"Thenyieldthee！"criedMyles，exultantly。
ThetriumphantshoutsoftheKnightsoftheRosestungBluntlikealash，andthebattlebeganagain。Perhapssomeoftheolderladswereofamindtointerfereatthispoint，certainlysomelookedveryserious，butbeforetheyinterposed，thefightwasended。
Blunt，grindinghisteeth，struckoneundercutathisopponent——thesameundercutthatMyleshadthattimestruckatSirJamesLeeattheknight’sbiddingwhenhefirstpractisedattheDevlenpels。MylesmettheblowasSirJameshadmettheblowthathehadgiven，andthenstruckinreturnasSirJameshadstruck——fullandtrue。ThebascinetthatBluntworeglancedtheblowpartly，butnotentirely。Mylesfelthisswordbitethroughthelightsteelcap，andBluntdroppedhisownbladeclatteringuponthefloor。Itwasalloverinaninstant，butinthatinstantwhathesawwasstampeduponMyles’smindwithanindelibleimprint。Hesawtheyoungmanstaggerbackward；hesawtheeyesrollupward；andaredstreakshootoutfromunderthecapandrundownacrossthecheek。
Bluntreeledhalfaround，andthenfellprostrateuponhisface；
andMylesstoodstaringathimwiththedeliriousturmoilofhisbattledissolvingrapidlyintoadumbfearatthatwhichhehaddone。
Onceagainhehadwonthevictory——butwhatavictory！"Ishedead？"hewhisperedtoGascoyne。
"Iknownot，"saidGascoyne，withaverypaleface。"Butcomeaway，Myles。"Andheledhisfriendoutoftheroom。
SomelittlewhilelateroneofthebachelorscametothedormitorywhereMyles，hiswoundssmartingandachingandthrobbing，laystretcheduponhiscot，andwithaveryseriousfacebadehimtogopresentlytoSirJames，whohadjustcomefromdinner，andwastheninhisoffice。
BythistimeMylesknewthathehadnotslainhisenemy，andhisheartwaslightinspiteofthecominginterview。TherewasnooneintheofficebutSirJamesandhimself，andMyles，withoutconcealinganything，told，pointbypoint，thewholetrouble。SirJamessatlookingsteadilyathimforawhileafterhehadended。
"Never，"saidhe，presently，"didIknowanyoneofyesquires，inallthetimethatIhavebeenhere，gethimselfintosomanybroilsasthou，MylesFalworth。Belikethousoughttotakethislad’slife。"
"Nay，"saidMyles，earnestly；"Godforbid！"
"Ne’theless，"saidSirJames，"thoufetchedhimamainshrewdblow；anditisbygoodhap，andnofaultofthine，thathewilllivetodomoremischiefyet。Thisisthysecondventureathim；
thethirdtime，haply，thouwiltendhimforgood。"Thensuddenlyassuminghisgrimmestandsternestmanner："Now，sirrah，doIputastoptothis，andnomoreshallyefightwithedgedtools。Gettheetothedormitory，andabidethereafullweekwithoutcomingforth。Michaelshallbringtheebreadandwatertwiceadayforthattime。Thatisallthefoodthoushalthave，andwewillseeifthatfarewillnotcoolthyhothumorswithal。"
Myleshadexpectedapunishmentsomuchmoreseverethanthatwhichwasthusmetedtohim，thatinthesuddenreliefhebrokeintoaconvulsivelaugh，andthen，withahastysweep，wipedabrimmingmoisturefromhiseyes。
SirJameslookedkeenlyathimforamoment。"Thouartwhitei’
theface，"saidhe。"Artthouwoundedverysorely？"
"Nay"saidMyles，"itisnotmuch；butIbesickinmystomach。"
"Aye，aye，"saidSirJames；"Iknowthatfeelingwell。Itisthusthatonealwaysfeelethincomingoutfromasorebattlewhenonehathsufferedwoundsandlostblood。Anthouwouldstkeepthyselfhale，keepthyselffromneedlessfighting。Nowgothoutothedormitory，and，asIsaid，comethounotforthagainforaweek。
Stay，sirrah！"headded；"IwillsendGeorgebarbertotheetolooktothysores。Greenwoundsarebestdrawnandsalvederetheygrowcold。"
IwonderwhatMyleswouldhavethoughthadheknownthatsosoonashehadlefttheoffice，SirJameshadgonestraighttotheEarlandrecountedthewholemattertohim，withadealofdrygusto，andthattheEarllistenedlaughing。
"Aye，"saidhe，whenSirJameshaddone，"theboyhathmettle，sure。Nevertheless，wemusttransplantthisfellowBlunttotheofficeofgentleman—in—waiting。Hemustbeoldenoughnow，andginhestayethinhispresentplace，eitherhewilldotheboyaharm，ortheboywilldohimaharm。"
SoBluntnevercameagaintotroublethesquires’quarters；andthereaftertheyoungstersrenderednomoreservicetotheelders。
Myles’sfirstgreatfightinlifewaswon。
CHAPTER17
Thesummerpassedaway，andthebleakfallcame。Myleshadlongsinceacceptedhispositionasonesetapartfromtheothersofhiskind，andhadresignedhimselftotheevidentfactthathewasnevertoserveinthehouseholdinwaitingupontheEarl。I
cannotsaythatitnevertroubledhim，butintimetherecameacompensationofwhichIshallhavepresentlytospeak。
Andthenhehadsomuchthemoretimetohimself。Theotherladsweresometimesoccupiedbytheirhouseholddutieswhensportswereafootinwhichtheywouldlikedtohavetakenpart。Myleswasalwaysfreetoenterintoanymatterofthekindafterhisdailyexercisehadbeenperformedatthepels，thebutts，orthetilting—court。
Buteventhoughhewasnevercalledtodoservicein"myLord’shouse，"hewasnotlongingainingasortofsecond—handknowledgeofallthefamily。MyLady，athin，sallow，fadeddame，notyetpastmiddleage，butlookingtenyearsolder。TheLadyAnne，thedaughterofthehouse；atall，thin，dark—eyed，dark—haired，handsomeyoungdameoftwentyortwenty—oneyearsofage，hawk—nosedlikeherfather，andsilent，proud，andhaughty，Mylesheardthesquiressay。LadyAlice，theEarlofMackworth’snieceandward，agreatheiressinherownright，astrikinglyprettyblack—eyedgirloffourteenorfifteen。
ThesecomposedtheEarl’spersonalfamily；butbesidesthemwasLordGeorgeBeaumont，hisEarl’sbrother，andhimMylessooncametoknowbetterthananyofthechiefpeopleofthecastleexceptingSirJamesLee。
ForsinceMyles’sgreatbattleinthearmory，LordGeorgehadtakenalaughingsortoflikingtothelad，encouraginghimattimestotalkofhisadventures，andofhishopesandaspirations。
PerhapstheEarl’syoungerbrother——whowashimselfsomewhatasoldieroffortune，havingfoughtinSpain，France，andGermany——feltacertainkinshipinspiritwiththeadventurousyoungsterwhohadhisunfriendedwaytomakeintheworld。
Howeverthatmighthavebeen，LordGeorgewasverykindandfriendlytothelad，andthewillingservicethatMylesrenderedhimreconciledhimnotalittletotheEarl’sobviousneglect。
BesidestheseofthemoreimmediatefamilyoftheEarlwereanumberofknights，ladies，andgentlemen，someofthemcadets，someofthemretainers，ofthehouseofBeaumont，fortheprincelynoblesofthosedayslivedinstatelittlelessroyalthanroyaltyitself。
MostoftheknightsandgentlemenMylessooncametoknowbysight，meetingtheminLordGeorge’sapartmentsinthesouthwingofthegreathouse，andsomeofthem，followingtheleadofLordGeorge，singledhimoutforfriendlynotice，givinghimanodorawordinpassing。
Everyseasonhasitspleasuresforboys，andtheconstantchangethattheybringisoneofthegreatestdelightsofboyhood’sdays。
Allofus，aswegrowolder，haveinourmemorypicturesofby—gonetimesthataresomehowmorethanusuallyvivid，thecolorsofsomenotblurringbytimeasothersdo。Oneofwhich，inremembering，alwaysfilledMyles’sheartinafter—yearswithanindefinablepleasure，wastherecollectionofstandingwithothersofhisfellowsquiresinthecrispbrownautumngrassofthepaddock，andshootingwiththelong—bowatwildfowl，which，whentheeastwindwasstraining，flewlowoverheadtopitchtothelakeintheforbiddenprecinctsofthedeerparkbeyondthebrowofthehill。Morethanonceabraceortwoofthesewildfowl，shotintheirsouthwardflightbytheladsandcookedbyfat，good—naturedMotherJoan，gracedtherudemess—tableofthesquiresinthelonghall，andeventhetoughestandfishiestdrake，sothefruitoftheirskill，hadasavorthat，somehoworother，thedaintiestfarelackedinafter—years。
Thenfallpassedandwintercame，bleak，cold，anddreary——notwinterasweknowitnowadays，withwarmfiresandbrightlightstomakethelongnightssweetandcheerfulwithcomfort，butwinterwithallitsgrimnessandsternness。Inthegreatcoldstone—walledcastlesofthosedaystheonlyfireandalmosttheonlylightwerethosefromthehugeblazinglogsthatroaredandcrackledinthegreatopenstonefireplace，aroundwhichthefolksgathered，shelteringtheirfacesasbesttheycouldfromthescorchingheat，andcloakingtheirshouldersfromthebitingcold，foratthefartherendoftheroom，wheregiantshadowsswayedandbowedanddancedhugeandblackagainstthehighwalls，thewhitefrostglistenedinthemoonlightonthestonepavements，andthebreathwentuplikesmoke。
Inthosedayswerenobookstoread，butatthebestonlyrudestoriesandjests，recitedbysomestrollingmummerorminstreltothelisteningcircle，gatheredaroundtheblazeandwelcomingthecoarse，grossjests，andcoarser，grossersongswithroarsofboisterouslaughter。
Yetbleakanddrearyaswasthewinterinthosedays，andcoldandbitingaswasthefrostinthecheerless，windyhallsandcorridorsofthecastle，itwasnotwithoutitsjoystotheyounglads；forthen，asnow，boyscouldfindpleasureeveninslushyweather，whenthesoddensnowisfitfornothingbuttomakesnowballsof。
Thricethatbitterwinterthemoatwasfrozenover，andthelads，makingthemselvesskatesofmarrow—bones，whichtheyboughtfromthehallcookatagroatapair，wentskimmingoverthesmoothsurface，red—checkedandshouting，whilethecrowsandthejackdawslookeddownatthemfromthetopofthebleakgraywalls。
ThenatYule—tide，whichwassomewhatofarudesemblancetotheMerryChristmasseasonofourday，agreatfeastwasheldinthehall，andallthecastlefolkwerefedinthepresenceoftheEarlandtheCountess。Oxenandsheepwereroastedwhole；hugesuetpuddings，madeofbarleymealsweetenedwithhoneyandstuffedwithplums，wereboiledingreatcaldronsintheopencourtyard；wholebarrelsofaleandmalmseywerebroached，andallthefolk，gentleandsimple，werebiddentothefeast。
Afterwardstheminstrelsdancedandplayedarudeplay，andintheeveningamiracleshowwasperformedonaraisedplatforminthenorthhall。
Foraweekafterwardsthecastlewasfedupontheremainsofthegoodthingsleftfromthatgreatfeast，untileveryonegrewtoloathefinevictuals，andlongedforhonestbeefandmustardagain。
Thenatlastinthatconstantchangethewinterwasgone，andeventheladswhohadenjoyeditspassingweregladwhenthewindsblewwarmoncemore，andthegrassshowedgreeninsunnyplaces，andtheleaderofthewild—fowlblewhishorn，astheywhointhefallhadflowntothesouthflew，arrow—like，northwardagain；whenthebudsswelledandtheleavesburstforthoncemore，andcrocusesandthendaffodilsgleamedinthegreengrass，likesparksandflamesofgold。
Withthespringcametheout—doorsportsoftheseason；amongothersthatofball——forboyswereboys，andplayedatballeveninthosefarawaydays——agamecalledtrap—ball。EvenyetinsomepartsofEnglanditisplayedjustasitwasinMylesFalworth’sday，andenjoyedjustasMylesandhisfriendsenjoyedit。
Sonowthatthesunwaswarmandtheweatherpleasantthegameoftrap—ballwasinfullswingeveryafternoon，theplay—groundbeinganopenspacebetweenthewallthatsurroundedthecastlegroundsandthatoftheprivygarden——thepleasanceinwhichtheladiesoftheEarl’sfamilytooktheaireveryday，anduponwhichtheirapartmentsopened。
Nowonefinebreezyafternoon，whentheladswereshoutingandplayingatthis，thentheirfavoritegame，Myleshimselfwasatthetrapbarehandedandbarearmed。Thewindwasblowingfrombehindhim，and，aidedperhapsbyit，hehadalreadystruckthreeoffourballsnearlythewholelengthofthecourt——anunusualdistance——andseveraloftheladshadgonebackalmostasfarasthewalloftheprivygardentocatchanyballthatmightchancetoflyasfarasthat。ThenoncemoreMylesstruck，throwingallhisstrengthintotheblow。Theballshotupintotheair，andwhenitfell，itwastodropwithintheprivygarden。
Theshoutsoftheyoungplayerswereinstantlystilled，andGascoyne，whostoodnearestMyles，thrusthishandsintohisbelt，givingalongshrillwhistle。
"Thistimethouhaststruckusallout，Myles，"saidhe。"Therebenomoreplayforusuntilwegetanotherball。"
TheoutfielderscameslowlytroopinginuntiltheyhadgatheredinalittlecirclearoundMyles。
"Icouldnothelpit，"saidMyles，inanswertotheirgrumbling。
"HowknewItheballwouldflysofar？ButifIha’losttheball，Icangetitagain。Iwillclimbthewallforit。"
"Thoushaltdonaughtofthekind，Myles，"saidGascoyne，hastily。"ThouartasmadasaMarchharetothinkofsuchaventure！Wouldstgetthyselfshotwithaboltbetwixttheribs，likepoorDicconCook？"
Ofallplacesaboutthecastletheprivygardenwasperhapsthemostsacred。Itwasasmallplotofground，onlyafewrodslongandwide，andwaskeptabsolutelyprivatefortheuseoftheCountessandherfamily。OnlyalittlewhilebeforeMyleshadfirstcometoDevlen，oneofthecook’smenhadbeenfoundclimbingthewall，whereuponthesoldierwhosawhimshothimwithhiscrossbow。Thepoorfellowdroppedfromthewallintothegarden，andwhentheyfoundhim，hestillheldabunchofflowersinhishand，whichhehadperhapsbeengatheringforhissweetheart。
HadMylesseenhimcarriedonalittertotheinfirmaryasGascoyneandsomeoftheothershaddone，hemighthavethoughttwicebeforeventuringtoentertheladies’privategarden。Asitwas，heonlyshookhisstubbornhead，andsaidagain，"Iwillclimbthewallandfetchit。"
Nowatthelowerextremityofthecourt，andabouttwelveorfifteenfeetdistantfromthegardenwall，theregrewapear—tree，someofthebranchesofwhichoverhungintothegardenbeyond。So，firstmakingsurethatnoonewaslookingthatway，andbiddingtheotherskeepasharplookout，Mylesshinnedupthistree，andchoosingoneofthethickerlimbs，climbedoutuponitforsomelittledistance。Thenloweringhisbody，hehungatarm’s—length，thebranchbendingwithhisweight，andslowlylethimselfdownhandunderhand，untilatlasthehungdirectlyoverthetopofthewall，andperhapsafootaboveit。Belowhimhecouldseetheleafytopofanarborcoveredwithathickgrowthofclematis，andevenashehungtherehenoticedthebroadsmoothwalks，thegrassyterraceinfrontoftheCountess’sapartmentsinthedistance，thequaintflower—beds，theyew—treestrimmedintooddshapes，andeventhedeafoldgardenerworkingbare—armedinthesunlightataflower—bedinthefarcornerbythetool—house。
Thetopofthewallwaspointedlikeahouseroof，andimmediatelybelowhimwascoveredbyathickgrowthofgreenmoss，anditflashedthroughhismindashehungtherethatmaybeitwouldofferaveryslipperyfootholdforonedroppinguponthesteepslopesofthetop。Butitwastoolatetodrawbacknow。
Bracinghimselfforamoment，heloosedhisholduponthelimbabove。Thebranchflewbackwitharush，andhedropped，strivingtograsptheslopinganglewithhisfeet。Instantlythetreacherousslipperymossslidawayfrombeneathhim；hemadeavainclutchatthewall，hisfingersslidingoverthecoldstones，then，withasharpexclamation，downhepitchedbodilyintothegardenbeneath！Athousandthoughtsflewthroughhisbrainlikeacloudofflies，andthenaleafygreennessseemedtostrikeupagainsthim。Asplinteringcrashsoundedinhisearsasthelatticetopofthearborbrokeunderhim，andwithonefinalclutchattheemptyairhefellheavilyuponthegroundbeneath。
Heheardashrillscreamthatseemedtofindaninstantecho；
evenashefellhehadavisionoffacesandbrightcolors，andwhenhesatup，dazedandbewildered，hefoundhimselffacetofacewiththeLadyAnne，thedaughterofthehouse，andhercousin，theLadyAlice，whoclutchingoneanothertightly，stoodstaringathimwithwidescaredeyes。
CHAPTER18
Foralittletimetherewasapauseofdeepsilence，duringwhichtheflutteringleavescamedriftingdownfromthebrokenarborabove。
ItwastheLadyAnnewhofirstspoke。"Whoartthou，andwhencecomestthou？"saidshe，tremulously。
ThenMylesgatheredhimselfupsheepishly。"MynameisMylesFalworth，"saidhe，"andIamoneofthesquiresofthebody。"
"Oh！aye！"saidtheLadyAlice，suddenly。"MethoughtIknewthyface。ArtthounottheyoungmanthatIhaveseeninLordGeorge’strain？"
"Yes，lady，"saidMyles，wrappingandtwiningapieceofthebrokenvineinandoutamonghisfingers。"LordGeorgehathoftenhadmeoflateabouthisperson。"
"Andwhatdostthoudohere，sirrah？"saidLadyAnne，angrily。
"Howdarestthoucomesointoourgarden？"
"ImeantnottocomeasIdid，"saidMyles，clumsily，andwithafacehotandred。"ButIslippedoverthetopofthewallandfellhastilyintothegarden。Truly，lady，Imeantyenoharmorfrightthereby。"
Helookedsodrollyabashedashestoodbeforethem，withhisclothestornandsoiledfromthefall，hisfacered，andhiseyesdowncast，allthewhileindustriouslytwistingthepieceofclematisinandaroundhisfingers，thatLadyAnne’shalf—frightenedangercouldnotlast。Sheandhercousinexchangedglances，andsmiledatoneanother。
"But，"saidsheatlast，tryingtodrawherprettybrowstogetherintoafrown，"tellme；whydidstthouseektoclimbthewall？"
"Icametoseekaball，"saidMyles，"whichIstruckoverhitherfromthecourtbeyond。"
"Andwouldstthoucomeintoourprivygardenfornobetterreasonthantofindaball？"saidtheyounglady。
"Nay，"saidMyles；"itwasnotsomuchtofindtheball，but，ingoodsooth，Ididtrulystrikeitharderthanneedbe，andso，ginIlosttheball，Icoulddonolessthancomeandfinditagain，elseoursportisdonefortheday。SoitwasIcamehither。"
Thetwoyoungladieshadbynowrecoveredfromtheirfright。TheLadyAnneslylynudgedhercousinwithherelbow，andtheyoungercouldnotsuppressahalf—nervouslaugh。Mylesheardit，andfelthisfacegrowhotterandredderthanever。
"Nay，"saidLadyAnne，"IdobelieveMasterGiles——"
"Mynamebe’stMyles，"correctedMyles。
"Verywell，then，MasterMyles，IsayIdobelievethatthoumeanestnoharmincominghither；ne’thelessitwasilloftheesotodo。Anmyfathershouldfindtheehere，hewouldhavetheeshrewdlypunishedforsuchtrespassing。Dostthounotknowthatnooneispermittedtoenterthisplace——no，notevenmyuncleGeorge？Onefellowwhocamehithertostealapplesoncehadhisearsshavenclosetohishead，andnotmorethanayearagooneofthecook’smenwhoclimbedthewallearlyonemorningwasshotbythewatchman。"
"Aye，"saidMyles，"Iknewofhimwhowasshot，anditdidgosomewhatagainstmystomachtoventure，knowingwhathadhappedtohim。Ne’theless，anIgatnottheball，howwerewetoplaymoreto—dayatthetrap？"
"Marry，thouartaboldfellow，Idobelieveme，"saidtheyounglady，"andsinthouhastcomeinthefaceofsuchperiltogetthyball，thoushaltnotgoawayempty。Whitherdidstthoustrikeit？"
"Overyonderbythecherry—tree，"saidMyles，jerkinghisheadinthatdirection。"AnImaygogetit，Iwilltroubleyenomore。"
Ashespokehemadeamotiontoleavethem。
"Stay！"saidtheLadyAnne，hastily；"remainwherethouart。Anthoucrosstheopen，someonemayhaplyseetheefromthehouse，andwillgivethealarm，andthouwiltbelost。Iwillgogetthyball。"
AndsosheleftMylesandhercousin，crossingthelittleplotsofgrassandskirtingtherosebushestothecherry—tree。
WhenMylesfoundhimselfalonewithLadyAlice，heknewnotwheretolookorwhattodo，buttwistedthepieceofclematiswhichhestillheldinandoutmoreindustriouslythanever。
LadyAlicewatchedhimwithdancingeyesforalittlewhile。
"Haplythouwiltspoilthatpoorvine，"saidsheby—and—by，breakingthesilenceandlaughing，thenturningsuddenlyseriousagain。"Didstthouhurtthyselfbythyfall？"
"Nay，"saidMyles，lookingup，"suchafallasthatwasnogreatmatter。ManyandmanyatimeIhavehadworse。"
"Hastthouso？"saidtheLadyAlice。"Thoudidstfrightmeparlously，andmycozlikewise。"
Myleshesitatedforamoment，andthenblurtedout，"ThereatI
grieve，fortheeIwouldnotfrightforalltheworld。"
Theyoungladylaughedandblushed。"Alltheworldisagreatmatter，"saidshe。
"Yea，"saidhe，"itisagreatmatter；butitisagreatermattertofrightthee，andsoIwouldnotdoitforthat，andmore。"
Theyoungladylaughedagain，butshedidnotsayanythingfurther，andaspaceofsilencefellsolongthatby—and—bysheforcedherselftosay，"Mycousinfindethnottheballpresently。"
"Nay，"saidMyles，briefly，andthenagainneitherspoke，untilby—and—bytheLadyAnnecame，bringingtheball。Mylesfeltagreatsenseofreliefatthatcoming，andyetwassomehowsorry。
Thenhetooktheball，andknewenoughtobowhisacknowledgmentinamannerneitherillnorawkward。
"Didstthouhurtthyself？"askedLadyAnne。
"Nay，"saidMyles，givinghimselfashake；"seestthounotIbewhole，limbandbone？Nay，Ihavehadshrewdlyworsefallsthanthat。OnceIfelloutofanoak—treedownbytheriveranduponaroot，andbethoughtmeIdidbreakaribormore。AndthenonetimewhenIwasaboyinCrosbey—Dale——thatwaswhereIlivedbeforeIcamehither——ldidcatchmeholdofthebladeofthewindmill，thinkingitwasmovingslowly，andthatIwouldhavearidei’th’air，andsowasliketohavehadafalltenthousandtimesworsethanthis。"
"Oh，tellusmoreofthat！"saidtheLadyAnne，eagerly。"Ididneverhearofsuchanadventureasthat。Come，coz，andsitdownhereuponthebench，andletushavehimtellusallofthathappening。"
Nowtheladsupontheothersideofthewallhadbeenwhistlingfurtivelyforsometime，notknowingwhetherMyleshadbrokenhisneckorhadcomeoffscot—freefromhisfall。"Iwouldlikerightwelltostaywithye，"saidhe，irresolutely，"andwouldgladlytellyethatandmoreanyewouldhavemetodoso；buthearyenotmyfriendscallmefrombeyond？MayhaptheythinkIbreakmyback，andarecallingtoseewhetherIbealiveorno。AnImightwhistlethemanswerandtossmethisballtothem，allwouldthenbewell，andtheywouldknowthatIwasnothurt，andso，haply，wouldgoaway。"
"Thenanswerthem，"saidtheLadyAnne，"andtellusofthatthingthouspokestofanon——howthoutookestarideuponthewindmill。Weyoungladiesdohearlittleofsuchmatters，notbeingallowedtotalkwithlads。Allthatwehearofperilsareofknightsandladiesandjousting，andsuchlike。Itwouldpleasureusrightwelltohavetheetellofthyadventures。"
SoMylestossedbacktheball，andwhistledinanswertohisfriends。
Thenhetoldthetwoyoungladiesnotonlyofhisadventureuponthewindmill，butalsoofotherboyishescapades，andtoldthemwell，withastraightforwardsmackandvigor，forheenjoyedadventureandlovedtotalkofit。Inalittlewhilehehadregainedhisease；hisshynessandawkwardnesslefthim，andnothingremainedbutthedelightfulfactthathewasreallyandactuallytalkingtotwoyoungladies，andthatwithjustasmucheaseandinfinitelymorepleasurethancouldbehadindiscoursewithhisfellow—squires。Butatlastitwastimeforhimtogo。
"Marry，"saidhe，withahalf—sigh，"methinksIdidneverha’sosweetandpleasantatimeinallmylifebefore。NeverdidIknowarealladytotalkwith，savingonlymymother，andIdotellyeplainmethinksIwouldrathertalkwithyethanwithanyheinChristendom——saving，perhaps，onlymyfriendGascoyne。IwouldI
mightcomehitheragain。"
Thehonestfranknessofhisspeechwasirresistible；thetwogirlsexchangedglancesandthenbeganlaughing。"Truly，"saidLadyAnne，who，aswassaidbefore，wassomethreeorfouryearsolderthanMyles，"thouartaboldladtoasksuchathing。Howwouldstthoucomehither？Wouldsttumblethroughourclematisarboragain，asthoudidstthisday？"
"Nay，"saidMyles，"Iwouldnotdothatagain，butifyewillbidmedoso，Iwillfindthemeanstocomehither。"
"Nay，"saidLadyAnne，"Idarenotbidtheedosuchafoolhardything。Nevertheless，ifthouhastthecouragetocome——"
"Yea，"saidMyles，eagerly，"Ihavethecourage。"
"Then，ifthouhastso，wewillbehereinthegardenonSaturdaynextatthishour。Iwouldlikerightwelltohearmoreofthyadventures。Butwhatdidstthousaywasthyname？Ihaveforgotitagain。"
"ItisMylesFalworth。"
"ThenweshallycleptheeSirMyles，forthouartasoothlyerrant—knight。Andstay！Everyknightmusthavealadytoserve。
HowwouldstthoulikemyCousinAlicehereforthytruelady？"
"Aye，"saidMyles，eagerly，"Iwouldlikeitrightwell。"Andthenheblushedfieryredathisboldness。
"Iwantnoerrant—knighttoserveme，"saidtheLadyAlice，blushing，inanswer。"Thoudostillteaseme，coz！Anthouartsofreeinchoosinghimaladytoserve，thoumaystchoosehimthyselfforthypains。"
"Nay，"saidtheLadyAnne，laughing；"Isaythoushaltbehistruelady，andheshallbethytrueknight。Whoknows？Perchancehemayserventheeinsomewondrousadventure，likeasChaucertellethof。Butnow，SirErrant—Knight，thoumusttakethyleaveofus，andImuste’enlettheeprivilyoutbythepostern—wicket。Andifthouwilttaketheriskupontheeandcomehitheragain，pritheebewaryinthatcoming，lestinventuringthouhavethineearsclippedinmostunknightlyfashion。"
Thatevening，asheandGascoynesattogetheronabenchunderthetreesinthegreatquadrangle，Mylestoldofhisadventureoftheafternoon，andhisfriendlistenedwithbreathlessinterest。
"But，Myles，"criedGascoyne，"didtheLadyAnneneveronceseemproudandunkind？"
"Nay，"saidMyles；"onlyatfirst，whenshechidmeforfallingthroughtheroofoftheirarbor。Andtothink，Francis！LadyAnneherselfbademeholdtheLadyAliceasmytruelady，andtoserveherinallknightliness！"ThenhetoldhisfriendthathewasgoingtotheprivygardenagainonthenextSaturday，andthattheLadyAnnehadgivenhimpermissionsotodo。
Gascoynegavealong，wonderingwhistle，andthensatquitestill，staringintothesky。By—and—byheturnedtohisfriendandsaid，"Igivetheemypledge，MylesFalworth，thatneverinallmylifedidIhearofanyonethathadsuchmarvellousstrangehappeningsbefallhimasthou。"
WhenevertheopportunityoccurredforsendingalettertoCrosbey—Holt，Myleswroteonetohismother；andonecanguesshowtheyweretreasuredbythegoodlady，andreadoverandoveragaintotheblindoldLordashesatstaringintodarknesswithhissightlesseyes。
Aboutthetimeofthisescapadehewrotealettertellingofthosedoings，wherein，afterspeakingofhismisadventureoffallingfromthewall，andofhisacquaintancewiththeyoungladies，hewentontospeakofthematterinwhichherepeatedhisvisits。TheletterwaswordedintheEnglishofthatday——thequaintandcrabbedlanguageinwhichChaucerwrote。Perhapsfewboyscouldreaditnowadays，so，modernizingitsomewhat，itranthus：
"AndnowtoletyeweetthatthingthatfollowedthathappeningthatmademeacquaintwiththeytwoyoungDamoiselles。Itakemetothesouthwallofthatgardenonedayfourandtwentygreatspikes，whichPeterSmithdidforgeformeandforwhichIpayhimfivepence，andthatallthemoneythatIhadleftofmyhalf—year’swage，andwotnotwhereImaygetmoreatthesepresent，withoutenIdobetakemetoSirJames，who，asIdidtellye，hathconsentedtoholdthosemoneysthatPriorEdwardgavemetillIneedthem。
"Nowthesesamespikes，Isay，Itakemethemdownbehindthecornerofthewall，andtheredravethembetwixtthestones，myverydearcomradeandtruefriendGascoyneholpingmetheretotodo。AndsocomeSaturday，Iclimbmeoverthewallandtotheroofofthetool—housebelow，seekingafittingopportunitywhenImightsodowithoutbeingintoogreatjeopardy。
"Yea；andwhoshouldbetherebuttheytwoladies，bidingmycoming，who，seeingme，madeasthoughtheyhadexpectedmenot，andgavemegreatestrebukeforadventuringsomoughtily。Yet，methinks，weretheyrightwellpleasuredthatIshouldsoaventure，whichindeedImightnototherwisedo，seeingasIhavetelledtothee，thatoneofthemismineowntrueladyfortoserven，andsowastheonlywaythatImightcometospeechwithher。"
SuchwasMyles’sownquaintwayoftellinghowheaccomplishedhisaimofvisitingtheforbiddengarden，andnodoubtthesmackofadventureandthesavorofdangerintheundertakingrecommendedhimnotalittletothefavoroftheyoungladies。
Afterthisfirstacquaintanceperhapsamonthpassed，duringwhichMyleshadclimbedthewallsomehalfadozentimes（fortheLadyAnnewouldnotpermitoftoofrequentvisits），andduringwhichthefirstacquaintanceofthethreeripenedrapidlytoanhonest，pleasantfriendship。MorethanonceMyles，wheninLordGeorge’strain，caughtacovertsmileorhalfnodfromoneorbothofthegirls，notalittledelightfulinitsverysecretfriendliness。
CHAPTER19
AswaSsaid，perhapsamonthpassed；thenMyles’svisitscametoanabrupttermination，andwithitended，inacertainsense，achapterofhislife。
OneSaturdayafternoonheclimbedthegardenwall，andskirtingbehindalongrowofrosebushesthatscreenedhimfromtheCountess’sterrace，cametoalittlesummer—housewherethetwoyoungladieshadappointedtomeethimthatday。
Apleasanthalf—hourorsowaspassed，andthenitwastimeforMylestogo。Helingeredforawhilebeforehetookhisfinalleave，leaningagainstthedoor—post，andlaughinglytellinghowheandsomeofhisbrothersquireshadmadeafigureofstrawdressedinmen’sclothes，andhadplayedatrickwithitonenightuponawatchmanagainstwhomtheyboreagrudge。
Theyoungladieswerelisteningwithlaughingfaces，whensuddenly，asMyleslooked，hesawthesmilevanishfromLadyAlice’seyesandawideterrortakeitsplace。Shegaveahalf—articulatecry，androseabruptlyfromthebenchuponwhichshewassitting。
Mylesturnedsharply，andthenhisveryheartseemedtostandstillwithinhim；forthere，standinginthebroadsunlightwithout，andglaringinuponthepartywithbalefuleyes，wastheEarlofMackworthhimself。
Howlongwasthebreathlesssilencethatfollowed，Mylescouldnevertell。HeknewthattheLadyAnnehadalsorisen，andthatsheandhercousinwerestandingasstillasstatues。PresentlytheEarlpointedtothehousewithhisstaff，andMylesnotedstupidlyhowittrembledinhishand。
"Yewenches，"saidheatlast，inahard，harshvoice——"yewenches，whatmeaneththis？Wouldyedeceivemeso，andholdparlancethussecretlywiththisfellow？Iwillsettlewithhimanon。Meantimegetyestraightwaytothehouseandtoyourrooms，andthereabideuntilIgiveyeleavetocomeforthagain。Go，I
say！"
"Father，"saidLadyAnne，inabreathlessvoice——shewasaswhiteasdeath，andmoistenedherlipswithhertonguebeforeshespoke——"father，thouwiltnotdoharmtothisyoungman。Sparehim，Idobeseechthee，fortrulyitwasIwhobadehimcomehither。Iknowthathewouldnothavecomebutatourbidding。"
TheEarlstampedhisfootuponthegravel。"Didyenothearme？"
saidhe，stillpointingtowardsthehousewithhistremblingstaff。"Ibadeyegotoyourrooms。Iwillsettlewiththisfellow，Isay，asIdeemfitting。"
"Father，"beganLadyAnneagain；buttheEarlmadesuchasavagegesturethatpoorLadyAliceutteredafaintshriek，andLadyAnnestoppedabruptly，trembling。Thensheturnedandpassedoutthefartherdoorofthesummerhouse，poorlittleLadyAlicefollowing，holdinghertightbytheskirts，andtremblingandshudderingasthoughwithafitoftheague。
TheEarlstoodlookinggrimlyafterthemfromunderhisshaggyeyebrows，untiltheypassedawaybehindtheyew—trees，appearedagainupontheterracebehind，enteredtheopendoorsofthewomen’shouse，andweregone。Mylesheardtheirfootstepsgrowingfainterandfainter，butheneverraisedhiseyes。Uponthegroundathisfeetwerefourpebbles，andhenoticedhowtheyalmostmadeasquare，andwoulddosoifhepushedoneofthemwithhistoe，andthenitseemedstrangetohimthatheshouldthinkofsuchalittlefoolishthingatthatdreadfultime。
HeknewthattheEarlwaslookinggloomilyathim，andthathisfacemustbeverypale。SuddenlyLordMackworthspoke。"Whathastthoutosay？"saidhe，harshly。
ThenMylesraisedhiseyes，andtheEarlsmiledgrimlyashelookedhisvictimover。"Ihavenaughttosay，"saidthelad，huskily。
"Didstthounothearwhatmydaughterspakebutnow？"saidtheEarl。"Shesaidthatthoucamenotofthyownfree—will；whatsaystthoutothat，sirrah——isittrue？"
Myleshesitatedforamomentortwo；histhroatwastightanddry。"Nay，"saidheatlast，"shebeliethherself。ItwasIwhofirstcameintothegarden。Ifellbychancefromthetreeyonder——Iwasseekingaball——thenIaskedthosetwoifImightnotcomehitheragain，andsohavedonesomeseveraltimesinall。Butasforher——nay；itwasnotatherbiddingthatIcame，butthroughmineownasking。"
TheEarlgavealittlegruntinhisthroat。"Andhowoftenhastthoubeenhere？"saidhe，presently。
Mylesthoughtamomentortwo。"Thismakeththeseventhtime，"
saidhe。
Anotherpauseofsilencefollowed，andMylesbegantopluckupsomeheartthatmaybeallwouldyetbewell。TheEarl’snextspeechdashedthathopeintoathousandfragments。"Wellthouknowest，"saidhe，"thatitisforbidforanytocomehere。Wellthouknowestthattwicehavemenbeenpunishedforthisthingthatthouhastdone，andyetthoucamestinspiteofall。Nowdostthouknowwhatthouwiltsuffer？"
Mylespickedwithnervousfingersatacrackintheoakenpostagainstwhichheleaned。"Mayhapthouwiltkillme，"saidheatlast，inadull，chokingvoice。
AgaintheEarlsmiledagrimsmile。"Nay，"saidhe，"Iwouldnotslaythee，forthouhastgentleblood。ButwhatsayestthoushouldIshearthineearsfromthinehead，orperchancehavetheescourgedinthegreatcourt？"
ThestingofthewordssentthebloodflyingbacktoMyles’sfaceagain，andhelookedquicklyup。"Nay，"saidhe，withaboldnessthatsurprisedhimself；"thoushaltdonosuchunlordlythinguponmeasthat。Ibethypeer，sir，inblood；andthoughthoumaystkillme，thouhastnorighttoshameme。"
LordMackworthbowedwithamockingcourtesy。"Marry！"saidhe。
"MethoughtitwasoneofmineownsaucypopinjaysquiresthatI
caughtsneakinghereandtalkingtothosetwofoolishyounglasses，andlo！itisayoungLord——ormayhapthouartayoungPrince——andcommandethmethatIshallnotdothisandIshallnotdothat。IcraveyourLordship’shonorablepardon，ifIhavesaidaughtthatmayhavegalledyou。"
ThefearMyleshadfeltwasnowbeginningtodissolveinrisingwrath。"Nay，"saidhe，stoutly，"IbenoLordandIbenoPrince，butIbeasgoodasthou。ForamInotthesonofthyonetimeverytruecomradeandthykinsman——towit，theLordFalworth，whom，asthouknowest，ispoorandbroken，andblind，andhelpless，andoutlawed，andbanned？Yet，"criedhe，grindinghisteeth，asthethoughtofitallrushedinuponhim，"Iwouldratherbeinhisplacethaninyours；forthoughheberuined，you——"
Hehadjustsenseenoughtostopthere。
TheEarl，grippinghisstaffbehindhisback，andwithhisheadalittlebent，waslookingkeenlyattheladfromunderhisshaggygraybrows。"Well，"saidhe，asMylesstopped，"thouhastgonetoofarnowtodrawback。Saythysaytotheend。Whywouldstthouratherbeinthyfather’ssteadthaninmine？"
Mylesdidnotanswer。
"Thoushaltfinishthyspeech，orelseshowthyselfacoward。
Thoughthyfatherisruined，thoudidstsayIam——what？"
Myleskeyedhimselfuptotheeffort，andthenblurtedout，"Thouartattaintedwithshame。"
Alongbreathlesssilencefollowed。
"MylesFalworth，"saidtheEarlatlast（andeveninthewhirlingofhiswitsMyleswonderedthathehadthenamesopat）——"MylesFalworth，ofallthebold，mad，hare—brainedfools，thouartthemostfoolish。Howdostthoudaresaysuchwordstome？Dostthounotknowthatthoumakestthycomingpunishmenttentimesmorebitterbysuchaspeech？"
"Aye！"criedMyles，desperately；"butwhatelsecouldIdo？AnI
didnotsaythewords，thoucallestmecoward，andcowardIamnot。"
"By’rLady！"saidtheEarl，"Idobelievethee。Thouartabold，impudentvarletaseverlived——tobeardmeso，forsooth！Hark’ee；
thousaystIthinknaughtofmineoldcomrade。Iwillshowtheethatthoudostbelieme。Iwillsufferwhatthouhastsaidtomeforhissake，andforhissakewillforgivetheethycominghither——whichIwouldnotdoinanothercasetoanyotherman。
Nowgettheegonestraightway，andcomehithernomore。Yonderisthepostern—gate；mayhapthouknowesttheway。Butstay！Howcamestthouhither？"
Mylestoldhimofthespikeshehaddriveninthewall，andtheEarllistened，strokinghisbeard。Whentheladhadended，hefixedasharplookuponhim。"Butthoudrovenotthosespikesalone，"saidhe；"whohelpedtheedoit？"
"ThatImaynottell，"saidMyles，firmly。
"Sobeit，"saidtheEarl。"Iwillnotasktheetotellhisname。
Nowgettheegone！Andasforthosespikes，thoumayste’enknockthemoutofthewall，sinthoudravethemin。Playnomorepranksanthouwouldstkeepthyskinwhole。Andnowgo，Isay！"
Mylesneedednofurtherbidding，butturnedandlefttheEarlwithoutanotherword。Ashewentoutthepostern—gatehelookedoverhisshoulder，andsawthetallfigure，initslongfur—trimmedgown，stillstandinginthemiddleofthepath，lookingafterhimfromundertheshaggyeyebrows。
Asheranacrossthequadrangle，hisheartstillflutteringinhisbreast，hemutteredtohimself，"Theoldgrizzle—beard；anI
hadnotfacedhimaboldfront，mayhaphewouldhaveputsuchshameuponmeashesaid。IwonderwhyhestoodsostaringaftermeasIleftthegarden。"
Thenforthetimethematterslippedfromhismind，savingonlythatpartthatsmackedofadventure。
CHAPTER20
SoforalittlewhileMyleswasdisposedtocongratulatehimselfuponhavingcomeoffsowellfromhisadventurewiththeEarl。
Butafteradayortwohadpassed，andhehadtimeforsecondthought，hebegantomisdoubtwhether，afterall，hemightnothavecarrieditwithabetterairifhehadshownmorechivalrousboldnessinthepresenceofhistruelady；whetheritwouldnothaveredoundedmoretohiscreditifhehadinsomewayassertedhisrightsastheyoungdame’sknight—errantanddefender。WasitnotignominioustoresignhisrightsandprivilegessoeasilyandtamelyatasignalfromtheEarl？
"For，insooth，"saidhetoGascoyne，asthetwotalkedthematterover，"shehath，inacertainway，acceptedmeforherknight，andyetIstoodmetherewithoutsayingsomuchasonesinglewordinherbehalf。"
"Nay，"saidGascoyne，"Iwouldnottroublemeonthatscore。
Methinksthatthoudidstcomeoffwondrouswelloutofthebusiness。IwouldnothavethoughtitpossiblethatmyLordcouldha’beensopatientwiththeeasheshowedhimself。Methinks，forsooth，hemustholdtheeprivilyinrighthighesteem。"
"Truly，"saidMyles，afteralittlepauseofmeditativesilence，"Iknownotofanyesteem，yetIdothinkhewaspassingpatientwithmeinthismatter。Butne’theless，Francis，thatchangethnotmystandinthecase。Yea，Ididshamefully，sotoresignmyladywithoutspeakingoneword；norwillIsoresignherevenyet。Ihavebethoughtmemuchofthismatteroflate，Francis，andnowIcometotheetohelpmefrommyevilcase。Iwouldhavetheeactthepartofatruefriendtome——likethatoneIhavetoldtheeofinthestoryoftheEmperorJustinian。Iwouldhavethee，whennextthouservestinthehouse，tosocontrivethatmyLadyAliceshallgetaletterwhichIshallpresentlywrite，andwhereinImaysetallthatiscrookedstraightagain。"
"Heavenforbid，"saidGascoyne，hastily，"thatIshouldbesuchafoolastoburnmyfingersindrawingthynutsfromthefire！
Deliverthyletterthyself，goodfellow！"
SospokeGascoyne，yetafterallheended，asheusuallydid，byyieldingtoMyles’ssuperiorwillandpersistence。Sotheletterwaswrittenandonedaythegood—naturedGascoynecarrieditwithhimtothehouse，andtheopportunityoffering，gaveittooneoftheyoungladiesattendantupontheCountess’sfamily——alasswithwhomhehadfriendlyintimacy——tobedeliveredtoLadyAlice。
ButifMylescongratulatedhimselfuponthesuccessofthisnewadventure，itwasnotforlong。Thatnight，asthecrowdofpagesandsquiresweremakingthemselvesreadyforbed，thecallcamethroughtheuproarfor"MylesFalworth！MylesFalworth！"
"HereIbe，"criedMyles，standinguponhiscot。"Whocallethme？"
ItwasthegroomoftheEarl’sbedchamber，andseeingMylesstandingthusraisedabovetheothers，hecamewalkingdownthelengthoftheroomtowardshim，thewontedhubbubgraduallysilencingasheadvancedandtheyoungstersturning，staring，andwondering。
"MyLordwouldspeakwiththee，MylesFalworth，"saidthegroom，whenhehadcomecloseenoughtowhereMylesstood。"Busktheeandmakeready；heisatliveryevennow。"
Thegroom’swordsfelluponMyleslikeablow。Hestoodforawhilestaringwide—eyed。"MyLordspeakwithme，saystthou！"heejaculatedatlast。
"Aye，"saidtheother，impatiently；"gettheereadyquickly。I
mustreturnanon。"
Myles’sheadwasinawhirlashehastilychangedhisclothesforabettersuit，Gascoynehelpinghim。WhatcouldtheEarlwantwithhimatthishour？Heknewinhisheartwhatitwas；theinterviewcouldconcernnothingbuttheletterthathehadsenttoLadyAlicethatday。Ashefollowedthegroomthroughthenowdarkandsilentcourts，andacrossthecornerofthegreatquadrangle，andsototheEarl’shouse，hetriedtobracehisfailingcouragetomeetthecominginterview。Nevertheless，hisheartbeattumultuouslyashefollowedtheotherdownthelongcorridor，litonlybyaflaringlinksetinawrought—ironbracket。Thenhisconductorliftedthearrasatthedoorofthebedchamber，whencecamethemurmuringsoundofmanyvoices，andholdingitaside，beckonedhimtoenter，andMylespassedwithin。
Atthefirst，hewasconsciousofnothingbutacrowdofpeople，andofthebrightnessofmanylightedcandles；thenhesawthathestoodinagreatairyroomspreadwithawovenmatofrushes。
Onthreesidesthewallswerehungwithtapestryrepresentinghuntingandbattlescenes，atthefartherend，wherethebedstood，thestonewallofthefourthsidewascoveredwithclothofblue，embroideredwithsilvergoshawks。Evennow，intheripespringtimeofMay，theroomwasstillchilly，andagreatfireroaredandcrackledinthehugegapingmouthofthestonefireplace。Notfarfromtheblazewereclusteredthegreaterpartofthosepresent，buzzingintalk，nowandthenswelledbymurmuringlaughter。SomeofthosewhoknewMylesnoddedtohim，andtwoorthreespoketohimashestoodwaiting，whilstthegroomwentforwardtospeaktotheEarl；thoughwhattheysaidandwhatheanswered，Myles，inhisbewildermentandtrepidation，hardlyknew。
Aswassaidbefore，theliverywasthelastmealoftheday，andwastakeninbed。Itwasasimplerepast——amanchette，orsmallloafofbreadofpurewhiteflour，aloafofhouseholdbread，sometimesalumpofcheese，andeitheragreatflagonofaleorofsweetwine，warmandspiced。TheEarlwassittinguprightinbed，dressedinafurreddressing—gown，andproppedupbytwocylindricalbolstersofcrimsonsatin。Uponthecoverlet，andspreadoverhisknees，wasalargewidenapkinoflinenfringedwithsilverthread，andonitrestedasilvertraycontainingthebreadandsomecheese。Twopagesandthreegentlemenwerewaitinguponhim，andMadNoll，thejester，stoodattheheadofthebed，nowandthenjinglinghisbawbleandpassingsomequaintjestuponthechanceofmakinghismastersmile。Uponatablenearbyweresomedozenorsowaxentapersstruckuponasmanyspikedcandlesticksofsilver—gilt，andilluminatingthatendoftheroomwiththeirbrighttwinklingflames。OneofthegentlemenwasintheactofservingtheEarlwithagobletofwine，pouredfromasilverewerbyoneofthesquires，asthegroomofthechambercameforwardandspoke。TheEarl，takingthegoblet，turnedhishead，andasMyleslooked，theireyesmet。ThentheEarlturnedawayagainandraisedthecuptohislips，whileMylesfelthisheartbeatmorerapidlythanever。
Butatlastthemealwasended，andtheEarlwashedhishandsandhismouthandhisbeardfromasilverbasinofscentedwaterheldbyanotheroneofthesquires。Then，leaningbackagainstthepillows，hebeckonedtoMyles。
InanswerMyleswalkedforwardthelengthoftheroom，consciousthatalleyeswerefixeduponhim。TheEarlsaidsomething，andthosewhostoodneardrewbackashecameforward。ThenMylesfoundhimselfstandingbesidethebed，lookingdownuponthequiltedcounterpane，feelingthattheotherwasgazingfixedlyathim。
"Isentforthee，"saidtheEarlatlast，stilllookingsteadilyathim，"becausethisafternooncamealettertomyhandwhichthouhadstwrittentomyniece，theLadyAlice。Ihaveithere，"
saidhe，thrustinghishandunderthebolster，"andhavejustnowfinishedreadingit。"Then，afteramoment’spause，whilstheopenedtheparchmentandscanneditagain，"Ifindnomatterofharminit，buthereafterwritenomoresuch。"Hespokeentirelywithoutanger，andMyleslookedupinwonder。"Here，takeit，"
saidtheEarl，foldingtheletterandtossingittoMyles，whoinstinctivelycaughtit，"andhenceforthtroublethoumyniecenomoreeitherbyletteroranyotherway。Ithoughthaplythouwouldstbeatsomesuchsaucytrick，andImadeAlicepromisetoletmeknowwhenithapped。Now，Isay，letthisbeanendofthematter。Dostthounotknowthoumaystinjureherbysuchwitlessfollyasthatofmeetingherprivily，andprivilywritingtoher？"
"Imeantnoharm，"saidMyles。
"Ibelievethee，"saidtheEarl。"Thatwilldonow；thoumaystgo。"
Myleshesitated。
"Whatwouldstthousay？"saidLordMackworth。
"Onlythis，"saidMyles，"anIhavethyleavesotodo，thattheLadyAlicehathchosenmetobeherknight，andso，whetherImayseeherorspeakwithherorno，thelawsofchivalrygiveme，whoamgentleborn，therighttoserveherasatrueknightmay。"
"Asatruefoolmay，"saidtheEarl，dryly。"Why，hownow，thouartnotaknightyet，noranythingbutarawlumpofaboy。Whatrightsdothelawsofchivalrygivethee，sirrah？Thouartafool！"
HadtheEarlbeeneversoangry，hiswordswouldhavebeenlessbittertoMylesthanhiscool，unmovedpatience；itmortifiedhisprideandgalledittothequick。
"Iknowthatthoudostholdmeincontempt，"hemumbled。
"Outuponthee！"saidtheEarl，testily。"Thoudostteasemebeyondpatience。Iholdtheeincontempt，forsooth！Why，lookthee，hadstthoubeenotherthanthouart，Iwouldhavehadtheewhippedoutofmyhouselongsince。ThinkestthouIwouldhavebornesopatientlywithanotheroneofyesquireshadsuchanoneheldsecretmeetingwithmydaughterandniece，andtampered，asthouhastdone，withmyhousehold，sendingthroughoneofmypeoplethatletter？Goto；thouartafool，MylesFalworth！"
MylesstoodstaringattheEarlwithoutmakinganefforttospeak。Thewordsthathehadheardsuddenlyflashed，asitwere，anewlightintohismind。Inthatflashhefullyrecognized，andforthefirsttime，thestrangeandwonderfulforbearancethegreatEarlhadshowntohim，apoorobscureboy。Whatdiditmean？WasLordMackworthhissecretfriend，afterall，asGascoynehadmorethanonceasserted？SoMylesstoodsilent，thinkingmanythings。
Meantimetheotherlaybackuponthecylindricalbolsters，lookingthoughtfullyathim。"Howoldartthou？"saidheatlast。
"SeventeenlastApril，"answeredMyles。