men of iron-第21章

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　cuirass　of　each　covered　with　a　velvet　juppon　embroidered　in　silver　with　the　arms　and　quarterings　of　the　Beaumonts。　The　Earl　wore　around　his　neck　an　〃S　S〃　collar；　with　a　jewelled　St。　George　hanging　from　it；　and　upon　his　head　a　vizored　bascinet；　ornamented　with　a　wreath　covered　with　black　and　yellow　velvet　and　glistening　with　jewels。

Lord　George；　as　was　said　before；　was　clad　in　a　beautiful　suit　of　ribbed　Milan　armor。　It　was　rimmed　with　a　thin　thread　of　gold；　and；　like　his　brother；　he　wore　a　bascinet　wreathed　with　black　and　yellow　velvet。

Behind　the　two　brothers　and　their　equerries　rode　the　rest　in　their　proper　orderknights；　gentlemen；　esquires；　men…at…armsto　the　number；　perhaps；　of　two　hundred　and　fifty；　spears　and　lances　aslant；　and　banners；　permons；　and　pencels　of　black　and　yellow　fluttering　in　the　warm　September　air。

From　the　castle　to　the　town　they　rode；　and　then　across　the　bridge；　and　thence　clattering　up　through　the　stony　streets；　where　the　folk　looked　down　upon　them　from　the　windows　above；　or　crowded　the　fronts　of　the　shops　of　the　tradesmen。　Lusty　cheers　were　shouted　for　the　Earl；　but　the　great　Lord　rode　staring　ever　straight　before　him；　as　unmoved　as　a　stone。　Then　out　of　the　town　they　clattered；　and　away　in　a　sweeping　cloud　of　dust　across　the　country…side。

It　was　not　until　they　had　reached　the　windy　top　of　Willoughby　Croft；　ten　miles　away；　that　they　met　the　King　and　his　company。　As　the　two　parties　approached　to　within　forty　or　fifty　yards　of　one　another　they　stopped。

As　they　came　to　a　halt；　Myles　observed　that　a　gentleman　dressed　in　a　plain　blue…gray　riding…　habit；　and　sitting　upon　a　beautiful　white　gelding；　stood　a　little　in　advance　of　the　rest　of　the　party；　and　he　knew　that　that　must　be　the　King。　Then　Sir　James　nodded　to　Myles；　and　leaping　from　his　horse；　flung　the　reins　to　one　of　the　attendants。　Myles　did　the　like；　and　then；　still　following　Sir　James's　lead　as　he　served　Lord　Mackworth；　went　forward　and　held　Lord　George's　stirrup　while　he　dismounted。　The　two　noblemen　quickly　removed　each　his　bascinet；　and　Myles；　holding　the　bridle…　rein　of　Lord　George's　horse　with　his　left　hand；　took　the　helmet　in　his　right；　resting　it　upon　his　hip。

Then　the　two　brothers　walked　forward　bare…　headed；　the　Earl；　a　little　in　advance。　Reaching　the　King　he　stopped；　and　then　bent　his　kneestiffly　in　the　armored　platesuntil　it　touched　the　ground。　Thereupon　the　King　reached　him　his　hand；　and　he；　rising　again；　took　it；　and　set　it　to　his　lips。

Then　Lord　George；　advancing；　kneeled　as　his　brother　had　kneeled；　and　to　him　also　the　King　gave　his　hand。

Myles　could　hear　nothing；　but　he　could　see　that　a　few　words　of　greeting　passed　between　the　three；　and　then　the　King；　turning；　beckoned　to　a　knight　who　stood　just　behind　him　and　a　little　in　advance　of　the　others　of　the　troop。　In　answer；　the　knight　rode　forward；　the　King　spoke　a　few　words　of　introduction；　and　the　stranger；　ceremoniously　drawing　off　his　right　gauntlet；　clasped　the　hand；　first　of　the　Earl；　and　then　of　Lord　George。　Myles　knew　that　he　must　be　the　great　Comte　de　Vermoise；　of　whom　he　had　heard　so　much　of　late。

A　few　moments　of　conversation　followed；　and　then　the　King　bowed　slightly。　The　French　nobleman　instantly　reined　back　his　horse；　an　order　was　given；　and　then　the　whole　company　moved　forward；　the　two　brothers　walking　upon　either　side　of　the　King；　the　Earl　lightly　touching　the　bridle…rein　with　his　bare　hand。

Whilst　all　this　was　passing；　the　Earl　of　Mackworth's　company　had　been　drawn　up　in　a　double　line　along　the　road…side；　leaving　the　way　open　to　the　other　party。　As　the　King　reached　the　head　of　the　troop；　another　halt　followed　while　he　spoke　a　few　courteous　words　of　greeting　to　some　of　the　lesser　nobles　attendant　upon　the　Earl　whom　he　knew。

In　that　little　time　he　was　within　a　few　paces　of　Myles；　who　stood　motionless　as　a　statue；　holding　the　bascinet　and　the　bridle…rein　of　Lord　George's　horse。

What　Myles　saw　was　a　plain；　rather　stout　man；　with　a　face　fat；　smooth；　and　waxy；　with　pale…blue　eyes；　and　baggy　in　the　lids；　clean　shaven；　except　for　a　mustache　and　tuft　covering　lips　and　chin。　Somehow　he　felt　a　deep　disappointment。　He　had　expected　to　see　something　lion…like；　something　regal；　and；　after　all；　the　great　King　Henry　was　commonplace；　fat；　unwholesome…looking。　It　came　to　him　with　a　sort　of　a　shock　that；　after　all；　a　King　was　in　nowise　different　from　other　men。

Meanwhile　the　Earl　and　his　brother　replaced　their　bascinets；　and　presently　the　whole　party　moved　forward　upon　the　way　to　Mackworth。



CHAPTER　23

That　same　afternoon　the　squires'　quarters　were　thrown　into　such　a　ferment　of　excitement　as　had；　perhaps；　never　before　stirred　them。　About　one　o'clock　in　the　afternoon　the　Earl　himself　and　Lord　George　came　walking　slowly　across　the　Armory　Court　wrapped　in　deep　conversation；　and　entered　Sir　James　Lee's　office。

All　the　usual　hubbub　of　noise　that　surrounded　the　neighborhood　of　the　dormitory　and　the　armory　was　stilled　at　their　coming；　and　when　the　two　noblemen　had　entered　Sir　James's　office；　the　lads　and　young　men　gathered　in　knots　discussing　with　an　almost　awesome　interest　what　that　visit　might　portend。

After　some　time　Sir　James　Lee　came　to　the　door　at　the　head　of　the　long　flight　of　stone　steps；　and　whistling；　beckoned　one　of　the　smaller　pages　to　him。　He　gave　a　short　order　that　sent　the　little　fellow　flying　on　some　mission。　In　the　course　of　a　few　minutes　he　returned；　hurrying　across　the　stony　court　with　Myles　Falworth；　who　presently　entered　Sir　James's　office。　It　was　then　and　at　this　sight　that　the　intense　half…suppressed　excitement　reached　its　height　of　fever…heat。　What　did　it　all　mean？　The　air　was　filled　with　a　thousand　vague；　wild　rumorsbut　the　very　wildest　surmises　fell　short　of　the　real　truth。

Perhaps　Myles　was　somewhat　pale　when　he　entered　the　office；　certainly　his　nerves　were　in　a　tremor；　for　his　heart　told　him　that　something　very　portentous　was　about　to　befall　him。　The　Earl　sat　at　the　table；　and　in　the　seat　that　Sir　James　Lee　usually　occupied；　Lord　George　half　sat；　half　leaned　in　the　window…place。　Sir　James　stood　with　his　back　to　the　empty　fireplace；　and　his　hands　clasped　behind　him。　All　three　were　very　serious。

〃Give　thee　good　den；　Myles　Falworth；〃　said　the　Earl；　as　Myles　bowed　first　to　him　and　then　to　the　others；　〃and　I　would　have　thee　prepare　thyself　for　a　great　happening。〃　Then；　continuing　directly　to　the　point：　〃Thou　knowest；　sirrah；　why　we　have　been　training　thee　so　closely　these　three　years　gone；　it　is　that　thou　shouldst　be　able　to　hold　thine　own　in　the　world。　Nay；　not　only　hold　thine　own；　but　to　show　thyself　to　be　a　knight　of　prowess　shouldst　it　come　to　a　battle　between　thee　and　thy　father's　enemy；　for　there　lieth　no　half…way　place　for　thee；　and　thou　must　be　either　great　or　else　nothing。　Well；　sir；　the　time　hath　now　come　for　thee　to　show　thy　mettle。　I　would　rather　have　chosen　that　thou　hadst　labored　a　twelvemonth　longer；　but　now；　as　I　said；　hath　come　a　chance　to　prove　thyself　that　may　never　come　again。　Sir　James　tells　me　that　thou　art　passably　ripe　in　skill。　Thou　must　now　show　whether　that　be　so　or　no。　Hast　thou　ever　heard　of　the　Sieur　de　la　Montaigne？〃

〃Yea；　my　Lord。　I　have　heard　of　him　often；〃　answered　Myles。　〃It　was　he　who　won　the　prize　at　the　great　tourney　at　Rochelle　last　year。〃

〃I　see　that　thou　hast　his　fame　pat　to　thy　tongue's　end；〃　said　the　Earl；　〃he　is　the　chevalier　of　whom　I　speak；　and　he　is　reckoned　the　best　knight　of　Dauphiny。　That　one　of　which　thou　spokest　was　the　third　great　tourney　in　which　he　was　adjudged　the　victor。　I　am　glad　that　thou　holdest　his　prowess　highly。　Knowest　thou　that　he　is　in　the　train　of　the　Comte　de　Vermoise？〃

〃Nay；〃　said　Myles；　flushing；　〃I　did　hear　news　he　was　in　England；　but　knew　not　that　he　was　in　this　place。〃

〃Yea；〃　said　Lord　Mackworth；　〃he　is　here。〃　He　paused　for　a　moment；　then　said；　suddenly。　〃Tell　me；　Myles　Falworth；　an　thou　wert　a　knight　and　of　rank　fit　to　run　a　joust　with　the　Sieur　de　la　Montaigne；　wouldst　thou　dare　encounter　him　in　the　lists？〃

The　Earl's　question　fell　upon　Myles　so　suddenly　and　unexpectedly　that　for　a　moment　or　so　he　stood　staring　at　the　speaker　with　mouth　agape。　Meanwhile　the　Earl　sat　looking　calmly　back　at　him；　slowly　stroking　his　beard　the　while。

It　was　Sir　James　Lee's　voice　that　broke　the　silence。　〃Thou　heardst　thy　Lord　speak；〃　said　he；　harshly。　〃Hast　thou　no　tongue　to　answer；　sirrah？〃

〃Be　silent；　Lee；〃　said　Lord　Mackworth；　quietly。　〃Let　the　lad　have　time　to　think　before　he　speaketh。〃

The　sound　of　the　words　aroused　Myles。　He　advanced　to　the　table；　and　rested　his　hand　upon　it。　〃My　Lordmy　Lord；〃　said　he；　〃I　know　not　what　to　say；　II　am　amazed　and　afeard。〃

〃How！　how！〃　cried　Sir　James　Lee；　harshly。　〃Afeard；　sayst　thou？　An　thou　art　afeard；　thou　knave；　thou　needst　never　look　upon　my　face　or　speak　to　me　more！　I　have　done　with　thee　forever　an　thou　art　afeard　even　were　the　champion　a　Sir　Alisander。〃

〃Peace；　peace；　Lee；〃　said　the　Earl；　holding　up　his　hand。　〃Thou　art　too　hasty。　The　lad　shall　have　his　will　in　this　matter；　and　thou　and　no　one　shall　constrain　him。　Methinks；　also；　thou　dost　not　understand　him。　Speak　from　thy　heart；　Myles；　why　art　thou　afraid？〃

〃Because；〃　said　Myles；　〃I　am　so　young；　sir；　I　am　but　a　raw　boy。　How　should　I　dare　be　so　hardy　as　to　venture　to　set　lance　against　such　an　one　as　the　Sieur　de　la　Montaigne？　What　would　I　be　but　a　laughing…stock　for　all　the　world　who　would　see　me　so　foolish　as　to　venture　me　against　one　of　such　prowess　and　skill？〃

〃Nay；　Myles；〃　said　Lord　George；　〃thou　thinkest　not　well　enough　of　thine　own　skill　and　prowess。　Thinkest　thou　we　would　undertake　to　set　thee　against　him；　an　we　did　not　think　that　thou　couldst　hold　thine　own　fairly　well？〃

〃Hold　mine　own？〃　cried　Myles；　turning　to　Lord　George。　〃Sir；　thou　dost　not　meanthou　canst　not　mean；　that　I　may　hope　or　dream　to　hold　mine　own　against　the　Sieur　de　la　Montaigne。〃

〃Aye；〃　said　Lord　George；　〃that　was　what　I　did　mean。〃

〃Come；　Myles；〃　said　the　Earl；　〃now　tell　me：　wilt　thou　fight　the　Sieur　de　la　Montaigne？〃

〃Yea；〃　said　Myles；　drawing　himself　to　his　full　height　and　throwing　out　his　chest。　〃Yea；〃　and　his　cheeks　and　forehead　flushed　red；　〃an　thou　bid　me　do　so；　I　will　fight　him。〃

〃There　spake　my　brave　lad！〃　cried　Lord　George　heartily。

〃I　give　thee　joy；　Myles；〃　said　the　Earl；　reaching　him　his　hand；　which　Myles　took　and　kissed。　〃And　I　give　thee　double　joy。　I　have　talked　with　the　King　concerning　thee　this　morning；　and　he　hath　consented　to　knight　theeyea；　to　knight　thee　with　all　honors　of　the　Bathprovided　thou　wilt　match　thee　against　the　Sieur　de　la　Montaigne　for　the　honor　of　England　and　Mackworth。　Just　now　the　King　lieth　to　sleep　for　a　little　while　after　his　dinner；　have　thyself　in　readiness　when　he　cometh　forth；　and　I　will　have　thee　presented。〃

Then　the　Earl　turned　to　Sir　James　Lee；　and　questioned　him　as　to　how　the　bachelors　were　fitted　with　clothes。　Myles　listened；　only　half　hearing　the　words　through　the　tumbling　of　his　thoughts。　He　had　dreamed　in　his　day…dreams　that　some　time　he　might　be　knighted；　but　that　time　always　seemed　very；　very　distant。　To　be　knighted　now；　in　his　boyhood；　by　the　King；　with　the　honors　of　the　Bath；　and　under　the　patronage　of　the　Earl　of　Mackworth；　to　joustto　actually　joustwith　the　Sieur　de　la　Montaigne；　one　of　the　most　famous　chevaliers　o