Page 122 - A Knight of the White Cross

"These are some acquaintances of mine," Ralph said, stopping at one of the
walls, some three feet high, that bordered the path.

Beyond was an enclosure of some fifty feet square. Clumps of shrubs and

flowers, surrounded by stonework some eight or ten inches high enclosing
the earth in which they grew, were scattered here and there. Lamps were
hung to cords stretched above it, while others were arranged among the

flowers. In the centre a large carpet was spread, and on this some eight or
ten persons were seated on cushions. A girl was playing a lute, and another

singing to her accompaniment. She stopped abruptly when her eye fell
upon the figures of the two young knights.

"There is Sir Ralph Harcourt, father!" she exclaimed in Italian, which was
the language most used on the Island, and spoken with more or less fluency

by all the knights, among whom it served as a general medium of
communication. "Are you waiting to be invited in, Sir Knight?" she went
on saucily. "I thought that by this time you would know you were

welcome."

"Your tongue runs too fast, child," her father said, as he rose and walked
across to Ralph. "You are welcome, Sir Ralph, very welcome. I pray you
enter and join us."

"I will do so with pleasure, Signor Vrados, if you will also extend your

hospitality to my friend Sir Gervaise Tresham."

"Most gladly," the merchant said. "I pray him to enter."

The two knights passed through the gate in the wall. All rose to their feet as

they went up to the carpet, and greeted Ralph with a warmth which showed
that he was a favourite. He introduced Gervaise to them.

"I wonder that I do not know your face, Sir Knight," the merchant's wife
said. "I thought I knew all the knights of the Order by sight, from seeing

them either at the public ceremonies, or observing them pass in the streets."