ginning his life now at the point
where ten years before it had been interrupted, and as if all that
happened during ten years had been merely a dream, of which only the
heavy beard of manhood remained.

It was very late in the morning when he and Desiderius woke. Sleep had
proved very pleasant for once.

Sleep--and in place of death too.

"Well old fellow," said Lorand to his brother, "I owe you one more
adventurous joke, with which I wish to surprise you."

The threat was uttered so good-humoredly that Desiderius had no cause to
be frightened, but he said quietly: "Tell me what it is."

Lorand laughed.

"I shall not go home with you now."

"Well, and what shall you do?" inquired Desiderius quite as astonished
as Lorand had expected.

"I shall escape from you," he said, shaking his head good-humoredly.

"Ah, that is an audacious enterprise! But tell me, where are you going
to escape to?"

"Ha, ha! I shall not merely tell you where I am going, but I shall take
you with me to look after me henceforward as you have done hitherto."

"You are very wise to do so.--May I know whither?"

"Back to Lankadomb."

"To Lankadomb? Perhaps you have lost something there?"

"Yes, my senses.--Well don't look at me so curiously as if you wished to
ask whether I ever had any. You and this little girl quite understand
each other. I see that mother and grandmother too are sufficiently in
love with her to give her to you: but my blessing has yet to come, old
man--that you have not received yet."

"Hope assures me that perhaps I have softened your hard heart."

"Not all at once. I shall tell you something."

"I am all ears."

"In my will I passed over all my worldly wealth to you: the sealed
letter is in your possession. As far as I know you, I believe I shall
cause you endless joy by asking back my will from you, and telling you
that you will now be poorer by half your wealth, for the other half I
require."

"I know that without waiting for you to teach me. But what has your old
testament to do with the gospel of my heart?"

"Oh your head must be very dense, old fellow, if you don't understand
yet. Then listen to my ultimatum. I refuse to give my consent to your
marrying--before me."

Desiderius threw himself on Lorand's neck; he understood now.

"There is somebody you love?"

Lorand assented with a smile.

"Of course there is. But--you know how that blackguard (by Jove, you
gave him a powerful shaking!) confus