what truth they rumour this, but it is like enough, for his Majesty hath the love of his people and a kingly mind; and what he purposes he makes shift to carry out, and that right speedily.  But be that as it may, there is no mistaking his royal summons to his Round Table, and I am hastening back across the water to be at Windsor on the appointed day; and if it will pleasure you twain to journey thither with me, I trow you will see things the like of which you have never dreamed before; and sure a better fashion of entering life could scarce be found than to follow one of the King’s knights to one of the fairest assemblies of chivalry that the world has ever locked upon.”

And indeed Gaston thought so too.  His breath was taken away by the prospect.  He was dazzled by the very thought of such a thing, and his words of eager thanks were spoken with the falterings of strong emotion.

The road had widened out here, and the travellers had got free of the forest.  Lights sparkled pleasantly in front of them, and Raymond had come up in time to hear the offer just made.  The eager delight of the two lads seemed to please the brave Sir James, who was not much more than a youth himself, as we should reckon things now, though four-and-twenty appeared a more advanced age then.

As the travellers at last found themselves within the precincts of a fairly comfortable hostelry, and the horsemen dismounted at the door and entered the inn, Sir James pushed the two lads into the lighted room before him, and looked them well over with a pair of searching but kindly blue eyes.  He was himself a fine man, of noble stature and princely hearing.  His face was pleasant, though it could be stern too on occasion, and the features were regular and good.  The boys had never seen such a kingly-looking man, and their hearts went out to him at once.  As for him, he looked from one bright face to the other, and nodded his head with a smile.

“Methinks you will make a pair of gallant squires,” he said.  “So long as it pleases you to remain in my service, you may call yourselves my men, and receive from my hands what my other servants do.”

CHAPTER IV.  THE MASTER OF THE HORSE.

What a wonderful experience it was for the twin brothers to find themselves for the first time in their lives upon the great ocean of which they had so many times heard!  As the little vessel, with her cargo of wine, plunged merrily through the white-crested waves, bearing her freight northward through the stormy Bay of Biscay to the white shores of Albion, the brothers loved to stand in the pointed prow of the brave little craft, feeling the salt spray dashing in their faces, and listening to the swirl of water round the ship’s sides as she raced merrily on her way.  Now indeed, were they well embarked upon a career of adventure and glory.  Were they not habited like the servants of an English knight —­ their swords by