By this time Myles knew that he had not slain his enemy, and his heart
was light in spite of the coming interview. There was no one in
the office but Sir James and himself, and Myles, without concealing
anything, told, point by point, the whole trouble. Sir James sat looking
steadily at him for a while after he had ended.

"Never," said he, presently, "did I know any one of ye squires, in all
the time that I have been here, get himself into so many broils as thou,
Myles Falworth. Belike thou sought to take this lad's life."

"Nay," said Myles, earnestly; "God forbid!"

"Ne'theless," said Sir James, "thou fetched him a main shrewd blow; and
it is by good hap, and no fault of thine, that he will live to do more
mischief yet. This is thy second venture at him; the third time, haply,
thou wilt end him for good." Then suddenly assuming his grimmest and
sternest manner: "Now, sirrah, do I put a stop to this, and no more
shall ye fight with edged tools. Get thee to the dormitory, and abide
there a full week without coming forth. Michael shall bring thee bread
and water twice a day for that time. That is all the food thou shalt
have, and we will see if that fare will not cool thy hot humors withal."

Myles had expected a punishment so much more severe than that which was
thus meted to him, that in the sudden relief he broke into a convulsive
laugh, and then, with a hasty sweep, wiped a brimming moisture from his
eyes.

Sir James looked keenly at him for a moment. "Thou art white i' the
face," said he. "Art thou wounded very sorely?"