but he fled away, and the French king's cause was lost. King John restored De Courcy's titles and possessions, and said, 'Name thy wish and thou shalt have it, though it cost me half my kingdom;' whereat De Courcy, kneeling, as I do now, made answer, This, then, I ask, my liege; that I and my successors may have and hold the privilege of remaining covered in the presence of the kings of England, henceforth while the throne shall last.' The boon was granted, as your majesty knoweth ; and there hath been no time, these four hundred years, that that line has failed of an heir; and so, even unto this day, the head of that ancient house still weareth his hat or helm before the king's majesty, without let or hindrance, and this none other may do.* Invoking this precedent in aid of my prayer, I beseech the king to grant to me but this one grace and privilege to my more than sufficient reward—and none other, to wit: that I and my heirs, forever, may sit in the presence of the majesty of England!" "Rise, Sir Miles Hendon, knight," said the king, gravely giving the accolade with Hendon's sword -"rise, and seat thyself. Thy petition is granted. While England remains, and the crown continues, the privilege shall not lapse." His majesty walked apart, musing, and Hendon dropped into a chair at table, observing to himself, *The lords of Kingsale, descendants of De Courcy, still enjoy this curious privilege. 'Twas a brave thought, and hath wrought me a mighty deliverance; my legs are grievously wearied. An' I had not thought of that, I must have had to stand for weeks, till my poor lad's wits are cured.” After a little he went on, "And so I am become a knight of the Kingdom of Dreams and Shadows! A most odd and strange position, truly, for one so matter-of-fact as I. I will not laugh-no, God forbid, for this thing which is so substanceless to me is real to him. And to me, also, in one way, it is not a falsity, for it reflects with truth the sweet and generous spirit that is in him." After a pause: "Ah, what if he should call me by my fine title before folk! there'd be a merry contrast betwixt my glory and my raiment! But no matter; let him call me what he will, so it please him; I shall be content." - CHAPTER XIII. THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE PRINCE A HEAVY drowsiness presently fell upon the two comrades. The king said: "Remove these rags "- meaning his clothing. Hendon disappareled the boy without dissent or remark, tucked him up in bed, then glanced about the room, saying to himself, ruefully, "He hath taken my bed again, as before-marry, what shall I do?" The little king observed his perplexity, and dissipated it with a word. He said, sleepily: "Thou wilt sleep athwart the door, and guard it." In a moment more he was out of his troubles, in a deep slumber. "Dear heart, he should have been born a king!" muttered Hendon, admiringly; "he playeth the part to a marvel." Then he stretched himself across the door, on the floor, saying contentedly: "I have lodged worse for seven years; 'twould be but ill gratitude to Him above to find fault with this." He dropped asleep as the dawn appeared. Toward |