There are now and then times in the life of every one when newand strange things occur with such rapidity that one has hardlytime to catch one's breath between the happenings. It is asthough the old were crumbling away--breaking in pieces--to giveplace to the new that is soon to take its place.
So it was with Myles Falworth about this time. The very next dayafter this interview in the bed- chamber, word came to him thatSir James Lee wished to speak with him in the office. He foundthe lean, grizzled old knight alone, sitting at the heavy oakentable with a tankard of spiced ale at his elbow, and a dish ofwafers and some fragments of cheese on a pewter platter beforehim. He pointed to his clerk's seat--a joint stool somewhat likea camp-chair, but made of heavy oaken braces and with a seat ofhog-skin--and bade Myles be seated.
It was the first time that Myles had ever heard of such courtesybeing extended to one of the company of squires, and, muchwondering, he obeyed the invitation, or rather command, and tookthe seat.
The old knight sat regarding him for a while in silence, his oneeye, as bright and as steady as that of a hawk, looking keenlyfrom under the penthouse of its bushy brows, the while he slowlytwirled and twisted his bristling wiry mustaches, as was his wontwhen in meditation. At last he broke the silence. "How old artthou?" said he, abruptly.
"I be turned seventeen last April," Myles answered, as he had theevening before to Lord Mackworth.
"Humph!" said Sir James; "thou be'st big of bone and frame forthine age. I would that thy heart were more that of a manlikewise, and less that of a giddy, hare-brained boy, thinkingcontinually of naught but mischief."Again he fell silent, and Myles sat quite still, wondering if itwas on account of any special one of his latest escapades that hehad been summoned to the office--the breaking of the window inthe Long Hall by the stone he had flung at the rook, or theclimbing of the South Tower for the jackdaw's nest.
"Thou hast a friend," said Sir James, suddenly breaking into hisspeculations, "of such a kind that few in this world possess.
Almost ever since thou hast been here he hath been watching overthee. Canst thou guess of whom I speak?""Haply it is Lord George Beaumont," said Myles; "he hath alwaysbeen passing kind to me.
"Nay," said Sir James, "it is not of him that I speak, thoughmethinks he liketh thee well enow. Canst thou keep a secret,boy?" he asked, suddenly.
"Yea," answered Myles.
"And wilt thou do so in this case if I tell thee who it is thatis thy best friend here?""Yea."
"Then it is my Lord who is that friend--the Earl himself; but seethat thou breathe not a word of it."Myles sat staring at the old knight in utter and profoundamazement, and presently Sir James continued: "Yea, almost eversince thou hast come here my Lord hath kept oversight upon allthy doings, upon all thy mad pranks and thy quarrels and thyfights, thy goings out and comings in. What thinkest thou ofthat, Myles Falworth?"Again the old knight stopped and regarded the lad, who satsilent, finding no words to answer. He seemed to find a grimpleasure in the youngster's bewilderment and wonder. Then asudden thought came to Myles.
"Sir," said he, "did my Lord know that I went to the privy gardenas I did?""Nay," said Sir James; "of that he knew naught at first until thyfather bade thy mother write and tell him.""My father!" ejaculated Myles.
