“Monseigneur, if it had not been for the virtue and the valour of your ancestors you would never have been Abbe of Ainay, for by their merits and not yours it was gained.  Your nephew is of the same noble race, and well-beloved of the King; it is absolutely necessary that you should help him....”  After more talk of this kind the Abbe at last consented, and took the two squires into his own room, where he opened a little cupboard, and from a purse which was inside he took out a hundred crowns and gave them to Bellabre, saying:  “I give you this to buy two horses for this brave man-at-arms, for he has not enough beard to handle money himself.  I will also write a line to Laurencin,[1] my tailor, to supply him with needful accoutrements.”  “You have done well, my lord,” said Bellabre, “and I assure you that every one will honour you for this.”  When the young gentlemen had their letter they took leave with many humble thanks, and returned at once to Lyons in their little boat, highly pleased with their success.

[Footnote 1:  The most important and wealthy merchant of Lyons.]

“We are in good luck,” said Bellabre, “and we must make the most of it.  Let us go at once to the merchant before your good uncle changes his mind, for he will soon remember that he has put no limit to your expenses, and he can have no idea what a proper outfit will cost.  You may be sure that you will never see any more of his money.”  So they took their boat on to the market-place, found the merchant at home, lost no time in telling of the good Abbe’s generosity, and encouraged Laurencin to exert himself to the utmost in the way of splendid suits of clothing and armour, to do honour to his patron’s gallant nephew, for there seemed to be no question of economy.  Bayard was measured and fitted with cloth of silver, velvet, and satin, and then went gaily home with his friend, both of them thinking it an excellent jest.

When the Abbe of Ainay bethought himself later of what he had done, and sent a messenger in haste to the tailor, he found that it was too late and that his bill would come to hundreds of crowns.  He was furious, and vowed that his nephew should never have another penny from him; but that did not mend matters, for the story got about, to the intense amusement of the King and his Court, and the rich old miser met with no sympathy.

The young men were fortunate enough to buy two excellent horses for much less than their value from a brave knight who had broken his leg, and not being able to figure in the contests himself, was willing to help so gallant a youth.

The time was drawing near for the great tournament, which would be a high festival for the town and was looked forward to with much eagerness and excitement.  The course on which the knights were to fight was surrounded and duly laid out with richly-painted posts.  At one side of this enclosed field, stands were put up and made very bright and gay with coloured hangings, carpets, embroidered banners, and escutcheons.  It was here that the royal and noble company would sit and watch the proceedings.