheladiesoftheEarl’sfamilytooktheaireveryday，anduponwhichtheirapartmentsopened。

Nowonefinebreezyafternoon，whentheladswereshoutingandplayingatthis，thentheirfavoritegame，Myleshimselfwasatthetrapbarehandedandbarearmed。Thewindwasblowingfrombehindhim，and，aidedperhapsbyit，hehadalreadystruckthreeoffourballsnearlythewholelengthofthecourt——anunusualdistance——andseveraloftheladshadgonebackalmostasfarasthewalloftheprivygardentocatchanyballthatmightchancetoflyasfarasthat。ThenoncemoreMylesstruck，throwingallhisstrengthintotheblow。Theballshotupintotheair，andwhenitfell，itwastodropwithintheprivygarden。

Theshoutsoftheyoungplayerswereinstantlystilled，andGascoyne，whostoodnearestMyles，thrusthishandsintohisbelt，givingalongshrillwhistle。

"Thistimethouhaststruckusallout，Myles，"saidhe。"Therebenomoreplayforusuntilwegetanotherball。"

TheoutfielderscameslowlytroopinginuntiltheyhadgatheredinalittlecirclearoundMyles。

"Icouldnothelpit，"saidMyles，inanswertotheirgrumbling。

"HowknewItheballwouldflysofar？ButifIha’losttheball，Icangetitagain。Iwillclimbthewallforit。"

"Thoushaltdonaughtofthekind，Myles，"saidGascoyne，hastily。"ThouartasmadasaMarchharetothinkofsuchaventure！Wouldstgetthyselfshotwithaboltbetwixttheribs，likepoorDicconCook？"

Ofallplacesaboutthecastletheprivygardenwasperhapsthemostsacred。Itwasasmallplotofground，onlyafewrodslongandwide，andwaskeptabsolutelyprivatefortheuseoftheCountessandherfamily。OnlyalittlewhilebeforeMyleshadfirstcometoDevlen，oneofthecook’smenhadbeenfoundclimbingthewall，whereuponthesoldierwhosawhimshothimwithhiscrossbow。Thepoorfellowdroppedfromthewallintothegarden，andwhentheyfoundhim，hestillheldabunchofflowersinhishand，whichhehadperhapsbeengatheringforhissweetheart。

HadMylesseenhimcarriedonalittertotheinfirmaryasGascoyneandsomeoftheothershaddone，hemighthavethoughttwicebeforeventuringtoentertheladies’privategarden。Asitwas，heonlyshookhisstubbornhead，andsaidagain，"Iwillclimbthewallandfetchit。"

Nowatthelowerextremityofthecourt，andabouttwelveorfifteenfeetdistantfromthegardenwall，theregrewapear—tree，someofthebranchesofwhichoverhungintothegardenbeyond。So，firstmakingsurethatnoonewaslookingthatway，andbiddingtheotherskeepasharplookout，Mylesshinnedupthistree，andchoosingoneofthethickerlimbs，climbedoutuponitforsomelittledistance。Thenloweringhisbody，hehungatarm’s—length，thebranchbendingwithhisweight，andslowlylethimselfdownhandunderhand，untilatlasthehungdirectlyoverthetopofthewall，andperhapsafootaboveit。Belowhimhecouldseetheleafytopofanarborcoveredwithathickgrowthofclematis，andevenashehungtherehenoticedthebroadsmoothwalks，thegrassyterraceinfrontoftheCountess’sapartmentsinthedistance，thequaintflower—beds，theyew—treestrimmedintooddshapes，andeventhedeafoldgardenerworkingbare—armedinthesunlightataflower—bedinthefarcornerbythetool—house。

Thetopofthewallwaspointedlikeahouseroof，andimmediatelybelowhimwascoveredbyathickgrowthofgreenmoss，anditflashedthroughhismindashehungtherethatmaybeitwouldofferaveryslipperyfootholdforonedroppinguponthesteepslopesofthetop。Butitwastoolatetodrawbacknow。

Bracinghimselfforamoment，heloosedhisholduponthelimbabove。Thebranchflewbackwitharush，andhedropped，strivingtograsptheslopinganglewithhisfeet。Instantlythetreacherousslipperymossslidawayfrombeneathhim；hemadeavainclutchatthewall，hisfingersslidingoverthecoldstones，then，withasharpexclamation，downhepitchedbodilyintothegardenbeneath！Athousandthoughtsflewthroughhisbrainlikeacloudofflies，andthenaleafygreennessseemedtostrikeupagainsthim。Asplinteringcrashsoundedinhisearsasthelatticetopofthearborbrokeunderhim，andwithonefinalclutchattheemptyairhefellheavilyuponthegroundbeneath。

Heheardashrillscreamthatseemedtofindaninstantecho；

evenashefellhehadavisionoffacesandbrightcolors，andwhenhesatup，dazedandbewildered，hefoundhimselffacetofacewiththeLadyAnne，thedaughterofthehouse，andhercousin，theLadyAlice，whoclutchingoneanothertightly，stoodstaringathimwithwidescaredeyes。

CHAPTER18

Foralittletimetherewasapauseofdeepsilence，duringwhichtheflutteringleavescamedriftingdownfromthebrokenarborabove。

ItwastheLadyAnnewhofirstspoke。"Whoartthou，andwhencecomestthou？"saidshe，tremulously。

ThenMylesgatheredhimselfupsheepishly。"MynameisMylesFalworth，"saidhe，"andIamoneofthesquiresofthebody。"

"Oh！aye！"saidtheLadyAlice，suddenly。"MethoughtIknewthyface。ArtthounottheyoungmanthatIhaveseeninLordGeorge’strain？"

"Yes，lady，"saidMyles，wrappingandtwiningapieceofthebrokenvineinandoutamonghisfingers。"LordGeorgehathoftenhadmeoflateabouthisperson。"

"Andwhatdostthoudohere，sirrah？"saidLadyAnne，angrily。

"Howdarestthoucomesointoourgarden？"

"ImeantnottocomeasIdid，"saidMyles，clumsily，andwithafacehotandred。"ButIslippedoverthetopofthewallandfellhastilyintothegarden。Truly，lady，Imeantyenoharmorfrightthereby。"

Helookedsodrollyabashedashestoodbeforethem，withhisclothestornandsoiledfromthefall，hisfacered，andhiseyesdowncast，allthewhileindustriouslytwistingthepieceofclematisinandaroundhisfingers，thatLadyAnne’shalf—frightenedangercouldnotlast。Sheandhercousinexchangedglances，andsmiledatoneanother。

"But，"saidsheatlast，tryingtodrawherprettybrowstogetherintoafrown，"tellme；whydidstthouseektoclimbthewall？"

"Icametoseekaball，"saidMyles，"whichIstruckoverhitherfromthecourtbeyond。"

"Andwouldstthoucomeintoourprivygardenfornobetterreasonthantofindaball？"saidtheyounglady。

"Nay，"saidMyles；"itwasnotsomuchtofindtheball，but，ingoodsooth，Ididtrulystrikeitharderthanneedbe，andso，ginIlosttheball，Icoulddonolessthancomeandfinditagain，elseoursportisdonefortheday。SoitwasIcamehither。"

Thetwoyoungladieshadbynowrecoveredfromtheirfright。TheLadyAnneslylynudgedhercousinwithherelbow，andtheyoungercouldnotsuppressahalf—nervouslaugh。Mylesheardit，andfelthisfacegrowhotterandredderthanever。

"Nay，"saidLadyAnne，"IdobelieveMasterGiles——"

"Mynamebe’stMyles，"correctedMyles。

"Verywell，then，MasterMyles，IsayIdobelievethatthoumeanestnoharmincominghither；ne’thelessitwasilloftheesotodo。Anmyfathershouldfindtheehere，hewouldhavetheeshrewdlypunishedforsuchtrespassing。Dostthounotknowthatnooneispermittedtoenterthisplace——no，notevenmyuncleGeorge？Onefellowwhocamehithertostealapplesoncehadhisearsshavenclosetohishead，andnotmorethanayearagooneofthecook’smenwhoclimbedthewallearlyonemorningwasshotbythewatchman。"

"Aye，"saidMyles，"Iknewofhimwhowasshot，anditdidgosomewhatagainstmystomachtoventure，knowingwhathadhappedtohim。Ne’theless，anIgatnottheball，howwerewetoplaymoreto—dayatthetrap？"

"Marry，thouartaboldfellow，Idobelieveme，"saidtheyounglady，"andsinthouhastcomeinthefaceofsuchperiltogetthyball，thoushaltnotgoawayempty。Whitherdidstthoustrikeit？"

"Overyonderbythecherry—tree，"saidMyles，jerkinghisheadinthatdirection。"AnImaygogetit，Iwilltroubleyenomore。"

Ashespokehemadeamotiontoleavethem。

"Stay！"saidtheLadyAnne，hastily；"remainwherethouart。Anthoucrosstheopen，someonemayhaplyseetheefromthehouse，andwillgivethealarm，andthouwiltbelost。Iwillgogetthyball。"

AndsosheleftMylesandhercousin，crossingthelittleplotsofgrassandskirtingtherosebushestothecherry—tree。

WhenMylesfoundhimselfalonewithLadyAlice，heknewnotwheretolookorwhattodo，buttwistedthepieceofclematiswhichhestillheldinandoutmoreindustriouslythanever。

LadyAlicewatchedhimwithdancingeyesforalittlewhile。

"Haplythouwiltspoilthatpoorvine，"saidsheby—and—by，breakingthesilenceandlaughing，thenturningsuddenlyseriousagain。"Didstthouhurtthyselfbythyfall？"

"Nay，"saidMyles，lookingup，"suchafallasthatwasnogreatmatter。ManyandmanyatimeIhavehadworse。"

"Hastthouso？"saidtheLadyAlice。"Thoudidstfrightmeparlously，andmycozlikewise。"

Myleshesitatedforamoment，andthenblurtedout，"ThereatI

grieve，fortheeIwouldnotfrightforalltheworld。"

Theyoungladylaughedandblushed。"Alltheworldisagreatmatter，"saidshe。

"Yea，"saidhe，"itisagreatmatter；butitisagreatermattertofrightthee，andsoIwouldnotdoitforthat，andmore。"

Theyoungladylaughedagain，butshedidnotsayanythingfurther，andaspaceofsilencefellsolongthatby—and—bysheforcedherselftosay，"Mycousinfindethnottheballpresently。"

"Nay，"saidMyles，briefly，andthenagainneitherspoke，untilby—and—bytheLadyAnnecame，bringingtheball。Mylesfeltagreatsenseofreliefatthatcoming，andyetwassomehowsorry。

Thenhetooktheball，andknewenoughtobowhisacknowledgmentinamannerneitherillnorawkward。

"Didstthouhurtthyself？"askedLadyAnne。

"Nay，"saidMyles，givinghimselfashake；"seestthounotIbewhole，limbandbone？Nay，Ihavehadshrewdlyworsefallsthanthat。OnceIfelloutofanoak—treedownbytheriveranduponaroot，andbethoughtmeIdidbreakaribormore。AndthenonetimewhenIwasaboyinCrosbey—Dale——thatwaswhereIlivedbeforeIcamehither——ldidcatchmeholdofthebladeofthewindmill，thinkingitwasmovingslowly，andthatIwouldhavearidei’th’air，andsowasliketohavehadafalltenthousandtimesworsethanthis。"

"Oh，tellusmoreofthat！"saidtheLadyAnne，eagerly。"Ididneverhearofsuchanadventureasthat。Come，coz，andsitdownhereuponthebench，andletushavehimtellusallofthathappening。"

Nowtheladsupontheothersideofthewallhadbeenwhistlingfurtivelyforsometime，notknowingwhetherMyleshadbrokenhisneckorhadcomeoffscot—freefromhisfall。"Iwouldlikerightwelltostaywithye，"saidhe，irresolutely，"andwouldgladlytellyethatandmoreanyewouldhavemetodoso；buthearyenotmyfriendscallmefrombeyond？MayhaptheythinkIbreakmyback，andarecallingtoseewhetherIbealiveorno。AnImightwhistlethemanswerandtossmethisballtothem，allwouldthenbewell，andtheywouldknowthatIwasnothurt，andso，haply，wouldgoaway。"

"Thenanswerthem，"saidtheLadyAnne，"andtellusofthatthingthouspokestofanon——howthoutookestarideuponthewindmill。Weyoungladiesdohearlittleofsuchmatters，notbeingallowedtotalkwithlads。Allthatwehearofperilsareofknightsandladiesandjousting，andsuchlike。Itwouldpleasureusrightwelltohavetheetellofthyadventures。"

SoMylestossedbacktheball，andwhistledinanswertohisfriends。

Thenhetoldthetwoyoungladiesnotonlyofhisadventureuponthewindmill，butalsoofotherboyishescapades，andtoldthemwell，withastraightforwardsmackandvigor，forheenjoyedadventureandlovedtotalkofit。Inalittlewhilehehadregainedhisease；hisshynessandawkwardnesslefthim，andnothingremainedbutthedelightfulfactthathewasreallyandactuallytalkingtotwoyoungladies，andthatwithjustasmucheaseandinfinitelymorepleasurethancouldbehadindiscoursewithhisfellow—squires。Butatlastitwastimeforhimtogo。

"Marry，"saidhe，withahalf—sigh，"methinksIdidneverha’sosweetandpleasantatimeinallmylifebefore。NeverdidIknowarealladytotalkwith，savingonlymymother，andIdotellyeplainmethinksIwouldrathertalkwithyethanwithanyheinChristendom——saving，perhaps，onlymyfriendGascoyne。IwouldI

mightcomehitheragain。"

Thehonestfranknessofhisspeechwasirresistible；thetwogirlsexchangedglancesandthenbeganlaughing。"Truly，"saidLadyAnne，who，aswassaidbefore，wassomethreeorfouryearsolderthanMyles，"thouartaboldladtoasksuchathing。Howwouldstthoucomehither？Wouldsttumblethroughourclematisarboragain，asthoudidstthisday？"

"Nay，"saidMyles，"Iwouldnotdothatagain，butifyewillbidmedoso，Iwillfindthemeanstocomehither。"

"Nay，"saidLadyAnne，"Idarenotbidtheedosuchafoolhardything。Nevertheless，ifthouhastthecouragetocome——"

"Yea，"saidMyles，eagerly，"Ihavethecourage。"

"Then，ifthouhastso，wewillbehereinthegardenonSaturdaynextatthishour。Iwouldlikerightwelltohearmoreofthyadventures。Butwhatdidstthousaywasthyname？Ihaveforgotitagain。"

"ItisMylesFalworth。"

"ThenweshallycleptheeSirMyles，forthouartasoothlyerrant—knight。Andstay！Everyknightmusthavealadytoserve。

HowwouldstthoulikemyCousinAlicehereforthytruelady？"

"Aye，"saidMyles，eagerly，"Iwouldlikeitrightwell。"Andthenheblushedfieryredathisboldness。

"Iwantnoerrant—knighttoserveme，"saidtheLadyAlice，blushing，inanswer。"Thoudostillteaseme，coz！Anthouartsofreeinchoosinghimaladytoserve，thoumaystchoosehimthyselfforthypains。"

"Nay，"saidtheLadyAnne，laughing；"Isaythoushaltbehistruelady，andheshallbethytrueknight。Whoknows？Perchancehemayserventheeinsomewondrousadventure，likeasChaucertellethof。Butnow，SirErrant—Knight，thoumusttakethyleaveofus，andImuste’enlettheeprivilyoutbythepostern—wicket。Andifthouwilttaketheriskupontheeandcomehitheragain，pritheebewaryinthatcoming，lestinventuringthouhavethineearsclippedinmostunknightlyfashion。"

Thatevening，asheandGascoynesattogetheronabenchunderthetreesinthegreatquadrangle，Mylestoldofhisadventureoftheafternoon，andhisfriendlistenedwithbreathlessinterest。

"But，Myles，"criedGascoyne，"didtheLadyAnneneveronceseemproudandunkind？"

"Nay，"saidMyles；"onlyatfirst，whenshechidmeforfallingthroughtheroofoftheirarbor。Andtothink，Francis！LadyAnneherselfbademeholdtheLadyAliceasmytruelady，andtoserveherinallknightliness！"ThenhetoldhisfriendthathewasgoingtotheprivygardenagainonthenextSaturday，andthattheLadyAnnehadgivenhimpermissionsotodo。

Gascoynegavealong，wonderingwhistle，andthensatquitestill，staringintothesky。By—and—byheturnedtohisfriendandsaid，"Igivetheemypledge，MylesFalworth，thatneverinallmylifedidIhearofanyonethathadsuchmarvellousstrangehappeningsbefallhimasthou。"

WhenevertheopportunityoccurredforsendingalettertoCrosbey—Holt，Myleswroteonetohismother；andonecanguesshowtheyweretreasuredbythegoodlady，andreadoverandoveragaintotheblindoldLordashesatstaringintodarknesswithhissightlesseyes。

Aboutthetimeofthisescapadehewrotealettertellingofthosedoings，wherein，afterspeakingofhismisadventureoffallingfromthewall，andofhisacquaintancewiththeyoungladies，hewentontospeakofthematterinwhichherepeatedhisvisits。TheletterwaswordedintheEnglishofthatday——thequaintandcrabbedlanguageinwhichChaucerwrote。Perhapsfewboyscouldreaditnowadays，so，modernizingitsomewhat，itranthus：

"AndnowtoletyeweetthatthingthatfollowedthathappeningthatmademeacquaintwiththeytwoyoungDamoiselles。Itakemetothesouthwallofthatgardenonedayfourandtwentygreatspikes，whichPeterSmithdidforgeformeandforwhichIpayhimfivepence，andthatallthemoneythatIhadleftofmyhalf—year’swage，andwotnotwhereImaygetmoreatthesepresent，withoutenIdobetakemetoSirJames，who，asIdidtellye，hathconsentedtoholdthosemoneysthatPriorEdwardgavemetillIneedthem。

"Nowthesesamespikes，Isay，Itakemethemdownbehindthecornerofthewall，andtheredravethembetwixtthestones，myverydearcomradeandtruefriendGascoyneholpingmetheretotodo。AndsocomeSaturday，Iclimbmeoverthewallandtotheroofofthetool—housebelow，seekingafittingopportunitywhenImightsodowithoutbeingintoogreatjeopardy。

"Yea；andwhoshouldbetherebuttheytwoladies，bidingmycoming，who，seeingme，madeasthoughtheyhadexpectedmenot，andgavemegreatestrebukeforadventuringsomoughtily。Yet，methinks，weretheyrightwellpleasuredthatIshouldsoaventure，whichindeedImightnototherwisedo，seeingasIhavetelledtothee，thatoneofthemismineowntrueladyfortoserven，andsowastheonlywaythatImightcometospeechwithher。"

SuchwasMyles’sownquaintwayoftellinghowheaccomplishedhisaimofvisitingtheforbiddengarden，andnodoubtthesmackofadventureandthesavorofdangerintheundertakingrecommendedhimnotalittletothefavoroftheyoungladies。

Afterthisfirstacquaintanceperhapsamonthpassed，duringwhichMyleshadclimbedthewallsomehalfadozentimes（fortheLadyAnnewouldnotpermitoftoofrequentvisits），andduringwhichthefirstacquaintanceofthethreeripenedrapidlytoanhonest，pleasantfriendship。MorethanonceMyles，wheninLordGeorge’strain，caughtacovertsmileorhalfnodfromoneorbothofthegirls，notalittledelightfulinitsverysecretfriendliness。

CHAPTER19

AswaSsaid，perhapsamonthpassed；thenMyles’svisitscametoanabrupttermination，andwithitended，inacertainsense，achapterofhislife。

OneSaturdayafternoonheclimbedthegardenwall，andskirtingbehindalongrowofrosebushesthatscreenedhimfromtheCountess’sterrace，cametoalittlesummer—housewherethetwoyoungladieshadappointedtomeethimthatday。

Apleasanthalf—hourorsowaspassed，andthenitwastimeforMylestogo。Helingeredforawhilebeforehetookhisfinalleave，leaningagainstthedoor—post，andlaughinglytellinghowheandsomeofhisbrothersquireshadmadeafigureofstrawdressedinmen’sclothes，andhadplayedatrickwithitonenightuponawatchmanagainstwhomtheyboreagrudge。

Theyoungladieswerelisteningwithlaughingfaces，whensuddenly，asMyleslooked，hesawthesmilevanishfromLadyAlice’seyesandawideterrortakeitsplace。Shegaveahalf—articulatecry，androseabruptlyfromthebenchuponwhichshewassitting。

Mylesturnedsharply，andthenhisveryheartseemedtostandstillwithinhim；forthere，standinginthebroadsunlightwithout，andglaringinuponthepartywithbalefuleyes，wastheEarlofMackworthhimself。

Howlongwasthebreathlesssilencethatfollowed，Mylescouldnevertell。HeknewthattheLadyAnnehadalsorisen，andthatsheandhercousinwerestandingasstillasstatues。PresentlytheEarlpointedtothehousewithhisstaff，andMylesnotedstupidlyhowittrembledinhishand。

"Yewenches，"saidheatlast，inahard，harshvoice——"yewenches，whatmeaneththis？Wouldyedeceivemeso，andholdparlancethussecretlywiththisfellow？Iwillsettlewithhimanon。Meantimegetyestraightwaytothehouseandtoyourrooms，andthereabideuntilIgiveyeleavetocomeforthagain。Go，I

say！"

"Father，"saidLadyAnne，inabreathlessvoice——shewasaswhiteasdeath，andmoistenedherlipswithhertonguebeforeshespoke——"father，thouwiltnotdoharmtothisyoungman。Sparehim，Idobeseechthee，fortrulyitwasIwhobadehimcomehither。Iknowthathewouldnothavecomebutatourbidding。"

TheEarlstampedhisfootuponthegravel。"Didyenothearme？"

saidhe，stillpointingtowardsthehousewithhistremblingstaff。"Ibadeyegotoyourrooms。Iwillsettlewiththisfellow，Isay，asIdeemfitting。"

"Father，"beganLadyAnneagain；buttheEarlmadesuchasavagegesturethatpoorLadyAliceutteredafaintshriek，andLadyAnnestoppedabruptly，trembling。Thensheturnedandpassedoutthefartherdoorofthesummerhouse，poorlittleLadyAlicefollowing，holdinghertightbytheskirts，andtremblingandshudderingasthoughwithafitoftheague。

TheEarlstoodlookinggrimlyafterthemfromunderhisshaggyeyebrows，untiltheypassedawaybehindtheyew—trees，appearedagainupontheterracebehind，enteredtheopendoorsofthewomen’shouse，andweregone。Mylesheardtheirfootstepsgrowingfainterandfainter，butheneverraisedhiseyes。Uponthegroundathisfeetwerefourpebbles，andhenoticedhowtheyalmostmadeasquare，andwoulddosoifhepushedoneofthemwithhistoe，andthenitseemedstrangetohimthatheshouldthinkofsuchalittlefoolishthingatthatdreadfultime。

HeknewthattheEarlwaslookinggloomilyathim，andthathisfacemustbeverypale。SuddenlyLordMackworthspoke。"Whathastthoutosay？"saidhe，harshly。

ThenMylesraisedhiseyes，andtheEarlsmiledgrimlyashelookedhisvictimover。"Ihavenaughttosay，"saidthelad，huskily。

"Didstthounothearwhatmydaughterspakebutnow？"saidtheEarl。"Shesaidthatthoucamenotofthyownfree—will；whatsaystthoutothat，sirrah——isittrue？"

Myleshesitatedforamomentortwo；histhroatwastightanddry。"Nay，"saidheatlast，"shebeliethherself。ItwasIwhofirstcameintothegarden。Ifellbychancefromthetreeyonder——Iwasseekingaball——thenIaskedthosetwoifImightnotcomehitheragain，andsohavedonesomeseveraltimesinall。Butasforher——nay；itwasnotatherbiddingthatIcame，butthroughmineownasking。"

TheEarlgavealittlegruntinhisthroat。"Andhowoftenhastthoubeenhere？"saidhe，presently。

Mylesthoughtamomentortwo。"Thismakeththeseventhtime，"

saidhe。

Anotherpauseofsilencefollowed，andMylesbegantopluckupsomeheartthatmaybeallwouldyetbewell。TheEarl’snextspeechdashedthathopeintoathousandfragments。"Wellthouknowest，"saidhe，"thatitisforbidforanytocomehere。Wellthouknowestthattwicehavemenbeenpunishedforthisthingthatthouhastdone，andyetthoucamestinspiteofall。Nowdostthouknowwhatthouwiltsuffer？"

Mylespickedwithnervousfingersatacrackintheoakenpostagainstwhichheleaned。"Mayhapthouwiltkillme，"saidheatlast，inadull，chokingvoice。

AgaintheEarlsmiledagrimsmile。"Nay，"saidhe，"Iwouldnotslaythee，forthouhastgentleblood。ButwhatsayestthoushouldIshearthineearsfromthinehead，orperchancehavetheescourgedinthegreatcourt？"

ThestingofthewordssentthebloodflyingbacktoMyles’sfaceagain，andhelookedquicklyup。"Nay，"saidhe，withaboldnessthatsurprisedhimself；"thoushaltdonosuchunlordlythinguponmeasthat。Ibethypeer，sir，inblood；andthoughthoumaystkillme，thouhastnorighttoshameme。"

LordMackworthbowedwithamockingcourtesy。"Marry！"saidhe。

"MethoughtitwasoneofmineownsaucypopinjaysquiresthatI

caughtsneakinghereandtalkingtothosetwofoolishyounglasses，andlo！itisayoungLord——ormayhapthouartayoungPrince——andcommandethmethatIshallnotdothisandIshallnotdothat。IcraveyourLordship’shonorablepardon，ifIhavesaidaughtthatmayhavegalledyou。"

ThefearMyleshadfeltwasnowbeginningtodissolveinrisingwrath。"Nay，"saidhe，stoutly，"IbenoLordandIbenoPrince，butIbeasgoodasthou。ForamInotthesonofthyonetimeverytruecomradeandthykinsman——towit，theLordFalworth，whom，asthouknowest，ispoorandbroken，andblind，andhelpless，andoutlawed，andbanned？Yet，"criedhe，grindinghisteeth，asthethoughtofitallrushedinuponhim，"Iwouldratherbeinhisplacethaninyours；forthoughheberuined，you——"

Hehadjustsenseenoughtostopthere。

TheEarl，grippinghisstaffbehindhisback，andwithhisheadalittlebent，waslookingkeenlyattheladfromunderhisshaggygraybrows。"Well，"saidhe，asMylesstopped，"thouhastgonetoofarnowtodrawback。Saythysaytotheend。Whywouldstthouratherbeinthyfather’ssteadthaninmine？"

Mylesdidnotanswer。

"Thoushaltfinishthyspeech，orelseshowthyselfacoward。

Thoughthyfatherisruined，thoudidstsayIam——what？"

Myleskeyedhimselfuptotheeffort，andthenblurtedout，"Thouartattaintedwithshame。"

Alongbreathlesssilencefollowed。

"MylesFalworth，"saidtheEarlatlast（andeveninthewhirlingofhiswitsMyleswonderedthathehadthenamesopat）——"MylesFalworth，ofallthebold，mad，hare—brainedfools，thouartthemostfoolish。Howdostthoudaresaysuchwordstome？Dostthounotknowthatthoumakestthycomingpunishmenttentimesmorebitterbysuchaspeech？"

"Aye！"criedMyles，desperately；"butwhatelsecouldIdo？AnI

didnotsaythewords，thoucallestmecoward，andcowardIamnot。"

"By’rLady！"saidtheEarl，"Idobelievethee。Thouartabold，impudentvarletaseverlived——tobeardmeso，forsooth！Hark’ee；

thousaystIthinknaughtofmineoldcomrade。Iwillshowtheethatthoudostbelieme。Iwillsufferwhatthouhastsaidtomeforhissake，andforhissakewillforgivetheethycominghither——whichIwouldnotdoinanothercasetoanyotherman。

Nowgettheegonestraightway，andcomehithernomore。Yonderisthepostern—gate；mayhapthouknowesttheway。Butstay！Howcamestthouhither？"

Mylestoldhimofthespikeshehaddriveninthewall，andtheEarllistened，strokinghisbeard。Whentheladhadended，hefixedasharplookuponhim。"Butthoudrovenotthosespikesalone，"saidhe；"whohelpedtheedoit？"

"ThatImaynottell，"saidMyles，firmly。

"Sobeit，"saidtheEarl。"Iwillnotasktheetotellhisname。

Nowgettheegone！Andasforthosespikes，thoumayste’enknockthemoutofthewall，sinthoudravethemin。Playnomorepranksanthouwouldstkeepthyskinwhole。Andnowgo，Isay！"

Mylesneedednofurtherbidding，butturnedandlefttheEarlwithoutanotherword。Ashewentoutthepostern—gatehelookedoverhisshoulder，andsawthetallfigure，initslongfur—trimmedgown，stillstandinginthemiddleofthepath，lookingafterhimfromundertheshaggyeyebrows。

Asheranacrossthequadrangle，hisheartstillflutteringinhisbreast，hemutteredtohimself，"Theoldgrizzle—beard；anI

hadnotfacedhimaboldfront，mayhaphewouldhaveputsuchshameuponmeashesaid。IwonderwhyhestoodsostaringaftermeasIleftthegarden。"

Thenforthetimethematterslippedfromhismind，savingonlythatpartthatsmackedofadventure。

CHAPTER20

SoforalittlewhileMyleswasdisposedtocongratulatehimselfuponhavingcomeoffsowellfromhisadventurewiththeEarl。

Butafteradayortwohadpassed，andhehadtimeforsecondthought，hebegantomisdoubtwhether，afterall，hemightnothavecarrieditwithabetterairifhehadshownmorechivalrousboldnessinthepresenceofhistruelady；whetheritwouldnothaveredoundedmoretohiscreditifhehadinsomewayassertedhisrightsastheyoungdame’sknight—errantanddefender。WasitnotignominioustoresignhisrightsandprivilegessoeasilyandtamelyatasignalfromtheEarl？

"For，insooth，"saidhetoGascoyne，asthetwotalkedthematterover，"shehath，inacertainway，acceptedmeforherknight，andyetIstoodmetherewithoutsayingsomuchasonesinglewordinherbehalf。"

"Nay，"saidGascoyne，"Iwouldnottroublemeonthatscore。

Methinksthatthoudidstcomeoffwondrouswelloutofthebusiness。IwouldnothavethoughtitpossiblethatmyLordcouldha’beensopatientwiththeeasheshowedhimself。Methinks，forsooth，hemustholdtheeprivilyinrighthighesteem。"

"Truly，"saidMyles，afteralittlepauseofmeditativesilence，"Iknownotofanyesteem，yetIdothinkhewaspassingpatientwithmeinthismatter。Butne’theless，Francis，thatchangethnotmystandinthecase。Yea，Ididshamefully，sotoresignmyladywithoutspeakingoneword；norwillIsoresignherevenyet。Ihavebethoughtmemuchofthismatteroflate，Francis，andnowIcometotheetohelpmefrommyevilcase。Iwouldhavetheeactthepartofatruefriendtome——likethatoneIhavetoldtheeofinthestoryoftheEmperorJustinian。Iwouldhavethee，whennextthouservestinthehouse，tosocontrivethatmyLadyAliceshallgetaletterwhichIshallpresentlywrite，andwhereinImaysetallthatiscrookedstraightagain。"

"Heavenforbid，"saidGascoyne，hastily，"thatIshouldbesuchafoolastoburnmyfingersindrawingthynutsfromthefire！

Deliverthyletterthyself，goodfellow！"

SospokeGascoyne，yetafterallheended，asheusuallydid，byyieldingtoMyles’ssuperiorwillandpersistence。Sotheletterwaswrittenandonedaythegood—naturedGascoynecarrieditwithhimtothehouse，andtheopportunityoffering，gaveittooneoftheyoungladiesattendantupontheCountess’sfamily——alasswithwhomhehadfriendlyintimacy——tobedeliveredtoLadyAlice。

ButifMylescongratulatedhimselfuponthesuccessofthisnewadventure，itwasnotforlong。Thatnight，asthecrowdofpagesandsquiresweremakingthemselvesreadyforbed，thecallcamethroughtheuproarfor"MylesFalworth！MylesFalworth！"

"HereIbe，"criedMyles，standinguponhiscot。"Whocallethme？"

ItwasthegroomoftheEarl’sbedchamber，andseeingMylesstandingthusraisedabovetheothers，hecamewalkingdownthelengthoftheroomtowardshim，thewontedhubbubgraduallysilencingasheadvancedandtheyoungstersturning，staring，andwondering。

"MyLordwouldspeakwiththee，MylesFalworth，"saidthegroom，whenhehadcomecloseenoughtowhereMylesstood。"Busktheeandmakeready；heisatliveryevennow。"

Thegroom’swordsfelluponMyleslikeablow。Hestoodforawhilestaringwide—eyed。"MyLordspeakwithme，saystthou！"heejaculatedatlast。

"Aye，"saidtheother，impatiently；"gettheereadyquickly。I

mustreturnanon。"

Myles’sheadwasinawhirlashehastilychangedhisclothesforabettersuit，Gascoynehelpinghim。WhatcouldtheEarlwantwithhimatthishour？Heknewinhisheartwhatitwas；theinterviewcouldconcernnothingbuttheletterthathehadsenttoLadyAlicethatday。Ashefollowedthegroomthroughthenowdarkandsilentcourts，andacrossthecornerofthegreatquadrangle，andsototheEarl’shouse，hetriedtobracehisfailingcouragetomeetthecominginterview。Nevertheless，hisheartbeattumultuouslyashefollowedtheotherdownthelongcorridor，litonlybyaflaringlinksetinawrought—ironbracket。Thenhisconductorliftedthearrasatthedoorofthebedchamber，whencecamethemurmuringsoundofmanyvoices，andholdingitaside，beckonedhimtoenter，andMylespassedwithin。

Atthefirst，hewasconsciousofnothingbutacrowdofpeople，andofthebrightnessofmanylightedcandles；thenhesawthathestoodinagreatairyroomspreadwithawovenmatofrushes。

Onthreesidesthewallswerehungwithtapestryrepresentinghuntingandbattlescenes，atthefartherend，wherethebedstood，thestonewallofthefourthsidewascoveredwithclothofblue，embroideredwithsilvergoshawks。Evennow，intheripespringtimeofMay，theroomwasstillchilly，andagreatfireroaredandcrackledinthehugegapingmouthofthestonefireplace。Notfarfromtheblazewereclusteredthegreaterpartofthosepresent，buzzingintalk，nowandthenswelledbymurmuringlaughter。SomeofthosewhoknewMylesnoddedtohim，andtwoorthreespoketohimashestoodwaiting，whilstthegroomwentforwardtospeaktotheEarl；thoughwhattheysaidandwhatheanswered，Myles，inhisbewildermentandtrepidation，hardlyknew。

Aswassaidbefore，theliverywasthelastmealoftheday，andwastakeninbed。Itwasasimplerepast——amanchette，orsmallloafofbreadofpurewhiteflour，aloafofhouseholdbread，sometimesalumpofcheese，andeitheragreatflagonofaleorofsweetwine，warmandspiced。TheEarlwassittinguprightinbed，dressedinafurreddressing—gown，andproppedupbytwocylindricalbolstersofcrimsonsatin。Uponthecoverlet，andspreadoverhisknees，wasalargewidenapkinoflinenfringedwithsilverthread，andonitrestedasilvertraycontainingthebreadandsomecheese。Twopagesandthreegentlemenwerewaitinguponhim，andMadNoll，thejester，stoodattheheadofthebed，nowandthenjinglinghisbawbleandpassingsomequaintjestuponthechanceofmakinghismastersmile。Uponatablenearbyweresomedozenorsowaxentapersstruckuponasmanyspikedcandlesticksofsilver—gilt，andilluminatingthatendoftheroomwiththeirbrighttwinklingflames。OneofthegentlemenwasintheactofservingtheEarlwithagobletofwine，pouredfromasilverewerbyoneofthesquires，asthegroomofthechambercameforwardandspoke。TheEarl，takingthegoblet，turnedhishead，andasMyleslooked，theireyesmet。ThentheEarlturnedawayagainandraisedthecuptohislips，whileMylesfelthisheartbeatmorerapidlythanever。

Butatlastthemealwasended，andtheEarlwashedhishandsandhismouthandhisbeardfromasilverbasinofscentedwaterheldbyanotheroneofthesquires。Then，leaningbackagainstthepillows，hebeckonedtoMyles。

InanswerMyleswalkedforwardthelengthoftheroom，consciousthatalleyeswerefixeduponhim。TheEarlsaidsomething，andthosewhostoodneardrewbackashecameforward。ThenMylesfoundhimselfstandingbesidethebed，lookingdownuponthequiltedcounterpane，feelingthattheotherwasgazingfixedlyathim。

"Isentforthee，"saidtheEarlatlast，stilllookingsteadilyathim，"becausethisafternooncamealettertomyhandwhichthouhadstwrittentomyniece，theLadyAlice。Ihaveithere，"

saidhe，thrustinghishandunderthebolster，"andhavejustnowfinishedreadingit。"Then，afteramoment’spause，whilstheopenedtheparchmentandscanneditagain，"Ifindnomatterofharminit，buthereafterwritenomoresuch。"Hespokeentirelywithoutanger，andMyleslookedupinwonder。"Here，takeit，"

saidtheEarl，foldingtheletterandtossingittoMyles，whoinstinctivelycaughtit，"andhenceforthtroublethoumyniecenomoreeitherbyletteroranyotherway。Ithoughthaplythouwouldstbeatsomesuchsaucytrick，andImadeAlicepromisetoletmeknowwhenithapped。Now，Isay，letthisbeanendofthematter。Dostthounotknowthoumaystinjureherbysuchwitlessfollyasthatofmeetingherprivily，andprivilywritingtoher？"

"Imeantnoharm，"saidMyles。

"Ibelievethee，"saidtheEarl。"Thatwilldonow；thoumaystgo。"

Myleshesitated。

"Whatwouldstthousay？"saidLordMackworth。

"Onlythis，"saidMyles，"anIhavethyleavesotodo，thattheLadyAlicehathchosenmetobeherknight，andso，whetherImayseeherorspeakwithherorno，thelawsofchivalrygiveme，whoamgentleborn，therighttoserveherasatrueknightmay。"

"Asatruefoolmay，"saidtheEarl，dryly。"Why，hownow，thouartnotaknightyet，noranythingbutarawlumpofaboy。Whatrightsdothelawsofchivalrygivethee，sirrah？Thouartafool！"

HadtheEarlbeeneversoangry，hiswordswouldhavebeenlessbittertoMylesthanhiscool，unmovedpatience；itmortifiedhisprideandgalledittothequick。

"Iknowthatthoudostholdmeincontempt，"hemumbled。

"Outuponthee！"saidtheEarl，testily。"Thoudostteasemebeyondpatience。Iholdtheeincontempt，forsooth！Why，lookthee，hadstthoubeenotherthanthouart，Iwouldhavehadtheewhippedoutofmyhouselongsince。ThinkestthouIwouldhavebornesopatientlywithanotheroneofyesquireshadsuchanoneheldsecretmeetingwithmydaughterandniece，andtampered，asthouhastdone，withmyhousehold，sendingthroughoneofmypeoplethatletter？Goto；thouartafool，MylesFalworth！"

MylesstoodstaringattheEarlwithoutmakinganefforttospeak。Thewordsthathehadheardsuddenlyflashed，asitwere，anewlightintohismind。Inthatflashhefullyrecognized，andforthefirsttime，thestrangeandwonderfulforbearancethegreatEarlhadshowntohim，apoorobscureboy。Whatdiditmean？WasLordMackworthhissecretfriend，afterall，asGascoynehadmorethanonceasserted？SoMylesstoodsilent，thinkingmanythings。

Meantimetheotherlaybackuponthecylindricalbolsters，lookingthoughtfullyathim。"Howoldartthou？"saidheatlast。

"SeventeenlastApril，"answeredMyles。