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MEN OF IRON
the house of Beaumont。
As for the two young ladies； he often saw them； and sometimes； even
in the presence of the Earl； exchanged a few words with them； and Lord
Mackworth neither forbade it nor seemed to notice it。
Towards the Lady Anne he felt the steady friendly regard of a lad for a
girl older than himself； towards the Lady Alice； now budding into ripe
young womanhood； there lay deep in his heart the resolve to be some day
her true knight in earnest as he had been her knight in pretence in that time
of boyhood when he had so perilously climbed into the privy garden。
In body and form he was now a man； and in thought and heart was
quickly ripening to manhood； for； as was said before； men matured
quickly in those days。 He was a right comely youth； for the promise of his
boyish body had been fulfilled in a tall； powerful； well…knit frame。 His
face was still round and boyish； but on cheek and chin and lip was the curl
of adolescent beard soft； yellow； and silky。 His eyes were as blue as steel；
and quick and sharp in glance as those of a hawk； and as he walked； his
arms swung from his broad； square shoulders； and his body swayed with
pent…up strength ready for action at any moment。
If little Lady Alice； hearing much talk of his doings and of his promise
in these latter times； thought of him now and then it is a matter not
altogether to be wondered at。
Such were the changes that three years had wrought。 And from now
the story of his manhood really begins。
Perhaps in all the history of Devlen Castle； even at this； the high tide
of pride and greatness of the house of Beaumont； the most notable time
was in the early autumn of the year 1411； when for five days King Henry
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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MEN OF IRON
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