Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-25

the princes quarters, where the huge IRON
clamped doors were thrown back to show
that he held audience within. Twoscore
archers stood about the gateway, and beat
back from time to time with their bow
<aves the inQuisittve and chattering crowd
VINO swarmed round the portal. Two
and closed visors. sat their horses on either
side. while in the center. with two pages
to tend upon him, there stood nobie.faced
man in flowing purple gown, who pricked
OF upon a sheet of parchment the style
and title OF each applicant. marshaling
them In their due order. and giving to each
the place and facility which his rank de-
manded. His long white beard and search
terful dignity. which was increased by his
tabard-like vesture and the heraldic bar
his office.
cit is Sir william de Pakington, the
princes own herald and scrivener.' whis-
pered Sir Nigel. as they pulled up amid the
line of knights who waited admission. III
fares 1t with the man who would venture
to deceive him. He hath by rote the namo
Of every knight OF France or of England,
and all the tree Of his family with his
kinships. coat-armor. marriages. augmenta-
tons, attachments, and I know not what
beside. We may leave our horses here
with the varlets, and push forward with
our squres."
Following Sir Nigers counsel, they press
ed on upon foot until they were close to tho
princes secretary, who was In high debate
with a young and foppish knight. who
was bent upon making his way past him.
"Mackworth!" said tina king-at-arms.
1T is in my mind. young sir, that you have
not been presented before"
MAY, 1t Is but day since I set foot IN
Bordeaux. but I feared lest the prince
should think it strange that I had not
waited upon him"
1.-THE prince hath other things to think
upon" quoth Sir William de Pakington:
mn va He q pCk
Mackworth OF Normanton, and indeed I
see now that your coat. Is sable and
ermiae''
Fl am a Mackworth Of Normonton,' the
other answered, with some uneasiness OF
manner.
Then you must be Sir Stephen Mack
worth. for learn that when old Sir Guy
died he came in for the arms and the name.
the war-cry and the profit"
''Sir Stephen is my elder brother. and /
am Arthur, the second son." said the
youth.
'1n sooth and In sooth!' cried the king
alarms. with scornful eyes. And pray.
Sir Second Son. where is the cadency mark
which should mark your rank? Dare you
to wear your brothers coat without the
crescent which should stamp you as his
cadet Away to your lodgings, and come
not nigh the prince until the armorer hath
placed the true charge upon your shield
As the youth withdrew in confusion, Sir
Williams keen eye singled out the five red
roses from amid the overlapping shields
and cloud Of pennons which faced him.
"Ha!' he cried, there are charges here
which are above counterfeit. The roses Of
Loring and the boar's head Of Buttesthorn
may stand back in peace. but. by my
faith! they are not to be held back in war
Welcome. Sir Oliver, Sir Nigel! Chandos
will be glad to his very heart roots when
he sees you. This way, my fair sirs. Your
squlres are doubtless worthy the frame Of
their masters. Down this passage, Sir
Edrtoq0nf
Of Hampshire Edricsons. doubt not. And
Ford, they are of south Saxon stock.
and of good repute. There are North
burys in Cheshire and in Wiltshire, and
So, my fair sirs, and I shall see that you
are shortly admitted
He had finished his professional COM
mentary by finging open folding door.
and ushering the party into a broad hall,
which was filled with a great number Of
people who were waiting, like themselves,
for an audience. The room was very spa
cious, lighted on one side by three arched
and mullioned windows, while opposite
was huge fireplace in which a pile of
fagots was blazing merrily. Many of the
company had crowded around the flames,
for the weather was bitterly cold; but the
two knights seated themselves upon
bancal, with their squires standing behind
them. Looking down the room, Alleyne
marked that both floor and ceiling were OF
the richest oak. the latter spanned by
at either end by the lilies and the lions of
the royal arms. On the further side was a
small door, on each side Of which stood
men-at-arms. From time to time an elder
ly man In black, with rounded shoulders
and long white wand in his hand came
softly forth from this inner room, and back
oned to one or other of the COMPANY who
doffed cap and followed him.
The two knights were deep in talk, when
Aneyne became aware Of a remarkable in
dividual who was walking round the room
In their direction AS he passed each knot
OF cavaliers every head turned to look after
him, and 1t was evident. from the bows
and respectful salutations on all sides
that the interest which he excited was NOT
due merely to his strange personal appear
ance. He was tall and straight as a lance
thougn or great age, for his hair. which
curled from under his velvet can of main
tenance, was as white as the new-falIen
snow. Yet, from the swing of his stride
and the spring of his step II was cIaar
that ne mad not yet lost the fire and actiy-
lty OF MS youth. His fierce hawk-like face
was clean shaven, like that of a priest, save
LOT long, thin wisp of white mus
tache which dropped down half wav
10 mis- shoulder. That he had been
h mans might be easily judged from his
hish acquliine nose and clear-cut chin: but
MS features had been so distorted bx, tbe
seams and scars of old wounds. and nv
the loss of one eye. which had been form
from me socket: that there was little left
who had been fifty years ago the fairest
as well as the boldest of the English chiv-
airy Yet what knight was there in that
hall OF st. Andrews that would not have
gladly laid down youth. beauty and all that
he possessed to win the fame of this man
For who could be named with Chandos the
stainless knigh., the wise councillor. the
valiant warrior. the hero OF Crecy, of Win
chelsea, Of Poictiers. of Auray, and Of as
many other battles as there were years
Of life?
"Ha. my little heart of gold!" he cried
darting forward suddenly and throwing his
arms round Sir Nigel. II heard that you
were here, and have been seeking you
My fair and dear lord" said the knight
returning the warriors embrace, II have
indeed come back to you. for where else
shall go that may learn to be gentle
and hardy knight?'
by my troth!' said Chandos, with
smile. 1T is very fitting that we should
be companions. Nigel. for since you have
tied up one Of your eyes. and I have had
the mischance to lose one Of mine we
have but pair between us. All. Sir Oliver!
you were on the blind side Of me- and I
saw you not A wise woman hath made
prophecy that this blind side will one day
be the death of me. We shall go in to
the prince anon; but In truth he hath much
upon his hands, for what with Pedro, and
the King of Majorca. and the King Of Ma