The splendid group of buildings, of which only a few half-demolished walls remain, rose before them, on each side of the great quadrangle which they now entered; the chapter house, where the brethren met for counsel; the refectory, where they fed; the dormitory, where they slept; the scriptory, where they copied those beautiful manuscripts which antiquarians love to obtain; the infirmary, where the sick were tended; and lastly, the hospitium or guest house, where all travellers and pilgrims were welcome.

They entered the hospitium, where the noontide meal was about to be served.  It was plain but ample; solid joints, huge loaves, ale, and even wine in moderation.  Some twenty sat down to the hospitable board.

During the “noon meat” a homily was read.  When the meal was over a lay brother came and beckoned Sir Nicholas and Hubert to follow him.  He led them to the cloisters and knocked at the door of a cell.

“Come in,” said a deep voice.

Could this be the father Hubert had so longed to know, clad in a long dark dress, with haggard and worn features, which, however, still preserved their native nobility?

At the sight of his visitors he showed an emotion he vainly endeavoured to repress, under an affectation of self control.  He greeted Sir Nicholas kindly, but embraced his fair son, while tears he could not repress streamed down his worn cheeks.

“This is then my Hubert.  Ah, how like thy short-lived mother!  She lives again in thee, my boy.”

“But, my father, I trust thy courage and valour have descended to me also.  They do not call me girlish at Kenilworth.”

“Such as I have to bequeath is, I trust, thine.  Thy mother came of a race more addicted to lute and harp than sword or spear.  It was the worse for them in their dire need, when the stern father of him who shelters thee harried their land with fire and sword.

“But we waste time.  Sit down and let the eyes of the father, weary of the world, gaze upon the boy in whom he lives again.”

For a few moments there was silence, during which Roger seemed struggling to overcome an emotion which overpowered him.

“I was thinking of the sunny land of Provence, and was there again with one dearly loved, who was only spared to me a few short months.  She died in giving thee birth, my Hubert; had she lived, I had not become the wreck I am.

“So thou desirest to go forth into the world, my son?”

“As thou didst also, my father.”

“But I trust under other auspices.  Tell me not of my giddy youth. 
Dearly did I pay the price of youthful folly and unseemly strife. 
Thou, too, my boy, must buy experience; God grant more cheaply than
I bought mine.”

There he shuddered.

“My boy, hast thou ever wished to be a warrior of the Cross—­a crusader?”

“Often, oh how often.  In that way I would fain serve God.”