“I was banished from it, and you were the serpent who caused my banishment.”
“Bah! do not lay the blame on me. You ate of the Tree of Knowledge, and wanted to know too much; so Justinian got rid of you.”
“I only wanted to know about myself.”
“Then you never will.”
“Won’t I? You forget that I am equal with Justinian now.”
“Are you really?” said Caliphronas mockingly. “I think not. Justinian has the wisdom of sixty years against your thirty. The half is not equal to the whole.”
“Well, you have something to gain as well as I,” flashed out Crispin fiercely; “so if I am beaten, you will not be in a much better condition.”
“Eh! you think so? I have Justinian’s promise, remember.”
“You have; and if I know anything of Justinian he’ll break it.”
“He dare not! Melnos is not impregnable.”