ehind the merry scene stood the gray, hoary old palace, a steep flight
of stone steps, and a long, open, stone-arched gallery, which evidently
led to the kitchen beyond, for along it hurried serving-men, running up
and down the tall flight of steps, and bearing trays and dishes and cups
and flagons. It was a merry sight and a pleasant one. The day was warm
and balmy, and the yellow sunlight fell in waving uncertain patches of
light, dappling the table-cloth, and twinkling and sparkling upon the
dishes, cups, and flagons.

At the head of the table sat a young man some three or four years
older than Myles, dressed in a full suit of rich blue brocaded velvet,
embroidered with gold-thread and trimmed with black fur. His face, which
was turned towards them as they mounted from the lawn to the little
stone-flagged terrace, was frank and open; the cheeks smooth and fair;
the eyes dark and blue. He was tall and rather slight, and wore his
thick yellow hair hanging to his shoulders, where it was cut square
across, after the manner of the times. Myles did not need to be told
that it was the Prince of Wales.

"Ho, Gaffer Fox!" he cried, as soon as he caught sight of the Earl of
Mackworth, "what wind blows thee hither among us wild mallard drakes?
I warrant it is not for love of us, but only to fill thine own larder
after the manner of Sir Fox among the drakes. Whom hast thou with thee?
Some gosling thou art about to pluck?"

A sudden hush fell upon the company, and all faces were turned towards
the visitors.

The Earl bowed with a soft smile. "Your Highness," said he, smoothly,
"is pleased to be pleasant. Sir, I bring you the young knight of whom I
spoke to you some time since--Sir Myles Falworth. You may be pleased to
bring to mind that you so condescended as to promise to take him into
your train until the fitting time arrived for that certain matter of
which we spoke."

"Sir Myles," said the Prince of Wales, with a frank, pleasant smile, "I
have heard great reports of thy skill and prowess in France, both from
Mackworth and from others. It will pleasure me greatly to have thee in
my household; more especially," he added, "as it will get thee, callow
as thou art, out of my Lord Fox's clutches. Our faction cannot do
without the Earl of Mackworth's cunning wits, Sir Myles; ne'theless I
would not like to put all my fate and fortune into his hands without
bond. I hope that thou dost not rest thy fortunes entirely upon his aid