Page 372 - A Knight of the White Cross

"I cannot help that," she said softly. "There is assuredly no presumption in
the hope."

He paused a moment.

"You would not esteem me," he said, holding both her hands now, "were I
false to my vows. I will return to Rhodes tomorrow, and ask the grand

master to forward to the Pope and endorse my petition, that I may be
released from my vows to the Order. I cannot think that he or the Holy

Father will refuse my request. Then, when I am free, I can tell you how I
love and honour you, and how, as I have in the past devoted my life to the
Order, so I will in the future devote it to your happiness."

The girl bowed her head.

"'Tis right it should be so," she said. "I have waited, feeling in my heart that
the vow I had given would bind me for life, and I should be content to wait

years longer if needs be. But I am bound by no vows, and can acknowledge
that you have long been the lord of my life, and that so long as you wore

the heart I had given you, so long would I listen to the wooing of no other."

"I fear that the Countess, your mother -- " Gervaise began, but she

interrupted him.

"You need not fear," she said. "My mother has long known, and knowing
also that I am not given to change, has ceased to importune me to listen to
other offers. Her sole objection was that you might never return from

captivity. Now that you have come back with added honours, she will not
only offer no objection, but will, I am sure, receive you gladly, especially

as she knows that my cousin Sir Fabricius, for whom she has the greatest
affection, holds you in such high esteem."

Six months later Gervaise again landed at Genoa, after having stayed at
Rome for a few days on his way back. D'Aubusson had expressed no

surprise at his return to Rhodes, or at the request he made.