"Sir," said he, as he looked down at himself, "sure it is notlawful for me to wear such clothes as these."In those days there was a law, known as a sumptuary law, whichregulated by statute the clothes that each class of people wereprivileged to wear. It was, as Myles said, against the law forhim to wear such garments as those in which he was clad--eithervelvet, crimson stuff, fur or silver or goldembroidery--nevertheless such a solemn ceremony as presentationto the King excused the temporary overstepping of the law, and soLord George told him. As he laid his hand upon the lad's shoulderand held him off at arm's-length, he added, "And I pledge thee myword, Myles, that thou art as lusty and handsome a lad as evermine eyes beheld.""Thou art very kind to me, sir," said Myles, in answer.
Lord George laughed; and then giving him a shake, let go hisshoulder.
It was about three o'clock when little Edmond de Montefort, LordMackworth's favorite page, came with word that the King was thenwalking in the Earl's pleasance.
"Come, Myles," said Lord George, and then Myles arose from theseat where he had been sitting, his heart palpitating andthrobbing tumultuously.
At the wicket-gate of the pleasance two gentlemen- at-arms stoodguard in half-armor; they saluted Lord George, and permitted himto pass with his protege. As he laid his hand upon the latch ofthe wicket he paused for a moment and turned.
"Myles," said he, in a low voice, "thou art a thoughtful andcautious lad; for thy father's sake be thoughtful and cautiousnow. Do not speak his name or betray that thou art his son." Thenhe opened the wicket-gate and entered.
Any lad of Myles's age, even one far more used to the world thanhe, would perhaps have felt all the oppression that heexperienced under the weight of such a presentation. He hardlyknew what he was doing as Lord George led him to where the Kingstood, a little apart from the attendants, with the Earl and theComte de Vermoise. Even in his confusion he knew enough to kneel,and somehow his honest, modest diffidence became the young fellowvery well. He was not awkward, for one so healthful in mind andbody as he could not bear himself very ill, and he felt theassurance that in Lord George he had a kind friend at his side,and one well used to court ceremonies to lend him countenance.
Then there is something always pleasing in frank, modestmanliness such as was stamped on Myles's handsome, sturdy face.
No doubt the King's heart warmed towards the fledgling warriorkneeling in the pathway before him. He smiled very kindly as hegave the lad his hand to kiss, and that ceremony done, held fastto the hard, brown, sinewy fist of the young man with his softwhite hand, and raised him to his feet.
"By the mass!" said he, looking Myles over with smiling eyes,"thou art a right champion in good sooth. Such as thou art haplywas Sir Galahad when he came to Arthur's court. And so they tellme, thou hast stomach to brook the Sieur de la Montaigne, thattough old boar of Dauphiny. Hast thou in good sooth the courageto face him? Knowest thou what a great thing it is that thou hastset upon thyself--to do battle, even in sport, with him?""Yea, your Majesty," answered Myles, "well I wot it is a taskhaply beyond me. But gladly would I take upon me even a greaterventure, and one more dangerous, to do your Majesty's pleasure!"The King looked pleased. "Now that was right well said, youngman," said he, "and I like it better that it came from such youngand honest lips. Dost thou speak French?""Yea, your Majesty," answered Myles. "In some small measure do Iso."
"I am glad of that," said the King; "for so I may make theeacquainted with Sieur de la Montaigne."He turned as he ended speaking, and beckoned to a heavy,thick-set, black-browed chevalier who stood with the othergentlemen attendants at a little distance. He came instantlyforward in answer to the summons, and the King introduced the twoto one another. As each took the other formally by the hand, hemeasured his opponent hastily, body and limb, and perhaps eachthought that he had never seen a stronger, stouter, better- knitman than the one upon whom he looked. But nevertheless thecontrast betwixt the two was very great--Myles, young, boyish,fresh-faced; the other, bronzed, weather beaten, and seamed witha great white scar that ran across his forehead and cheek; theone a novice, the other a warrior seasoned in twoscore battles.
A few polite phrases passed between the two, the King listeningsmiling, but with an absent and far-away look gradually stealingupon his face. As they ended speaking, a little pause of silencefollowed, and then the King suddenly aroused himself.
"So," said he, "I am glad that ye two are acquainted. And now wewill leave our youthful champion in thy charge, Beaumont--and inthine, Mon Sieur, as well--and so soon as the proper ceremoniesare ended, we will dub him knight with our own hands. And now,Mackworth, and thou my Lord Count, let us walk a little; I havebethought me further concerning these threescore extra men forDauphiny."Then Myles withdrew, under the charge of Lord George and theSieur de la Montaigne and while the King and the two nobleswalked slowly up and down the gravel path between the tall rose-bushes, Myles stood talking with the gentlemen attendants,finding himself, with a certain triumphant exultation, the peerof any and the hero of the hour.
That night was the last that Myles and Gascoyne spent lodging inthe dormitory in their squirehood service. The next day they wereassigned apartments in Lord George's part of the house, andthither they transported themselves and their belongings, amidthe awestruck wonder and admiration of their fellow-squires.
