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〃I am glad of that；〃 said the King； 〃for so I may make thee acquainted with Sieur de la Montaigne。〃
He turned as he ended speaking； and beckoned to a heavy； thick…set； black…browed chevalier who stood with the other gentlemen attendants at a little distance。 He came instantly forward in answer to the summons； and the King introduced the two to one another。 As each took the other formally by the hand； he measured his opponent hastily； body and limb； and perhaps each thought that he had never seen a stronger； stouter； better… knit man than the one upon whom he looked。 But nevertheless the contrast betwixt the two was very greatMyles； young； boyish； fresh…faced； the other； bronzed； weather beaten； and seamed with a great white scar that ran across his forehead and cheek； the one a novice； the other a warrior seasoned in twoscore battles。
A few polite phrases passed between the two； the King listening smiling； but with an absent and far…away look gradually stealing upon his face。 As they ended speaking； a little pause of silence followed； and then the King suddenly aroused himself。
〃So；〃 said he； 〃I am glad that ye two are acquainted。 And now we will leave our youthful champion in thy charge； Beaumontand in thine； Mon Sieur； as welland so soon as the proper ceremonies are ended； we will dub him knight with our own hands。 And now； Mackworth； and thou my Lord Count； let us walk a little； I have bethought me further concerning these threescore extra men for Dauphiny。〃
Then Myles withdrew； under the charge of Lord George and the Sieur de la Montaigne and while the King and the two nobles walked slowly up and down the gravel path between the tall rose… bushes； Myles stood talking with the gentlemen attendants； finding himself； with a certain triumphant exultation； the peer of any and the hero of the hour。
That night was the last that Myles and Gascoyne spent lodging in the dormitory in their squirehood service。 The next day they were assigned apartments in Lord George's part of the house； and thither they transported themselves and their belongings； amid the awestruck wonder and admiration of their fellow…squires。
CHAPTER 24
In Myles Falworth's day one of the greatest ceremonies of courtly life was that of the bestowal of knighthood by the King； with the honors of the Bath。 By far the greater number of knights were at that time created by other knights； or by nobles； or by officers of the crown。 To be knighted by the King in person distinguished the recipient for life。 It was this signal honor that the Earl； for his own purposes； wished Myles to enjoy； and for this end he had laid not a few plans。
The accolade was the term used for the creation of a knight upon the field of battle。 It was a reward of valor or of meritorious service； and was generally bestowed in a more or less off…hand way； but the ceremony of the Bath was an occasion of the greatest courtly moment； and it was thus that Myles Falworth was to be knighted in addition to the honor of a royal belting。
A quaint old book treating of knighthood and chivalry gives a full and detailed account of all the circumstances of the ceremony of a creation of a Knight of the Bath。 It tells us that the candidate was first placed under the care of two squires of honor； 〃grave and well seen in courtship and nurture； and also in feats of chivalry；〃 which same were likewise to be governors in all things relating to the coming honors。
First of all； the barber shaved him； and cut his hair in a certain peculiar fashion ordained for the occasion； the squires of honor supervising the operation。 This being concluded； the candidate was solemnly conducted to the chamber where the bath of tepid water was prepared； 〃hung within and without with linen； and likewise covered with rich cloths and embroidered linen。〃 While in the bath two 〃ancient； grave； and reverend knights〃 attended the bachelor； giving him 〃meet instructions in the order and feats of chivalry。〃 The candidate was then examined as to his knowledge and acquirements； and then； all questions being answered to the satisfaction of his examiners； the elder of the two dipped a handful of water out from the bath； and poured it upon his head； at the same time signing his left shoulder with the sign of the cross。
As soon as this ceremony was concluded； the two squires of honor helped their charge from the bath； and conducted him to a plain bed without hangings； where they let him rest until his body was warm and dry。 Then they clad him in a white linen shirt； and over it a plain robe of russet； 〃girdled about the loins with a rope； and having a hood like unto a hermit。〃
As soon as the candidate had arisen； the two 〃ancient knights〃 returned； and all being in readiness he was escorted to the chapel； the two walking； one upon either side of him； his squires of honor marching before； and the whole party preceded by 〃sundry minstrels making a loud noise of music。〃
When they came to the chapel； the two knights who escorted him took leave of the candidate； each saluting him with a kiss upon the cheek。 No one remained with him but his squires of honor； the priest； and the chandler。
In the mean time the novitiate's armor； sword； lance； and helmet had been laid in readiness before the altar。 These he watched and guarded while the others slept； keeping vigil until sunrise； during which time 〃he shall；〃 says the ancient authority； 〃pass the night in orisons； prayers； and meditation。〃 At daylight he confessed to the priest； heard matins； and communicated in mass； and then presented a lighted candle at the altar； with a piece of money stuck in it as close to the flame as could be done； the candle being offered to the honor of God； and the money to the honor of that person who was to make him a knight。
So concluded the sacred ceremony； which being ended his squires conducted the candidate to his chamber； and there made him comfortable； and left him to repose for a while before the second and final part of the ordinance。
Such is a shortened account of the preparatory stages of the ceremonies through which Myles Falworth passed。
Matters had come upon him so suddenly one after the other； and had come with such bewildering rapidity that all that week was to him like some strange； wonderful； mysterious vision。 He went through it all like one in a dream。 Lord George Beaumont was one of his squires of honor； the other； by way of a fitting complement to the courage of the chivalrous lad； was the Sieur de la Montaigne； his opponent soon to be。 They were well versed in everything relating to knightcraft； and Myles followed all their directions with passive obedience。 Then Sir James Lee and the Comte de Vermoise administered the ceremony of the Bath； the old knight examining him in the laws of chivalry。
It occurs perhaps once or twice in one's lifetime that one passes through great happeningssometimes of joy； sometimes of dreadful bitternessin just such a dazed state as Myles passed through this。 It is only afterwards that all comes back to one so sharply and keenly that the heart thrills almost in agony in living it over again。 But perhaps of all the memory of that time； when it afterwards came back piece by piece； n