by the tide, and drifted away again for many a weary day.
I must here change the thread of my story, and inform you of the Roman Emperor, who by letters out of Syria had received intelligence of the massacre of the Christians, with the dishonour offered to his daughter by the treacherous and murderous Sultaness, for which foul deed he sent forth a chosen senator, with other lords and picked troops, to take ample vengeance on those Syrians. They fulfilled their embassy with a loyal zeal, burning and destroying till wrath and justice were appeased. These fulfilled, the senator returned home crowned with victory, and in his voyage met the vessel driving, in which Constance was sitting, piteous and desolate. So changed was she in look and array, that he had not the slightest recollection of her, while she concealed her name and degree. He brought her home, however, with him to Rome, and placed her, with the little Maurice, under the care of his wife; who, though her aunt, was as ignorant of the quality of her guest as the senator himself.
