按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
It was the first time that Myles had seen famous London town。 In that dim and distant time of his boyhood； six months before； he would have been wild with delight and enthusiasm。 Now he jogged along with Gascoyne； gazing about him with calm interest at open shops and booths and tall； gabled houses； at the busy throng of merchants and craftsmen； jostling and elbowing one another； at townsfolkmen and damespicking their way along the muddy kennel of a sidewalk。 He had seen so much of the world that he had lost somewhat of interest in new things。 So he did not care to tarry； but rode； with a mind heavy with graver matters； through the streets and out through the Temple Bar direct for Mackworth House； near the Savoy Palace。
It was with a great deal of interest that Myles and his patron regarded one another when they met for the first time after that half…year which the young soldier had spent in France。 To Myles it seemed somehow very strange that his Lordship's familiar face and figure should look so exactly the same。 To Lord Mackworth； perhaps； it seemed even more strange that six short months should have wrought so great a change in the young man。 The rugged exposure in camp and field during the hard winter that had passed had roughened the smooth bloom of his boyish complexion and bronzed his fair skin almost as much as a midsummer's sun could have done。 His beard and mustache had grown again； （now heavier and more mannish from having been shaved）； and the white seam of a scar over the right temple gave； if not a stern； at least a determined look to the strong； square…jawed young face。 So the two stood for a while regarding one another。 Myles was the first to break the silence。
〃My Lord；〃 said he； 〃thou didst send for me to come back to England； behold； here am I。〃
〃When didst thou land； Sir Myles？〃 said the Earl。
〃I and my squire landed at Dover upon Tuesday last；〃 answered the young man。
The Earl of Mackworth stroked his beard softly。 〃Thou art marvellous changed；〃 said he。 〃I would not have thought it possible。〃
Myles smiled somewhat grimly。 〃I have seen such things； my Lord； in France and in Paris；〃 said he； quietly； 〃as； mayhap； may make a lad a man before his time。〃
〃From which I gather；〃 said the Earl； 〃that many adventures have befallen thee。 Methought thou wouldst find troublesome times in the Dauphin's camp； else I would not have sent thee to France。〃
A little space of silence followed； during which the Earl sat musingly； half absently； regarding the tall； erect； powerful young figure standing before him； awaiting his pleasure in motionless； patient； almost dogged silence。 The strong； sinewy hands were clasped and rested upon the long heavy sword； around the scabbard of which the belt was loosely wrapped； and the plates of mail caught and reflected in flashing； broken pieces； the bright sunlight from the window behind。
〃Sir Myles；〃 said the Earl； suddenly； breaking the silence at last； 〃dost thou know why I sent for thee hither？〃
〃Aye；〃 said Myles； calmly； 〃how can I else？ Thou wouldst not have called me from Paris but for one thing。 Methinks thou hast sent for me to fight the Earl of Alban； and lo！ I am here。〃
〃Thou speakest very boldly；〃 said the Earl。 〃I do hope that thy deeds be as bold as thy words。〃
〃That；〃 said Myles； 〃thou must ask other men。 Methinks no one may justly call me coward。〃
〃By my troth！〃 said the Earl； smiling； 〃looking upon theelimbs and girth； bone and sinewI would not like to be the he that would dare accuse thee of such a thing。 As for thy surmise； I may tell thee plain that thou art right； and that it was to fight the Earl of Alban I sent for thee hither。 The time is now nearly ripe； and I will straightway send for thy father to come to London。 Meantime it would not be safe either for thee or for me to keep thee in my service。 I have spoken to his Highness the Prince of Wales； who； with other of the Princes； is upon our side in this quarrel。 He hath promised to take thee into his service until the fitting time comes to bring thee and thine enemy together； and to…morrow I shall take thee to Scotland Yard； where his Highness is now lodging。〃
As the Earl ended his speech； Myles bowed； but did not speak。 The Earl waited for a little while； as though to give him the opportunity to answer。
〃Well； sirrah；〃 said he at last； with a shade of impatience； 〃hast thou naught to say？ Meseems thou takest all this with marvellous coolness。〃
〃Have I then my Lord's permission to speak my mind？〃
〃Aye；〃 said the Earl； 〃say thy say。〃
〃Sir；〃 said Myles； 〃I have thought and pondered this matter much while abroad； and would now ask thee a plain question in all honest an I ha' thy leave。 〃
The Earl nodded his head。
〃Sir； am I not right in believing that thou hast certain weighty purposes and aims of thine own to gain an I win this battle against the Earl of Alban？〃
〃Has my brother George been telling thee aught to such a purpose？〃 said the Earl； after a moment or two of silence。
Myles did not answer。
〃No matter；〃 added Lord Mackworth。 〃I will not ask thee who told thee such a thing。 As for thy questionwell； sin thou ask it frankly； I will be frank with thee。 Yea； I have certain ends to gain in having the Earl of Alban overthrown。〃
Myles bowed。 〃Sir；〃 said he； 〃haply thine ends are as much beyond aught that I can comprehend as though I were a little child； only this I know； that they must be very great。 Thou knowest well that in any case I would fight me this battle for my father's sake and for the honor of my house； nevertheless； in return for all that it will so greatly advantage thee； wilt thou not grant me a boon in return should I overcome mine enemy？〃
〃What is thy boon； Sir Myles？〃
〃That thou wilt grant me thy favor to seek the Lady Alice de Mowbray for my wife。〃
The Earl of Mackworth started up from his seat。 〃Sir Myles Falworth〃he began； violently； and then stopped short； drawing his bushy eyebrows together into a frown stern； if not sinister。
Myles withstood his look calmly and impassively； and presently the Earl turned on his heel； and strode to the open window。 A long time passed in silence while he stood there； gazing out of the window into the garden beyond with his back to the young man。
Suddenly he swung around again。 〃Sir Myles；〃 said he； 〃the family of Falworth is as good as any in Derbyshire。 Just now it is poor and fallen in estate； but if it is again placed in credit and honor； thou； who art the son of the house； shalt have thy suit weighed with as much respect and consideration as though thou wert my peer in all things； Such is my answer。 Art thou satisfied？〃
〃I could ask no more；〃 answered Myles。
CHAPTER 29
That night Myles lodged at Mackworth House。 The next morning； as soon as he had broken his fast； which he did in the privacy of his own apartments； the Earl bade him and Gascoyne to make ready for the barge； which was then waiting at the river stairs to take them to Scotland Yard。
The Earl himself accompanied them； and as the heavy snub…nosed boat； rowed by the six oarsmen in Mackworth livery； slid slowly and heavily up against the stream； the Earl； leaning back in his cushioned seat； pointed ou