“That it would be an excellent thing for you to give up your country-gentleman life in England, and come here.”

“But for what reason?”

“To be my successor.”

Maurice stared at him in open-mouthed astonishment, but in another moment Justinian vanished.

CHAPTER XX.
A DIFFICULT QUESTION.

If you this question strange decide,

This way, that way, at your pleasure,

It surely cannot be denied,

If you this question strange decide,

That Fate’s prerogative’s defied,