glanced his eye slowly around the
circle, and observed that the seat of one of the Preceptors was vacant. Brian de
Bois-Guilbert, by whom it had been occupied, had left his place, and was now
standing near the extreme corner of one of the benches occupied by the Knights
Companions of the Temple, one hand extending his long mantle, so as in some
degree to hide his face; while the other held his cross-handled sword, with the
point of which, sheathed as it was, he was slowly drawing lines upon the oaken
floor.
    »Unhappy man!« said the Grand Master, after favouring him with a glance of
compassion. »Thou seest, Conrade, how this holy work distresses him. To this can
the light look of woman, aided by the Prince of the Powers of this world, bring
a valiant and worthy knight! - Seest thou he cannot look upon us; he cannot look
upon her; and who knows by what impulse from his tormentor his hand forms these
cabalistic lines upon the floor? - It may be our life and safety are thus aimed
at; but we spit at and defy the foul enemy. Semper Leo percutiatur!«
    This was communicated apart to his confidential follower, Conrade
Mont-Fitchet. The Grand Master then raised his voice, and addressed the
assembly.
    »Reverend and valiant men, Knights, Preceptors, and Companions of this Holy
Order, my brethren and my children! - you also, well-born and pious Esquires,
who aspire to wear this holy Cross! - and you also, Christian brethren, of every
degree! - Be it known to you, that it is not defect of power in us which hath
occasioned the assembling of this congregation; for, however unworthy in our
person, yet to us is committed, with this batoon, full power to judge and to try
all that regards the weal of this our Holy Order. Holy Saint Bernard, in the
rule of our knightly and religious profession, hath said, in the fifty-ninth
capital,53 that he would not that brethren be called together in council, save
at the will and command of the Master; leaving it free to us, as to those more
worthy fathers who have preceded us in this our office, to judge, as well of the
occasion as of the time and place in which a chapter of the whole Order, or of
any part thereof, may be convoked. Also, in all such chapters, it is our duty to
hear the advice of our brethren, and to proceed according to our own pleasure