men of iron-第20章

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〃Thou　art　an　old　bear！〃　muttered　Myles　to　himself；　as　the　old　one…eyed　knight　turned　on　his　heel　and　strode　away。　〃Beshrew　me！　an　I　show　thee　not　that　I　am　as　worthy　to　couch　a　lance　as　thou　one　of　these　fine　days！〃

However；　during　the　last　of　the　three　years　the　grinding　routine　of　his　training　had　not　been　quite　so　severe　as　at　first。　His　exercises　took　him　more　often　out　into　the　fields；　and　it　was　during　this　time　of　his　knightly　education　that　he　sometimes　rode　against　some　of　the　castle　knights　in　friendly　battle　with　sword　or　lance　or　wooden　mace。　In　these　encounters　he　always　held　his　own；　and　held　it　more　than　well；　though；　in　his　boyish　simplicity；　he　was　altogether　unconscious　of　his　own　skill；　address；　and　strength。　Perhaps　it　was　his　very　honest　modesty　that　made　him　so　popular　and　so　heartily　liked　by　all。

He　had　by　this　time　risen　to　the　place　of　head　squire　or　chief　bachelor；　holding　the　same　position　that　Walter　Blunt　had　occupied　when　he　himself　had　first　come；　a　raw　country　boy；　to　Devlen。　The　lesser　squires　and　pages　fairly　worshipped　him　as　a　hero；　albeit　imposing　upon　his　good…nature。　All　took　a　pride　in　his　practice　in　knightly　exercises；　and　fabulous　tales　were　current　among　the　young　fry　concerning　his　strength　and　skill。

Yet；　although　Myles　was　now　at　the　head　of　his　class；　he　did　not；　as　other　chief　bachelors　had　done；　take　a　leading　position　among　the　squires　in　the　Earl's　household　service。　Lord　Mackworth；　for　his　own　good　reasons；　relegated　him　to　the　position　of　Lord　George's　especial　attendant。　Nevertheless；　the　Earl　always　distinguished　him　from　the　other　esquires；　giving　him　a　cool　nod　whenever　they　met；　and　Myles；　upon　his　partnow　that　he　had　learned　better　to　appreciate　how　much　his　Lord　had　done　for　himwould　have　shed　the　last　drop　of　blood　in　his　veins　for　the　head　of　the　house　of　Beaumont。

As　for　the　two　young　ladies；　he　often　saw　them；　and　sometimes；　even　in　the　presence　of　the　Earl；　exchanged　a　few　words　with　them；　and　Lord　Mackworth　neither　forbade　it　nor　seemed　to　notice　it。

Towards　the　Lady　Anne　he　felt　the　steady　friendly　regard　of　a　lad　for　a　girl　older　than　himself；　towards　the　Lady　Alice；　now　budding　into　ripe　young　womanhood；　there　lay　deep　in　his　heart　the　resolve　to　be　some　day　her　true　knight　in　earnest　as　he　had　been　her　knight　in　pretence　in　that　time　of　boyhood　when　he　had　so　perilously　climbed　into　the　privy　garden。

In　body　and　form　he　was　now　a　man；　and　in　thought　and　heart　was　quickly　ripening　to　manhood；　for；　as　was　said　before；　men　matured　quickly　in　those　days。　He　was　a　right　comely　youth；　for　the　promise　of　his　boyish　body　had　been　fulfilled　in　a　tall；　powerful；　well…knit　frame。　His　face　was　still　round　and　boyish；　but　on　cheek　and　chin　and　lip　was　the　curl　of　adolescent　beard　soft；　yellow；　and　silky。　His　eyes　were　as　blue　as　steel；　and　quick　and　sharp　in　glance　as　those　of　a　hawk；　and　as　he　walked；　his　arms　swung　from　his　broad；　square　shoulders；　and　his　body　swayed　with　pent…up　strength　ready　for　action　at　any　moment。

If　little　Lady　Alice；　hearing　much　talk　of　his　doings　and　of　his　promise　in　these　latter　times；　thought　of　him　now　and　then　it　is　a　matter　not　altogether　to　be　wondered　at。

Such　were　the　changes　that　three　years　had　wrought。　And　from　now　the　story　of　his　manhood　really　begins。


Perhaps　in　all　the　history　of　Devlen　Castle；　even　at　this；　the　high　tide　of　pride　and　greatness　of　the　house　of　Beaumont；　the　most　notable　time　was　in　the　early　autumn　of　the　year　1411；　when　for　five　days　King　Henry　IV　was　entertained　by　the　Earl　of　Mackworth。　The　King　was　at　that　time　making　a　progress　through　certain　of　the　midland　counties；　and　with　him　travelled　the　Comte　de　Vermoise。　The　Count　was　the　secret　emissary　of　the　Dauphin's　faction　in　France；　at　that　time　in　the　very　bitterest　intensity　of　the　struggle　with　the　Duke　of　Burgundy；　and　had　come　to　England　seeking　aid　for　his　master　in　his　quarrel。

It　was　not　the　first　time　that　royalty　had　visited　Devlen。　Once；　in　Earl　Robert's　day；　King　Edward　II　had　spent　a　week　at　the　castle　during　the　period　of　the　Scottish　wars。　But　at　that　time　it　was　little　else　than　a　military　post；　and　was　used　by　the　King　as　such。　Now　the　Beaumonts　were　in　the　very　flower　of　their　prosperity；　and　preparations　were　made　for　the　coming　visit　of　royalty　upon　a　scale　of　such　magnificence　and　splendor　as　Earl　Robert；　or　perhaps　even　King　Edward　himself；　had　never　dreamed。

For　weeks　the　whole　castle　had　been　alive　with　folk　hurrying　hither　and　thither；　and　with　the　daily　and　almost　hourly　coming　of　pack…horses；　laden　with　bales　and　boxes；　from　London。　From　morning　to　night　one　heard　the　ceaseless　chip…　chipping　of　the　masons'　hammers；　and　saw　carriers　of　stones　and　mortar　ascending　and　descending　the　ladders　of　the　scaffolding　that　covered　the　face　of　the　great　North　Hall。　Within；　that　part　of　the　building　was　alive　with　the　scraping　of　the　carpenters'　saws；　the　clattering　of　lumber；　and　the　rapping　and　banging　of　hammers。

The　North　Hall　had　been　assigned　as　the　lodging　place　for　the　King　and　his　court；　and　St。　George's　Hall　（as　the　older　building　adjoining　it　was　called）　had　been　set　apart　as　the　lodging　of　the　Comte　de　Vermoise　and　the　knights　and　gentlemen　attendant　upon　him。

The　great　North　Hall　had　been　very　much　altered　and　changed　for　the　accommodation　of　the　King　and　his　people；　a　beautiful　gallery　of　carved　wood…work　had　been　built　within　and　across　the　south　end　of　the　room　for　the　use　of　the　ladies　who　were　to　look　down　upon　the　ceremonies　below。　Two　additional　windows　had　been　cut　through　the　wall　and　glazed；　and　passage…ways　had　been　opened　connecting　with　the　royal　apartments　beyond。　In　the　bedchamber　a　bed　of　carved　wood　and　silver　had　been　built　into　the　wall；　and　had　been　draped　with　hangings　of　pale　blue　and　silver；　and　a　magnificent　screen　of　wrought…iron　and　carved　wood　had　been　erected　around　the　couch；　rich　and　beautiful　tapestries　brought　from　Italy　and　Flanders　were　hung　upon　the　walls；　cushions　of　velvets　and　silks　stuffed　with　down　covered　benches　and　chairs。　The　floor　of　the　hall　was　spread　with　mats　of　rushes　stained　in　various　colors；　woven　into　curious　patterns；　and　in　the　smaller　rooms　precious　carpets　of　arras　were　laid　on　the　cold　stones。

All　of　the　cadets　of　the　House　had　been　assembled；　all　of　the　gentlemen　in　waiting；　retainers　and　clients。　The　castle　seemed　full　to　overflowing；　even　the　dormitory　of　the　squires　was　used　as　a　lodging　place　for　many　of　the　lesser　gentry。

So　at　last；　in　the　midst　of　all　this　bustle　of　preparation；　came　the　day　of　days　when　the　King　was　to　arrive。　The　day　before　a　courier　had　come　bringing　the　news　that　he　was　lodging　at　Donaster　Abbey　overnight；　and　would　make　progress　the　next　day　to　Devlen。

That　morning；　as　Myles　was　marshalling　the　pages　and　squires；　and；　with　the　list　of　names　in　his　hand；　was　striving　to　evolve　some　order　out　of　the　confusion；　assigning　the　various　individuals　their　special　dutiesthese　to　attend　in　the　household；　those　to　ride　in　the　escortone　of　the　gentlemen　of　Lord　George's　household　came　with　an　order　for　him　to　come　immediately　to　the　young　nobleman's　apartments。　Myles　hastily　turned　over　his　duties　to　Gascoyne　and　Wilkes；　and　then　hurried　after　the　messenger。　He　found　Lord　George　in　the　antechamber；　three　gentlemen　squires　arming　him　in　a　magnificent　suit　of　ribbed　Milan。

He　greeted　Myles　with　a　nod　and　a　smile　as　the　lad　entered。　〃Sirrah；〃　said　he；　〃I　have　had　a　talk　with　Mackworth　this　morn　concerning　thee；　and　have　a　mind　to　do　thee　an　honor　in　my　poor　way。　How　wouldst　thou　like　to　ride　to…day　as　my　special　squire　of　escort？〃

Myles　flushed　to　the　roots　of　his　hair。　〃Oh；　sir！〃　he　cried；　eagerly；　〃an　I　be　not　too　ungainly　for　thy　purpose；　no　honor　in　all　the　world　could　be　such　joy　to　me　as　that！〃

Lord　George　laughed。　〃A　little　matter　pleases　thee　hugely；〃　said　he；　〃but　as　to　being　ungainly；　who　so　sayeth　that　of　thee　belieth　thee；　Myles；　thou　art　not　ungainly；　sirrah。　But　that　is　not　to　the　point。　I　have　chosen　thee　for　my　equerry　to…　day；　so　make　thou　haste　and　don　thine　armor；　and　then　come　hither　again；　and　Hollingwood　will　fit　thee　with　a　wreathed　bascinet　I　have　within；　and　a　juppon　embroidered　with　my　arms　and　colors。〃

When　Myles　had　made　his　bow　and　left　his　patron；　he　flew　across　the　quadrangle；　and　burst　into　the　armory　upon　Gascoyne；　whom　he　found　still　lingering　there；　chatting　with　one　or　two　of　the　older　bachelors。

〃What　thinkest　thou；　Francis？〃　he　cried；　wild　with　excitement。　〃An　honor　hath　been　done　me　this　day　I　could　never　have　hoped　to　enjoy。　Out　of　all　this　household；　Lord　George　hath　chose　me　his　equerry　for　the　day　to　ride　to　meet　the　King。　Come；　hasten　to　help　me　to　arm！　Art　thou　not　glad　of　this　thing　for　my　sake；　Francis？〃

〃Aye；　glad　am　I　indeed！〃　cried　Gascoyne；　that　generous　friend；　〃rather　almost　would　I　have　this　befall　thee　than　myself！〃　And　indeed　he　was　hardly　less　jubilant　than　Myles　over　the　honor。

Five　minutes　later　he　was　busy　arming　him　in　the　little　room　at　the　end　of　the　dormitory　which　had　been　lately　set　apart　for　the　use　of　the　head　bachelor。　〃And　to　think；〃　he　said；　looking　up　as　he　kneeled；　strapping　the　thigh…plates　to　his　friend's　legs；　〃that　he　should　have　chosen　thee　before　all　others　of　the　fine　knights　and　lords　and　gentlemen　of　quality　that　are　here！〃

〃Yea；〃　said　Myles；　〃it　passeth　wonder。　I　know　not　why　he　should　so　single　me　out　for　such　an　honor。　It　is　strangely　marvellous。〃

〃Nay；〃　said　Gascoyne；　〃there　is　no　marvel　in　it；　and　I　know　right　well　why　he　chooseth　thee。　It　is　because　he　sees；　as　we　all　see；　that　thou　art　the　stoutest　and　the　best…skilled　in　arms；　and　most　easy　of　carriage　of　any　man　in　all　this　place。〃

Myles　laughed。　〃An　thou　make　sport　of　me；〃　said　he；　〃I'll　rap　thy　head　with　this　dagger　hilt。　Thou　art　a　silly　fellow；　Francis；　to　talk　so。　But　tell　me；　hast　thou　heard　who　rides　with　my　Lord？〃

〃Yea；　I　heard　Wilkes　say　anon　that　it　was　Sir　James　Lee。〃

〃I　am　right　glad　of　that；〃　said　Myles；　〃for　then　he　will　show　me　what　to　do　and　how　to　bear　myself。　It　frights　me　to　think　what　would　hap　should　I　make　some　mistake　in　my　awkwardness。　Methinks　Lord　George　would　never　have　me　with　him　more　should　I　do　amiss　this　day。〃

〃Never　fear；〃　said　Gascoyne；　〃thou　wilt　not　do　amiss。〃

And　now；　at　last；　the　Earl；　Lord　George；　and　all　their　escort　were　ready；　then　the　orders　were　given　to　horse；　the　bugle　sounded；　and　away　they　all　rode；　with　clashing　of　iron　hoofs　and　ringing　and　jingling　of　armor；　out　into　the　dewy　freshness　of　the　early　morning；　the　slant　yellow　sun　of　autumn　blazing　and　flaming　upon　polished　helmets　and　shields；　and　twinkling　like　sparks　of　fire　upon　spear　points。　Myles's　heart　thrilled　within　him　for　pure　joy；　and　he　swelled　out　his　sturdy　young　breast　with　great　draughts　of　the　sweet　fresh　air　that　came　singing　across　the　sunny　hill…　tops。　Sir　James　Lee；　who　acted　as　the　Earl's　equerry　for　the　day；　rode　at　a　little　distance；　and　there　was　an　almost　pathetic　contrast　between　the　grim；　steadfast　impassiveness　of　the　tough　old　warrior　and　Myles's　passionate　exuberance　of　youth。

At　the　head　of　the　party　rode　the　Earl　and　his　brother　side　by　side；　each　clad　cap…a…pie　in　a　suit　of　Milan　armor；　the　cuirass　of　each