Sir Thomas, of making your son a Knight of St. John."

"I have not thought the matter over, madam. If there were quiet in
the land I should, were it not for my vow, be well content that
he should settle down in peace at my old hall; but if I see that
there is still trouble and bloodshed ahead, I would in any case
far rather that he should enter the Order, and spend his life in
fighting the infidel than in strife with Englishmen. My good friend,
the Grand Prior of the Order in England, has promised that he will
take him as his page, and at any rate in the House of St. John's
he will pass his youth in security whatsoever fate may befall me.
The child himself already bids fair to do honour to our name, and
to become a worthy member of the Order. He is fond of study, and
under my daily tuition is making good progress in the use of his
weapons."

"That is he," the prince said, speaking for the first time, "It
was but yesterday in the great hall downstairs he stood up with
blunted swords against young Victor de Paulliac, who is nigh three
years his senior. It was amusing to see how the little knaves
fought against each other; and by my faith Gervaise held his own
staunchly, in spite of Victor's superior height and weight. If he
join the Order, Sir Thomas, I warrant me he will cleave many an
infidel's skull, and will do honour to the langue of England."

"I hope so, prince," the knight said gravely. "The Moslems ever
gain in power, and it may well be that the Knights of St. John
will be hardly pressed to hold their own. If the boy joins them
it will be my wish that he shall as early as possible repair to
Rhodes. I do not wish him to become one of the drones who live in