ain, was beside him. The Prince stood silently at the
door, until Myles, having told his last bead, rose and turned towards
him.

"My dear Lord," said the young knight, "I give you gramercy for the
great honor you do me in coming so early for to visit me."

"Nay, Myles, give me no thanks," said the Prince, frankly reaching him
his hand, which Myles took and set to his lips. "I lay bethinking me of
thee this morning, while yet in bed, and so, as I could not sleep any
more, I was moved to come hither to see thee."

Quite a number of the Prince's faction were at the breakfast at Scotland
Yard that morning; among others, the Earl of Mackworth. All were more or
less oppressed with anxiety, for nearly all of them had staked much upon
the coming battle. If Alban conquered, he would be more powerful to harm
them and to revenge himself upon them than ever, and Myles was a very
young champion upon whom to depend. Myles himself, perhaps, showed as
little anxiety as any; he certainly ate more heartily of his breakfast
that morning than many of the others.

After the meal was ended, the Prince rose. "The boat is ready at the
stairs," said he; "if thou wouldst go to the Tower to visit thy father,
Myles, before hearing mass, I and Cholmondeley and Vere and Poins will
go with thee, if ye, Lords and gentlemen, will grant me your pardon
for leaving you. Are there any others that thou wouldst have accompany
thee?"

"I would have Sir James Lee and my squire, Master Gascoyne, if thou art
so pleased to give them leave to go," answered Myles.

"So be it," said the Prince. "We will stop at Mackworth stairs for the
knight."

The barge landed at the west stairs of the Tower wharf, and the whole
party were received with more than usual civilities by the Governor, who
conducted them at once to the Tower where Lord Falworth was lodged. Lady
Falworth met them at the head of the stairs; her eyes were very red and
her face pale, and as Myles raised her hand and set a long kiss upon it,
her lips trembled, and she turned her face quickly away, pressing
her handkerchief for one moment to her eyes. Poor lady! What agony of
anxiety and dread did she not suffer for her boy's sake that day! Myles
had not hidden both from her and his father that he must either win or
die.

As Myles turned from his mother, Prior Edward came out from the inner
chamber, and was greeted warmly by him. The old priest had arrived in
London only the day before, having come