第5章

"Thenthouartoldenoughtohavesomeofthethoughtsofaman，andtolayasidethoseofaboy。Haplythouhasthadfoolishthingsinthyheadthisshorttimepast；itistimethatthouputthemaway。Harkee，sirrah！theLadyAliceisagreatheiressinherownright，andmaystcommandthebestallianceinEngland——anEarl——aDuke。Shegrowethapacetoawoman，andthenherkindliethinCourtsandgreathouses。Asforthee，thouartbutapoorlad，pennilessandwithoutfriendstoaidtheetoopenadvancement。Thyfatherisattainted，andonewhisperofwhereheliethhidwouldbringhimthencetotheTower，andhaplytotheblock。Besidesthat，hehathanenemy，asSirJamesLeehathalreadytoldthee——anenemyperhapsmoregreatandpowerfulthanmyself。Thatenemywatchethforthyfatherandforthee；shouldstthoudareraisethyheadorthyfortuneeversolittle，hewouldhaplycropthemboth，andthatparlouslyquick。MylesFalworth，howdostthoudaretoliftthineeyestotheLadyAlicedeMowbray？"

PoorMylesstoodsilentandmotionless。"Sir，"saidheatlast，inadrychokingvoice，"thouartright，andIhavebeenafool。

Sir，IwillneverraisemineeyestolookupontheLadyAlicemore。"

"Isaynotthateither，boy，"saidtheEarl；"buterethoudostsodare，thoumustfirstplacethyselfandthyfamilywhenceyefell。Tillthen，asthouartanhonestman，troublehernot。Nowgettheegone。

AsMylescrossedthedarkandsilentcourtyards，andlookedupattheclear，stilltwinkleofthestars，hefeltakindofdullwonderthattheyandthenightandtheworldshouldseemsomuchthesame，andhebesodifferent。

Thefirststrokehadbeengiventhatwastobreakinpieceshisboyhoodlife——thesecondwassoontofollow。

CHAPTER21

Therearenowandthentimesinthelifeofeveryonewhennewandstrangethingsoccurwithsuchrapiditythatonehashardlytimetocatchone’sbreathbetweenthehappenings。Itisasthoughtheoldwerecrumblingaway——breakinginpieces——togiveplacetothenewthatissoontotakeitsplace。

SoitwaswithMylesFalworthaboutthistime。Theverynextdayafterthisinterviewinthebed—chamber，wordcametohimthatSirJamesLeewishedtospeakwithhimintheoffice。Hefoundthelean，grizzledoldknightalone，sittingattheheavyoakentablewithatankardofspicedaleathiselbow，andadishofwafersandsomefragmentsofcheeseonapewterplatterbeforehim。Hepointedtohisclerk’sseat——ajointstoolsomewhatlikeacamp—chair，butmadeofheavyoakenbracesandwithaseatofhog—skin——andbadeMylesbeseated。

ItwasthefirsttimethatMyleshadeverheardofsuchcourtesybeingextendedtooneofthecompanyofsquires，and，muchwondering，heobeyedtheinvitation，orrathercommand，andtooktheseat。

Theoldknightsatregardinghimforawhileinsilence，hisoneeye，asbrightandassteadyasthatofahawk，lookingkeenlyfromunderthepenthouseofitsbushybrows，thewhileheslowlytwirledandtwistedhisbristlingwirymustaches，aswashiswontwheninmeditation。Atlasthebrokethesilence。"Howoldartthou？"saidhe，abruptly。

"IbeturnedseventeenlastApril，"Mylesanswered，ashehadtheeveningbeforetoLordMackworth。

"Humph！"saidSirJames；"thoube’stbigofboneandframeforthineage。Iwouldthatthyheartweremorethatofamanlikewise，andlessthatofagiddy，hare—brainedboy，thinkingcontinuallyofnaughtbutmischief。"

Againhefellsilent，andMylessatquitestill，wonderingifitwasonaccountofanyspecialoneofhislatestescapadesthathehadbeensummonedtotheoffice——thebreakingofthewindowintheLongHallbythestonehehadflungattherook，ortheclimbingoftheSouthTowerforthejackdaw’snest。

"Thouhastafriend，"saidSirJames，suddenlybreakingintohisspeculations，"ofsuchakindthatfewinthisworldpossess。

Almosteversincethouhastbeenherehehathbeenwatchingoverthee。CanstthouguessofwhomIspeak？"

"HaplyitisLordGeorgeBeaumont，"saidMyles；"hehathalwaysbeenpassingkindtome。

"Nay，"saidSirJames，"itisnotofhimthatIspeak，thoughmethinkshelikeththeewellenow。Canstthoukeepasecret，boy？"heasked，suddenly。

"Yea，"answeredMyles。

"AndwiltthoudosointhiscaseifItelltheewhoitisthatisthybestfriendhere？"

"Yea。"

"ThenitismyLordwhoisthatfriend——theEarlhimself；butseethatthoubreathenotawordofit。"

Mylessatstaringattheoldknightinutterandprofoundamazement，andpresentlySirJamescontinued："Yea，almosteversincethouhastcomeheremyLordhathkeptoversightuponallthydoings，uponallthymadpranksandthyquarrelsandthyfights，thygoingsoutandcomingsin。Whatthinkestthouofthat，MylesFalworth？"

Againtheoldknightstoppedandregardedthelad，whosatsilent，findingnowordstoanswer。Heseemedtofindagrimpleasureintheyoungster’sbewildermentandwonder。ThenasuddenthoughtcametoMyles。

"Sir，"saidhe，"didmyLordknowthatIwenttotheprivygardenasIdid？"

"Nay，"saidSirJames；"ofthatheknewnaughtatfirstuntilthyfatherbadethymotherwriteandtellhim。"

"Myfather！"ejaculatedMyles。

"Aye，"saidSirJames，twistinghismustachesmorevigorouslythanever。"Sosoonasthyfatherheardofthatprank，hewrotestraightwaytomyLordthatheshouldputastoptowhatmightintimehavebredmischief。"

"Sir，"saidMyles，inanalmostbreathlessvoice，"Iknownothowtobelieveallthesethings，orwhetherIbeawakeora—dreaming。"

"Thoube’stsurelyenoughawake，"answeredtheoldman；"butthereareothermattersyettobetold。MyLordthinketh，asothersofusdo——LordGeorgeandmyself——thatitisnowtimefortheetoputawaythyboyishfollies，andlearnthosethingsappertainingtomanhood。Thouhastbeenhereayearnow，andhasthadfreedomtodoasthoumightlist；but，boy"——andtheoldwarriorspokeseriously，almostsolemnly——"upontheedothrestmattersofsuchgreatimportthatdidItellthemtotheethoucouldstnotgraspthem。MyLorddeemsthatthouhast，mayhap，promisebeyondthecommonofmen；ne’thelessitremainethyettobeseenanheberight；itisyettotestwhetherthatpromisemaybefulfilled。NextMondayIandSirEverardWilloughbytaketheeinhandtobegintrainingtheeintheknowledgeandtheuseofthejoustinglance，ofarms，andofhorsemanship。ThouarttogotoRalphSmith，andhavehimfitasuitofplainarmortotheewhichhehathbeenchargedtomakefortheeagainstthistime。Sogettheegone，thinkwelloverallthesematters，andpreparethyselfbynextMonday。Butstay，sirrah，"headded，asMyles，dazedandbewildered，turnedtoobey；"breathetonolivingsoulwhatIha’toldthee——thatmyLordisthyfriend——neitherspeakofanythingconcerninghim。Suchishisownheavycommandlaiduponthee。"

ThenMylesturnedagainwithoutawordtoleavetheroom。ButashereachedthedoorSirJamesstoppedhimasecondtime。

"Stay！"hecalled。"Ihadnighmissedtellingtheesomewhatelse。

MyLordhathmadetheeapresentthismorningthatthouwottestnotof。Itis"——thenhestoppedforafewmoments，perhapstoenjoythefullflavorofwhathehadtosay——"itisagreatFlemishhorseoftruebreedandrightmettle；ahorsesuchasaknightofthenobleststrainmightbeproudtocallhisown。

MylesFalworth，thouwertbornuponaluckyday！"

"Sir，"criedMyles，andthenstoppedshort。Then，"Sir，"hecriedagain，"didstthousayit——thehorse——wastobemine？"

"Aye，itistobethine。"

"Myveryown？"

"Thyveryown。"

HowMylesFalworthleftthatplaceheneverknew。Hewaslikeoneinsomestrange，somewonderfuldream。Hewalkeduponair，andhisheartwassofullofjoyandwonderandamazementthatitthrilledalmosttoagony。OfcoursehisfirstthoughtwasofGascoyne。Howheeverfoundhimhenevercouldtell，butfindhimhedid。

"Come，Francis！"hecried，"Ihavethattotelltheesomarvellousthathaditcomeuponmefromparadiseitcouldnotbemorestrange。"

ThenhedraggedhimawaytotheirEyry——ithadbeenmanyalongdaysincetheyhadbeenthere——andtoallhisfriend’sspeeches，toallhiswonderingquestions，heansweredneveraworduntiltheyhadclimbedthestairs，andsocometotheiroldhaunt。Thenhespoke。

"Sittheedown，Francis，"saidhe，"tillItelltheethatwhichpassethwonder。"AsGascoyneobeyed，hehimselfstoodlookingabouthim。"ThisisthelasttimeIshallevercomehither，"saidhe。Andthereuponhepouredouthishearttohislisteningfriendinthemurmuringsolitudeoftheairyheight。HedidnotspeakoftheEarl，butofthewonderfulnewlifethathadthussuddenlyopenedbeforehim，withitsgoldenfutureoflimitlesshopes，ofdazzlingpossibilities，ofheroicambitions。Hetoldeverything，walkingupanddownthewhile——forhecouldnotremainquiet——hischeeksglowingandhiseyessparkling。

Gascoynesatquitestill，staringstraightbeforehim。Heknewthathisfriendwasrufflingeaglepinionsforaflightinwhichhecouldneverhopetofollow，andsomehowhisheartached，forheknewthatthismustbethebeginningoftheendofthedear，delightfulfriendshipoftheyearpast。

CHAPTER22

AndsoendedMylesFalworth’sboyhood。Threeyearsfollowed，duringwhichhepassedthroughthatstatewhichimmediatelyfollowsboyhoodinallmen’slives——atimewhentheyareneitherladsnorgrownmen，butyouthspassingfromtheonetotheotherperiodthroughwhatisoftenanuncouthanduncomfortableage。

Hehadfancied，whenhetalkedwithGascoyneintheEyrythattime，thathewastobecomeamanallatonce；hefeltjustthenthathehadforeverdonewithboyishthings。Butthatisnotthewayithappensinmen’slives。Changesdonotcomesosuddenlyandswiftlyasthat，butbylittleandlittle。Forthreeorfourdays，maybe，hewenthisnewwayoflifebigwiththegreatchangethathadcomeuponhim，andthen，nowinthisandnowinthat，hedriftedbackverymuchintohisoldwaysofboyishdoings。Aswassaid，one’syoungdaysdonotendallatonce，evenwhentheybesosuddenlyandsharplyshaken，andMyleswasnotdifferentfromothers。Hehadbeenstirredtothecorebythatfirstwonderfulsightofthegreatandgloriouslifeofmanhoodopeningbeforehim，buthehadyetmanyasporttoenjoy，manyagametoplay，manyaboisterousromptoriotinthedormitory，manyanexpeditiontomaketocopseandspinneyandriverondayswhenhewasoffduty，andwhenpermissionhadbeengranted。

Nevertheless，therewasagreatandvitalchangeinhislife；achangewhichhehardlyfeltorrealized。Eveninresuminghisoldlifetherewasnolongerthesamevitality，thesamezest，thesameenjoymentinallthesethings。Itseemedasthoughtheywerenolongerapartofhimself。Thesavorhadgonefromthem，andby—and—byitwaspleasantertositlookingonatthesportsandthegamesoftheyoungerladsthantotakeactivepartinthem。

Thesethreeyearsofhislifethathadthuspassedhadbeenveryfull；fullmostlyofwork，grindingandmonotonous；oftrainingdull，dry，laborious。ForSirJamesLeewasataskmasterashardasironandseeminglyascoldasastone。Fortwo，perhapsforthree，weeksMylesenteredintohisnewexerciseswithalltheenthusiasmthatnoveltybrings；buttheseexerciseshardlyvariedatittlefromdaytoday，andsoonbecameaduty，andfinallyahardandgrindingtask。Heused，intheearlierdaysofhiscastlelife，tohatethedullmonotonyofthetri—weeklyhackingatthepelswithaheavybroadswordashehatednothingelse；butnow，thoughhestillhadthatexercisetoperform，itwasalmostarelieffromtheheavydulnessofriding，riding，ridinginthetilt—yardwithshieldandlance——couch——recover——enpassant。

Butthoughhehadnowadaysbutlittletimeforboyishplaysandescapades，hislifewasnotaltogetherwithoutrelaxation。Nowandthenhewaspermittedtodriveinmockbattlewithotheroftheyoungerknightsandbachelorsinthepaddockneartheouterwalls。Itwasastillmorewelcomechangeintheroutineofhislifewhen，occasionally，hewouldbreakalightlanceinthetilting—courtwithSirEverardWilloughby；LordGeorge，perhaps，andmaybeoneortwoothersoftheHallfolk，lookingon。

Thenonegildedday，whenLordDudleighwasvisitingatDevlen，MylesranacoursewithaheavierlanceinthepresenceoftheEarl，whocamedowntothetilt—yardwithhisguesttoseetheyoungnovitiaterideagainstSirEverard。Hedidhisbest，anddiditwell。LordDudleighpraisedhispoiseandcarriage，andLordGeorge，whowaspresent，gavehimanapprovingsmileandnod。ButtheEarlofMackworthonlysatstrokinghisbeardimpassively，aswashiscustom。Myleswouldhavegivenmuchtoknowhisthoughts。

InalltheseyearsSirJamesLeealmostnevergaveanyexpressioneitherofapprobationordisapproval——exceptingwhenMylesexhibitedsomecarelessnessoroversight。Thenhiswordsweresharpandharshenough。MorethanonceMyles’sheartfailedhim，andbitterdiscouragementtookpossessionofhim；thennothingbuthisbull—dogtenacityandstubbornnessbroughthimoutfromthedespondencyofthedarkhours。

"Sir，"heburstoutoneday，whenhisheartwasheavywithsomefailure，"tellme，Ibeseechthee，doIgetmeanyofskillatall？Isitinmeevertomakeaworthyknight，fittoholdlanceandswordwithothermen，oramIonlysoothlyadullheavyblock，worthnaughtofanygood？"

"Thouartafool，sirrah！"answeredSirJames，inhisgrimmesttones。"Thinkestthoutolearnallofknightlyprowessinayearandahalf？Waituntilthouartripe，andthenIwilltelltheeifthouartfittocouchalanceorrideacoursewitharightknight。"

"Thouartanoldbear！"mutteredMylestohimself，astheoldone—eyedknightturnedonhisheelandstrodeaway。"Beshrewme！

anIshowtheenotthatIamasworthytocouchalanceasthouoneofthesefinedays！"

However，duringthelastofthethreeyearsthegrindingroutineofhistraininghadnotbeenquitesosevereasatfirst。Hisexercisestookhimmoreoftenoutintothefields，anditwasduringthistimeofhisknightlyeducationthathesometimesrodeagainstsomeofthecastleknightsinfriendlybattlewithswordorlanceorwoodenmace。Intheseencountershealwaysheldhisown；andhelditmorethanwell，though，inhisboyishsimplicity，hewasaltogetherunconsciousofhisownskill，address，andstrength。Perhapsitwashisveryhonestmodestythatmadehimsopopularandsoheartilylikedbyall。

Hehadbythistimerisentotheplaceofheadsquireorchiefbachelor，holdingthesamepositionthatWalterBlunthadoccupiedwhenhehimselfhadfirstcome，arawcountryboy，toDevlen。Thelessersquiresandpagesfairlyworshippedhimasahero，albeitimposinguponhisgood—nature。Alltookaprideinhispracticeinknightlyexercises，andfabuloustaleswerecurrentamongtheyoungfryconcerninghisstrengthandskill。

Yet，althoughMyleswasnowattheheadofhisclass，hedidnot，asotherchiefbachelorshaddone，takealeadingpositionamongthesquiresintheEarl’shouseholdservice。LordMackworth，forhisowngoodreasons，relegatedhimtothepositionofLordGeorge’sespecialattendant。Nevertheless，theEarlalwaysdistinguishedhimfromtheotheresquires，givinghimacoolnodwhenevertheymet；andMyles，uponhispart——nowthathehadlearnedbettertoappreciatehowmuchhisLordhaddoneforhim——wouldhaveshedthelastdropofbloodinhisveinsfortheheadofthehouseofBeaumont。

Asforthetwoyoungladies，heoftensawthem，andsometimes，eveninthepresenceoftheEarl，exchangedafewwordswiththem，andLordMackworthneitherforbadeitnorseemedtonoticeit。

TowardstheLadyAnnehefeltthesteadyfriendlyregardofaladforagirlolderthanhimself；towardstheLadyAlice，nowbuddingintoripeyoungwomanhood，therelaydeepinhishearttheresolvetobesomedayhertrueknightinearnestashehadbeenherknightinpretenceinthattimeofboyhoodwhenhehadsoperilouslyclimbedintotheprivygarden。

Inbodyandformhewasnowaman，andinthoughtandheartwasquicklyripeningtomanhood，for，aswassaidbefore，menmaturedquicklyinthosedays。Hewasarightcomelyyouth，forthepromiseofhisboyishbodyhadbeenfulfilledinatall，powerful，well—knitframe。Hisfacewasstillroundandboyish，butoncheekandchinandlipwasthecurlofadolescentbeard——soft，yellow，andsilky。Hiseyeswereasblueassteel，andquickandsharpinglanceasthoseofahawk；andashewalked，hisarmsswungfromhisbroad，squareshoulders，andhisbodyswayedwithpent—upstrengthreadyforactionatanymoment。

IflittleLadyAlice，hearingmuchtalkofhisdoingsandofhispromiseintheselattertimes，thoughtofhimnowandthenitisamatternotaltogethertobewonderedat。

Suchwerethechangesthatthreeyearshadwrought。Andfromnowthestoryofhismanhoodreallybegins。

PerhapsinallthehistoryofDevlenCastle，evenatthis，thehightideofprideandgreatnessofthehouseofBeaumont，themostnotabletimewasintheearlyautumnoftheyear1411，whenforfivedaysKingHenryIVwasentertainedbytheEarlofMackworth。TheKingwasatthattimemakingaprogressthroughcertainofthemidlandcounties，andwithhimtravelledtheComtedeVermoise。TheCountwasthesecretemissaryoftheDauphin’sfactioninFrance，atthattimeintheverybitterestintensityofthestrugglewiththeDukeofBurgundy，andhadcometoEnglandseekingaidforhismasterinhisquarrel。

ItwasnotthefirsttimethatroyaltyhadvisitedDevlen。Once，inEarlRobert’sday，KingEdwardIIhadspentaweekatthecastleduringtheperiodoftheScottishwars。Butatthattimeitwaslittleelsethanamilitarypost，andwasusedbytheKingassuch。NowtheBeaumontswereintheveryfloweroftheirprosperity，andpreparationsweremadeforthecomingvisitofroyaltyuponascaleofsuchmagnificenceandsplendorasEarlRobert，orperhapsevenKingEdwardhimself，hadneverdreamed。

Forweeksthewholecastlehadbeenalivewithfolkhurryinghitherandthither；andwiththedailyandalmosthourlycomingofpack—horses，ladenwithbalesandboxes，fromLondon。Frommorningtonightoneheardtheceaselesschip—chippingofthemasons’hammers，andsawcarriersofstonesandmortarascendinganddescendingtheladdersofthescaffoldingthatcoveredthefaceofthegreatNorthHall。Within，thatpartofthebuildingwasalivewiththescrapingofthecarpenters’saws，theclatteringoflumber，andtherappingandbangingofhammers。

TheNorthHallhadbeenassignedasthelodgingplacefortheKingandhiscourt，andSt。George’sHall（astheolderbuildingadjoiningitwascalled）hadbeensetapartasthelodgingoftheComtedeVermoiseandtheknightsandgentlemenattendantuponhim。

ThegreatNorthHallhadbeenverymuchalteredandchangedfortheaccommodationoftheKingandhispeople；abeautifulgalleryofcarvedwood—workhadbeenbuiltwithinandacrossthesouthendoftheroomfortheuseoftheladieswhoweretolookdownupontheceremoniesbelow。Twoadditionalwindowshadbeencutthroughthewallandglazed，andpassage—wayshadbeenopenedconnectingwiththeroyalapartmentsbeyond。Inthebedchamberabedofcarvedwoodandsilverhadbeenbuiltintothewall，andhadbeendrapedwithhangingsofpaleblueandsilver，andamagnificentscreenofwrought—ironandcarvedwoodhadbeenerectedaroundthecouch；richandbeautifultapestriesbroughtfromItalyandFlanderswerehunguponthewalls；cushionsofvelvetsandsilksstuffedwithdowncoveredbenchesandchairs。

Thefloorofthehallwasspreadwithmatsofrushesstainedinvariouscolors，wovenintocuriouspatterns，andinthesmallerroomspreciouscarpetsofarraswerelaidonthecoldstones。

AllofthecadetsoftheHousehadbeenassembled；allofthegentlemeninwaiting，retainersandclients。Thecastleseemedfulltooverflowing；eventhedormitoryofthesquireswasusedasalodgingplaceformanyofthelessergentry。

Soatlast，inthemidstofallthisbustleofpreparation，camethedayofdayswhentheKingwastoarrive。ThedaybeforeacourierhadcomebringingthenewsthathewaslodgingatDonasterAbbeyovernight，andwouldmakeprogressthenextdaytoDevlen。

Thatmorning，asMyleswasmarshallingthepagesandsquires，and，withthelistofnamesinhishand，wasstrivingtoevolvesomeorderoutoftheconfusion，assigningthevariousindividualstheirspecialduties——thesetoattendinthehousehold，thosetorideintheescort——oneofthegentlemenofLordGeorge’shouseholdcamewithanorderforhimtocomeimmediatelytotheyoungnobleman’sapartments。MyleshastilyturnedoverhisdutiestoGascoyneandWilkes，andthenhurriedafterthemessenger。HefoundLordGeorgeintheantechamber，threegentlemensquiresarminghiminamagnificentsuitofribbedMilan。

HegreetedMyleswithanodandasmileastheladentered。

"Sirrah，"saidhe，"IhavehadatalkwithMackworththismornconcerningthee，andhaveamindtodotheeanhonorinmypoorway。Howwouldstthouliketorideto—dayasmyspecialsquireofescort？"

Mylesflushedtotherootsofhishair。"Oh，sir！"hecried，eagerly，"anIbenottooungainlyforthypurpose，nohonorinalltheworldcouldbesuchjoytomeasthat！"

LordGeorgelaughed。"Alittlematterpleasestheehugely，"saidhe；"butastobeingungainly，whososayeththatoftheebelieththee，Myles；thouartnotungainly，sirrah。Butthatisnottothepoint。Ihavechosentheeformyequerryto—day；somakethouhasteanddonthinearmor，andthencomehitheragain，andHollingwoodwillfittheewithawreathedbascinetIhavewithin，andajupponembroideredwithmyarmsandcolors。"

WhenMyleshadmadehisbowandlefthispatron，heflewacrossthequadrangle，andburstintothearmoryuponGascoyne，whomhefoundstilllingeringthere，chattingwithoneortwooftheolderbachelors。

"Whatthinkestthou，Francis？"hecried，wildwithexcitement。

"AnhonorhathbeendonemethisdayIcouldneverhavehopedtoenjoy。Outofallthishousehold，LordGeorgehathchosemehisequerryforthedaytoridetomeettheKing。Come，hastentohelpmetoarm！Artthounotgladofthisthingformysake，Francis？"

"Aye，gladamIindeed！"criedGascoyne，thatgenerousfriend；

"ratheralmostwouldIhavethisbefalltheethanmyself！"AndindeedhewashardlylessjubilantthanMylesoverthehonor。

Fiveminuteslaterhewasbusyarminghiminthelittleroomattheendofthedormitorywhichhadbeenlatelysetapartfortheuseoftheheadbachelor。"Andtothink，"hesaid，lookingupashekneeled，strappingthethigh—platestohisfriend’slegs，"thatheshouldhavechosentheebeforeallothersofthefineknightsandlordsandgentlemenofqualitythatarehere！"

"Yea，"saidMyles，"itpassethwonder。Iknownotwhyheshouldsosinglemeoutforsuchanhonor。Itisstrangelymarvellous。"

"Nay，"saidGascoyne，"thereisnomarvelinit，andIknowrightwellwhyhechooseththee。Itisbecausehesees，asweallsee，thatthouartthestoutestandthebest—skilledinarms，andmosteasyofcarriageofanymaninallthisplace。"

Myleslaughed。"Anthoumakesportofme，"saidhe，"I’llrapthyheadwiththisdaggerhilt。Thouartasillyfellow，Francis，totalkso。Buttellme，hastthouheardwhorideswithmyLord？"

"Yea，IheardWilkessayanonthatitwasSirJamesLee。"

"Iamrightgladofthat，"saidMyles；"forthenhewillshowmewhattodoandhowtobearmyself。ItfrightsmetothinkwhatwouldhapshouldImakesomemistakeinmyawkwardness。MethinksLordGeorgewouldneverhavemewithhimmoreshouldIdoamissthisday。"

"Neverfear，"saidGascoyne；"thouwiltnotdoamiss。"

Andnow，atlast，theEarl，LordGeorge，andalltheirescortwereready；thentheordersweregiventohorse，thebuglesounded，andawaytheyallrode，withclashingofironhoofsandringingandjinglingofarmor，outintothedewyfreshnessoftheearlymorning，theslantyellowsunofautumnblazingandflaminguponpolishedhelmetsandshields，andtwinklinglikesparksoffireuponspearpoints。Myles’sheartthrilledwithinhimforpurejoy，andheswelledouthissturdyyoungbreastwithgreatdraughtsofthesweetfreshairthatcamesingingacrossthesunnyhill—tops。SirJamesLee，whoactedastheEarl’sequerryfortheday，rodeatalittledistance，andtherewasanalmostpatheticcontrastbetweenthegrim，steadfastimpassivenessofthetougholdwarriorandMyles’spassionateexuberanceofyouth。

AttheheadofthepartyrodetheEarlandhisbrothersidebyside，eachcladcap—a—pieinasuitofMilanarmor，thecuirassofeachcoveredwithavelvetjupponembroideredinsilverwiththearmsandquarteringsoftheBeaumonts。TheEarlworearoundhisneckan"SS"collar，withajewelledSt。Georgehangingfromit，anduponhisheadavizoredbascinet，ornamentedwithawreathcoveredwithblackandyellowvelvetandglisteningwithjewels。

LordGeorge，aswassaidbefore，wascladinabeautifulsuitofribbedMilanarmor。Itwasrimmedwithathinthreadofgold，and，likehisbrother，heworeabascinetwreathedwithblackandyellowvelvet。

Behindthetwobrothersandtheirequerriesrodetherestintheirproperorder——knights，gentlemen，esquires，men—at—arms——tothenumber，perhaps，oftwohundredandfifty；spearsandlancesaslant，andbanners，permons，andpencelsofblackandyellowflutteringinthewarmSeptemberair。

Fromthecastletothetowntheyrode，andthenacrossthebridge，andthenceclatteringupthroughthestonystreets，wherethefolklookeddownuponthemfromthewindowsabove，orcrowdedthefrontsoftheshopsofthetradesmen。LustycheerswereshoutedfortheEarl，butthegreatLordrodestaringeverstraightbeforehim，asunmovedasastone。Thenoutofthetowntheyclattered，andawayinasweepingcloudofdustacrossthecountry—side。

ItwasnotuntiltheyhadreachedthewindytopofWilloughbyCroft，tenmilesaway，thattheymettheKingandhiscompany。Asthetwopartiesapproachedtowithinfortyorfiftyyardsofoneanothertheystopped。

Astheycametoahalt，Mylesobservedthatagentlemandressedinaplainblue—grayriding—habit，andsittinguponabeautifulwhitegelding，stoodalittleinadvanceoftherestoftheparty，andheknewthatthatmustbetheKing。ThenSirJamesnoddedtoMyles，andleapingfromhishorse，flungthereinstooneoftheattendants。Mylesdidthelike；andthen，stillfollowingSirJames’sleadasheservedLordMackworth，wentforwardandheldLordGeorge’sstirrupwhilehedismounted。Thetwonoblemenquicklyremovedeachhisbascinet，andMyles，holdingthebridle—reinofLordGeorge’shorsewithhislefthand，tookthehelmetinhisright，restingituponhiship。

Thenthetwobrotherswalkedforwardbare—headed，theEarl，alittleinadvance。ReachingtheKinghestopped，andthenbenthisknee——stifflyinthearmoredplates——untilittouchedtheground。ThereupontheKingreachedhimhishand，andhe，risingagain，tookit，andsetittohislips。

ThenLordGeorge，advancing，kneeledashisbrotherhadkneeled，andtohimalsotheKinggavehishand。

Mylescouldhearnothing，buthecouldseethatafewwordsofgreetingpassedbetweenthethree，andthentheKing，turning，beckonedtoaknightwhostoodjustbehindhimandalittleinadvanceoftheothersofthetroop。Inanswer，theknightrodeforward；theKingspokeafewwordsofintroduction，andthestranger，ceremoniouslydrawingoffhisrightgauntlet，claspedthehand，firstoftheEarl，andthenofLordGeorge。MylesknewthathemustbethegreatComtedeVermoise，ofwhomhehadheardsomuchoflate。

Afewmomentsofconversationfollowed，andthentheKingbowedslightly。TheFrenchnoblemaninstantlyreinedbackhishorse，anorderwasgiven，andthenthewholecompanymovedforward，thetwobrotherswalkinguponeithersideoftheKing，theEarllightlytouchingthebridle—reinwithhisbarehand。

Whilstallthiswaspassing，theEarlofMackworth’scompanyhadbeendrawnupinadoublelinealongtheroad—side，leavingthewayopentotheotherparty。AstheKingreachedtheheadofthetroop，anotherhaltfollowedwhilehespokeafewcourteouswordsofgreetingtosomeofthelessernoblesattendantupontheEarlwhomheknew。

InthatlittletimehewaswithinafewpacesofMyles，whostoodmotionlessasastatue，holdingthebascinetandthebridle—reinofLordGeorge’shorse。

WhatMylessawwasaplain，ratherstoutman，withafacefat，smooth，andwaxy，withpale—blueeyes，andbaggyinthelids；

cleanshaven，exceptforamustacheandtuftcoveringlipsandchin。Somehowhefeltadeepdisappointment。Hehadexpectedtoseesomethinglion—like，somethingregal，and，afterall，thegreatKingHenrywascommonplace，fat，unwholesome—looking。Itcametohimwithasortofashockthat，afterall，aKingwasinnowisedifferentfromothermen。

MeanwhiletheEarlandhisbrotherreplacedtheirbascinets，andpresentlythewholepartymovedforwarduponthewaytoMackworth。

CHAPTER23

Thatsameafternoonthesquires’quarterswerethrownintosuchafermentofexcitementashad，perhaps，neverbeforestirredthem。

Aboutoneo’clockintheafternoontheEarlhimselfandLordGeorgecamewalkingslowlyacrosstheArmoryCourtwrappedindeepconversation，andenteredSirJamesLee’soffice。

Alltheusualhubbubofnoisethatsurroundedtheneighborhoodofthedormitoryandthearmorywasstilledattheircoming，andwhenthetwonoblemenhadenteredSirJames’soffice，theladsandyoungmengatheredinknotsdiscussingwithanalmostawesomeinterestwhatthatvisitmightportend。

AftersometimeSirJamesLeecametothedoorattheheadofthelongflightofstonesteps，andwhistling，beckonedoneofthesmallerpagestohim。Hegaveashortorderthatsentthelittlefellowflyingonsomemission。Inthecourseofafewminuteshereturned，hurryingacrossthestonycourtwithMylesFalworth，whopresentlyenteredSirJames’soffice。Itwasthenandatthissightthattheintensehalf—suppressedexcitementreacheditsheightoffever—heat。Whatdiditallmean？Theairwasfilledwithathousandvague，wildrumors——buttheverywildestsurmisesfellshortoftherealtruth。

PerhapsMyleswassomewhatpalewhenheenteredtheoffice；

certainlyhisnerveswereinatremor，forhishearttoldhimthatsomethingveryportentouswasabouttobefallhim。TheEarlsatatthetable，andintheseatthatSirJamesLeeusuallyoccupied；LordGeorgehalfsat，halfleanedinthewindow—place。

SirJamesstoodwithhisbacktotheemptyfireplace，andhishandsclaspedbehindhim。Allthreewereveryserious。

"Givetheegoodden，MylesFalworth，"saidtheEarl，asMylesbowedfirsttohimandthentotheothers；"andIwouldhavetheepreparethyselfforagreathappening。"Then，continuingdirectlytothepoint："Thouknowest，sirrah，whywehavebeentrainingtheesocloselythesethreeyearsgone；itisthatthoushouldstbeabletoholdthineownintheworld。Nay，notonlyholdthineown，buttoshowthyselftobeaknightofprowessshouldstitcometoabattlebetweentheeandthyfather’senemy；forthereliethnohalf—wayplaceforthee，andthoumustbeeithergreatorelsenothing。Well，sir，thetimehathnowcomefortheetoshowthymettle。Iwouldratherhavechosenthatthouhadstlaboredatwelvemonthlonger；butnow，asIsaid，hathcomeachancetoprovethyselfthatmaynevercomeagain。SirJamestellsmethatthouartpassablyripeinskill。Thoumustnowshowwhetherthatbesoorno。HastthoueverheardoftheSieurdelaMontaigne？"

"Yea，myLord。Ihaveheardofhimoften，"answeredMyles。"ItwashewhowontheprizeatthegreattourneyatRochellelastyear。"

"Iseethatthouhasthisfamepattothytongue’send，"saidtheEarl；"heisthechevalierofwhomIspeak，andheisreckonedthebestknightofDauphiny。Thatoneofwhichthouspokestwasthethirdgreattourneyinwhichhewasadjudgedthevictor。Iamgladthatthouholdesthisprowesshighly。KnowestthouthatheisinthetrainoftheComtedeVermoise？"

"Nay，"saidMyles，flushing；"IdidhearnewshewasinEngland，butknewnotthathewasinthisplace。"

"Yea，"saidLordMackworth；"heishere。"Hepausedforamoment；

thensaid，suddenly。"Tellme，MylesFalworth，anthouwertaknightandofrankfittorunajoustwiththeSieurdelaMontaigne，wouldstthoudareencounterhiminthelists？"

TheEarl’squestionfelluponMylessosuddenlyandunexpectedlythatforamomentorsohestoodstaringatthespeakerwithmouthagape。MeanwhiletheEarlsatlookingcalmlybackathim，slowlystrokinghisbeardthewhile。

ItwasSirJamesLee’svoicethatbrokethesilence。"ThouheardstthyLordspeak，"saidhe，harshly。"Hastthounotonguetoanswer，sirrah？"

"Besilent，Lee，"saidLordMackworth，quietly。"Lettheladhavetimetothinkbeforehespeaketh。"

ThesoundofthewordsarousedMyles。Headvancedtothetable，andrestedhishanduponit。"MyLord——myLord，"saidhe，"Iknownotwhattosay，I——Iamamazedandafeard。"

"How！how！"criedSirJamesLee，harshly。"Afeard，saystthou？Anthouartafeard，thouknave，thouneedstneverlookuponmyfaceorspeaktomemore！IhavedonewiththeeforeveranthouartafeardevenwerethechampionaSirAlisander。"

"Peace，peace，Lee，"saidtheEarl，holdinguphishand。"Thouarttoohasty。Theladshallhavehiswillinthismatter，andthouandnooneshallconstrainhim。Methinks，also，thoudostnotunderstandhim。Speakfromthyheart，Myles；whyartthouafraid？"

"Because，"saidMyles，"Iamsoyoung，sir；Iambutarawboy。

HowshouldIdarebesohardyastoventuretosetlanceagainstsuchanoneastheSieurdelaMontaigne？WhatwouldIbebutalaughing—stockforalltheworldwhowouldseemesofoolishastoventuremeagainstoneofsuchprowessandskill？"

"Nay，Myles，"saidLordGeorge，"thouthinkestnotwellenoughofthineownskillandprowess。Thinkestthouwewouldundertaketosettheeagainsthim，anwedidnotthinkthatthoucouldstholdthineownfairlywell？"

"Holdmineown？"criedMyles，turningtoLordGeorge。"Sir；thoudostnotmean——thoucanstnotmean，thatImayhopeordreamtoholdmineownagainsttheSieurdelaMontaigne。"

"Aye，"saidLordGeorge，"thatwaswhatIdidmean。"

"Come，Myles，"saidtheEarl；"nowtellme：wiltthoufighttheSieurdelaMontaigne？"

"Yea，"saidMyles，drawinghimselftohisfullheightandthrowingouthischest。"Yea，"andhischeeksandforeheadflushedred；"anthoubidmedoso，Iwillfighthim。"

"Therespakemybravelad！"criedLordGeorgeheartily。

"Igivetheejoy，Myles，"saidtheEarl，reachinghimhishand，whichMylestookandkissed。"AndIgivetheedoublejoy。IhavetalkedwiththeKingconcerningtheethismorning，andhehathconsentedtoknightthee——yea，toknighttheewithallhonorsoftheBath——providedthouwiltmatchtheeagainsttheSieurdelaMontaigneforthehonorofEnglandandMackworth。JustnowtheKingliethtosleepforalittlewhileafterhisdinner；havethyselfinreadinesswhenhecomethforth，andIwillhavetheepresented。"

ThentheEarlturnedtoSirJamesLee，andquestionedhimastohowthebachelorswerefittedwithclothes。Myleslistened，onlyhalfhearingthewordsthroughthetumblingofhisthoughts。Hehaddreamedinhisday—dreamsthatsometimehemightbeknighted，butthattimealwaysseemedvery，verydistant。Tobeknightednow，inhisboyhood，bytheKing，withthehonorsoftheBath，andunderthepatronageoftheEarlofMackworth；tojoust——toactuallyjoust——withtheSieurdelaMontaigne，oneofthemostfamouschevaliersofFrance！Nowonderheonlyhalfheardthewords；halfheardtheEarl’squestionsconcerninghisclothesandthediscussionwhichfollowed；halfheardLordGeorgevolunteertoarrayhiminfittinggarmentsfromhisownwardrobe。

"Thoumaystgonow，"saidtheEarl，atlastturningtohim。"ButbethouatGeorge’sapartmentsbytwooftheclocktobedressedfittinglyfortheoccasion。"

ThenMyleswentoutstupefied，dazed，bewildered。Helookedaround，buthedidnotseeGascoyne。Hesaidnotawordtoanyoftheothersinanswertotheeagerquestionspoureduponhimbyhisfellow—squires，butwalkedstraightaway。Hehardlyknewwherehewent，butby—and—byhefoundhimselfinagrassyanglebelowtheendofthesouthstable；aspotoverlookingtheouterwallandtheriverbeyond。Helookedaround；noonewasnear，andheflunghimselfatlength，buryinghisfaceinhisarms。Howlonghelaytherehedidnotknow，butsuddenlysomeonetouchedhimupontheshoulder，andhesprangupquickly。ItwasGascoyne。

"Whatistodo，Myles？"saidhisfriend，anxiously。"WhatisallthistalkIhearconcerningtheeupyonderatthearmory？"

"Oh，Francis！"criedMyles，withahuskychokingvoice："Iamtobeknighted——bytheKing——bytheKinghimself；andI——IamtofighttheSieurdelaMontaigne。"

Hereachedouthishand，andGascoynetookit。Theystoodforawhilequitesilent，andwhenatlastthestillnesswasbroken，itwasGascoynewhospoke，inachokingvoice。

"Thouartgoingtobegreat，Myles，"saidhe。"Ialwaysknewthatitmustbesowiththee，andnowthetimehathcome。Yea，thouwiltbegreat，andliveatcourtamongstnoblefolk，andKingshaply。Presentlythouwiltnotbewithmeanymore，andwiltforgetmeby—and—by。"

"Nay，Francis，neverwillIforgetthee！"answeredMyles，pressinghisfriend’shand。"Iwillalwayslovetheebetterthananyoneintheworld，savingonlymyfatherandmymother。"

Gascoyneshookhisheadandlookedaway，swallowingatthedrylumpinhisthroat。SuddenlyheturnedtoMyles。"Wiltthougrantmeaboon？"

"Yea，"answeredMyles。"Whatisit？"

"Thatthouwiltchoosemeforthysquire。"

"Nay，"saidMyles；"howcanstthouthinktoservemeassquire？

Thouwiltbeaknightthyselfsomeday，Francis，andwhydostthouwishnowtobemysquire？"

"Because，"saidGascoyne，withashortlaugh，"Iwouldratherbeinthycompanyasasquirethaninmineownasaknight，evenifImightbebanneret。"

Mylesflunghisarmaroundhisfriend’sneck，andkissedhimuponthecheek。"Thoushalthavethywill，"saidhe；"butwhetherknightorsquire，thouartevermineowntruefriend。"

Thentheywentslowlybacktogether，handinhand，tothecastleworldagain。

Attwoo’clockMyleswenttoLordGeorge’sapartments，andtherehisfriendandpatrondressedhimoutinacostumebetterfittedfortheceremonyofpresentation——afur—trimmedjacketofgreenbrocadedvelvetembroideredwithgoldenthread，ablackvelvethood—caprolledlikeaturbanandwithajewelinthefront，apairofcrimsonhose，andapairofblackvelvetshoestrimmedandstitchedwithgold—thread。Myleshadneverwornsuchsplendidclothesinhislifebefore，andhecouldnotbutfeelthattheybecamehimwell。

"Sir，"saidhe，ashelookeddownathimself，"sureitisnotlawfulformetowearsuchclothesasthese。"

Inthosedaystherewasalaw，knownasasumptuarylaw，whichregulatedbystatutetheclothesthateachclassofpeoplewereprivilegedtowear。Itwas，asMylessaid，againstthelawforhimtowearsuchgarmentsasthoseinwhichhewasclad——eithervelvet，crimsonstuff，furorsilverorgoldembroidery——neverthelesssuchasolemnceremonyaspresentationtotheKingexcusedthetemporaryoversteppingofthelaw，andsoLordGeorgetoldhim。Ashelaidhishanduponthelad’sshoulderandheldhimoffatarm’s—length，headded，"AndIpledgetheemyword，Myles，thatthouartaslustyandhandsomealadasevermineeyesbeheld。"

"Thouartverykindtome，sir，"saidMyles，inanswer。

LordGeorgelaughed；andthengivinghimashake，letgohisshoulder。

Itwasaboutthreeo’clockwhenlittleEdmonddeMontefort，LordMackworth’sfavoritepage，camewithwordthattheKingwasthenwalkingintheEarl’spleasance。

"Come，Myles，"saidLordGeorge，andthenMylesarosefromtheseatwherehehadbeensitting，hisheartpalpitatingandthrobbingtumultuously。

Atthewicket—gateofthepleasancetwogentlemen—at—armsstoodguardinhalf—armor；theysalutedLordGeorge，andpermittedhimtopasswithhisprotege。Ashelaidhishanduponthelatchofthewickethepausedforamomentandturned。

"Myles，"saidhe，inalowvoice，"thouartathoughtfulandcautiouslad；forthyfather’ssakebethoughtfulandcautiousnow。Donotspeakhisnameorbetraythatthouarthisson。"Thenheopenedthewicket—gateandentered。

AnyladofMyles’sage，evenonefarmoreusedtotheworldthanhe，wouldperhapshavefeltalltheoppressionthatheexperiencedundertheweightofsuchapresentation。HehardlyknewwhathewasdoingasLordGeorgeledhimtowheretheKingstood，alittleapartfromtheattendants，withtheEarlandtheComtedeVermoise。Eveninhisconfusionheknewenoughtokneel，andsomehowhishonest，modestdiffidencebecametheyoungfellowverywell。Hewasnotawkward，foronesohealthfulinmindandbodyashecouldnotbearhimselfveryill，andhefelttheassurancethatinLordGeorgehehadakindfriendathisside，andonewellusedtocourtceremoniestolendhimcountenance。

Thenthereissomethingalwayspleasinginfrank，modestmanlinesssuchaswasstampedonMyles’shandsome，sturdyface。

NodoubttheKing’sheartwarmedtowardsthefledglingwarriorkneelinginthepathwaybeforehim。Hesmiledverykindlyashegavetheladhishandtokiss，andthatceremonydone，heldfasttothehard，brown，sinewyfistoftheyoungmanwithhissoftwhitehand，andraisedhimtohisfeet。

"Bythemass！"saidhe，lookingMylesoverwithsmilingeyes，"thouartarightchampioningoodsooth。SuchasthouarthaplywasSirGalahadwhenhecametoArthur’scourt。Andsotheytellme，thouhaststomachtobrooktheSieurdelaMontaigne，thattougholdboarofDauphiny。Hastthouingoodsooththecouragetofacehim？Knowestthouwhatagreatthingitisthatthouhastsetuponthyself——todobattle，eveninsport，withhim？"

"Yea，yourMajesty，"answeredMyles，"wellIwotitisataskhaplybeyondme。ButgladlywouldItakeuponmeevenagreaterventure，andonemoredangerous，todoyourMajesty’spleasure！"

TheKinglookedpleased。"Nowthatwasrightwellsaid，youngman，"saidhe，"andIlikeitbetterthatitcamefromsuchyoungandhonestlips。DostthouspeakFrench？"

"Yea，yourMajesty，"answeredMyles。"InsomesmallmeasuredoI

so。"

"Iamgladofthat，"saidtheKing；"forsoImaymaketheeacquaintedwithSieurdelaMontaigne。"

Heturnedasheendedspeaking，andbeckonedtoaheavy，thick—set，black—browedchevalierwhostoodwiththeothergentlemenattendantsatalittledistance。Hecameinstantlyforwardinanswertothesummons，andtheKingintroducedthetwotooneanother。Aseachtooktheotherformallybythehand，hemeasuredhisopponenthastily，bodyandlimb，andperhapseachthoughtthathehadneverseenastronger，stouter，better—knitmanthantheoneuponwhomhelooked。Butneverthelessthecontrastbetwixtthetwowasverygreat——Myles，young，boyish，fresh—faced；theother，bronzed，weatherbeaten，andseamedwithagreatwhitescarthatranacrosshisforeheadandcheek；theoneanovice，theotherawarriorseasonedintwoscorebattles。

Afewpolitephrasespassedbetweenthetwo，theKinglisteningsmiling，butwithanabsentandfar—awaylookgraduallystealinguponhisface。Astheyendedspeaking，alittlepauseofsilencefollowed，andthentheKingsuddenlyarousedhimself。

"So，"saidhe，"Iamgladthatyetwoareacquainted。Andnowwewillleaveouryouthfulchampioninthycharge，Beaumont——andinthine，MonSieur，aswell——andsosoonastheproperceremoniesareended，wewilldubhimknightwithourownhands。Andnow，Mackworth，andthoumyLordCount，letuswalkalittle；IhavebethoughtmefurtherconcerningthesethreescoreextramenforDauphiny。"

ThenMyleswithdrew，underthechargeofLordGeorgeandtheSieurdelaMontaigneandwhiletheKingandthetwonobleswalkedslowlyupanddownthegravelpathbetweenthetallrose—

bushes，Mylesstoodtalkingwiththegentlemenattendants，findinghimself，withacertaintriumphantexultation，thepeerofanyandtheheroofthehour。

ThatnightwasthelastthatMylesandGascoynespentlodginginthedormitoryintheirsquirehoodservice。ThenextdaytheywereassignedapartmentsinLordGeorge’spartofthehouse，andthithertheytransportedthemselvesandtheirbelongings，amidtheawestruckwonderandadmirationoftheirfellow—squires。

CHAPTER24

InMylesFalworth’sdayoneofthegreatestceremoniesofcourtlylifewasthatofthebestowalofknighthoodbytheKing，withthehonorsoftheBath。Byfarthegreaternumberofknightswereatthattimecreatedbyotherknights，orbynobles，orbyofficersofthecrown。TobeknightedbytheKinginpersondistinguishedtherecipientforlife。ItwasthissignalhonorthattheEarl，forhisownpurposes，wishedMylestoenjoy，andforthisendhehadlaidnotafewplans。

Theaccoladewasthetermusedforthecreationofaknightuponthefieldofbattle。Itwasarewardofvalororofmeritoriousservice，andwasgenerallybestowedinamoreorlessoff—handway；buttheceremonyoftheBathwasanoccasionofthegreatestcourtlymoment，anditwasthusthatMylesFalworthwastobeknightedinadditiontothehonorofaroyalbelting。

AquaintoldbooktreatingofknighthoodandchivalrygivesafullanddetailedaccountofallthecircumstancesoftheceremonyofacreationofaKnightoftheBath。Ittellsusthatthecandidatewasfirstplacedunderthecareoftwosquiresofhonor，"graveandwellseenincourtshipandnurture，andalsoinfeatsofchivalry，"whichsamewerelikewisetobegovernorsinallthingsrelatingtothecominghonors。

Firstofall，thebarbershavedhim，andcuthishairinacertainpeculiarfashionordainedfortheoccasion，thesquiresofhonorsupervisingtheoperation。Thisbeingconcluded，thecandidatewassolemnlyconductedtothechamberwherethebathoftepidwaterwasprepared，"hungwithinandwithoutwithlinen，andlikewisecoveredwithrichclothsandembroideredlinen。"

Whileinthebathtwo"ancient，grave，andreverendknights"

attendedthebachelor，givinghim"meetinstructionsintheorderandfeatsofchivalry。"Thecandidatewasthenexaminedastohisknowledgeandacquirements，andthen，allquestionsbeingansweredtothesatisfactionofhisexaminers，theelderofthetwodippedahandfulofwateroutfromthebath，andpouredituponhishead，atthesametimesigninghisleftshoulderwiththesignofthecross。

Assoonasthisceremonywasconcluded，thetwosquiresofhonorhelpedtheirchargefromthebath，andconductedhimtoaplainbedwithouthangings，wheretheylethimrestuntilhisbodywaswarmanddry。Thentheycladhiminawhitelinenshirt，andoveritaplainrobeofrusset，"girdledabouttheloinswitharope，andhavingahoodlikeuntoahermit。"

Assoonasthecandidatehadarisen，thetwo"ancientknights"

returned，andallbeinginreadinesshewasescortedtothechapel，thetwowalking，oneuponeithersideofhim，hissquiresofhonormarchingbefore，andthewholepartyprecededby"sundryminstrelsmakingaloudnoiseofmusic。"

Whentheycametothechapel，thetwoknightswhoescortedhimtookleaveofthecandidate，eachsalutinghimwithakissuponthecheek。Nooneremainedwithhimbuthissquiresofhonor，thepriest，andthechandler。

Inthemeantimethenovitiate’sarmor，sword，lance，andhelmethadbeenlaidinreadinessbeforethealtar。Thesehewatchedandguardedwhiletheothersslept，keepingvigiluntilsunrise，duringwhichtime"heshall，"saystheancientauthority，"passthenightinorisons，prayers，andmeditation。"Atdaylightheconfessedtothepriest，heardmatins，andcommunicatedinmass，andthenpresentedalightedcandleatthealtar，withapieceofmoneystuckinitasclosetotheflameascouldbedone，thecandlebeingofferedtothehonorofGod，andthemoneytothehonorofthatpersonwhowastomakehimaknight。

Soconcludedthesacredceremony，whichbeingendedhissquiresconductedthecandidatetohischamber，andtheremadehimcomfortable，andlefthimtoreposeforawhilebeforethesecondandfinalpartoftheordinance。

SuchisashortenedaccountofthepreparatorystagesoftheceremoniesthroughwhichMylesFalworthpassed。

Mattershadcomeuponhimsosuddenlyoneaftertheother，andhadcomewithsuchbewilderingrapiditythatallthatweekwastohimlikesomestrange，wonderful，mysteriousvision。Hewentthroughitalllikeoneinadream。LordGeorgeBeaumontwasoneofhissquiresofhonor；theother，bywayofafittingcomplementtothecourageofthechivalrouslad，wastheSieurdelaMontaigne，hisopponentsoontobe。Theywerewellversedineverythingrelatingtoknightcraft，andMylesfollowedalltheirdirectionswithpassiveobedience。ThenSirJamesLeeandtheComtedeVermoiseadministeredtheceremonyoftheBath，theoldknightexamininghiminthelawsofchivalry。

Itoccursperhapsonceortwiceinone’slifetimethatonepassesthroughgreathappenings——sometimesofjoy，sometimesofdreadfulbitterness——injustsuchadazedstateasMylespassedthroughthis。Itisonlyafterwardsthatallcomesbacktoonesosharplyandkeenlythattheheartthrillsalmostinagonyinlivingitoveragain。Butperhapsofallthememoryofthattime，whenitafterwardscamebackpiecebypiece，nonewassocleartoMyles’sback—turnedvisionasthelongnightspentinthechapel，watchinghisarmor，thinkingsuchwonderfulthoughts，anddreamingsuchwonderfulwide—eyeddreams。AtsuchtimesMylessawagainthedarkmysteryofthecastlechapel；hesawagainthehalf—moongleamingwhiteandsilverythroughthetall，narrowwindow，andthrowingabroadformofstillwhitenessacrossstonefloor，emptyseats，andstill，motionlessfiguresofstoneeffigies。Atsuchtimeshestoodagaininfrontofthetwinklingtapersthatlitthealtarwherehisarmorlaypiledinaheap，heardagainthedeepbreathingofhiscompanionsofthewatchsleepinginsomeemptystall，wrappedeachinhiscloak，andsawtheoldchandlerbestirhimself，andriseandcomeforwardtosnuffthecandles。Atsuchtimeshesawagainthedaygrowingclearerandclearerthroughthetall，glazedwindows，sawitchangetoarosypink，andthentoabroad，ruddyglowthatthrewahalooflightaroundFatherThomas’sbaldheadbowedinsleep，andlitupthebannersandtrophieshangingmotionlessagainstthestonyfaceofthewestwall；heardagainthestirringoflifewithoutandthesoundofhiscompanionsarousingthemselves；sawthemcomeforward，andheardthemwishhimjoythathislongwatchwasended。