ItwasnearlynoonwhenMyleswasawakenedfromafitfulsleepbyGascoynebringinginhisdinner，but，asmightbesupposed，hehadbutlittlehunger，andatesparingly。Hehadhardlyendedhisfrugalmealbeforehistwosquiresofhonorcamein，followedbyaservantcarryingthegarmentsforthecomingceremony。Hesalutedthemgravely，andthenarising，washedhisfaceandhandsinabasinwhichGascoyneheld；thenkneeledinprayer，theothersstandingsilentatalittledistance。Ashearose，LordGeorgecameforward。
\"TheKingandthecompanycomepresentlytotheGreatHall，Myles，\"saidhe；\"itisneedfulfortheetomakeallthehastethatthouartable。\"
PerhapsneverhadDevlenCastleseenamorebrilliantandgoodlycompanygatheredinthegreathallthanthatwhichcametowitnessKingHenrycreateMylesFalworthaknightbachelor。
Attheupperendofthehallwasaraiseddais，uponwhichstoodathronecoveredwithcrimsonsatinandembroideredwithlionsandflower—deluces；itwastheKing’sseat。Heandhispersonalattendantshadnotyetcome，buttherestofthecompanyweregathered。Thedaybeingwarmandsultry，thebalconywasallaflutterwiththefeatherfansoftheladiesofthefamilyandtheirattendants，whofromthishighplacelookeddownuponthehallbelow。Upthecentreofthehallwaslaidacarpetofarras，andthepassagewasprotectedbywoodenrailings。Upontheonesideweretiersofseatsforthecastlegentlefolksandtheguests。Upontheotherstoodtheburghersfromthetown，cladinsoberdunandrusset，andyeomanryingreenandbrown。Thewholeofthegreatvaultedhallwasfullofthedullhumofmanypeoplewaiting，andaceaselessrestlessnessstirredthecrowdedthrong。
ButatlastawhisperwentaroundthattheKingwascoming。A