the reply, "if he proves himself a worthy knight it will be
more to your honour than mine, for it is your kind praise which has
encouraged him to undertake such a feat of arms as this. May God give him
grace to continue as he has begun." Then the General added, turning round
with a smile to the assembled company:

"But we all know that his uncle, the Abbe of Ainay, does not take great
pleasure in the youth's exploits, for it was at the old gentleman's expense
that he procured his accoutrements." This remark was received with a roar
of laughter, in which the King himself joined, for he had already heard the
story and was very much amused at it. Soon after the tournament the Sire
de Ligny sent for young Bayard one morning and said to him: "Picquet, my
friend, you have begun with rare good fortune; you must carry on the
pursuit of arms, and I retain you in my service with three hundred francs a
year and three war-horses, for I have placed you in my company. Now I wish
you to go to the garrison and meet your companions, assuring you that you
will find as gallant men-at-arms there as any in Christendom; they often
have jousts and tournaments to keep in practice of arms and acquire honour.
It seems to me that while awaiting any rumour of war you cannot do better
than stay there."

Bayard, who desired nothing more, replied: "My lord, for all the goods
and honours which you have bestowed upon me I can only at this present
time return you thanks.... My greatest desire is to go and join the
company which you speak of, and if it is your good pleasure I will start
to-morrow." "I am quite willing," said the Sire de Ligny; "but you must
first take leave of the King, and I will bring you to him after dinner."
Which was done, and the youth was thus presented: "Sire, here is your
Picquet, who is going to see his companions in Picardy, and he is come to
say good-bye to you." Young Bayard knelt before the King, who said to him
with a smile: "Picquet, my friend, may God continue in you that which I
have seen begun, and you will be a gallant knight; you are going into a
country where there are fair ladies, be courteous and chivalrous to them,
and farewell, my friend." After this, all the princes and lords crowded
round to take leave of the young soldier, with much affection and regret at
losing him. When he reached his lodging, he found that the King had sent
him a purse of three hundred crowns, and also one of the finest war-horses
in the