d Myles had been a member of the Prince's household
for a little over a month. One morning he was ordered to attend the
Prince in his privy cabinet, and, obeying the summons, he found the
Prince, his younger brother, the Duke of Bedford, and his uncle, the
Bishop of Winchester, seated at a table, where they had just been
refreshing themselves with a flagon of wine and a plate of wafers.

"My poor Myles," said the Prince, smiling, as the young knight bowed to
the three, and then stood erect, as though on duty. "It shames my heart,
brother--and thou, uncle--it shames my heart to be one privy to this
thing which we are set upon to do. Here be we, the greatest Lords of
England, making a cat's-paw of this lad--for he is only yet a boy--and
of his blind father, for to achieve our ends against Alban's faction. It
seemeth not over-honorable to my mind."

"Pardon me, your Highness," said Myles, blushing to the roots of his
hair; "but, an I may be so bold as to speak, I reck nothing of what your
aims may be; I only look to restoring my father's honor and the honor of
our house."

"Truly," said the Prince, smiling, "that is the only matter that maketh
me willing to lay my hands to this business. Dost thou know why I have
sent for thee? It is because this day thou must challenge the Duke of
Alban before the King. The Earl of Mackworth has laid all his plans and
the time is now ripe. Knowest that thy father is at Mackworth House?"

"Nay," said Myles; "I knew it not."

"He hath been there for nearly two days," said the Prince. "Just now the
Earl hath sent for us to come first to Mackworth House. Then to go
to the palace, for he hath gained audience with the King, and hath so
arranged it that the Earl of Alban is to be there as well. We all go
straightway; so get thyself ready as soon as may be."

Perhaps Myles's heart began beating more quickly within him at the
nearness of that great happening which he had looked forward to for so
long. If it did, he made no sign of his emotion, but only asked, "How
must I clothe myself, your Highness?"

"Wear thy light armor," said the Prince, "but no helmet, a juppon
bearing the arms and colors that the Earl gave thee when thou wert
knighted, and carry thy right-hand gauntlet under thy belt for thy
challenge. Now make haste, for time passes."

CHAPTER 30

Adjoining the ancient palace of Westminster, where King Henry IV was
then holding his court, was a no less ancient stone building