but my over-girth and breast-strap burst, and my saddle
slipped. I was not unhorsed, I say, and I lay claim that I unhelmed
him."

"Sir," said the Marshal calmly, and speaking in French, "surely thou
knowest that the loss of helmet does not decide an encounter. I need not
remind thee, my Lord, that it was so awarded by John of Gaunt, Duke of
Lancaster, when in the jousting match between Reynand de Roye and John
de Holland, the Sieur Reynand left every point of his helm loosened, so
that the helm was beaten off at each stroke. If he then was justified in
doing so of his own choice, and wilfully suffering to be unhelmed, how
then can this knight be accused of evil who suffered it by chance?"

"Nevertheless," said the Sieur de la Montaigne, in the same hoarse,
breathless voice, "I do affirm, and will make my affirmation good
with my body, that I fell only by the breaking of my girth. Who says
otherwise lies!"

"It is the truth he speaketh," said Myles. "I myself saw the stitches
were some little what burst, and warned him thereof before we ran this
course.

"Sir," said the Marshal to the Sieur de la Montaigne, "how can you now
complain of that thing which your own enemy advised you of and warned
you against? Was it not right knightly for him so to do?"

The Sieur de la Montaigne stood quite still for a little while, leaning
on the shoulder of his chief squire, looking moodily upon the ground;
then, without making answer, he turned, and walked slowly away to his
pavilion, still leaning on his squire's shoulder, whilst the other
attendant followed behind, bearing his shield and helmet.

Gascoyne had picked up Myles's fallen helmet as the Sieur de la
Montaigne moved away, and Lord George and Sir James Lee came walking
across the lists to where Myles still sat. Then, the one taking his
horse by the bridle-rein, and the other walking beside the saddle, they
led him before the raised dais where the King sat.

Even the Comte de Vermoise, mortified and amazed as he must have been
at the overthrow of his best knight, joined in the praise and
congratulation that poured upon the young conqueror. Myles, his heart
swelling with a passion of triumphant delight, looked up and met the
gaze of Lady Alice fixed intently upon him. A red spot of excitement
still burned in either cheek, and it flamed to a rosier red as he bowed
his head to her before turning away.

Gascoyne had just removed Myles's breastplate and gorget, when Sir Jam