“It is too true, Tresham; and as I am as likely to fall as you are, the child might be left without a protector as well as fatherless.  However, against that I will provide.  I will write a letter to Peter D’Aubusson, who is the real governor of Rhodes, for the Grand Master Orsini is so old that his rule is little more than nominal.  At his death D’Aubusson is certain to be elected Grand Master.  He is a dear friend of mine.  We entered the Order the same year, and were comrades in many a fight with the Moslems, and I am quite sure that when I tell him that it is my last request of him, he will, in memory of our long friendship, appoint your son as one of the Grand Master’s pages.  As you know, no one, however high his rank, is accepted as a novice before the age of sixteen.  After a year’s probation he is received into the body of the Order as a professed knight, and must go out and serve for a time in Rhodes.  After three years of active service he must reside two more at the convent, and can then be made a commander.  There is but one exception to the rule —­ namely, that the pages of the grand master are entitled to the privilege of admission at the age of twelve, so that they become professed knights at thirteen.  Your son is now but nine, you say, and we must remember that D’Aubusson is not yet Grand Master, and Orsini may live for some years yet.  D’Aubusson, however, can doubtless get him to appoint the boy as one of his pages.  But, in any case, there are three years yet to be passed before he can go out.  Doubtless these he will spend under his mother’s care; but as it is as well to provide against everything, I will furnish your dame with a letter to the knight who will probably succeed me as Grand Prior of the English langue, asking him to see to the care and education of the boy up to the time when he can proceed to Rhodes.  We may hope, my dear Tresham, that there will be no occasion to use such documents, and that you and I may both be able personally to watch over his career.  Still, it is as well to take every precaution.  I shall, of course, give D’Aubusson full particulars about you, your vow, and your wishes.”

“I thank you greatly, old friend,” Sir Thomas said.  “It has taken a load off my mind.  I shall leave him here with his mother when we march forward, and bid her, if ill befalls me, cross again to France, and then to keep Gervaise with her until she can bring herself to part with him.  She has her jewels and a considerable sum of money which I accepted from the man who has been enjoying my estates for the last five years, in lieu of the monies that he had received during that time.  Therefore, she will not lack means for some years to come.  Besides, Queen Margaret has a real affection for her, and will, doubtless, be glad to have her with her again in exile.”

“When I am old enough,” Gervaise said, suddenly looking up from a missal of the Grand Prior’s which he had been examining, “I will chop off the head of the Duke of York, and bring mother back to England.”