their children from england,

all helped to swell the coffers of the burghers. now, with this

fresh influx of noblemen and cavaliers, food and lodging were

scarce to be had, and the prince was hurrying forward his forces

to dax in gascony to relieve the overcrowding of his capital.

in front of the minster and abbey of st. andrews was a large

square crowded with priests, soldiers, women, friars, and

burghers, who made it their common centre for sight-seeing and

gossip. amid the knot of noisy and gesticulating townsfolk, many

small parties of mounted knights and squires threaded their way

towards the prince's quarters, where the huge iron-clamped doors

were thrown back to show that he held audience within. two-score

archers stood about the gateway, and beat back from time to time

with their bow-staves the inquisitive and chattering crowd who

swarmed round the portal. two knights in full armor, with lances

raised and closed visors, sat their horses on either side, while

in the centre, with two pages to tend upon him, there stood a

noble-faced man in flowing purple gown, who pricked off upon a

sheet of parchment the style and title of each applicant,

marshalling them in their due order, and giving to each the place

and facility which his rank demanded. his long white beard and

searching eyes imparted to him an air of masterful dignity, which

was increased by his tabard-like vesture and the heraldic barret

cap with triple plume which bespoke his office.

"it is sir william de pakington, the prince's own herald and

scrivener," whispered sir nigel, as they pulled up amid the line

of knights who waited admission. "ill fares it with the man who

would venture to deceive him. he hath by rote the name of every

knight of france or of england; and all the tree of his family,

with his kinships, coat-armor, marriages, augmentations,

abatements, and i know not what beside. we may leave our horses

here with the varlets, and push forward with our squires."

following sir nigel's counsel, they pressed on upon foot until

they were close to the prince's secretary, who was in high debate

with a young and foppish knight, who was bent upon making his way

past him.

"mackworth!" said the king-at-arms. "it is in my mind, young

sir, that you have not been presented before."

"nay, it is but a day since i set foot in bordeaux, but i feared

lest the prince should think it strange that i had not waited

upon him."

"the prince hath other things to think upon," quoth sir william

de pakington; "but if you be a mackworth you must be a mackworth

of normanton, and indeed i see now that your coat is sable and

ermine."

"i am a mackworth of normanton," the other answered, with some

uneasiness of manner.

"then you must be sir stephen mackworth, for i 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 i am arthur, the second

son," said the youth.

"in sooth and in sooth!" cried the king-at-arms with scornful

eyes. "and pray, sir second son, where is the cadency mark which

should mark your rank. dare you to wear your brother's 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 william's 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 squires are doubtless worthy the

fame of their masters. down this passage, sir oliver! edricson!

ha! one of the old strain of hampshire edricsons, i doubt not.

and ford, they are of a south saxon stock, and of good repute.

there are norburys in cheshire and in wiltshire, and also, as i

have heard, upon the borders. so, my fair sirs, and i shall see

that you are shortly admitted."

he had finished his professional commentary by flinging open a

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 spacious, lighted

on one side by three arched and mullioned windows, while opposite

was a huge fireplace in which a pile of faggots was blazing

merrily. many of the company had crowded round the flames, for

the weather was bitterly cold; but the two knights seated

themselves upon a bancal, with their squires standing behind

them. looking down the room, alleyne marked