[_He gathers up the shroud, lying beside him on the ground, and
bears away Nero--wrapped in its folds._]






THE LEGEND OF SAINT JULIAN THE HOSPITALLER




CHAPTER I

THE CURSE


Julian's father and mother dwelt in a castle built on the slope of
a hill, in the heart of the woods.

The towers at its four corners had pointed roofs covered with
leaden tiles, and the foundation rested upon solid rocks, which
descended abruptly to the bottom of the moat.

In the courtyard, the stone flagging was as immaculate as the
floor of a church. Long rain-spouts, representing dragons with
yawning jaws, directed the water towards the cistern, and on each
window-sill of the castle a basil or a heliotrope bush bloomed, in
painted flower-pots.