“So this is the young Knight of St. John,” the prior said, on the evening of the arrival of Sir Thomas.  “I would, Tresham, that I were at present at Rhodes, doing battle with the infidels, rather than engaged in this warfare against Englishmen and fellow Christians.”

“I can well understand that,” Sir Thomas said.

“I could not hold aloof here, Tresham.  The vows of our Order by no means hinder us from taking part in the affairs of our own country.  The rule of the Order is indeed against it, but the rule is constantly broken.  Were it otherwise there could be no commanderies in this or any other country; we should have, on entering the Order, to abandon our nationality, and to form part of one community in the East.  The Order is true to its oaths.  We cannot defend the Holy Sepulchre, for that, for the present, is hopelessly lost; but we can and do wage war with the infidel.  For this funds are necessary as well as swords, and our commanderies throughout Europe supply the funds by which the struggle is maintained, and, when it is needed, send out contingents to help those fighting in the East.  It was from the neglect of this cardinal point that the Templars fell.  Their commanderies amassed wealth and wide possessions, but unlike us the knights abstained altogether from fulfilling their vows, and ceased to resist the infidel.  Therefore they were suppressed, and, with the general approval of Europe, a portion of their possessions was handed over to the knights of St. John.  However, as I understand, it is your wish that as soon as the boy comes of age to wield arms he shall go to Rhodes and become an active member of the Order.  This is indeed the rule with all neophytes, but having served a certain time they are then permitted to return and join one of the commanderies in their native countries.”

“I do not wish that for Gervaise,” his father said; “at least, I wish him to remain at Rhodes until all the civil troubles are absolutely at an end here.  My life has been ruined by them.  Loving retirement and quiet, and longing for nothing so much as a life among my tenantry, I have almost from a boy been actively engaged in warfare or have been away as an exile.  Here every one of gentle blood has been more or less mixed up in these civil broils.  To few of us does it personally matter whether a member of the House of York or Lancaster sits on the throne, and yet we have been almost compelled to take sides with one or the other; and now, in my middle age I am on the eve of another battle in which I risk my life and fortune.  If we win I gain naught but the satisfaction of seeing young Edward made King of England.  If we lose I am going into exile again, or I may leave my wife a widow, and my child penniless.”