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memory of that time； when it afterwards came back piece by piece； none
was so clear to Myles's back…turned vision as the long night spent in the
chapel； watching his armor； thinking such wonderful thoughts； and
dreaming such wonderful wide…eyed dreams。 At such times Myles saw
again the dark mystery of the castle chapel； he saw again the half…moon
gleaming white and silvery through the tall； narrow window； and throwing
a broad form of still whiteness across stone floor； empty seats； and still；
motionless figures of stone effigies。 At such times he stood again in front
of the twinkling tapers that lit the altar where his armor lay piled in a heap；
heard again the deep breathing of his companions of the watch sleeping in
some empty stall； wrapped each in his cloak； and saw the old chandler
bestir himself； and rise and come forward to snuff the candles。 At such
times he saw again the day growing clearer and clearer through the tall；
glazed windows； saw it change to a rosy pink； and then to a broad； ruddy
glow that threw a halo of light around Father Thomas's bald head bowed
in sleep； and lit up the banners and trophies hanging motionless against the
stony face of the west wall； heard again the stirring of life without and the
sound of his companions arousing themselves； saw them come forward；
and heard them wish him joy that his long watch was ended。
It was nearly noon when Myles was awakened from a fitful sleep by
Gascoyne bringing in his dinner； but； as might be supposed； he had but
little hunger； and ate sparingly。 He had hardly ended his frugal meal before
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his two squires of honor came in； followed by a servant carrying the
garments for the coming ceremony。 He saluted them gravely； and then
arising； washed his face and hands in a basin which Gascoyne held； then
kneeled in prayer； the others standing silent at a little distance。 As he arose；
Lord George came forward。
〃The King and the company come presently to the Great Hall； Myles；〃
said he； 〃it is needful for thee to make all the haste that thou art able。〃
Perhaps never had Devlen Castle seen a more brilliant and goodly
company gathered in the great hall than that which came to witness King
Henry create Myles Falworth a knight bachelor。
At the upper end of the hall was a raised dais； upon which stood a
throne covered with crimson satin and embroidered with lions and flower…
deluces； it was the King's seat。 He and his personal attendants had not yet
come； but the rest of the company were gathered。 The day being warm and
sultry； the balcony was all aflutter with the feather fans of the ladies of the
family and their attendants； who from this high place looked down upon
the hall below。 Up the centre of the hall was laid a carpet of arras； and the
passage was protected by wooden railings。 Upon the one side were tiers of
seats for the castle gentlefolks and the guests。 Upon the other stood the
burghers from the town； clad in sober dun and russet； and yeomanry in
green and brown。 The whole of the great vaulted hall was full of the dull
hum of many people waiting； and a ceaseless restlessness stirred the
crowded throng。 But at last a whisper went around that the King was
coming。 A momentary hush fell； and through it was heard the noisy clatter
of horses' feet coming nearer and nearer； and then stopping before the door。
The sudden blare of trumpets broke through the hush； another pause； and
then in through the great door…way of the hall came the royal procession。
First of all marched； in the order of their rank； and to the number of a
score or more； certain gentlemen； esquires and knights； chosen mostly
from the King's attendants。 Behind these came two pursuivants…at…arms in
tabards； and following them a party of a dozen more bannerets and barons。
Behind these again； a little space intervening； came two heralds； also in
tabards； a group of the greater nobles attendant upon the King following in
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the order of their rank。 Next came the King…at…arms and； at a little distance
and walking with sober slowness； the King himself； with the Earl and the
Count directly attendant upon him the one marching upon the right hand
and the other upon the left。 A breathless silence filled the whole space as
the royal procession advanced slowly up the hall。 Through the stillness
could be heard the muffled sound of the footsteps on the carpet； the dry
rustling of silk and satin garments； and the clear clink and jingle of chains
and jewelled ornaments； but not the sound of a single voice。
After the moment or two of bustle and confusion of the King taking
his place had passed； another little space of expectant silence fell。 At last
there suddenly came the noise of acclamation of those who stood without
the doorcheering and the clapping of handssounds heralding the
immediate advent of Myles and his attendants。 The next moment the little
party entered the hall。
First of all； Gascoyne； bearing Myles's sword in both hands； the hilt
resting against his breast； the point elevated at an angle of forty…five
degrees。 It was sheathed in a crimson scabbard； and the belt of Spanish
leather studded with silver bosses was wound crosswise around it。 From
the hilt of the sword dangled the gilt spurs of his coming knighthood。 At a
little distance behind his squire followed Myles； the centre of all
observation。 He was clad in a novitiate dress； arranged under Lord
George's personal supervision。 It had been made somewhat differently
from the fashion usual at such times； and was intended to indicate in a
manner the candidate's extreme youthfulness and virginity in arms。 The
outer garment was a tabard robe of white wool； embroidered at the hem
with fine lines of silver； and gathered loosely at the waist with a belt of
lavender leather stitched with thread of silver。 Beneath he was clad in
armor （a present from the Earl）； new and polished till it shone with
dazzling brightness； the breastplate covered with a juppon of white satin；
embroidered with silver。 Behind M