Page 121 - A Knight of the White Cross

together and enjoying themselves; and if one is disposed for a cup of wine
or of cool sherbet, they are delighted to give it, for they all are pleased

when one of us joins a group. I have quite a number of acquaintances I have
made in this way while you have been working away at your Turkish."

"Very well," Gervaise said. "If such is your fancy, Ralph, let us take one of
the paths across the roofs. I might walk there twenty years by myself

without making an acquaintance, and I do not pledge myself to join in these
intimacies of yours. However, I shall be quite content to amuse myself by

looking on at the scene in general, while you are paying your visits and
drinking your sherbet."

"There are plenty of fair girls among the Rhodians," Ralph said, with a
smile; "and though we are pledged to celibacy we are in no way bound to

abstain from admiration."

Gervaise laughed.

"Admire as much as you like, Ralph, but do not expect me to do so. I have

scarcely as much as spoken to a woman since I entered the House in
London, and I should have no idea what to say to a young girl."

"But it is part of the education of a true knight to be courteous to women. It
is one of the great duties of chivalry. And you must remember that we are

secular knights, as well knights of the Order."

"The work of the Order is quite sufficient for me at present, Ralph. In time I

may come to like the society of women, to admire their beauty, and
possibly even to wear the colour of some one, for that seems to be the

fashion; though why we, who are bound to celibacy, should admire one
woman more than another I cannot understand."

They had by this time descended from the castle, and were taking their way
along one of the broad paths that led over the flat roofs of the houses by

means of the bridges thrown across the streets.