Miles reflected during some moments, then said to himself, “Yes, that is the thing to do — by any other means it were impossible to get at it — and certes, this hour’s experience has taught me ’twould be most wearing and inconvenient to continue it as it is.

Yes, I will propose it; ’twas a happy accident that I did not throw the chance away.” Then he dropped upon one knee and said —

“My poor service went not beyond the limit of a subject’s simple duty, and therefore hath no merit; but since your Majesty is pleased to hold it worthy some reward, I take heart of grace to make petition to this effect. Near four hundred years ago, as your grace knoweth, there being ill blood betwixt John, King of England, and the King of France, it