"
"The rank, privileges, and opulence of our Order prevent so much
degradation as you threaten," said the Templar haughtily.
"These are your bane," said Conrade of Montserrat; "and you, as
well as I, reverend Grand Master, know that, were the allied
princes to be successful in Palestine, it would be their first
point of policy to abate the independence of your Order, which,
but for the protection of our holy father the Pope, and the
necessity of employing your valour in the conquest of Palestine,
you would long since have experienced. Give them complete
success, and you will be flung aside, as the splinters of a
broken lance are tossed out of the tilt-yard."
"There may be truth in what you say," said the Templar, darkly
smiling. "But what were our hopes should the allies withdraw
their forces, and leave Palestine in the grasp of Saladin?"
"Great and assured," replied Conrade. "The Soldan would give
large provinces to maintain at his behest a body of well-appointed Frankish lances. In Egypt, in Persia, a
hundred such
auxiliaries, joined to his own light cavalry, would turn the
battle against the most fearful odds.
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