The latter were got rid of; and the king remained alone with the monk, who explained the object of his mission.

He descanted upon the power of the Emperor Lotus, recounted his complaints, and warned the Briton, kindly and in a private capacity, of the danger of his situation, a danger so much the greater in that he and his people would meet with the less consideration, seeing that they kept up the religion of their Pagan forefathers.

Morvan gave attentive ear to this sermon, with his eyes fixed on the ground, and his foot tapping it from time to time.

Ditcar thought he had succeeded; but an incident supervened.

It was the hour when Morvan's wife was accustomed to come and look for him ere they retired to the nuptial couch.