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me to wear such clothes as these。〃
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In those days there was a law； known as a sumptuary law； which
regulated by statute the clothes that each class of people were privileged to
wear。 It was； as Myles said； against the law for him to wear such garments
as those in which he was cladeither velvet； crimson stuff； fur or silver or
gold embroiderynevertheless such a solemn ceremony as presentation to
the King excused the temporary overstepping of the law； and so Lord
George told him。 As he laid his hand upon the lad's shoulder and held him
off at arm's…length； he added； 〃And I pledge thee my word； Myles； that
thou art as lusty and handsome a lad as ever mine eyes beheld。〃
〃Thou art very kind to me； sir；〃 said Myles； in answer。
Lord George laughed； and then giving him a shake； let go his shoulder。
It was about three o'clock when little Edmond de Montefort； Lord
Mackworth's favorite page； came with word that the King was then
walking in the Earl's pleasance。
〃Come； Myles；〃 said Lord George； and then Myles arose from the seat
where he had been sitting； his heart palpitating and throbbing
tumultuously。
At the wicket…gate of the pleasance two gentlemen… at…arms stood
guard in half…armor； they saluted Lord George； and permitted him to pass
with his protege。 As he laid his hand upon the latch of the wicket he
paused for a moment and turned。
〃Myles；〃 said he； in a low voice； 〃thou art a thoughtful and cautious
lad； for thy father's sake be thoughtful and cautious now。 Do not speak his
name or betray that thou art his son。〃 Then he opened the wicket…gate and
entered。
Any lad of Myles's age； even one far more used to the world than he；
would perhaps have felt all the oppression that he experienced under the
weight of such a presentation。 He hardly knew what he was doing as Lord
George led him to where the King stood； a little apart from the attendants；
with the Earl and the Comte de Vermoise。 Even in his confusion he knew
enough to kneel； and somehow his honest； modest diffidence became the
young fellow very well。 He was not awkward； for one so healthful in mind
and body as he could not bear himself very ill； and he felt the assurance
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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； modest manliness such as was stamped on
Myles's handsome； sturdy face。 No doubt the King's heart warmed towards
the fledgling warrior kneeling in the pathway before him。 He smiled very
kindly as he gave the lad his hand to kiss； and that ceremony done； held
fast to the hard； brown； sinewy fist of the young man with his soft white
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 haply was Sir Galahad
when he came to Arthur's court。 And so they tell me； thou hast stomach to
brook the Sieur de la Montaigne； that tough old boar of Dauphiny。 Hast
thou in good sooth the courage to face him？ Knowest thou what a great
thing it is that thou hast set upon thyselfto do battle； even in sport； with
him？〃 〃Yea； your Majesty；〃 answered Myles； 〃well I wot it is a task
haply beyond me。 But gladly would I take upon me even a greater venture；
and one more dangerous； to do your Majesty's pleasure！〃
The King looked pleased。 〃Now that was right well said； young man；〃
said he； 〃and I like it better that it came from such young and honest lips。
Dost thou speak French？〃
〃Yea； your Majesty；〃 answered Myles。 〃In some small measure do I
so。〃
〃I am glad of that；〃 said the King； 〃for so I may make thee acquainted
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 other gentlemen attendants at a
little distance。 He came instantly forward in answer to the summons； and
the King introduced the two to one another。 As each took the other
formally by the hand； he measured his opponent hastily； body and limb；
and perhaps each thought that he had never seen a stronger； stouter； better…
knit man than the one upon whom he looked。 But nevertheless the contrast
betwixt the two was very greatMyles； young； boyish； fresh…faced； the
other； bronzed； weather beaten； and seamed with a great white scar that
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ran across his forehead and cheek； the one a novice； the other a warrior
seasoned in twoscore battles。
A few polite phrases passed between the two； the King listening
smiling； but with an absent and far…away look gradually stealing upon his
face。 As they ended speaking； a little pause of silence followed； and then
the King suddenly aroused himself。
〃So；〃 said he； 〃I am glad that ye two are acquainted。 And now we will
leave our youthful champion in thy charge； Beaumontand in thine； Mon
Sieur； as welland so soon as the proper ceremonies are ended； we will
dub him knight with our own hands。 And now； Mackworth； and thou my
Lord Count； let us walk a little； I have bethought me further concerning
these threescore extra men for Dauphiny。〃
Then Myles withdrew； under the charge of Lord George and the Sieur
de la Montaigne and while the King and the two nobles walked 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 peer of any and the hero of the hour。
That night was the last that Myles and Gascoyne spent lodging in the
dormitory in their squirehood service。 The next day they were assigned
apartments in Lord George's part of the house； and thither they transported
themselves and their belongings； amid the awestruck wonder and
admiration of their fellow…squires。
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CHAPTER 24
In Myles Falworth's day one of the greatest ceremonies of courtly life
was that of the bestowal of knighthood by the King； with the honors of the
Bath。 By far the greater number of knights were at that time created by
other knights； or by nobles； or by officers of the crown。 To be knighted by
the King in person distinguished the recipient for life。 It was this signal
honor that the Earl； for his own purposes； wished Myles to enjoy； and for
this end he had laid not a few plans。
The accolade was the term used for the creation of a knight upon the
field of battle。 It was a reward of valor or of meritorious service； and was
generally bestowed in a more or less off…hand way； but the ceremony of
the Bath was an occasion of the greatest courtly moment； and it was thus
that Myles Falworth was to be knighted in addition to the honor of a royal
belting。
A quaint old book treating of knighthood and chivalry gives a full and
detailed account of all the circumstances of the ceremony of a creation of
a Knight of the Bath。 It tells us that the candidate was first placed under
the care of two squires of honor； 〃grave and well seen in courtship and
nurture； and also in feats of chivalry；〃 which same were likewise to be
governors in all things relating to the coming honors。
First of all； the barber shaved him； and cut his hair in a certain peculiar
fashion ordained for the occasion； the squires of honor supervising the
operation。 This being concluded； the candidate was solemnly conducted to
the chamber where the bath of tepid water was prepared； 〃hung within and
without with linen； and likewise covered with rich cloths and embroidered
linen。〃 While in the bath two 〃ancient； grave； and reverend knights〃
attended the bachelor； giving him 〃meet instructions in the order and feats
of chivalry。〃 The candidate was then examined as to his k