helped Lord Falworth, who was his kinsman, to win his wife, and that
then, Lord Brookhurst had sworn to compass his ruin as he had sworn
to compass the ruin of his friend. He told Myles how, now that Lord
Brookhurst was grown to be Earl of Alban, and great and powerful, he
was forever plotting against him, and showed Myles how, if Lord Falworth
were discovered and arrested for treason, he also would be likely to
suffer for aiding and abetting him. Then it dawned upon Myles that the
Earl looked to him to champion the house of Beaumont as well as that of
Falworth.

"Mayhap," said the Earl, "thou didst think that it was all for the
pleasant sport of the matter that I have taken upon me this toil and
endeavor to have thee knighted with honor that thou mightst fight the
Dauphiny knight. Nay, nay, Myles Falworth, I have not labored so
hard for such a small matter as that. I have had the King, unknown to
himself, so knight thee that thou mayst be the peer of Alban himself,
and now I would have thee to hold thine own with the Sieur de la
Montaigne, to try whether thou be'st Alban's match, and to approve
thyself worthy of the honor of thy knighthood. I am sorry, ne'theless,"
he added, after a moment's pause, "that this could not have been put off
for a while longer, for my plans for bringing thee to battle with that
vile Alban are not yet ripe. But such a chance of the King coming hither
haps not often. And then I am glad of this much--that a good occasion
offers to get thee presently away from England. I would have thee out
of the King's sight so soon as may be after this jousting. He taketh
a liking to thee, and I fear me lest he should inquire more nearly
concerning thee and so all be discovered and spoiled. My brother George
goeth upon the first of next month to France to take service with the
Dauphin, having under his command a company of tenscore men--knights and
archers; thou shalt go with him, and there stay till I send for thee to
return."

With this, the protracted interview concluded, the Earl charging Myles
to say nothing further about the French expedition for the present--even
to his friend--for it was as yet a matter of secrecy, known only to the
King and a few nobles closely concerned in the venture.

Then Myles arose to take his leave. He asked and obtained permission for
Gascoyne to accompany him to France. Then he paused for a moment or two,
for it was strongly upon him to speak of a matter that had been lyi