It occurs perhaps once or twice in one's lifetime that one passesthrough great happenings--sometimes of joy, sometimes of dreadfulbitterness--in just such a dazed state as Myles passed throughthis. It is only afterwards that all comes back to one so sharplyand keenly that the heart thrills almost in agony in living itover again. But perhaps of all the memory of that time, when itafterwards came back piece by piece, none was so clear to Myles'sback-turned vision as the long night spent in the chapel,watching his armor, thinking such wonderful thoughts, anddreaming such wonderful wide-eyed dreams. At such times Myles sawagain the dark mystery of the castle chapel; he saw again thehalf-moon gleaming white and silvery through the tall, narrowwindow, and throwing a broad form of still whiteness across stonefloor, empty seats, and still, motionless figures of stoneeffigies. At such times he stood again in front of the twinklingtapers that lit the altar where his armor lay piled in a heap,heard again the deep breathing of his companions of the watchsleeping in some empty stall, wrapped each in his cloak, and sawthe old chandler bestir himself, and rise and come forward tosnuff the candles. At such times he saw again the day growingclearer and clearer through the tall, glazed windows, saw itchange to a rosy pink, and then to a broad, ruddy glow that threwa halo of light around Father Thomas's bald head bowed in sleep,and lit up the banners and trophies hanging motionless againstthe stony face of the west wall; heard again the stirring of lifewithout and the sound of his companions arousing themselves; sawthem come forward, and heard them wish him joy that his longwatch was ended.
It was nearly noon when Myles was awakened from a fitful sleep byGascoyne bringing in his dinner, but, as might be supposed, hehad but little hunger, and ate sparingly. He had hardly ended hisfrugal meal before his two squires of honor came in, followed bya servant carrying the garments for the coming ceremony. Hesaluted them gravely, and then arising, washed his face and handsin a basin which Gascoyne held; then kneeled in prayer, theothers standing silent at a little distance. As he arose, LordGeorge 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 hastethat thou art able."Perhaps never had Devlen Castle seen a more brilliant and goodlycompany gathered in the great hall than that which came towitness King Henry create Myles Falworth a knight bachelor.
At the upper end of the hall was a raised dais, upon which stooda throne covered with crimson satin and embroidered with lionsand flower- deluces; it was the King's seat. He and his personalattendants had not yet come, but the rest of the company weregathered. The day being warm and sultry, the balcony was allaflutter with the feather fans of the ladies of the family andtheir attendants, who from this high place looked down upon thehall below. Up the centre of the hall was laid a carpet of arras,and the passage was protected by wooden railings. Upon the oneside were tiers of seats for the castle gentlefolks and theguests. Upon the other stood the burghers from the town, clad insober dun and russet, and yeomanry in green and brown. The wholeof the great vaulted hall was full of the dull hum of many peoplewaiting, and a ceaseless restlessness stirred the crowded throng.
But at last a whisper went around that the King was coming. Amomentary hush fell, and through it was heard the noisy clatterof horses' feet coming nearer and nearer, and then stoppingbefore the door. The sudden blare of trumpets broke through thehush; another pause, and then in through the great door-way ofthe hall came the royal procession.
