e
before. He is a nephew of the Bishop of Grenoble, who made me a present of
him only six months ago. He was but just out of the riding-school, but I
never saw a boy of his age distinguish himself so much either on foot or on
horseback. And I may tell you, my lord and cousin, that he comes of a grand
old race of brave and noble knights; I believe he will follow in their
steps." Then he cried out to Bayard: "Use your spurs, my lad, give your
horse a free course and show what you can do."

The lad did not want telling twice, and he gave such a fine exhibition of
horsemanship that he delighted all the company. "On my honour, my lord,
here is a young gentleman who has the making of a gallant knight,"
exclaimed de Ligny; "and in my opinion you had better make a present of
both page and horse to the King, who will be very glad of them, for if the
horse is good and handsome, to my mind the page is still better."

"Since this is your advice," replied Charles of Savoy, "I will certainly
follow it. In order to succeed, the boy cannot learn in a better school
than the Royal House of France, where honour may be gained better than
elsewhere."

With such pleasant talk they rode on together into the city of Lyons, where
the streets were full of people, and many ladies were looking out of the
windows to see the coming of this noble prince and his gay company. That
night the Duke gave a banquet in his own lodging, where the King's
minstrels and singers entertained the guests, then there were games and
pastimes, ending with the usual wine and spices being handed round, and at
last each one retired to his own chamber until the dawn of day.

The next morning the Duke rose early and set forth to seek the King, whom
he found on the point of going to Mass. The King greeted him at once most
warmly and embraced him, saying, "My cousin, my good friend, you are indeed
welcome, and if you had not come to me I should have had to visit you in
your own country...." Then, after more polite talk, they rode together on
their mules to the convent, and devoutly heard Mass, after which the King
entertained the Duke of Savoy, Monsieur de Ligny, and other nobles to
dinner with him, and they had much merry talk about dogs and falcons, arms
and love-affairs. Presently de Ligny said to the King: "Sire, I give you my
word that my lord of Savoy wishes to give you a page who rides his chestnut
better than any boy I ever saw, and he cannot be more than fourteen,