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instantly quitting it again； rose； as if ashamed of his emotion； stamped his
feet； as though in pretence of being chilled； and then crossed the room to
where the fire crackled brightly in the great stone fireplace。
Little else remains to be told； only a few loose strands to tie； and the
story is complete。
Though Lord Falworth was saved from death at the block； though his
honor was cleansed from stain； he was yet as poor and needy as ever。 The
King； in spite of all the pressure brought to bear upon him； refused to
restore the estates of Falworth and Easterbridgethe latter of which had
again reverted to the crown upon the death of the Earl of Alban without
issueupon the grounds that they had been forfeited not because of the
attaint of treason； but because of Lord Falworth having refused to respond
to the citation of the courts。 So the business dragged along for month after
month； until in January the King died suddenly in the Jerusalem Chamber
at Westminster。 Then matters went smoothly enough； and Falworth and
Mackworth swam upon the flood…tide of fortune。
So Myles was married； for how else should the story end？ And one
day he brought his beautiful young wife home to Falworth Castle； which
his father had given him for his own； and at the gateway of which he was
met by Sir James Lee and by the newly…knighted Sir Francis Gascoyne。
One day； soon after this home…coming； as he stood with her at an open
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MEN OF IRON
window into which came blowing the pleasant May…time breeze； he
suddenly said； 〃What didst thou think of me when I first fell almost into
thy lap； like an apple from heaven？〃
〃I thought thou wert a great； good…hearted boy； as I think thou art
now；〃 said she； twisting his strong； sinewy fingers in and out。
〃If thou thoughtst me so then； what a very fool I must have looked to
thee when I so clumsily besought thee for thy favor for my jousting at
Devlen。 Did I not so？〃
〃Thou didst look to me the most noble； handsome young knight that
did ever live； thou didst look to me Sir Galahad； as they did call thee；
withouten taint or stain。〃
Myles did not even smile in answer； but looked at his wife with such a
look that she blushed a rosy red。 Then； laughing； she slipped from his hold；
and before he could catch her again was gone。
I am glad that he was to be rich and happy and honored and beloved
after all his hard and noble fighting。
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