and then went gaily home with his friend, both of them thinking it an
excellent jest.

When the Abbé 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.

Meantime, by permission of the King, Messire Claude de Vauldray had caused
it to be published and declared throughout the city that he would hold the
"pas" against all comers, both on foot and on horseback, on the approaching
Monday.

A tournament was always a gorgeous and brilliant spectacle, but on this
occasion, being held by the King's desire and graced by his presence, it