he King unlocked the spur chains from the sword-hilt, and
then, holding the gilt spurs in his hand for a moment, he looked Myles
straight in the eyes and smiled. Then he turned, and gave one of the
spurs to the Earl of Mackworth.

The Earl took it with a low bow, turned, and came slowly down the steps
to where Myles stood. Kneeling upon one knee, and placing Myles's foot
upon the other, Lord Mackworth set the spur in its place and latched the
chain over the instep. He drew the sign of the cross upon Myles's bended
knee, set the foot back upon the ground, rose with slow dignity, and
bowing to the King, drew a little to one side.

As soon as the Earl had fulfilled his office the King gave the second
spur to the Comte de Vermoise, who set it to Myles's other foot with the
same ceremony that the Earl had observed, withdrawing as he had done to
one side.

An instant pause of motionless silence followed, and then the King
slowly arose, and began deliberately to unwind the belt from around the
scabbard of the sword he held. As soon as he stood, the Earl and the
Count advanced, and taking Myles by either hand, led him forward and up
the steps of the dais to the platform above. As they drew a little to
one side, the King stooped and buckled the sword-belt around Myles's
waist, then, rising again, lifted his hand and struck him upon the
shoulder, crying, in a loud voice.

"Be thou a good knight!"

Instantly a loud sound of applause and the clapping of hands filled the
whole hall, in the midst of which the King laid both hands upon Myles's
shoulders and kissed him upon the right cheek. So the ceremony ended;
Myles was no longer Myles Falworth, but Sir Myles Falworth, Knight by
Order of the Bath and by grace of the King!

CHAPTER 25

It was the custom to conclude the ceremonies of the bestowal of
knighthood by a grand feast given in honor of the newly-created knight.
But in Myles's instance the feast was dispensed with. The Earl of
Mackworth had planned that Myles might be created a Knight of the Bath
with all possible pomp and ceremony; that his personality might be
most favorably impressed upon the King; that he might be so honorably
knighted as to make him the peer of any who wore spurs in all England;
and, finally, that he might celebrate his new honors by jousting with
some knight of high fame and approved valor. All these desiderata chance
had fulfilled in the visit of the King to Devlen.

As the Earl had said t