eat 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 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 thyself--to 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 s