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beneath the royal escutcheon which was placed between the two windows,
stood two old men, in red velvet robes, with two rows of ermine trimmed
with gold lace on their shoulders, and wearing wigs, and hats with
white plumes. Through the openings of their robes might be detected silk
garments and sword hilts. Motionless behind them stood a man dressed in
black silk, holding on high a great mace of gold surmounted by a crowned
lion. It was the Mace-bearer of the Peers of England. The lion is their
crest. Et les Lions ce sont les Barons et li Per, runs the manuscript
chronicle of Bertrand Duguesclin.
The King-at-Arms pointed out the two persons in velvet, and whispered to
Gwynplaine,--
"My lord, these are your equals. Be pleased to return their salute
exactly as they make it. These two peers are barons, and have been named
by the Lord Chancellor as your sponsors. They are very old, and almost
blind. They will, themselves, introduce you to the House of Lords. The
first is Charles Mildmay, Lord Fitzwalter, sixth on the roll of barons;
the second is Augustus Arundel, Lord Arundel of Trerice, thirty-eighth
on the roll of barons." The King-at-Arms having advanced a step towards
the two old men, proclaimed "Fermain Clancharlie, Baron Clancharlie,
Baron Hunkerville, Marquis of Corleone in Sicily, greets your
lordships!" The two peers raised their hats to the full extent of the
arm, and then replaced them. Gwynplaine did the same. The Usher of the
Black Rod stepped forward, followed by Blue Mantle and Garter King
at-Arms. The Mace-bearer took up his post in front of Gwynplaine, the
two peers at his side, Lord Fitzwalter on the right, and Lord Arundel of
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