“Oh, Justinian, if you only knew how I love her!”

The nightingale, hitherto silent, now began its song, upon which the old man good-humoredly pushed Maurice to the door.

“Go to bed, my son; that bird will tell me the tale of love much better than you will.”

CHAPTER XXVII.
THE ALTAR INSCRIBED ΘΕΌΝ.

By this altar stone I swear

Never more to part from thee;

Thine in life and death to be,

And thy future fortunes share

Be the weather wild or fair,

Dry on land or wet at sea,