nd good, and that he might
bear once more the name of his proud race and return home without
exposing his family to any danger. He had reached the goal, the task
was completed, he might call himself a Greylock once more, for the curl
which was the pride of his race now adorned his head too.

The prince watched him turn very red then very pale and finally said
inquiringly "Well, my Peregrinus?" The architect fell upon his knee,
kissed the prince's hand and cried:

"I am not Peregrinus. Henceforth I am a Greylock, I am George, the
second son of the Duke Wendelin, of whom you have heard, and I must
confess to you, my noble lord, that I love your daughter Speranza, and
I would not exchange places with any god if you would but give us your
blessing."

"A Greylock!" the prince exclaimed. "Truly, truly this day should not be
reckoned among the feast-days but should be regarded as the best day in
all the year. Come to my arms, my dear, my worthy son!"

An hour later the architect held the princess in his arms. What a
wedding they had! George did not return immediately to his own home. He
wrote to his mother that he was alive and well and intended to visit her
in company with his young bride as soon as he had finished a great work
with which he was occupied. He sent with the letter a portrait of his
wife and when the duchess saw it and read the letter she grew ten years
younger from pure delight, and old Nonna at least five. When Wendelin
XVI. was informed that his brother still lived, he smiled and the queen
followed his example, but as soon as they were alone she cried: "The
land of the Greylocks will be smaller than ever now and even before it
was not so great as my father's."

When Speranza presented her husband with a son the duchess and her
faithful attendant Nonna went to Italy, and the meeting between mother
and son was beyond all measure joyful. Two months she spent with her
dear children and then she returned home, George and his wife having
promised to visit her the following year in the capital of the
Greylocks.

The cathedral was finished. There was no finer building under the sun
and artists and connoisseurs flocked from all parts of the world to see
it. George received the commendations of the most critical and his name
was ranked among those of the greatest architects.

Proud of his work, yet ever modest, he together with his wife and child
returned to his home.

He found great rejoicings in progress wh