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IV was entertained by the Earl of Mackworth。 The King was at that time
making a progress through certain of the midland counties； and with him
travelled the Comte de Vermoise。 The Count was the secret emissary of
the Dauphin's faction in France； at that time in the very bitterest intensity
of the struggle with the Duke of Burgundy； and had come to England
seeking aid for his master in his quarrel。
It was not the first time that royalty had visited Devlen。 Once； in Earl
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Robert's day； King Edward II had spent a week at the castle during the
period of the Scottish wars。 But at that time it was little else than a military
post； and was used by the King as such。 Now the Beaumonts were in the
very flower of their prosperity； and preparations were made for the coming
visit of royalty upon a scale of such magnificence and splendor as Earl
Robert； or perhaps even King Edward himself； had never dreamed。
For weeks the whole castle had been alive with folk hurrying hither
and thither； and with the daily and almost hourly coming of pack…horses；
laden with bales and boxes； from London。 From morning to night one
heard the ceaseless chip… chipping of the masons' hammers； and saw
carriers of stones and mortar ascending and descending the ladders of the
scaffolding that covered the face of the great North Hall。 Within； that part
of the building was alive with the scraping of the carpenters' saws； the
clattering of lumber； and the rapping and banging of hammers。
The North Hall had been assigned as the lodging place for the King
and his court； and St。 George's Hall （as the older building adjoining it was
called） had been set apart as the lodging of the Comte de Vermoise and the
knights and gentlemen attendant upon him。
The great North Hall had been very much altered and changed for the
accommodation of the King and his people； a beautiful gallery of carved
wood…work had been built within and across the south end of the room for
the use of the ladies who were to look down upon the ceremonies below。
Two additional windows had been cut through the wall and glazed； and
passage…ways had been opened connecting with the royal apartments
beyond。 In the bedchamber a bed of carved wood and silver had been built
into the wall； and had been draped with hangings of pale blue and silver；
and a magnificent screen of wrought…iron and carved wood had been
erected around the couch； rich and beautiful tapestries brought from Italy
and Flanders were hung upon the walls； cushions of velvets and silks
stuffed with down covered benches and chairs。 The floor of the hall was
spread with mats of rushes stained in various colors； woven into curious
patterns； and in the smaller rooms precious carpets of arras were laid on
the cold stones。
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All of the cadets of the House had been assembled； all of the
gentlemen in waiting； retainers and clients。 The castle seemed full to
overflowing； even the dormitory of the squires was used as a lodging place
for many of the lesser gentry。 So at last； in the midst of all this bustle of
preparation； came the day of days when the King was to arrive。 The day
before a courier had come bringing the news that he was lodging at
Donaster Abbey overnight； and would make progress the next day to
Devlen。
That morning； as Myles was marshalling the pages and squires； and；
with the list of names in his hand； was striving to evolve some order out of
the confusion； assigning the various individuals their special dutiesthese
to attend in the household； those to ride in the escortone of the gentlemen
of Lord George's household came with an order for him to come
immediately to the young nobleman's apartments。 Myles hastily turned
over his duties to Gascoyne and Wilkes； and then hurried after the
messenger。 He found Lord George in the antechamber； three gentlemen
squires arming him in a magnificent suit of ribbed Milan。
He greeted Myles with a nod and a smile as the lad entered。 〃Sirrah；〃
said he； 〃I have had a talk with Mackworth this morn concerning thee； and
have a mind to do thee an honor in my poor way。 How wouldst thou like
to ride to…day as my special squire of escort？〃
Myles flushed to the roots of his hair。 〃Oh； sir！〃 he cried； eagerly； 〃an I
be not too ungainly for thy purpose； no honor in all the world could be
such joy to me as that！〃
Lord George laughed。 〃A little matter pleases thee hugely；〃 said he；
〃but as to being ungainly； who so sayeth that of thee belieth thee； Myles；
thou art not ungainly； sirrah。 But that is not to the point。 I have chosen thee
for my equerry to… day； so make thou haste and don thine armor； and then
come hither again； and Hollingwood will fit thee with a wreathed bascinet
I have within； and a juppon embroidered with my arms and colors。〃
When Myles had made his bow and left his patron； he flew across the
quadrangle； and burst into the armory upon Gascoyne； whom he found
still lingering there； chatting with one or two of the older bachelors。
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〃What thinkest thou； Francis？〃 he cried； wild with excitement。 〃An
honor hath been done me this day I could never have hoped to enjoy。 Out
of all this household； Lord George hath chose me his equerry for the day
to ride to meet the King。 Come； hasten to help me to arm！ Art thou not
glad of this thing for my sake； Francis？〃
〃Aye； glad am I indeed！〃 cried Gascoyne； that generous friend； 〃rather
almost would I have this befall thee than myself！〃 And indeed he was
hardly less jubilant than Myles over the honor。
Five minutes later he was busy arming him in the little room at the end
of the dormitory which had been lately set apart for the use of the head
bachelor。 〃And to think；〃 he said； looking up as he kneeled； strapping the
thigh…plates to his friend's legs； 〃that he should have chosen thee before all
others of the fine knights and lords and gentlemen of quality that are
here！〃
〃Yea；〃 said Myles； 〃it passeth wonder。 I know not why he should so
single me out for such an honor。 It is strangely marvellous。〃
〃Nay；〃 said Gascoyne； 〃there is no marvel in it； and I know right well
why he chooseth thee。 It is because he sees； as we all see； that thou art the
stoutest and the best…skilled in arms； and most easy of carriage of any man
in all this place。〃
Myles laughed。 〃An thou make sport of me；〃 said he； 〃I'll rap thy head
with this dagger hilt。 Thou art a silly fellow； Francis； to talk so。 But tell me；
hast thou heard who rides with my Lord？〃
〃Yea； I heard Wilkes say anon that it was Sir James Lee。〃
〃I am right glad of that；〃 said Myles； 〃for then he will show me what
to do and how to bear myself。 It frights me to think what would hap should
I make some mistake in my awkwardness。 Methinks Lord George would
never have me with him more should I do amiss this day。〃
〃Never fear；〃 said Gascoyne； 〃thou wilt not do amiss。〃
And now； at last； the Earl； Lord George； and all their escort were ready；
then the orders were given to horse； the bugle sounded； and away they all
rode； with clashing of iron hoofs and ringing and jingling of armor； out
into the dewy freshness of the early morning； the slant yellow sun of
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autumn blazing and flaming upon polished helmets and shields； and
twinkling like sparks of fire upon spear points。 Myles's heart thrilled
within him for pure joy； and he swelled out his sturdy young breast with
great draughts of the sweet fresh air that came singing across the sunny
hill… tops。 Sir James Lee； who acted as the Earl's equerry for the day； rode
at a little distance； and there was an almost pathetic contrast between the
grim； steadfast