“Not at all. I would have once, but now I have a chance of staying in this delightful island, I don’t think it would be such a great loss after all.”
Maurice had hardly said these words when he heard a grunt of satisfaction behind him, and on turning his head saw Justinian standing beside him, in company with Caliphronas.
“So you don’t mind if you lose your English property,” said the Demarch in a peculiar tone.
“No; not when I can stay here. Did you hear the story I was telling to Helena?”
“Some of it. Do you think your Uncle Rudolph is alive?”
“Hardly, after forty years.”
“What is forty years to a long-living race like the Roylands?”
“How do you know we are long living?”
“Why, you told me so yourself,” said Justinian hastily; “but, after all, your uncle may be alive, and claim the property, in which case you will be penniless.”
“Oh, then, I shall stay here as sculptor to your public works.”