rmy, and my company, as you see, is
somewhat numerous; and there it is my purpose to give a banquet on the
morrow, and I trust that you and your princes and nobles will honour it
with your presence.'

'After which,' said Louis, 'you must come as my guest to my palace. Nay,
nay,' continued he, as Henry sought to excuse himself, 'let it be so:
for it is proper for me to perform all the duties of courtesy and
hospitality. In my own kingdom I am lord,' he added, with a smile; 'and
I will be master in my own house.'

'On my faith,' said Walter Espec to Guy Muschamp, as gallantly the
brothers-in-arms rode in the train of the saint-king, 'this is a great
day for England!'

'In truth it is,' replied Guy, gaily. 'Methinks there are Englishmen
enough in Paris to take the city.'

CHAPTER XLIV.

THE FEAST OF KINGS.

ON the day after the arrival of Henry and his queen in Paris, that
marvellous banquet, described as 'the feast of kings,' was given in the
great hall of the Old Temple; and a mighty entertainment it appears to
have been, if we are to judge from the description of the chronicler,
who tells us that 'never in times past was there given such a rich and
splendid banquet, even in the time of Esther, or of Arthur, or of
Charles.' Besides three kings--those of Navarre, and France, and
England, with their queens--there were present eighteen countesses, and
twenty-five counts, and twelve bishops; not to mention a host of noble
knights and ladies--knights illustrious for their valour, and ladies
celebrated for their beauty.

As the guests were ranged according to their rank, some difficulty arose
as to who was to preside. Henry requested Louis to assume the post of
honour; but Louis protested.

'It is more fitting,' said he, 'that the master of the feast should
occupy the chief seat.'

'Not so, my lord king,' urged Henry. 'It is more becoming and proper
for you to sit in the middle; seeing that you are my sovereign and will
be so, for the reason is plain.'

'Henry,' replied Louis, in a low voice, 'would that every one could
obtain his right without injury. But in your case,' added he, alluding
to Henry's claims on Normandy and Anjou, 'the pride of the French would
never permit it. But enough of this.'

Now it happened that the great hall was, according to the continental
custom, hung around with as many bucklers as the four walls would hold,
and among them was the shield of Coeur de Lion; and when the feast