men of iron-第25章

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　of　secrecy；　known　only　to　the　King　and　a　few　nobles　closely　concerned　in　the　venture。

Then　Myles　arose　to　take　his　leave。　He　asked　and　obtained　permission　for　Gascoyne　to　accompany　him　to　France。　Then　he　paused　for　a　moment　or　two；　for　it　was　strongly　upon　him　to　speak　of　a　matter　that　had　been　lying　in　his　mind　all　daya　matter　that　he　had　dreamed　of　much　with　open　eyes　during　the　long　vigil　of　the　night　before。

The　Earl　looked　up　inquiringly。　〃What　is　it　thou　wouldst　ask？〃　said　he。

Myles's　heart　was　beating　quickly　within　him　at　the　thought　of　his　own　boldness；　and　as　he　spoke　his　cheeks　burned　like　fire。　〃Sir；〃　said　he；　mustering　his　courage　at　last；　〃haply　thou　hast　forgot　it；　but　I　have　not；　ne'theless；　a　long　time　since　when　I　spoke　of　serving　thethe　Lady　Alice　as　her　true　knight；　thou　didst　wisely　laugh　at　my　words；　and　bade　me　wait　first　till　I　had　earned　my　spurs。　But　now；　sir；　I　have　gotten　my　spurs；　andand　do　now　crave　thy　gracious　leave　that　I　may　serve　that　lady　as　her　true　knight。〃

A　space　of　dead　silence　fell；　in　which　Myles's　heart　beat　tumultuously　within　him。

〃I　know　not　what　thou　meanest；〃　said　the　Earl　at　last；　in　a　somewhat　constrained　voice。　〃How　wouldst　thou　serve　her？　What　wouldst　thou　have？〃

〃I　would　have　only　a　little　matter　just　now；〃　answered　Myles。　〃I　would　but　crave　of　her　a　favor　for　to　wear　in　the　morrow's　battle；　so　that　she　may　know　that　I　hold　her　for　my　own　true　lady；　and　that　I　may　have　the　courage　to　fight　more　boldly；　having　that　favor　to　defend。〃

The　Earl　sat　looking　at　him　for　a　while　in　brooding　silence；　stroking　his　beard　the　while。　Suddenly　his　brow　cleared。　〃So　be　it；〃　said　he。　〃I　grant　thee　my　leave　to　ask　the　Lady　Alice　for　a　favor；　and　if　she　is　pleased　to　give　it　to　thee；　I　shall　not　say　thee　nay。　But　I　set　this　upon　thee　as　a　provision：　that　thou　shalt　not　see　her　without　the　Lady　Anne　be　present。　Thus　it　was；　as　I　remember；　thou　saw　her　first；　and　with　it　thou　must　now　be　satisfied。　Go　thou　to　the　Long　Gallery；　and　thither　they　will　come　anon　if　naught　hinder　them。〃

Myles　waited　in　the　Long　Gallery　perhaps　some　fifteen　or　twenty　minutes。　No　one　was　there　but　himself。　It　was　a　part　of　the　castle　connecting　the　Earl's　and　the　Countess's　apartments；　and　was　used　but　little。　During　that　time　he　stood　looking　absently　out　of　the　open　casement　into　the　stony　court…yard　beyond；　trying　to　put　into　words　that　which　he　had　to　say；　wondering；　with　anxiety；　how　soon　the　young　ladies　would　come；　wondering　whether　they　would　come　at　all。　At　last　the　door　at　the　farther　end　of　the　gallery　opened；　and　turning　sharply　at　the　sound；　he　saw　the　two　young　ladies　enter；　Lady　Alice　leaning　upon　Lady　Anne's　arm。　It　was　the　first　time　that　he　had　seen　them　since　the　ceremony　of　the　morning；　and　as　he　advanced　to　meet　them；　the　Lady　Anne　came　frankly　forward；　and　gave　him　her　hand；　which　Myles　raised　to　his　lips。

〃I　give　thee　joy　of　thy　knighthood；　Sir　Myles；〃　said　she；　〃and　do　believe；　in　good　sooth；　that　if　any　one　deserveth　such　an　honor；　thou　art　he。〃

At　first　little　Lady　Alice　hung　back　behind　her　cousin；　saying　nothing　until　the　Lady　Anne；　turning　suddenly；　said：　〃Come；　coz；　has　thou　naught　to　say　to　our　new…made　knight？　Canst　thou　not　also　wish　him　joy　of　his　knighthood？〃

Lady　Alice　hesitated　a　minute；　then　gave　Myles　a　timid　hand；　which　he；　with　a　strange　mixture　of　joy　and　confusion；　took　as　timidly　as　it　was　offered。　He　raised　the　hand；　and　set　it　lightly　and　for　an　instant　to　his　lips；　as　he　had　done　with　the　Lady　Anne's　hand；　but　with　very　different　emotions。

〃I　give　you　joy　of　your　knighthood；　sir；〃　said　Lady　Alice；　in　a　voice　so　low　that　Myles　could　hardly　hear　it。

Both　flushed　red；　and　as　he　raised　his　head　again；　Myles　saw　that　the　Lady　Anne　had　withdrawn　to　one　side。　Then　he　knew　that　it　was　to　give　him　the　opportunity　to　proffer　his　request。

A　little　space　of　silence　followed；　the　while　he　strove　to　key　his　courage　to　the　saying　of　that　which　lay　at　his　mind。　〃Lady；〃　said　he　at　last；　and　then　again〃Lady；　Ihave　a　favor　for　to　ask　thee。〃

〃What　is　it　thou　wouldst　have；　Sir　Myles？〃　she　murmured；　in　reply。

〃Lady；〃　said　he；　〃ever　sin　I　first　saw　thee　I　have　thought　that　if　I　might　choose　of　all　the　world；　thou　only　wouldst　I　choose　forfor　my　true　lady；　to　serve　as　a　right　knight　should。〃　Here　he　stopped；　frightened　at　his　own　boldness。　Lady　Alice　stood　quite　still；　with　her　face　turned　away。　〃Thouthou　art　not　angered　at　what　I　say？〃　he　said。

She　shook　her　head。

〃I　have　longed　and　longed　for　the　time；〃　said　he；　to　ask　a　boon　of　thee；　and　now　hath　that　time　come。　Lady；　to…morrow　I　go　to　meet　a　right　good　knight；　and　one　skilled　in　arms　and　in　jousting；　as　thou　dost　know。　Yea；　he　is　famous　in　arms；　and　I　be　nobody。　Ne'theless；　I　fight　for　the　honor　of　England　and　Mackworthandand　for　thy　sake。　I　Thou　art　not　angered　at　what　I　say？〃

Again　the　Lady　Alice　shook　her　head。

〃I　would　that　thouI　would　that　thou　would　give　me　some　favor　for　to　wearthy　veil　or　thy　necklace。〃

He　waited　anxiously　for　a　little　while；　but　Lady　Alice　did　not　answer　immediately。

〃I　fear　me；〃　said　Myles；　presently；　〃that　I　have　in　sooth　offended　thee　in　asking　this　thing。　I　know　that　it　is　a　parlous　bold　matter　for　one　so　raw　in　chivalry　and　in　courtliness　as　I　am；　and　one　so　poor　in　rank；　to　ask　thee　for　thy　favor。　An　I　ha'　offended；　I　prithee　let　it　be　as　though　I　had　not　asked　it。〃

Perhaps　it　was　the　young　man's　timidity　that　brought　a　sudden　courage　to　Lady　Alice；　perhaps　it　was　the　graciousness　of　her　gentle　breeding　that　urged　her　to　relieve　Myles's　somewhat　awkward　humility；　perhaps　it　was　something　more　than　either　that　lent　her　bravery　to　speak；　even　knowing　that　the　Lady　Anne　heard　all。　She　turned　quickly　to　him：　〃Nay；　Sir　Myles；〃　she　said；　〃I　am　foolish；　and　do　wrong　thee　by　my　foolishness　and　silence；　for；　truly；　I　am　proud　to　have　thee　wear　my　favor。〃　She　unclasped；　as　she　spoke；　the　thin　gold　chain　from　about　her　neck。　〃I　give　thee　this　chain；〃　said　she；　〃and　it　will　bring　me　joy　to　have　it　honored　by　thy　true　knightliness；　and；　giving　it；　I　do　wish　thee　all　success。〃　Then　she　bowed　her　head；　and；　turning；　left　him　holding　the　necklace　in　his　hand。

Her　cousin　left　the　window　to　meet　her；　bowing　her　head　with　a　smile　to　Myles　as　she　took　her　cousin's　arm　again　and　led　her　away。　He　stood　looking　after　them　as　they　left　the　room；　and　when　they　were　gone；　he　raised　the　necklace　to　his　lips　with　a　heart　beating　tumultuously　with　a　triumphant　joy　it　had　never　felt　before。



CHAPTER　26

And　now；　at　last；　had　come　the　day　of　days　for　Myles　Falworth；　the　day　when　he　was　to　put　to　the　test　all　that　he　had　acquired　in　the　three　years　of　his　training；　the　day　that　was　to　disclose　what　promise　of　future　greatness　there　was　in　his　strong　young　body。　And　it　was　a　noble　day；　one　of　those　of　late　September；　when　the　air　seems　sweeter　and　fresher　than　at　other　times；　the　sun　bright　and　as　yellow　as　gold；　the　wind　lusty　and　strong；　before　which　the　great　white　clouds　go　sailing　majestically　across　the　bright　blueness　of　the　sky　above；　while　their　dusky　shadows　skim　across　the　brown　face　of　the　rusty　earth　beneath。

As　was　said　before；　the　lists　had　been　set　up　in　the　great　quadrangle　of　the　castle；　than　which；　level　and　smooth　as　a　floor；　no　more　fitting　place　could　be　chosen。　The　course　was　of　the　usual　size　sixty　paces　longand　separated　along　its　whole　length　by　a　barrier　about　five　feet　high。　Upon　the　west　side　of　the　course　and　about　twenty　paces　distant　from　it；　a　scaffolding　had　been　built　facing　towards　the　east　so　as　to　avoid　the　glare　of　the　afternoon　sun。　In　the　centre　was　a　raised　dais；　hung　round　with　cloth　of　blue　embroidered　with　lions　rampant。　Upon　the　dais　stood　a　cushioned　throne　for　the　King；　and　upon　the　steps　below；　ranged　in　the　order　of　their　dignity；　were　seats　for　the　Earl；　his　guests；　the　family；　the　ladies；　knights；　and　gentlemen　of　the　castle。　In　front；　the　scaffolding　was　covered　with　the　gayest　tapestries　and　brightest…colored　hangings　that　the　castle　could　afford。　And　above；　parti…colored　pennants　and　streamers；　surmounted　by　the　royal　ensign　of　England；　waved　and　fluttered　in　the　brisk　wind。

At　either　end　of　the　lists　stood　the　pavilions　of　the　knights。　That　of　Myles　was　at　the　southern　extremity　and　was　hung；　by　the　Earl's　desire；　with　cloth　of　the　Beaumont　colors　（black　and　yellow）；　while　a　wooden　shield　bearing　three　goshawks　spread　（the　crest　of　the　house）　was　nailed　to　the　roof；　and　a　long　streamer　of　black　and　yellow　trailed　out　in　the　wind　from　the　staff　above。　Myles；　partly　armed；　stood　at　the　door…way　of　the　pavilion；　watching　the　folk　gathering　at　the　scaffolding。　The　ladies　of　the　house　were　already　seated；　and　the　ushers　were　bustling　hither　and　thither；　assigning　the　others　their　places。　A　considerable　crowd　of　common　folk　and　burghers　from　the　town　had　already　gathered　at　the　barriers　opposite；　and　as　he　looked　at　the　restless　and　growing　multitude　he　felt　his　heart　beat　quickly　and　his　flesh　grow　cold　with　a　nervous　trepidation　just　such　as　the　lad　of　to…day　feels　when　he　sees　the　auditorium　filling　with　friends　and　strangers　who　are　to　listen　by…and…by　to　the　reading　of　his　prize　poem。

Suddenly　there　came　a　loud　blast　of　trumpets。　A　great　gate　at　the　farther　extremity　of　the　lists　was　thrown　open；　and　the　King　appeared；　riding　upon　a　white　horse；　preceded　by　the　King…at…arms　and　the　heralds；　attended　by　the　Earl　and　the　Comte　de　Vermoise；　and　followed　by　a　crowd　of　attendants。　Just　then　Gascoyne；　who；　with　Wilkes；　was　busied　lacing　some　of　the　armor　plates　with　new　thongs；　called　Myles；　and　he　turned　and　entered　the　pavilion。

As　the　two　squires　were　adjusting　these　last　pieces；　strapping　them　in　place　and　tying　the　thongs；　Lord　George　and　Sir　James　Lee　entered　the　pavilion。　Lord　George　took　the　young　man　by　the　hand；　and　with　a　pleasant　smile　wished　him　success　in　the　coming　encounter。

Sir　James　seemed　anxious　and　disturbed。　He　said　nothing；　and　after　Gascoyne　had　placed　the　open　bascinet　that　supports　the　tilting　helm　in　its　place；　he　came　forward　and　examined　the　armor　piece　by　piece；　carefully　and　critically；　testing　the　various　straps　and　leather　points　and　thongs　to　make　sure　of　their　strength。

〃Sir；〃　said　Gascoyne；　who　stood　by　watching　him　anxiously；　〃I　do　trust　that　I　have　done　all　meetly　and　well。〃

〃I　see　nothing　amiss；　sirrah；〃　said　the　old　knight；　half　grudgingly。　〃So　far　as　I　may　know；　he　is　ready　to　mount。〃

Just　then　a　messenger　entered；　saying　that　the　King　was　seated；　and　Lord　George　bade　Myles　make　haste　to　meet　the　challenger。

〃Francis；〃　said　Myles；　〃prithee　give　me　my　pouch　yonder。〃

Gascoyne　handed　him　the　velvet　bag；　and　he　opened　it；　and　took　out　the　necklace　that　the　Lady　Alice　had　given　him　the　day　before。

〃Tie　me　this　around　my　arm；〃　said　he。　He　looked　down；　keeping　his　eyes　studiously　fixed　on　Gascoyne's　fingers；　as　they　twined　the　thin　golden　chain　around　the　iron　plates　of　his　right　arm；　knowing　that　Lord　George's　eyes　were　upon　him；　and　blushing　fiery　red　at　the　knowledge。

Sir　James　was　at　that　moment　examining　the　great　tilting　helm；　and　Lord　George　watched　him；　smiling　amusedly。　〃And　hast　thou　then　already　chosen　thee　a　lady？〃　he　said；　presently。

〃Aye；　my　Lord；〃