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of chivalry。〃 The candidate was then examined as to his knowledge and
acquirements； and then； all questions being answered to the satisfaction of
his examiners； the elder of the two dipped a handful of water out from the
bath； and poured it upon his head； at the same time signing his left
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shoulder with the sign of the cross。
As soon as this ceremony was concluded； the two squires of honor
helped their charge from the bath； and conducted him to a plain bed
without hangings； where they let him rest until his body was warm and dry。
Then they clad him in a white linen shirt； and over it a plain robe of russet；
〃girdled about the loins with a rope； and having a hood like unto a hermit。〃
As soon as the candidate had arisen； the two 〃ancient knights〃 returned；
and all being in readiness he was escorted to the chapel； the two walking；
one upon either side of him； his squires of honor marching before； and the
whole party preceded by 〃sundry minstrels making a loud noise of music。〃
When they came to the chapel； the two knights who escorted him took
leave of the candidate； each saluting him with a kiss upon the cheek。 No
one remained with him but his squires of honor； the priest； and the
chandler。
In the mean time the novitiate's armor； sword； lance； and helmet had
been laid in readiness before the altar。 These he watched and guarded
while the others slept； keeping vigil until sunrise； during which time 〃he
shall；〃 says the ancient authority； 〃pass the night in orisons； prayers； and
meditation。〃 At daylight he confessed to the priest； heard matins； and
communicated in mass； and then presented a lighted candle at the altar；
with a piece of money stuck in it as close to the flame as could be done；
the candle being offered to the honor of God； and the money to the honor
of that person who was to make him a knight。
So concluded the sacred ceremony； which being ended his squires
conducted the candidate to his chamber； and there made him comfortable；
and left him to repose for a while before the second and final part of the
ordinance。
Such is a shortened account of the preparatory stages of the
ceremonies through which Myles Falworth passed。
Matters had come upon him so suddenly one after the other； and had
come with such bewildering rapidity that all that week was to him like
some strange； wonderful； mysterious vision。 He went through it all like
one in a dream。 Lord George Beaumont was one of his squires of honor；
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the other； by way of a fitting complement to the courage of the chivalrous
lad； was the Sieur de la Montaigne； his opponent soon to be。 They were
well versed in everything relating to knightcraft； and Myles followed all
their directions with passive obedience。 Then Sir James Lee and the
Comte de Vermoise administered the ceremony of the Bath； the old knight
examining him in the laws of chivalry。
It occurs perhaps once or twice in one's lifetime that one passes
through great happeningssometimes of joy； sometimes of dreadful
bitternessin just such a dazed state as Myles passed through this。 It is
only afterwards that all comes back to one so sharply and keenly that the
heart thrills almost in agony in living it over again。 But perhaps of all the
memory of that time； when it afterwards came back piece by piece； none
was so clear to Myles's back…turned vision as the long night spent in the
chapel； watching his armor； thinking such wonderful thoughts； and
dreaming such wonderful wide…eyed dreams。 At such times Myles saw
again the dark mystery of the castle chapel； he saw again the half…moon
gleaming white and silvery through the tall； narrow window； and throwing
a broad form of still whiteness across stone floor； empty seats； and still；
motionless figures of stone effigies。 At such times he stood again in front
of the twinkling tapers that lit the altar where his armor lay piled in a heap；
heard again the deep breathing of his companions of the watch sleeping in
some empty stall； wrapped each in his cloak； and saw the old chandler
bestir himself； and rise and come forward to snuff the candles。 At such
times he saw again the day growing clearer and clearer through the tall；
glazed windows； saw it change to a rosy pink； and then to a broad； ruddy
glow that threw a halo of light around Father Thomas's bald head bowed
in sleep； and lit up the banners and trophies hanging motionless against the
stony face of the west wall； heard again the stirring of life without and the
sound of his companions arousing themselves； saw them come forward；
and heard them wish him joy that his long watch was ended。
It was nearly noon when Myles was awakened from a fitful sleep by
Gascoyne bringing in his dinner； but； as might be supposed； he had but
little hunger； and ate sparingly。 He had hardly ended his frugal meal before
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his two squires of honor came in； followed by a servant carrying the
garments for the coming ceremony。 He saluted them gravely； and then
arising； washed his face and hands in a basin which Gascoyne held； then
kneeled in prayer； the others standing silent at a little distance。 As he arose；
Lord George came forward。
〃The King and the company come presently to the Great Hall； Myles；〃
said he； 〃it is needful for thee to make all the haste that thou art able。〃
Perhaps never had Devlen Castle seen a more brilliant and goodly
company gathered in the great hall than that which came to witness King
Henry create Myles Falworth a knight bachelor。
At the upper end of the hall was a raised dais； upon which stood a
throne covered with crimson satin and embroidered with lions and flower…
deluces； it was the King's seat。 He and his personal attendants had not yet
come； but the rest of the company were gathered。 The day being warm and
sultry； the balcony was all aflutter with the feather fans of the ladies of the
family and their attendants； who from this high place looked down upon
the hall below。 Up the centre of the hall was laid a carpet of arras； and the
passage was protected by wooden railings。 Upon the one side were tiers of
seats for the castle gentlefolks and the guests。 Upon the other stood the
burghers from the town； clad in sober dun and russet； and yeomanry in
green and brown。 The whole of the great vaulted hall was full of the dull
hum of many people waiting； and a ceaseless restlessness stirred the
crowded throng。 But at last a whisper went around that the King was
coming。 A momentary hush fell； and through it was heard the noisy clatter
of horses' feet coming nearer and nearer； and then stopping before the door。
The sudden blare of trumpets broke through the hush； another pause； and
then in through the great door…way of the hall came the royal procession。
First of all marched； in the order of their rank； and to the number of a
score or more； certain gentlemen； esquires and knights； chosen mostly
from the King's attendants。 Behind these came two pursuivants…at…arms in
tabards； and following them a party of a dozen more bannerets and barons。
Behind these again； a little space intervening； came two heralds； also in
tabards； a group of the greater nobles attendant upon the King following in
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the order of their rank。 Next came the King…at…arms and； at a little distance
and walking with sober slowness； the King himself； with the Earl and the
Count directly attendant upon him the one marching upon the right hand
and the other upon the left。 A breathless silence filled the whole space as
the royal procession advanced slowly up the hall。 Through the stillness
could be heard the muffled sound of the footsteps o