This afforded him no pleasure whatever, except inasmuch as it would enable him, in his new command of the galley, to keep a handsome table, and to entertain well the knights who served under him.
It seemed to him, however, that the reward and honours were so far beyond his deserts that he felt almost humiliated by their bestowal.

The responsibility, too, was great.

Would these young knights, the youngest of whom could be but a year his junior, serve willingly under his orders?
And, above all, would they be able to emulate the deeds of experienced warriors, and would the galley worthily maintain the fame of the Order?
At the end of two hours he was joined by Ralph Harcourt.
"I have been looking for you everywhere, Gervaise.

You seemed to have disappeared mysteriously.

None had marked you leave the council chamber, or knew where you had gone; and after searching everywhere I remembered your fondness for walks upon the walls, so I climbed to the top of St.John's tower and thence espied you.