Here he introduced him to Orsini, an old and feeble man, who, after a few kind words, handed him over to the chamberlain, who, in turn, led him to the official who was in charge of the pages.

That officer took him down to the courtyard, where four young knights were engaged in superintending the military exercises of the pages.

The scene was exactly the same as that to which Gervaise had been accustomed at the House in London.

Some of the lads were fighting with blunted swords, others were swinging heavy bars of iron, climbing ropes, or vaulting on to the back of a wooden horse.

All paused as the official entered with his charge.
"This is your new comrade, boys," he said--"Master Gervaise Tresham, a member of the English langue.