embroidered on their
shoulders. The second rank wore tunics of white silk, each one having a
different coat of arms emblazoned in front. The last row were clad in
black silk, and were thus distinguished. The first wore a blue cape. The
second had a scarlet St. George embroidered in front. The third, two
embroidered crimson crosses, in front and behind. The fourth had a
collar of black sable fur. All were uncovered, wore wigs, and carried
swords. Their faces were scarcely visible in the dim light, neither
could they see Gwynplaine's face.

The Usher of the Black Rod, raising his wand, said,--

"My Lord Fermain Clancharlie, Baron Clancharlie and Hunkerville, I, the
Usher of the Black Rod, first officer of the presence chamber, hand your
lordship over to Garter King-at-Arms."

The person clothed in velvet, quitting his place in the ranks, bowed to
the ground before Gwynplaine, and said,--

"My Lord Fermain Clancharlie, I am Garter, Principal King-at-Arms of
England. I am the officer appointed and installed by his grace the Duke
of Norfolk, hereditary Earl Marshal. I have sworn obedience to the king,
peers, and knights of the garter. The day of my installation, when the
Earl Marshal of England anointed me by pouring a goblet of wine on my
head, I solemnly promised to be attentive to the nobility; to avoid bad
company; to excuse, rather than accuse, gentlefolks; and to assist
widows and virgins. It is I who have the charge of arranging the funeral
ceremonies of peers, and the supervision of their armorial bearings. I
place myself at the orders of your lordship."

The first of those wearing satin tunics, having bowed deeply, said,--

"My lord, I am Clarenceaux, Second King-at-Arms of England. I am the
officer who arranges the obsequies of nobles below the rank of peers. I
am at your lordship's disposal."

The other wearer of the satin tunic bowed and spoke thus,--

"My lord, I am Norroy, Third King-at-Arms of England. Command me."

The second row, erect and without bowing, advanced a pace. The
right-hand man said,--

"My lord, we are the six Dukes-at-Arms of England. I am York."

Then each of the heralds, or Dukes-at-Arms, speaking in turn, proclaimed
his title.

"I am Lancaster."

"I am Richmond."

"I am Chester."

"I am Somerset."

"I am Windsor."

The coats of arms embroidered on their breasts were those of the
counties and towns from which they took their names.

The third rank, dressed in black, r