"And I give thee double joy. I have talked with
the King concerning thee this morning, and he hath consented to knight
thee--yea, to knight thee with all honors of the Bath--provided thou
wilt match thee against the Sieur de la Montaigne for the honor of
England and Mackworth. Just now the King lieth to sleep for a little
while after his dinner; have thyself in readiness when he cometh forth,
and I will have thee presented."
Then the Earl turned to Sir James Lee, and questioned him as to how the
bachelors were fitted with clothes. Myles listened, only half hearing
the words through the tumbling of his thoughts. He had dreamed in his
day-dreams that some time he might be knighted, but that time always
seemed very, very distant. To be knighted now, in his boyhood, by the
King, with the honors of the Bath, and under the patronage of the
Earl of Mackworth; to joust--to actually joust--with the Sieur de la
Montaigne, one of the most famous chevaliers of France! No wonder he
only half heard the words; half heard the Earl's questions concerning
his clothes and the discussion which followed; half heard Lord George
volunteer to array him in fitting garments from his own wardrobe.
"Thou mayst go now," said the Earl, at last turning to him. "But be thou
at George's apartments by two of the clock to be dressed fittingly for
the occasion."
Then Myles went out stupefied, dazed, bewildered.
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