Page 43 - A Knight of the White Cross

happily they have to a great extent been set at rest by forming a new langue
of Castile and Portugal out of that of Aragon. This has given one more vote

to the smaller langues, and has so balanced the power that of late the
jealousies between us have greatly subsided, and all are working well

together in face of the common danger. Well, young sir, and how like you
the prospect of your pageship?"

"I like it greatly, sir, but shall like still more the time when I can buckle on
armour and take a share of the fighting with the infidels. I would fain, sir,

offer to you my deep and humble thanks for the great kindness you have
shown me in procuring me the appointment of page to the grand master."

The knight smiled kindly. "There are the less thanks due, lad, inasmuch as I
did it not for you, but for the dear friend who wrote to me on your behalf.

However, I trust that you will do credit to my nomination by your conduct
here."

"There is a letter from our grand prior which I have brought to you," Sir
Guy said. "He commended the lad to me warmly, and seems to be greatly

pleased with his conduct."

D'Aubusson cut the silken string that bound the missive together, and read

the letter.

"He does indeed speak warmly," he said, as he laid it down on the table.

"He tells me that the lad, young as he was, had been well trained when he

came, and that he worked with great diligence during the five months he
was in the House, and displayed such skill and strength for his age, as to

surprise his preceptors, who prophesied that he would turn out a stout
swordsman, and would be a credit to the Order."

"He is well furnished with garments both for ordinary and state occasions,"
Sir Guy said; "and in this packet are some sixty gold crowns, which are the

last remains of his patrimony, and which I was to hand to you in order to
pay the necessary expenses during his pageship."