Page 123 - A Knight of the White Cross
P. 123

"For the last nine months Sir Gervaise has been an anchorite. He has been
               learning Turkish, and has so devoted himself to the study that even I have

                scarce caught sight of him, save at meals. As for walking in the streets, it is
               the last thing he would think of doing. I consider myself a good and

               conscientious young knight, but I am as nothing in that respect to my
               friend. I used to look upon him as my little brother, for we were at the
               House of the Order in London together. He is four years younger than I am,

               and you know four years between boys makes an immense difference. Now
               the tables are turned, and I quite look up to him."



                "You will believe as much as you like, Signora, of what Sir Ralph says,"
               Gervaise laughed. "As you have, he says, known him for some time, you

               must by this time have learnt that his word is not to be taken literally."



                "We learned that quite early in our acquaintance," the girl who had first
               noticed them said, with an affectation of gravity.  "I always tell him that I
               cannot believe anything he says, and I am grateful to you, Sir Knight, for

               having thus borne evidence to the quickness of my perception."



               By this time the servants had brought some more cushions, and on these
               Ralph and Gervaise seated themselves. Wine, sherbet, and cakes, were then
               handed round. The master of the house placed Gervaise on his right hand,

               as a stranger.



                "You have been among our islands, Sir Gervaise? But indeed, I need not
               ask that, since I know that you and Sir Ralph were knighted together for
               your valour in that affair with the ships of Hassan Ali. We come from

               Lesbos. It is now eighty years since my family settled in Rhodes, and we
               have seen it grow from a small place to a great fortress."



                "'Tis a wonderful place," Gervaise said. "I know nothing of the fortresses of
               Europe, but it seems to me that no other can well be stronger than this -­

               that is, among places with no natural advantages."



                "The knights have always had an abundance of slaves," the merchant said;
                "so many that they have not only had sufficient for their work here, but
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