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his first thought was of Gascoyne。 How he ever found him he never could tell； but find him he did。
〃Come； Francis！〃 he cried； 〃I have that to tell thee so marvellous that had it come upon me from paradise it could not be more strange。〃
Then he dragged him away to their Eyryit had been many a long day since they had been thereand to all his friend's speeches； to all his wondering questions； he answered never a word until they had climbed the stairs； and so come to their old haunt。 Then he spoke。
〃Sit thee down； Francis；〃 said he； 〃till I tell thee that which passeth wonder。〃 As Gascoyne obeyed； he himself stood looking about him。 〃This is the last time I shall ever come hither；〃 said he。 And thereupon he poured out his heart to his listening friend in the murmuring solitude of the airy height。 He did not speak of the Earl； but of the wonderful new life that had thus suddenly opened before him； with its golden future of limitless hopes； of dazzling possibilities； of heroic ambitions。 He told everything； walking up and down the whilefor he could not remain quiethis cheeks glowing and his eyes sparkling。
Gascoyne sat quite still； staring straight before him。 He knew that his friend was ruffling eagle pinions for a flight in which he could never hope to follow； and somehow his heart ached； for he knew that this must be the beginning of the end of the dear； delightful friendship of the year past。
CHAPTER 22
And so ended Myles Falworth's boyhood。 Three years followed； during which he passed through that state which immediately follows boyhood in all men's livesa time when they are neither lads nor grown men； but youths passing from the one to the other period through what is often an uncouth and uncomfortable age。
He had fancied； when he talked with Gascoyne in the Eyry that time； that he was to become a man all at once； he felt just then that he had forever done with boyish things。 But that is not the way it happens in men's lives。 Changes do not come so suddenly and swiftly as that； but by little and little。 For three or four days； maybe； he went his new way of life big with the great change that had come upon him； and then； now in this and now in that； he drifted back very much into his old ways of boyish doings。 As was said； one's young days do not end all at once； even when they be so suddenly and sharply shaken； and Myles was not different from others。 He had been stirred to the core by that first wonderful sight of the great and glorious life of manhood opening before him； but he had yet many a sport to enjoy； many a game to play； many a boisterous romp to riot in the dormitory； many an expedition to make to copse and spinney and river on days when he was off duty； and when permission had been granted。
Nevertheless； there was a great and vital change in his life； a change which he hardly felt or realized。 Even in resuming his old life there was no longer the same vitality； the same zest； the same enjoyment in all these things。 It seemed as though they were no longer a part of himself。 The savor had gone from them； and by…and…by it was pleasanter to sit looking on at the sports and the games of the younger lads than to take active part in them。
These three years of his life that had thus passed had been very full； full mostly of work； grinding and monotonous； of training dull； dry； laborious。 For Sir James Lee was a taskmaster as hard as iron and seemingly as cold as a stone。 For two； perhaps for three； weeks Myles entered into his new exercises with all the enthusiasm that novelty brings； but these exercises hardly varied a tittle from day to day； and soon became a duty； and finally a hard and grinding task。 He used； in the earlier days of his castle life； to hate the dull monotony of the tri…weekly hacking at the pels with a heavy broadsword as he hated nothing else； but now； though he still had that exercise to perform； it was almost a relief from the heavy dulness of riding； riding； riding in the tilt…yard with shield and lancecouchrecoveren passant。
But though he had nowadays but little time for boyish plays and escapades； his life was not altogether without relaxation。 Now and then he was permitted to drive in mock battle with other of the younger knights and bachelors in the paddock near the outer walls。 It was a still more welcome change in the routine of his life when； occasionally； he would break a light lance in the tilting…court with Sir Everard Willoughby； Lord George； perhaps； and maybe one or two others of the Hall folk； looking on。
Then one gilded day； when Lord Dudleigh was visiting at Devlen； Myles ran a course with a heavier lance in the presence of the Earl； who came down to the tilt…yard with his guest to see the young novitiate ride against Sir Everard。 He did his best； and did it well。 Lord Dudleigh praised his poise and carriage； and Lord George； who was present； gave him an approving smile and nod。 But the Earl of Mackworth only sat stroking his beard impassively； as was his custom。 Myles would have given much to know his thoughts。
In all these years Sir James Lee almost never gave any expression either of approbation or disapprovalexcepting when Myles exhibited some carelessness or oversight。 Then his words were sharp and harsh enough。 More than once Myles's heart failed him； and bitter discouragement took possession of him； then nothing but his bull…dog tenacity and stubbornness brought him out from the despondency of the dark hours。
〃Sir；〃 he burst out one day； when his heart was heavy with some failure； 〃tell me； I beseech thee； do I get me any of skill at all？ Is it in me ever to make a worthy knight； fit to hold lance and sword with other men； or am I only soothly a dull heavy block； worth naught of any good？〃
〃Thou art a fool； sirrah！〃 answered Sir James； in his grimmest tones。 〃Thinkest thou to learn all of knightly prowess in a year and a half？ Wait until thou art ripe； and then I will tell thee if thou art fit to couch a lance or ride a course with a right knight。〃
〃Thou art an old bear！〃 muttered Myles to himself； as the old one…eyed knight turned on his heel and strode away。 〃Beshrew me！ an I show thee not that I am as worthy to couch a lance as thou one of these fine days！〃
However； during the last of the three years the grinding routine of his training had not been quite so severe as at first。 His exercises took him more often out into the fields； and it was during this time of his knightly education that he sometimes rode against some of the castle knights in friendly battle with sword or lance or wooden mace。 In these encounters he always held his own； and held it more than well； though； in his boyish simplicity； he was altogether unconscious of his own skill； address； and strength。 Perhaps it was his very honest modesty that made him so popular and so heartily liked by all。
He had by this time risen to the place of head squire or chief bachelor； holding the same position that Walter Blunt had occupied when he himself had first come； a raw country boy； to Devlen。 The lesser squires and pages fairly worshipped him as a hero； albeit imposing upon his good…nature。 All took a pride in his practice in knightly exercises； and fabulous tales w