Mylesdidnotanswer。
　　"Nomatter，"addedLordMackworth。"Iwillnotasktheewhotoldtheesuchathing。Asforthyquestion——well，sinthouaskitfrankly，Iwillbefrankwiththee。Yea，IhavecertainendstogaininhavingtheEarlofAlbanoverthrown。"
　　Mylesbowed。"Sir，"saidhe，"haplythineendsareasmuchbeyondaughtthatIcancomprehendasthoughIwerealittlechild；onlythisIknow，thattheymustbeverygreat。ThouknowestwellthatinanycaseIwouldfightmethisbattleformyfather’ssakeandforthehonorofmyhouse；nevertheless，inreturnforallthatitwillsogreatlyadvantagethee，wiltthounotgrantmeabooninreturnshouldIovercomemineenemy？"
　　"Whatisthyboon，SirMyles？"
　　"ThatthouwiltgrantmethyfavortoseektheLadyAlicedeMowbrayformywife。"
　　TheEarlofMackworthstartedupfromhisseat。"SirMylesFalworth"——hebegan，violently，andthenstoppedshort，drawinghisbushyeyebrowstogetherintoafrownstern，ifnotsinister。
　　Myleswithstoodhislookcalmlyandimpassively，andpresentlytheEarlturnedonhisheel，andstrodetotheopenwindow。A
　　longtimepassedinsilencewhilehestoodthere，gazingoutofthewindowintothegardenbeyondwithhisbacktotheyoungman。
　　Suddenlyheswungaroundagain。"SirMyles，"saidhe，"thefamilyofFalworthisasgoodasanyinDerbyshire。Justnowitispoorandfalleninestate，butifitisagainplacedincreditandhonor，thou，whoartthesonofthehouse，shalthavethysuitweighedwithasmuchrespectandconsiderationasthoughthouwertmypeerinallthings，Suchismyanswer。Artthousatisfied？"
　　"Icouldasknomore，"answeredMyles。
　　CHAPTER29
　　ThatnightMyleslodgedatMackworthHouse。Thenextmorning，assoonashehadbrokenhisfast，whichhedidintheprivacyofhisownapartments，theEarlbadehimandGascoynetomakereadyforthebarge，whichwasthenwaitingattheriverstairstotakethemtoScotlandYard。
　　TheEarlhimselfaccompaniedthem，andastheheavysnub—nosedboat，rowedbythesixoarsmeninMackworthlivery，slidslowlyandheavilyupagainstthestream，theEarl，leaningbackinhiscushionedseat，pointedoutthevariousinnsofthegreatpriestsornobles；palatialtownresidencesstandingmostlyalittledistancebackfromthewaterbehindterracedhigh—walledgardensandlawns。YonwastheBishopofExeter’sClose；yonwastheBishopofBath’s；thatwasYorkHouse；andthatChesterInn。Sopassingbygardensandlawnsandpalaces，theycameatlasttoScotlandYardstairs，abroadflightofmarblestepsthatledupwardtoastoneplatformabove，uponwhichopenedthegate—wayofthegardenbeyond。
　　TheScotlandYardofMylesFalworth’sdaywasoneofthemorepretentiousandcommodiousofthepalacesoftheStrand。IttookitsnamefromhavingbeenfromancienttimestheLondoninnwhichthetributaryKingsofScotlandoccupiedwhenontheirperiodicalvisitsofhomagetoEngland。Now，duringthistimeofScotland’sindependence，thePrinceofWaleshadtakenuphislodgingintheoldpalace，andmadeitnoisywiththemad，boisterousmirthofhiscourt。
　　Asthewatermendrewthebargeclosetothelanding—placeofthestairs，theEarlsteppedashore，andfollowedbyMylesandGascoyne，ascendedtothebroadgate—wayoftheriverwallofthegarden。Threemen—at—armswholoungeduponabenchundertheshadeofthelittlepentroofofaguard—housebesidethewall，aroseandsalutedasthewell—knownfigureoftheEarlmountedthesteps。TheEarlnoddedacoolanswer，andpassingunchallengedthroughthegate，ledthewayupapleachedwalk，beyondwhich，asMylescouldsee，therestretchedalittlegrassylawnandastone—pavedterrace。AstheEarlandthetwoyoungmenapproachedtheendofthewalk，theyweremetbythesoundofvoicesandlaughter，theclinkingofglassesandtherattleofdishes。Turningacorner，theycamesuddenlyuponapartyofyounggentlemen，whosatatalatebreakfastundertheshadeofawide—spreadinglime—tree。Theyhadevidentlyjustleftthetilt—yard，fortwooftheguests——sturdy，thick—setyoungknights——yetworeapartoftheirtiltingarmor。
　　Behindthemerryscenestoodthegray，hoaryoldpalace，asteepflightofstonesteps，andalong，open，stone—archedgallery，whichevidentlyledtothekitchenbeyond，foralongithurriedserving—men，runningupanddownthetallflightofsteps，andbearingtraysanddishesandcupsandflagons。Itwasamerrysightandapleasantone。Thedaywaswarmandbalmy，andtheyellowsunlightfellinwavinguncertainpatchesoflight，dapplingthetable—cloth，andtwinklingandsparklinguponthedishes，cups，andflagons。
　　AttheheadofthetablesatayoungmansomethreeorfouryearsolderthanMyles，dressedinafullsuitofrichbluebrocadedvelvet，embroideredwithgold—threadandtrimmedwithblackfur。
　　Hisface，whichwasturnedtowardsthemastheymountedfromthelawntothelittlestone—flaggedterrace，wasfrankandopen；thecheekssmoothandfair；theeyesdarkandblue。Hewastallandratherslight，andworehisthickyellowhairhangingtohisshoulders，whereitwascutsquareacross，afterthemannerofthetimes。MylesdidnotneedtobetoldthatitwasthePrinceofWales。
　　"Ho，GafferFox！"hecried，assoonashecaughtsightoftheEarlofMackworth，"whatwindblowstheehitheramonguswildmallarddrakes？Iwarrantitisnotforloveofus，butonlytofillthineownlarderafterthemannerofSirFoxamongthedrakes。Whomhastthouwiththee？Somegoslingthouartabouttopluck？"
　　Asuddenhushfelluponthecompany，andallfaceswereturnedtowardsthevisitors。
　　TheEarlbowedwithasoftsmile。"YourHighness，"saidhe，smoothly，"ispleasedtobepleasant。Sir，IbringyoutheyoungknightofwhomIspoketoyousometimesince——SirMylesFalworth。Youmaybepleasedtobringtomindthatyousocondescendedastopromisetotakehimintoyourtrainuntilthefittingtimearrivedforthatcertainmatterofwhichwespoke。"
　　"SirMyles，"saidthePrinceofWales，withafrank，pleasantsmile，"IhaveheardgreatreportsofthyskillandprowessinFrance，bothfromMackworthandfromothers。Itwillpleasuremegreatlytohavetheeinmyhousehold；moreespecially，"headded，"asitwillgetthee，callowasthouart，outofmyLordFox’sclutches。OurfactioncannotdowithouttheEarlofMackworth’scunningwits，SirMyles；ne’thelessIwouldnotliketoputallmyfateandfortuneintohishandswithoutbond。Ihopethatthoudostnotrestthyfortunesentirelyuponhisaidandcountenance。"
　　AllwhowerepresentfeltthediscomfortofthePrince’sspeech，Itwasevidentthatoneofhismad，wildhumorswasuponhim。Inanothercasethehare—brainedyoungcourtiersaroundmighthavetakentheircuefromhim，buttheEarlofMackworthwasnosubjectfortheirgibesandwitticisms。Aconstrainedsilencefell，inwhichtheEarlalonemaintainedaperfecteaseofmanner。
　　Mylesbowedtohidehisownembarrassment。"YourHighness，"saidhe，evasively，"Irestmyfortune，firstofall，uponGod，Hisstrengthandjustice。"
　　"ThouwiltfindsaferdependencetherethanupontheLordofMackworth，"saidthePrince，dryly。"Butcome，"headded，withasuddenchangeofvoiceandmanner，"thesebejeststhatbordertoocloselyuponbitterearnestforamerrybreakfast。Itisilltoidlewithedgedtools。Wiltthounotstayandbreakthyfastwithus，myLord？"
　　"Pardonme，yourHighness，"saidtheEarl，bowing，andsmilingthesamesmoothsmilehislipshadwornfromthefirst——suchasmileasMyleshadneverthoughttohaveseenuponhishaughtyface；"Icraveyourgoodleavetodecline。Imustreturnhomepresently，forevennow，haply，youruncle，hisGraceofWinchester，isawaitingmycominguponthebusinessyouwotof。
　　HaplyyourHighnesswillfindmorejoyanceinalustyyoungknightlikeSirMylesthaninanoldfoxlikemyself。SoIleavehimwithyou，inyourgoodcare。"
　　SuchwasMyles’sintroductiontothewildyoungmadcapPrinceofWales，afterwardsthefamousHenryV，theconquerorofFrance。
　　Foramonthormorethereafterhewasamemberoftheprincelyhousehold，and，afteralittlewhile，atrustedandhonoredmember。Perhapsitwasthecalmsturdystrength，thecourageoftheyoungknight，thatfirstappealedtothePrince’sroyalheart；perhapsafterwardsitwasthemoresterlingqualitiesthatunderlaidthatcouragethatdrewhimtotheyoungman；certainitwasthatintwoweeksMyleswastheacknowledgedfavorite。Hemadenoprotestationofvirtue；healwaysaccompaniedthePrinceinthosemadcapventurestoLondon，wherehebeheldallmannerofwildrevelry；heneverheldhimselfalooffromhisgaycomrades，buthelookeduponalltheirmadsportswiththesamecalmgazethathadcarriedhimwithouttaintthroughthecourtsofBurgundyandtheDauphin。Thegay，roisteringyounglordsandgentlemendubbedhimSaintMyles，andjestedwithhimabouthair—clothshirtsandflagellations，butwitticismandjestalikefailedtomoveMyles’spatientvirtue；hewenthisowngaitinthehabitsofhislife，andinsogoingknewaslittleastheothersofthemadcourtthatthePrince’sgrowinglikingforhimwas，perhaps，morethanallelse，onaccountofthatverytemperance。
　　Then，by—and—by，thePrincebegantoconfideinhimashedidinnoneoftheothers。TherewasnogreatlovebetwixttheKingandhisson；ithashappenedveryoftenthattheKingsofEnglandhavefeltbitterjealousytowardstheheirs—apparentastheyhavegrowninpower，andsuchwasthecasewiththegreatKingHenryIV。ThePrinceoftenspoketoMylesoftheclashingandjarringbetweenhimselfandhisfather，andthethoughtbegantocometoMyles’smindbydegreesthatmaybetheKing’sjealousyaccountednotalittleforthePrince’srecklessintemperance。
　　Once，forinstance，asthePrinceleanedupon，hisshoulderwaiting，whilsttheattendantsmadereadythebargethatwastocarrythemdowntherivertothecity，hesaid，abruptly："Myles，whatthinkestthouofusall？Dothnotthyhonestyholdusincontempt？"
　　"Nay，Highness，"saidMyles。"HowcouldIholdcontempt？"
　　"Marry，"saidthePrince，"Imyselfholdcontempt，andamnotashonestamanasthou。But，prithee，havepatiencewithme，Myles。
　　Someday，perhaps，Itoowillliveacleanlife。Now，anIliveseriously，theKingwillbemorejealousofmethanever，andthatisnotalittle。MaybeIlivethussothathemaynotknowwhatIreallyaminsoothlyearnest。"
　　ThePrincealsooftentalkedtoMylesconcerninghisownaffairs；
　　ofthebattlehewastofightforhisfather’shonor，ofhowtheEarlofMackworthhadplottedandplannedtobringhimfacetofacewiththeEarlofAlban。HespoketoMylesmorethanonceofthemanygreatchangesofstateandpartythathunguponthedownfalloftheenemyofthehouseofFalworth，andshowedhimhownohandbuthisowncouldstrikethatenemydown；ifhefell，itmustbethroughthesonofFalworth。SometimesitseemedtoMylesasthoughheandhisblindfatherwerethecentreofagreatwebofplotandintrigue，stretchingfarandwide，thatincludednotonlythegreatesthousesofEngland，butroyaltyandthepoliticalbalanceofthecountryaswell，andevenbeforethegreatnessofitallhedidnotflinch。
　　Then，atlast，camethebeginningofthetimeforaction。ItwasintheearlypartofMay，andMyleshadbeenamemberofthePrince’shouseholdforalittleoveramonth。OnemorninghewasorderedtoattendthePrinceinhisprivycabinet，and，obeyingthesummons，hefoundthePrince，hisyoungerbrother，theDukeofBedford，andhisuncle，theBishopofWinchester，seatedatatable，wheretheyhadjustbeenrefreshingthemselveswithaflagonofwineandaplateofwafers。
　　"MypoorMyles，"saidthePrince，smiling，astheyoungknightbowedtothethree，andthenstooderect，asthoughonduty。"Itshamesmyheart，brother——andthou，uncle——itshamesmyhearttobeoneprivytothisthingwhichwearesetupontodo。Herebewe，thegreatestLordsofEngland，makingacat’s—pawofthislad——forheisonlyyetaboy——andofhisblindfather，fortoachieveourendsagainstAlban’sfaction。Itseemethnotover—honorabletomymind。"
　　"Pardonme，yourHighness，"saidMyles，blushingtotherootsofhishair；"but，anImaybesoboldastospeak，Irecknothingofwhatyouraimsmaybe；Ionlylooktorestoringmyfather’shonorandthehonorofourhouse。"
　　"Truly，"saidthePrince，smiling，"thatistheonlymatterthatmakethmewillingtolaymyhandstothisbusiness。DostthouknowwhyIhavesentforthee？ItisbecausethisdaythoumustchallengetheDukeofAlbanbeforetheKing。TheEarlofMackworthhaslaidallhisplansandthetimeisnowripe。
　　KnowestthatthyfatherisatMackworthHouse？"
　　"Nay，"saidMyles；"Iknewitnot。"
　　"Hehathbeentherefornearlytwodays，"saidthePrince。"JustnowtheEarlhathsentforustocomefirsttoMackworthHouse。
　　Thentogotothepalace，forhehathgainedaudiencewiththeKing，andhathsoarrangeditthattheEarlofAlbanistobethereaswell。Weallgostraightway；sogetthyselfreadyassoonasmaybe。"
　　PerhapsMyles’sheartbeganbeatingmorequicklywithinhimatthenearnessofthatgreathappeningwhichhehadlookedforwardtoforsolong。Ifitdid，hemadenosignofhisemotion，butonlyasked，"HowmustIclothemyself，yourHighness？"
　　"Wearthylightarmor，"saidthePrince，"butnohelmet，ajupponbearingthearmsandcolorsthattheEarlgavetheewhenthouwertknighted，andcarrythyright—handgauntletunderthybeltforthychallenge。Nowmakehaste，fortimepasses。"
　　CHAPTER30
　　AdjoiningtheancientpalaceofWestminster，whereKingHenryIV
　　wasthenholdinghiscourt，wasanolessancientstonebuildingknownasthePaintedRoom。Uponthewallsweredepictedaseriesofbattlescenesinlongbandsreachingaroundthisroom，oneaboveanother。SomeofthesepictureshadbeenpaintedasfarbackasthedaysofHenryIII，othershadbeenaddedsincehistime。TheychronicledthevariouswarsoftheKingofEngland，anditwasfromthemthatthelittlehalltookitsnameofthePaintedRoom。
　　Thisancientwing，oroffshoot，ofthemainbuildingswasmoreretiredfromthehurly—burlyofouterlifethanotherpartsofthepalace，andthitherthesickKingwasveryfondofretiringfromthebusinessofState，whicheverrestedmoreandmoreheavilyuponhisshoulders，sometimestosquanderinquietnessasparehourortwo；sometimestoidleoverafavoritebook；
　　sometimestoplayagameofchesswithafavoritecourtier。Thecoldpaintedwallshadbeenhungwithtapestry，anditsfloorhadbeenspreadwitharrascarpet。Theseandthecushionedcouchesandchairsthatstoodaroundgaveitsgloomyantiquityanairofcomfort——anairevenofluxury。
　　ItwastothisfavoriteretreatoftheKing’sthatMyleswasbroughtthatmorningwithhisfathertofacethegreatEarlofAlban。
　　IntheanteroomthelittlepartyofPrincesandnobleswhoescortedthefatherandsonhadheldabriefconsultation。Thentheothershadentered，leavingMylesandhisblindfatherinchargeofLordLumleyandtwoknightsofthecourt，SirReginaldHallowellandSirPiersAverell。
　　Myles，ashestoodpatientlywaiting，withhisfather’sarmrestinginhis，couldhearthemuffledsoundofvoicesfrombeyondthearras。Amongothers，herecognizedthewell—rememberedtonesoftheKing。Hefanciedthatheheardhisownnamementionedmorethanonce，andthenthesoundoftalkingceased。
　　Thenextmomentthearraswasdrawnaside，andtheEarlenteredtheantechamberagain。
　　"Allisready，cousin，"saidhetoLordFalworth，inasuppressedvoice。"Essexhathdoneashepromised，andAlbaniswithintherenow。"Then，turningtoMyles，speakinginthesamelowvoice，andbetrayingmoreagitationthanMyleshadthoughtitpossibleforhimtoshow，"SirMyles，"saidhe，"rememberallthathathbeentoldthee。Thouknowestwhatthouhasttosayanddo。"Then，withoutfurtherword，hetookLordFalworthbythehand，andledthewayintotheroom，Mylesfollowingclosebehind。
　　TheKinghalfsat，halfinclined，uponacushionedseatclosetowhichstoodthetwoPrinces。Thereweresomedozenotherspresent，mostlypriestsandnoblemenofhighqualitywhoclusteredinagroupatalittledistance。MylesknewmostofthemataglancehavingseenthemcomeandgoatScotlandYard。
　　Butamongthemall，hesingledoutonlyone——theEarlofAlban。
　　Hehadnotseenthatfacesincehewasalittlechildeightyearsold，butnowthathebehelditagain，itfittedinstantlyandvividlyintotheremembranceofthetimeofthatterriblesceneatFalworthCastle，whenhehadbeheldthethenLordBrookhurststandingabovethedeadbodyofSirJohnDale，withthebloodymaceclinchedinhishand。Therewerethesameheavyblackbrows，sinisterandgloomy，thesamehookednose，thesameswarthycheeks。Heevenrememberedthedeepdentintheforehead，wherethebrowsmetinperpetualfrown。Soitwasthatuponthatfacehislookscentredandrested。
　　TheEarlofAlbanhadjustbeenspeakingtosomeLordwhostoodbesidehim，andahalf—smilestillhungaboutthecornersofhislips。Atfirst，ashelookedupattheentranceofthenewcomers，therewasnootherexpression；thensuddenlycameaflashofrecognition，alookofwide—eyedamazement；thenthebloodleftthecheeksandthelips，andthefacegrewverypale。Nodoubthesawataflashthatsomegreatdangeroverhunghiminthissuddencomingofhisoldenemy，forhewasaskeenandasastuteapoliticianashewasafamouswarrior。Atleastheknewthattheeyesofmostofthosepresentwerefixedkeenlyandsearchinglyuponhim。Afterthefirststartofrecognition，hislefthand，hangingathisside，graduallyclosedaroundthescabbardofhissword，clutchingitinavice—likegrip。
　　MeantimetheEarlofMackworthhadledtheblindLordtotheKing，wherebothkneeled。
　　"Why，hownow，myLord？"saidtheKing。"MethoughtitwasouryoungPaladinwhomweknightedatDevlenthatwastobepresented，andherethoubringestthisoldman。Ablindman，ha！
　　Whatisthemeaningofthis？"
　　"Majesty，"saidtheEarl，"Ihavetakenthischancetobringtothymercifulconsiderationonewhohathmostwofullyandunjustlysufferedfromthineanger。Yonderstandstheyoungknightofwhomwespake；thisishisfather，GilbertReginald，whilomLordFalworth，whocravesmercyandjusticeatthyhands。"
　　"Falworth，"saidtheKing，placinghishandtohishead。"Thenameisnotstrangetomineears，butIcannotplaceit。Myheadhathtroubledmesorelyto—day，andIcannotremember。"
　　AtthispointtheEarlofAlbancamequietlyanddeliberatelyforward。"Sire，"saidhe，"pardonmyboldnessinsoventuringtoaddressyou，buthaplyImaybringthenamemoreclearlytoyourmind。Heis，asmyLordofMackworthsaid，thewhilomBaronFalworth，theoutlawed，attaintedtraitor；sodeclaredfortheharboringofSirJohnDale，whowasoneofthosewhosoughtyourMajesty’slifeatWindsorelevenyearsago。Sire，heismineenemyaswell，andisbroughthitherbymyproclaimedenemies。
　　Shouldaughtoccurtomyharm，Irestmycaseinyourgracioushands。"
　　ThedustyredflamedintotheKing’spale，sicklyfaceinanswer，andherosehastilyfromhisseat。
　　"Aye，"saidhe，"Iremembermenow——Iremembermethemanandthename！Whohathdaredbringhimherebeforeus？"Allthedullheavinessofsicknesswasgoneforthemoment，andKingHenrywastheKingHenryoftenyearsagoasherolledhiseyesbalefullyfromonetoanotherofthecourtierswhostoodsilentlyaround。
　　TheEarlofMackworthshotacovertglanceattheBishopofWinchester，whocameforwardinanswer。
　　"YourMajesty，"saidhe，"hereamI，yourbrother，whobeseechyouasyourbrothernottojudgeover—hastilyinthismatter。Itistruethatthismanhasbeenadjudgedatraitor，buthehasbeensoadjudgedwithoutahearing。Ibeseechtheetolistenpatientlytowhatsoeverhemayhavetosay。
　　TheKingfixedtheBishopwithalookofthebitterest，deepestanger，holdinghisnetherliptightlyunderhisteeth——atrickhehadwhenstronglymovedwithanger——andtheBishop’seyesfellunderthelook。MeantimetheEarlofAlbanstoodcalmandsilent。
　　NodoubthesawthattheKing’sangerwaslikelytobefriendhimmorethananywordsthathehimselfcouldsay，andheperilledhiscasewithnomorespeechwhichcouldonlyprovesuperfluous。
　　AtlasttheKingturnedafaceredandswollenwithangertotheblindLord，whostillkneeledbeforehim。
　　"Whathastthoutosay？"hesaid，inadeepandsullenvoice。
　　"GraciousandmercifulLord，"saidtheblindnobleman，"Icometothee，thefountain—headofjustice，cravingjustice。Sire，Idonowandheredenymytreason，whichdenialIcouldnotbeforemake，beingblindandhelpless，andmineenemiesstrongandmalignant。Butnow，sire，Heavenhathsentmehelp，andthereforeIdoacclaimbeforetheethatmyaccuser，WilliamBushyBrookhurst，EarlofAlban，isafoulandanattaintedliarinallthathehathaccusedmeof。Toupholdwhichallegation，andtodefendme，whoamblindedbyhisunknightliness，IdoofferachampiontoproveallthatIsaywithhisbodyincombat。"
　　TheEarlofMackworthdartedaquicklookatMyles，whocameforwardthemomenthisfatherhadended，andkneeledbesidehim。
　　TheKingofferednointerruptiontohisspeech，buthebentalookheavywithangerupontheyoungman。
　　"MygraciousLordandKing，"saidMyles，"I，thesonoftheaccused，dooffermyselfashischampioninthiscause，beseechingtheeofthygraceleavetoprovethetruthofthesame，beingabeltedknightbythygraceandofthycreationandthepeerofanywhowearethspurs。"Thereupon，rising，hedrewhisirongauntletfromhisgirdle，andflungitclashingdownuponthefloor，andwithhisheartswellingwithinhimwithangerandindignationandpityofhisblindfather，hecried，inaloudvoice，"Idoaccusethee，WilliamofAlban，thatthouliestvilelyasaforesaid，andherecastdownmygage，daringtheetotakeitup。
　　TheEarlofAlbanmadeasthoughhewouldacceptthechallenge，buttheKingstoppedhimhastily。
　　"Stop！"hecried，harshly。"Touchnotthegage！Letitlie——letitlie，Itellthee，myLord！Nowthen，"saidhe，turningtotheothers，"tellmewhatmeanethallthiscoil？Whobroughtthismanhither？"
　　Helookedfromonetoanotherofthosewhostoodsilentlyaround，butnooneanswered。
　　"Isee，"saidhe，"yeallhavehadtodowithit。ItisasmyLordofAlbansayeth；yearehisenemies，andyearemyenemiesaswell。InthisIdosmellavileplot。IcannotundowhatI
　　havedone，andsinceIhavemadethisyoungmanaknightwithmineownhands，IcannotdenythatheisfittochallengemyLordofAlban。Ne’theless，theHighCourtofChivalryshalladjudgethiscase。Meantime，"saidhe，turningtotheEarlMarshal，whowaspresent，"IgivetheethisattaintedLordincharge。ConveyhimpresentlytotheTower，andlethimabideourpleasurethere。
　　Also，thoumaysttakeupyongage，andkeepittillitisredeemedaccordingtoourpleasure。"
　　Hestoodthoughtfullyforamoment，andthenraisinghiseyes，lookedfixedlyattheEarlofMackworth。"Iknow，"hesaid，"thatIbearightsickman，andtherebesomewhoarealreadyplottingtooverthrowthosewhohaveheldupmyhandwiththeirownstrengthforalltheseyears。"Thenspeakingmoredirectly："MyLordEarlofMackworth，Iseeyourhandinthisbeforeallothers。Itwasthouwhosoplayeduponmeastogetmetoknightthisyoungman，andthusmakehimworthytochallengemyLordofAlban。Itwasthydoingsthatbroughthimhereto—day，backedbymineownsonsandmybrotherandbythesenoblemen。"ThenturningsuddenlytotheEarlofAlban："Come，myLord，"saidhe；"Iamawearywithallthiscoil。Lendmethinearmtoleavethisplace。"Soitwasthathelefttheroom，leaningupontheEarlofAlban’sarm，andfollowedbythetwoorthreeoftheAlbanfactionwhowerepresent。
　　"YourRoyalHighness，"saidtheEarlMarshal，"Imuste’endotheKing’sbidding，andtakethisgentlemanintoarrest。"
　　"Dothyduty，"saidthePrince。"Weknewitmustcometothis。
　　Meanwhileheistobeaprisonerofhonor，andseethathebewelllodgedandcaredfor。Thouwiltfindmybargeatthestairstoconveyhimdowntheriver，andImyselfwillcomethisafternoontovisithim。"
　　CHAPTER31
　　ItwasnotuntiltheendofJulythattheHighCourtofChivalryrendereditsjudgment。Thereweremanyunusualpointsinthecase，someofwhichboreheavilyagainstLordFalworth，someofwhichwereinhisfavor。HewasveryablydefendedbythelawyerswhomtheEarlofMackworthhadengageduponhisside；
　　nevertheless，underordinarycircumstances，thejudgment，nodoubt，wouldhavebeenquicklyrenderedagainsthim。Asitwas，however，thecircumstanceswerenotordinary，anditwasrenderedinhisfavor。TheCourtbesoughttheKingtogranttheordealbybattle，toacceptLordFalworth’schampion，andtoappointthetimeandplaceforthemeeting。
　　Thedecisionmusthavebeenamostbitter，gallingoneforthesickKing。Hewasnaturallyofagenerous，forgivingnature，butLordFalworthinhistimeofpowerhadbeenanunrelentingandfearlessopponent，andhisMajestywho，likemostgenerousmen，couldonoccasionsbeverycruelandintolerant，hadneverforgivenhim。HehadsteadilythrownthemightofhisinfluencewiththeCourtagainsttheFalworths’case，butthatinfluencewasnolongerall—powerfulforgoodorill。Hewasfailinginhealth，anditcouldonlybeamatterofafewyears，probablyofonlyafewmonths，beforehissuccessorsatuponthethrone。
　　Upontheotherhand，thePrinceofWales’sfactionhadbeensteadily，andoflaterapidly，increasinginpower，andintheEarlofMackworth，itsvirtualhead，itpossessedoneofthemostcapablepoliticiansandastuteintriguersinEurope。So，astheoutcomeofalltheplottingandcounter—plotting，schemingandcounter—scheming，thecasewasdecidedinLordFalworth’sfavor。
　　TheknowledgeoftheultimateresultwasknowntothePrinceofWales’scirclealmostaweekbeforeitwasfinallydecided。
　　Indeed，theEarlofMackworthhadmadeprettysureofthatresultbeforehehadsummonedMylesfromFrance，butupontheKingitfellliketheshockofasuddenblow。Allthatdayhekepthimselfinmoodyseclusion，nursinghissilent，bitteranger，andmakingonlyoneoutbreak，inwhichhesworebytheHolyRoodthatshouldMylesbeworstedintheencounter，hewouldnottakethebattleintohisownhands，butwouldsufferhimtobeslain，andfurthermore，thatshouldtheEarlshowsignsoffailingatanytime，hewoulddoallinhispowertosavehim。Oneofthecourtierswhohadbeenpresent，andwhowassecretlyinclinedtothePrinceofWales’sfaction，hadrepeatedthisspeechatScotlandYard，andthePrincehadsaid，"Thatmeaneth，Myles，thatthoumusteitherwinordie。"
　　"AndsoIwouldhaveittobe，myLord，"Myleshadanswered。
　　ItwasnotuntilnearlyafortnightafterthedecisionoftheCourtofChivalryhadbeenrenderedthattheKingannouncedthetimeandplaceofbattle——thetimetobethe3dofSeptember，theplacetobeSmithfield——aspotmuchusedforsuchencounters。
　　Duringthethreeweeksorsothatintervenedbetweenthisannouncementandthetimeofcombat，Myleswentnearlyeverydaytovisitthelistsincourseoferection。OftenthePrincewentwithhim；alwaystwoorthreeofhisfriendsoftheScotlandYardcourtaccompaniedhim。
　　Thelistswerelaidoutintheusualform。Thetrueorprincipallistinwhichthecombatantsweretoengagewassixtyyardslongandfortyyardswide；thisrectangularspacebeingsurroundedbyafenceaboutsixfeethigh，paintedvermilion。BetweenthefenceandthestandwheretheKingandthespectatorssat，andsurroundingthecentralspace，wastheouterorfalselist，alsosurroundedbyafence。InthefalselisttheConstableandtheMarshalandtheirfollowersandattendantsweretobestationedatthetimeofbattletopreservethegeneralpeaceduringthecontestbetweentheprincipals。
　　OnedayasMyles，hisprincelypatron，andhisfriendsenteredthebarriers，leavingtheirhorsesattheoutergate，theymettheEarlofAlbanandhisfollowers，whowerejustquittingthelists，whichtheyalsowereinthehabitofvisitingnearlyeveryday。Asthetwopartiespassedoneanother，theEarlspoketoagentlemanwalkingbesidehimandinavoiceloudenoughtobeclearlyoverheardbytheothers："YonderistheyoungsprigofFalworth，"saidhe。"Hisfather，myLords，isnotcontentwithforfeitinghisownlifeforhistreason，butmust，forsooth，throwawayhisson’salso。Ihavefacedandoverthrownmanyabetterknightthanthatboy。"
　　Mylesheardthespeech，andknewthatitwasintendedforhimtohearit；buthepaidnoattentiontoit，walkingcomposedlyatthePrince’sside。ThePrincehadalsooverheardit，andafteralittlespaceofsilenceasked，"Dostthounotfeelanxietyforthycomingbattle，Myles？"
　　"Yea，myLord，"saidMyles；"sometimesIdofeelanxiety，butnotsuchasmyLordofAlbanwouldhavemefeelinutteringthespeechthathespakeanon。Itisanxietyformyfather’ssakeandmymother’ssakethatIfeel，fortrulytherearegreatmattersforthempendinguponthisfight。Ne’theless，IdoknowthatGodwillnotdesertmeinmycause，forverilymyfatherisnotraitor。"
　　"ButtheEarlofAlban，"saidthePrince，gravely，"isreputedoneofthebest—skilledknightsinallEngland；moreover，heismercilessandwithoutgenerosity，sothatanhegainaughtadvantageoverthee，hewillsurelyslaythee。"
　　"Iamnotafraid，myLord，"saidMyles，stillcalmlyandcomposedly。
　　"NoramIafraidforthee，Myles，"saidthePrince，heartily，puttinghisarm，ashespoke，aroundtheyoungman’sshoulder；
　　"fortruly，wertthouaknightoffortyyears，insteadofoneoftwenty，thoucouldstnotbearthyselfwithmorecourage。"
　　Asthetimefortheduelapproached，thedaysseemedtodragthemselvesalonguponleadenfeet；nevertheless，thedayscameandwent，asalldaysdo，bringingwiththem，atlast，thefateful3dofSeptember。
　　Earlyinthemorning，whilethesunwasstilllevelandred，thePrincehimself，unattended，cametoMyles’sapartment，intheouterroomofwhichGascoynewasbustlingbusilyaboutarrangingthearmorpiecebypiece；renewingstrapsandthongs，butnotwhistlingoverhisworkasheusuallydid。ThePrincenoddedtohim，andthenpassedsilentlythroughtotheinnerchamber。Myleswasuponhisknees，andFatherAmbrose，thePrince’schaplain，wasbesidehim。ThePrincestoodsilentlyatthedoor，untilMyles，havingtoldhislastbead，roseandturnedtowardshim。
　　"MydearLord，"saidtheyoungknight，"Igiveyougramercyforthegreathonoryoudomeincomingsoearlyfortovisitme。"
　　"Nay，Myles，givemenothanks，"saidthePrince，franklyreachinghimhishand，whichMylestookandsettohislips。"I
　　laybethinkingmeoftheethismorning，whileyetinbed，andso，asIcouldnotsleepanymore，Iwasmovedtocomehithertoseethee。"
　　QuiteanumberofthePrince’sfactionwereatthebreakfastatScotlandYardthatmorning；amongothers，theEarlofMackworth。
　　Allweremoreorlessoppressedwithanxiety，fornearlyallofthemhadstakedmuchuponthecomingbattle。IfAlbanconquered，hewouldbemorepowerfultoharmthemandtorevengehimselfuponthemthanever，andMyleswasaveryyoungchampionuponwhomtodepend。Myleshimself，perhaps，showedaslittleanxietyasany；hecertainlyatemoreheartilyofhisbreakfastthatmorningthanmanyoftheothers。
　　Afterthemealwasended，thePrincerose。"Theboatisreadyatthestairs，"saidhe；"ifthouwouldstgototheTowertovisitthyfather，Myles，beforehearingmass，IandCholmondeleyandVereandPoinswillgowiththee，ifye，Lordsandgentlemen，willgrantmeyourpardonforleavingyou。Arethereanyothersthatthouwouldsthaveaccompanythee？"
　　"IwouldhaveSirJamesLeeandmysquire，MasterGascoyne，ifthouartsopleasedtogivethemleavetogo，"answeredMyles。
　　"Sobeit，"saidthePrince。"WewillstopatMackworthstairsfortheknight。"
　　ThebargelandedattheweststairsoftheTowerwharf，andthewholepartywerereceivedwithmorethanusualcivilitiesbytheGovernor，whoconductedthematoncetotheTowerwhereLordFalworthwaslodged。LadyFalworthmetthemattheheadofthestairs；hereyeswereveryredandherfacepale，andasMylesraisedherhandandsetalongkissuponit，herlipstrembled，andsheturnedherfacequicklyaway，pressingherhandkerchiefforonemomenttohereyes。Poorlady！Whatagonyofanxietyanddreaddidshenotsufferforherboy’ssakethatday！Myleshadnothiddenbothfromherandhisfatherthathemusteitherwinordie。
　　AsMylesturnedfromhismother，PriorEdwardcameoutfromtheinnerchamber，andwasgreetedwarmlybyhim。TheoldpriesthadarrivedinLondononlythedaybefore，havingcomedownfromCrosbeyPriorytobewithhisfriend’sfamilyduringthistheirtimeofterribleanxiety。
　　Afteralittlewhileofgeneraltalk，thePrinceandhisattendantsretired，leavingthefamilytogether，onlySirJamesLeeandGascoyneremainingbehind。
　　Manymattersthathadbeendiscussedbeforewerenowfinallysettled，thechiefofwhichwasthedispositionofLadyFalworthincasethebattleshouldgoagainstthem。ThenMylestookhisleave，kissinghismother，whobegancrying，andcomfortingherwithbraveassurances。PriorEdwardaccompaniedhimasfarastheheadoftheTowerstairs，whereMyleskneeleduponthestonesteps，whilethegoodpriestblessedhimandsignedthecrossuponhisforehead。ThePrincewaswaitinginthewalledgardenadjoining，andastheyrowedbackagainuptherivertoScotlandYard，allwerethoughtfulandserious，evenPoins’andVere’smerrytonguesbeingstilledfromtheirusualquipsandjesting。
　　Itwas。aboutthequarterofthehourbeforeeleveno’clockwhenMyles，withGascoyne，setforthforthelists。ThePrinceofWales，togetherwithmostofhiscourt，hadalreadygoneontoSmithfield，leavingbehindhimsixyoungknightsofhishouseholdtoactasescorttotheyoungchampion。Thenatlasttheordertohorsewasgiven；thegreatgateswungopen，andouttheyrode，clatteringandjingling，thesunlightgleamingandflamingandflashingupontheirpolishedarmor。Theydrewreintotheright，andsorodeinalittlecloudofdustalongtheStrandStreettowardsLondontown，withthebreezeblowingmerrily，andthesunlightshiningassweetlyandblithesomelyasthoughtheywereridingtoaweddingratherthantoagrimanddreadfulordealthatmeanteithervictoryordeath。
　　CHAPTER32
　　InthedaysofKingEdwardIIIacodeoflawsrelatingtotrialbybattlehadbeencompiledforoneofhissons，ThomasofWoodstock。Inthisworkeachandeverydetail，tothemostminute，hadbeenarrangedandfixed，andfromthattimejudicialcombatshadbeenregulatedinaccordancewithitsmandates。
　　ItwasinobediencetothiscodethatMylesFalworthappearedattheeastgateofthelists（theeastgatebeingassignedbylawtothechallenger），cladinfullarmorofproof，attendedbyGascoyne，andaccompaniedbytwooftheyoungknightswhohadactedashisescortfromScotlandYard。
　　AtthebarriershewasmetbytheattorneyWillingwood，thechieflawyerwhohadconductedtheFalworthcasebeforetheHighCourtofChivalry，andwhowastoattendhimduringtheadministrationoftheoathsbeforetheKing。
　　AsMylespresentedhimselfatthegatehewasmetbytheConstable，theMarshal，andtheirimmediateattendants。TheConstable，layinghishanduponthebridle—rein，said，inaloudvoice："Stand，SirKnight，andtellmewhythouartcomethusarmedtothegatesofthelists。Whatisthyname？Whereforeartthoucome？"
　　Mylesanswered，"IamMylesFalworth，aKnightoftheBathbygraceofhisMajestyKingHenryIVandbyhiscreation，anddocomehithertodefendmychallengeuponthebodyofWilliamBushyBrookhurst，EarlofAlban，proclaiminghimanunknightlyknightandafalseandperjuredliar，inthathehathaccusedGilbertReginald，LordFalworth，oftreasonagainstourbelovedLord，hisMajestytheKing，andmayGoddefendtheright！"
　　Asheendedspeaking，theConstableadvancedclosetohisside，andformallyraisingtheumbrilofthehelmet，lookedhimintheface。Thereupon，havingapprovedhisidentity，heorderedthegatestobeopened，andbadeMylesenterthelistswithhissquireandhisfriends。
　　AtthesouthsideofthelistsaraisedscaffoldinghadbeenbuiltfortheKingandthosewholookedon。ItwasnotunlikethatwhichhadbeenerectedatDevlenCastlewhenMyleshadfirstjoustedasbeltedknight——herewerethesameraisedseatfortheKing，thetapestries，thehangings，theflutteringpennons，andtheroyalstandardfloatingabove；onlyherewerenofair—facedladieslookingdownuponhim，butinstead，stern—browedLordsandknightsinarmorandsquires，andherewerenomerrylaughingandbuzzoftalkandflutteroffansandkerchiefs，butallwasveryquietandserious。
　　Mylesridinguponhishorse，withGascoyneholdingthebridle—rein，andhisattorneywalkingbesidehimwithhishanduponthestirrups，followedtheConstableacrosstheliststoanopenspaceinfrontoftheseatwheretheKingsat。Then，havingreachedhisappointedstation，hestopped，andtheConstable，advancingtothefootofthestair—waythatledtothedaisabove，announcedinaloudvoicethatthechallengerhadenteredthelists。
　　"Thencalledthedefendantstraightway，"saidtheKing，"fornoondrawethnigh。"
　　Thedaywasverywarm，andthesun，brightandunclouded，shonefiercelydownupontheopenlists。PerhapsfewmennowadayscouldbearthescorchingheatofironplatessuchasMyleswore，fromwhichthebodywasonlyprotectedbyaleathernjacketandhose。
　　Butmen’sbodiesinthosedaysweretougherandmoreseasonedtohardshipsofweatherthantheyareintheseourtimes。Mylesthoughtnomoreoftheburningironplatesthatincasedhimthanamodernsoldierthinksofhisdressuniforminwarmweather。
　　Nevertheless，heraisedtheumbrilofhishelmettocoolhisfaceashewaitedthecomingofhisopponent。Heturnedhiseyesupwardtotherowofseatsonthescaffoldingabove，andevenintherestless，bewilderingmultitudeofstrangefacesturnedtowardshimrecognizedthosethatheknew：thePrinceofWales，hiscompanionsoftheScotlandYardhousehold，theDukeofClarence，theBishopofWinchester，andsomeofthenoblemenoftheEarlofMackworth’sparty，whohadbeenbuzzingaboutthePrinceforthepastmonthorso。Buthisglancesweptoverallthese，ratherperceivingthanseeingthem，andthenresteduponasquarebox—likecompartmentnotunlikeaprisoner’sdockinthecourtroomofourday，forintheboxsathisfather，withtheEarlofMackworthupononesideandSirJamesLeeupontheother。
　　Theblindman’sfacewasverypale，butstillworeitsusualexpressionofcalmserenity——thecalmserenityofablindface。
　　TheEarlwasalsoverypale，andhekepthiseyesfixedsteadfastlyuponMyleswithakeenandsearchinglook，asthoughtopiercetotheverybottomoftheyoungman’sheart，anddiscoverifindeednotonelittlefragmentofdryrotoffearoruncertaintytaintedthesolidcourageofhisknighthood。
　　Thenheheardthecrierscallingthedefendantatthefourcornersofthelist："Oyez！Oyez！Oyez！WilliamBushyBrookhurst，EarlofAlban，cometothiscombat，inwhichyoubeenterprisedthisdaytodischargeyoursuretiesbeforetheKing，theConstable，andtheMarshal，andtoencounterinyourdefenceMylesFalworth，knight，theacceptedchampionuponbehalfofGilbertReginaldFalworth，thechallenger！Oyez！Oyez！Oyez！Letthedefendantcome！"
　　Sotheycontinuedcalling，until，bythesuddenturningofallfaces，Mylesknewthathisenemywasathand。
　　ThenpresentlyhesawtheEarlandhisattendantsentertheoutergateatthewestendofthebarrier；hesawtheConstableandMarshalmeethim；hesawtheformalwordsofgreetingpass；hesawtheConstableraisetheumbrilofthehelmet。Thenthegateopened，andtheEarlofAlbanentered，cladcap—a—pieinafullsuitofmagnificentMilanarmorwithoutjupponoradornmentofanykind。Asheapproachedacrossthelists，Mylesclosedtheumbrilofhishelmet，andthensatquitestillandmotionless，forthetimewascome。
　　Sohesat，erectandmotionlessasastatueofiron，halfhearingthereadingofthelongintricately—wordedbills，absorbedinmanythoughtsofpastandpresentthings。Atlastthereadingended，andthenhecalmlyandcomposedlyobeyed，underthedirectionofhisattorney，theseveralformsandceremoniesthatfollowed；answeredthevariousofficialquestions，tookthevariousoaths。ThenGascoyne，leadingthehorsebythebridle—
　　rein，conductedhimbacktohisstationattheeastendofthelists。
　　Asthefaithfulfriendandsquiremadeonelastandsearchingexaminationofarmsandarmor，theMarshalandtheclerkcametotheyoungchampionandadministeredthefinaloathbywhichhesworethathecarriednoconcealedweapons。
　　TheweaponsallowedbytheHighCourtwerethenmeasuredandattested。Theyconsistedofthelongsword，theshortsword，thedagger，themace，andaweaponknownasthehand—gisarm，orglave—lot——aheavyswordlikebladeeightpalmslong，apalminbreadth，andrivetedtoastouthandleofwoodthreefeetlong。
　　Theusuallancehadnotbeenincludedinthelistofarms，thehand—gisarmbeingsubstitutedinitsplace。Itwasafearfulandmurderousweapon，thoughcumbersome，Unhandy，andilladaptedforquickordexterousstroke；nevertheless，theEarlofAlbanhadpetitionedtheKingtohaveitincludedinthelist，andinanswertotheKing’sexpresseddesiretheCourthadadopteditinthesteadofthelance，yieldingthusmuchtotheroyalwishes。
　　Norwasitasmallconcession。Thehand—gisarmhadbeenaweaponverymuchinvogueinKingRichard’sday，andwasnownearlyifnotentirelyoutoffashionwiththeyoungergenerationofwarriors。TheEarlofAlbanwas，ofcourse，wellusedtotheblade；withMylesitwasstrangeandnew，eitherforattackorindefence。
　　Withtheadministrationofthefinaloathandtheexaminationoftheweapons，thepreliminaryceremoniescametoanend，andpresentlyMylesheardthecrierscallingtoclearthelists。Asthosearoundhimmovedtowithdraw，theyoungknightdrewoffhismailedgauntlet，andgaveGascoyne’shandonelastfinalclasp，strong，earnest，andintensewiththeclosefriendshipofyoungmanhood，andpoorGascoynelookedupathimwithafaceghastlywhite。
　　Thenallweregone；thegatesoftheprincipallistandthatofthefalselistwereclosedclashing，andMyleswasalone，facetoface，withhismortalenemy。
　　CHAPTER33
　　Therewasalittlewhileofrestless，rustlingsilence，duringwhichtheConstabletookhisplaceintheseatappointedforhimdirectlyinfrontofandbelowtheKing’sthrone。Amomentortwowheneventherestlessnessandtherustlingwerequieted，andthentheKingleanedforwardandspoketotheConstable，whoimmediatelycalledout，inaloud，clearvoice。
　　"Letthemgo！"Thenagain，"Letthemgo！"Then，forthethirdandlasttime，"Letthemgoanddotheirendeavor，inGod’sname！"
　　Atthisthirdcommandthecombatants，eachofwhomhadtillthatmomentbeensittingasmotionlessasastatueofiron，tightenedrein，androdeslowlyanddeliberatelyforwardwithouthaste，yetwithouthesitation，untiltheymetintheverymiddleofthelists。
　　Inthebattlewhichfollowed，Mylesfoughtwiththelongsword，theEarlwiththehand—gisarmforwhichhehadasked。Themomenttheymet，thecombatwasopened，andforatimenothingwasheardbutthethunderousclashingandclamorofblows，nowandthenbeatingintermittently，nowandthenpausing。Occasionally，asthecombatantsspurredtogether，checked，wheeled，andrecovered，theywouldbehiddenforamomentinamistyveilofdust，which，againdriftingdownthewind，perhapsrevealedthemdrawnalittleapart，restingtheirpantinghorses。Then，again，theywouldspurtogether，strikingastheypassed，wheelingandstrikingagain。
　　Uponthescaffoldingallwasstill，onlynowandthenforthebuzzofmuffledexclamationsorapplauseofthosewholookedon。
　　MostlytheapplausewasfromMyles’sfriends，forfromtheveryfirstheshowedandsteadilymaintainedhisadvantageovertheolderman。"Hah！wellstruck！wellrecovered！""Lookye！theswordbitthattime！""Nay，look，sawyehimpassthepointofthegisarm？"Then，"Falworth！Falworth！"assomemorethanusuallyskilfulstrokeorparryoccurred。
　　MeantimeMyles’sfathersatstraininghissightlesseyeballs，asthoughtopiercehisbody’sdarknesswithonerayoflightthatwouldshowhimhowhisboyheldhisowninthefight，andLordMackworth，leaningwithhislipsclosetotheblindman’sear，toldhimpointbypointhowthebattlestood。
　　"Fearnot，Gilbert，"saidheateachpauseinthefight。"Heholdethhisownrightwell。"Then，afterawhile："Godiswithus，Gilbert。Albanistwicewoundedandhishorsefaileth。Onelittlewhilelongerandthevictoryisours！"
　　Alongerandmorecontinuousintervalofcombatfollowedthislastassurance，duringwhichMylesdrovetheassaultfiercelyandunrelentinglyasthoughtooverbearhisenemybytheverypowerandviolenceoftheblowshedelivered。TheEarldefendedhimselfdesperately，butwasborneback，back，back，fartherandfarther。
　　Everynerveofthosewholookedonwasstretchedtobreathlesstensity，when，almostashisenemywasagainstthebarriers，Mylespausedandrested。
　　"Outuponit！"exclaimedtheEarlofMackworth，almostshrillyinhisexcitement，asthesuddenlullfollowedthecrashingofblows。"Whydoththeboysparehim？Thatisthricehehathgivenhimgracetorecover；anhehadpushedthebattlethattimehehaddrivenhimbackagainstthebarriers。"
　　ItwasastheEarlhadsaid；Myleshadthreetimesgivenhisenemygracewhenvictorywasalmostinhisverygrasp。Hehadthreetimessparedhim，inspiteofallheandthosedeartohimmustsuffershouldhiscruelandmercilessenemygainthevictory。Itwasafalseandfoolishgenerosity，partlythefaultofhisimpulsiveyouth——morelargelyofhisromantictrainingintheartificialcodeofFrenchchivalry。Hefeltthatthebattlewashis，andsohegavehisenemythesethreechancestorecover，assomechevalierorknight—errantofromancemighthavedone，insteadofpushingthecombattoamercifullyspeedyend——andhisfoolishgenerositycosthimdear。
　　InthemomentarypausethathadthusstirredtheEarlofMackworthtoasuddenoutbreak，theEarlofAlbansatuponhispanting，sweatingwar—horse，facinghispowerfulyoungenemyatabouttwelvepacesdistant。Hesatasstillasarock，holdinghisgisarmpoisedinfrontofhim。Hehad，astheEarlofMackworthhadsaid，beenwoundedtwice，andeachtimewiththepointofthesword，somuchmoredangerousthanadirectcutwiththeweapon。Onewoundwasbeneathhisarmor，andnoonebutheknewhowseriousitmightbe；theotherwasundertheoverlappingoftheepauhere，andfromitafinger’s—breadthofbloodranstraightdownhissideandoverthehousingsofhishorse。Fromwithout，thestillmotionlessironfigureappearedcalmandexpressionless；within，whoknowswhatconsumingblastsofhate，rage，anddespairswepthisheartaswithafierywhirlwind。
　　AsMyleslookedatthemotionless，bleedingfigure，hisbreastswelledwithpity。"MyLord，"saidhe，"thouartsorewoundedandthefightisagainstthee；wiltthounotyieldthee？"
　　Noonebutthatotherheardthespeech，andnoonebutMylesheardtheanswerthatcameback，hollow，cavernous，"Never，thoudog！Never！"
　　Theninaninstant，asquickasaflash，hisenemyspurredstraightuponMyles，andashespurredhestruckalastdesperate，swingingblow，inwhichhethrewinonefinaleffortallthestrengthofhate，offury，andofdespair。Myleswhirledhishorsebackward，wardingtheblowwithhisshieldashedidso。Thebladeglancedfromthesmoothfaceoftheshield，and，whetherbymistakeornot，fellstraightandtrue，andwithalmostundiminishedforce，upontheneckofMyles’swar—horse，andjustbehindtheears。Theanimalstaggeredforward，andthenfelluponitsknees，andatthesameinstanttheother，asthoughbytheimpetusoftherush，dashedfulluponitwithallthemomentumlentbytheweightofironitcarried。Theshockwasirresistible，andthestunnedandwoundedhorsewasflungupontheground，rollingoverandover。Ashishorsefell，Myleswrenchedoneofhisfeetoutofthestirrup；theothercaughtforaninstant，andhewasflungheadlongwithstunningviolence，hisarmorcrashingashefell。Inthecloudofdustthatarosenoonecouldseejustwhathappened，butthatwhatwasdonewasdonedeliberatelynoonedoubted。Theearl，atoncecheckingandspurringhisfoamingcharger，drovetheiron—shodwar—horsedirectlyoverMyles’sprostratebody。Then，checkinghimfiercelywiththecurb，reinedhimback，thehoofsclashingandcrashing，overthefigurebeneath。SohehadriddenoverthefatheratYork，andsoherodeoverthesonatSmithfield。
　　Myles，ashelayprostrateandhalfstunnedbyhisfall，hadseenhisenemythusdrivinghisrearinghorsedownuponhim，butwasnotabletodefendhimself。Afallenknightinfullarmorwasutterlypowerlesstorisewithoutassistance；Myleslayhelplessintheclutchoftheveryironthatwashisdefence。Heclosedhiseyesinvoluntarily，andthenhorseandriderwereuponhim。
　　Therewasadeafening，sparklingcrash，aglimmeringfaintness，thenanothercrashasthehorsewasreinedfuriouslybackagain，andthenahummingstillness。
　　Inamoment，uponthescaffoldingallwasatumultofuproarandconfusion，shoutingandgesticulation；onlytheKingsatcalm，sullen，impassive。TheEarlwheeledhishorseandsatforamomentortwoasthoughtomakequitesurethatheknewtheKing’smind。Theblowthathadbeengivenwasfoul，unknightly，buttheKinggavenosigneitherofacquiescenceorrebuke；hehadwilledthatMyleswastodie。
　　ThentheEarlturnedagain，androdedeliberatelyuptohisprostrateenemy。
　　WhenMylesopenedhiseyesafterthatmomentofstunningsilence，itwastoseetheotherloomingabovehimonhiswar—horse，swinginghisgisarmforonelastmortalblow——pitiless，merciless。
　　ThesightofthatloomingperilbroughtbackMyles’swanderingsenseslikeaflashoflightning。Heflunguphisshield，andmettheblowevenasitdescended，turningitaside。Itonlyprotractedtheend。
　　OncemoretheEarlofAlbanraisedthegisarm，swingingittwicearoundhisheadbeforehestruck。Thistime，thoughtheshieldglancedit，theblowfellupontheshoulder—piece，bitingthroughthesteelplateandleathernjackbeneatheventothebone。ThenMylescoveredhisheadwithhisshieldasalastprotectingchanceforlife。
　　ForthethirdtimetheEarlswungthebladeflashing，andthenitfell，straightandtrue，uponthedefencelessbody，justbelowtheleftarm，bitingdeepthroughthearmorplates。Foraninstantthebladestuckfast，andthatinstantwasMyles’ssalvation。Undertheagonyoftheblowhegaveamuffledcry，andalmostinstinctivelygraspedtheshaftoftheweaponwithbothhands。HadtheEarlletgohisendoftheweapon，hewouldhavewonthebattleathisleisureandmosteasily；asitwas，hestruggledviolentlytowrenchthegisarmawayfromMyles。Inthatshort，fiercestruggleMyleswasdraggedtohisknees，andthen，stillholdingtheweaponwithonehand，heclutchedthetrappingsoftheEarl’shorsewiththeother。Thenextmomenthewasuponhisfeet。Theotherstruggledtothrusthimaway，butMyles，lettinggothegisarm，whichheheldwithhislefthand，clutchedhimtightlybythesword—beltintheintense，vise—likegripofdespair。InvaintheEarlstrovetobeathimloosewiththeshaftofthegisarm，invainhespurredandrearedhishorsetoshakehimoff；Mylesheldhimtight，inspiteofallhisstruggles。
　　Hefeltneitherthestreamingbloodnorthethrobbingagonyofhiswounds；everyfacultyofsoul，mind，body，everypoweroflife，wascenteredinoneintense，burningeffort。Heneitherfelt，thought，norreasoned，butclutching，withtheblindnessofinstinct，theheavy，spiked，iron—headedmacethathungattheEarl’ssaddle—bow，hegaveitonetremendouswrenchthatsnappedtheplaitedleathernthongsthathelditasthoughtheywereskeinsofthread。Then，grindinghisteethaswithaspasm，hestruckashehadneverstruckbefore——once，twice，thricefulluponthefrontofthehelmet。Crash！crash！Andthen，evenastheEarltoppledsidelong，crash！Andtheironplatessplitandcrackledunderthethirdblow。Myleshadoneflashingglimpseofanawfulface，andthenthesaddlewasempty。
　　Then，asheheldtighttothehorse，panting，dizzy，sicktodeath，hefeltthehotbloodgushingfromhisside，fillinghisbodyarmor，andstainingthegrounduponwhichhestood。Stillheheldtightlytothesaddle—bowofthefallenman’shorseuntil，throughhisglimmeringsight，hesawtheMarshal，theLieutenant，andtheattendantsgatheraroundhim。HeheardtheMarshalaskhim，inavoicethatsoundedfaintanddistant，ifhewasdangerouslywounded。Hedidnotanswer，andoneoftheattendants，leapingfromhishorse，openedtheumbrilofhishelmet，disclosingthedull，holloweyes，theashy，colorlesslips，andthewaxyforehead，uponwhichstoodgreatbeadsofsweat。
　　"Water！water！"hecried，hoarsely；"givemetodrink！"Then，quittinghisholduponthehorse，hestartedblindlyacrosstheliststowardsthegateofthebarrier。Ashadowthatchilledhisheartseemedtofalluponhim。"Itisdeath，"hemuttered；thenhestopped，thenswayedforaninstant，andthentoppledheadlong，crashingashefell。
　　CONCLUSION
　　ButMyleswasnotdead。Thosewhohadseenhisfacewhentheumbrilofthehelmetwasraised，andthensawhimfallashetotteredacrossthelists，hadatfirstthoughtso。Buthisfaintnesswasmorefromlossofbloodandthesuddenunstringingofnerveandsensefromtheintensefuriousstrainofthelastfewmomentsofbattlethanfromthevitalnatureofthewound。
　　Indeed，afterMyleshadbeencarriedoutofthelistsandlaiduponthegroundintheshadebetweenthebarriers，MasterThomas，thePrince’sbarber—surgeon，havingexaminedthewounds，declaredthathemightbeevencarriedonacoveredlittertoScotlandYardwithoutseriousdanger。ThePrincewasextremelydesirousofhavinghimunderhiscare，andsotheventurewastried。MyleswascarriedtoScotlandYard，andperhapswasnonetheworsetherefore。ThePrince，theEarlofMackworth，andtwoorthreeothersstoodsilentlywatchingastheworthyshaverandleecher，assistedbyhisapprenticeandGascoyne，washedandbathedthegreatgapingwoundintheside，andbounditwithlinenbandages。
　　Myleslaywithclosedeyelids，still，pallid，weakasalittlechild。Presentlyheopenedhiseyesandturnedthem，dullandlanguid，tothePrince。
　　"Whathathhappedmyfather，myLord？"saidhe，inafaint，whisperingvoice。
　　"Thouhathsavedhislifeandhonor，Myles，"thePrinceanswered。
　　"Heisherenow，andthymotherhathbeensentfor，andcomethanonwiththepriestwhowaswiththemthismorn。"
　　Mylesdroppedhiseyelidsagain；hislipsmoved，buthemadenosound，andthentwobrighttearstrickledacrosshiswhitecheek。
　　"Hemakethawomanofme，"thePrincemutteredthroughhisteeth，andthen，swingingonhisheel，hestoodforalongtimelookingoutofthewindowintothegardenbeneath。
　　"MayIseemyfather？"saidMyles，presently，withoutopeninghiseyes。
　　ThePrinceturnedaroundandlookedinquiringlyatthesurgeon。
　　Thegoodmanshookhishead。"Notto—day，"saidhe；"haplyto—morrowhemayseehimandhismother。Thebleedingisbutnewstanched，andsuchmattersasseeinghisfatherandmothermaymakethehearttoswell，andsomaybethewoundburstafreshandhedie。Anhewouldhopetolive，hemustrestquietuntilto—morrowday。"
　　ButthoughMyles’swoundwasnotmortal，itwasveryserious。Thefeverwhichfollowedlingeredlongerthancommon——perhapsbecauseofthehotweather——andthedaysstretchedtoweeks，andtheweekstomonths，andstillhelaythere，nursedbyhismotherandGascoyneandPriorEdward，andnowandagainbySirJamesLee。
　　Oneday，alittlebeforethegoodpriestreturnedtoSaintMary’sPriory，ashesatbyMyles’sbedside，hishandsfolded，andhissightturnedinward，theyoungmansuddenlysaid，"Tellme，holyfather，isitalwayswrongformantoslayman？"
　　ThegoodpriestsatsilentforsolongatimethatMylesbegantothinkhehadnotheardthequestion。Butby—and—byheanswered，almostwithasigh，"Itisahardquestion，myson，butImustintruthsay，meseemsitisnotalwayswrong。"
　　"Sir，"saidMyles，"Ihavebeeninbattlewhenmenwereslain，butneverdidIthinkthereonasIhaveuponthismatter。DidI
　　sininsoslayingmyfather’senemy？"
　　"Nay，"saidPriorEdward，quietly，"thoudidstnotsin。Itwasforothersthoudidstfight，myson，andforothersitispardonabletodobattle。Haditbeenthineownquarrel，itmighthaplyhavebeenmorehardtohaveansweredthee。"
　　Whocangainsay，eveninthesedaysoflight，thetruthofthisthatthegoodpriestsaidtothesickladsofarawayinthepast？
　　OnedaytheEarlofMackworthcametovisitMyles。Atthattimetheyoungknightwasmending，andwassittingproppedupwithpillows，andwaswrappedinSirJamesLee’scloak，forthedaywaschilly。Afteralittletimeoftalk，apauseofsilencefell。
　　"MyLord，"saidMyles，suddenly，"dostthourememberonepartofamatterwespokeofwhenIfirstcamefromFrance？"
　　TheEarlmadenopretenceofignorance。"Iremember，"saidhe，quietly，lookingstraightintotheyoungman’sthinwhiteface。
　　"AndhaveIyetwontherighttoaskfortheLadyAlicedeMowbraytowife？"saidMyles，theredrisingfaintlytohischeeks。
　　"Thouhastwonit，"saidtheEarl，withasmile。
　　Myles’seyesshoneandhislipstrembledwiththepangofsuddenjoyandtriumph，forhewasstillveryweak。"MyLord，"saidhe，presently"belikethoucamestheretoseemeforthisverymatter？"
　　TheEarlsmiledagainwithoutanswering，andMylesknewthathehadguessedaright。Hereachedoutoneofhisweak，pallidhandsfrombeneaththecloak。TheEarlofMackworthtookitwithafirmpressure，theninstantlyquittingitagain，rose，asifashamedofhisemotion，stampedhisfeet，asthoughinpretenceofbeingchilled，andthencrossedtheroomtowherethefirecrackledbrightlyinthegreatstonefireplace。
　　Littleelseremainstobetold；onlyafewloosestrandstotie，andthestoryiscomplete。
　　ThoughLordFalworthwassavedfromdeathattheblock，thoughhishonorwascleansedfromstain，hewasyetaspoorandneedyasever。TheKing，inspiteofallthepressurebroughttobearuponhim，refusedtorestoretheestatesofFalworthandEasterbridge——thelatterofwhichhadagainrevertedtothecrownuponthedeathoftheEarlofAlbanwithoutissue——uponthegroundsthattheyhadbeenforfeitednotbecauseoftheattaintoftreason，butbecauseofLordFalworthhavingrefusedtorespondtothecitationofthecourts。Sothebusinessdraggedalongformonthaftermonth，untilinJanuarytheKingdiedsuddenlyintheJerusalemChamberatWestminster。Thenmatterswentsmoothlyenough，andFalworthandMackworthswamupontheflood—tideoffortune。
　　SoMyleswasmarried，forhowelseshouldthestoryend？AndonedayhebroughthisbeautifulyoungwifehometoFalworthCastle，whichhisfatherhadgivenhimforhisown，andatthegatewayofwhichhewasmetbySirJamesLeeandbythenewly—knightedSirFrancisGascoyne。
　　Oneday，soonafterthishome—coming，ashestoodwithheratanopenwindowintowhichcameblowingthepleasantMay—timebreeze，hesuddenlysaid，"WhatdidstthouthinkofmewhenIfirstfellalmostintothylap，likeanapplefromheaven？"
　　"Ithoughtthouwertagreat，good—heartedboy，asIthinkthouartnow，"saidshe，twistinghisstrong，sinewyfingersinandout。
　　"Ifthouthoughtstmesothen，whataveryfoolImusthavelookedtotheewhenIsoclumsilybesoughttheeforthyfavorformyjoustingatDevlen。DidInotso？"
　　"Thoudidstlooktomethemostnoble，handsomeyoungknightthatdideverlive；thoudidstlooktomeSirGalahad，astheydidcallthee，withoutentaintorstain。"
　　Mylesdidnotevensmileinanswer，butlookedathiswifewithsuchalookthatsheblushedarosyred。Then，laughing，sheslippedfromhishold，andbeforehecouldcatchheragainwasgone。
　　Iamgladthathewastoberichandhappyandhonoredandbelovedafterallhishardandnoblefighting。