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black silk, and were thus distinguished. The first wore a blue cape. The
second had a scarlet St. George embroidered in front. The third, two
embroidered crimson crosses, in front and behind. The fourth had a
collar of black sable fur. All were uncovered, wore wigs, and carried
swords. Their faces were scarcely visible in the dim light, neither
could they see Gwynplaine's face.
The Usher of the Black Rod, raising his wand, said,--
"My Lord Fermain Clancharlie, Baron Clancharlie and Hunkerville, I, the
Usher of the Black Rod, first officer of the presence chamber, hand your
lordship over to Garter King-at-Arms."
The person clothed in velvet, quitting his place in the ranks, bowed to
the ground before Gwynplaine, and said,--
"My Lord Fermain Clancharlie, I am Garter, Principal King-at-Arms of
England. I am the officer appointed and installed by his grace the Duke
of Norfolk, hereditary Earl Marshal. I have sworn obedience to the king,
peers, and knights of the garter. The day of my installation, when the
Earl Marshal of England anointed me by pouring a goblet of wine on my
head, I solemnly promised to be attentive to the nobility; to avoid bad
company; to excuse, rather than accuse, gentlefolks; and to assist
widows and virgins. It is I who have the charge of arranging the funeral
ceremonies of peers, and the supervision of their armorial bearings. I
place myself at the orders of your lordship."
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