No one could look upon him without admiration, and it was difficult to think that he could so demean himself as to wallow in the grossest indulgence.
As for the review, though it was a brilliant scene, Felix could not conceal from himself that these gallant knights were extremely irregular in their movements, and not one single evolution was performed correctly, because they were constantly quarrelling about precedence, and one would not consent to follow the other.

He soon understood, however, that discipline was not the object, nor regularity considered; personal courage and personal dexterity were everything.

This review was the prelude to active operations, and Felix now hoped to have some practical lessons in warfare.
He was mistaken.

Instead of a grand assault, or a regular approach, the fighting was merely a series of combats between small detachments and bodies of the enemy.

Two or three knights with their retainers and slaves would start forth, cross the stream, and riding right past the besieged city endeavour to sack some small hamlet, or the homestead of a noble.