A DOG OF FLANDERS. 159

—guided straight to the gates of
the chancel; and, stretched there
upon the stones, he found Nello.
He crept up and touched the face of
the boy. ‘“ Didst thou dream that I
should be faithless and forsake thee?
I,— a dog ?” said that mute caress.

The lad raised himself with a low
cry, and clasped him close. “Let us
lie down and die together,’ he mur-
mured, ‘Men have no need of us,
and we are all alone.”

In answer, Patrasche crept closer.
yet, and laid his head upon the young
boy’s breast. The great tears stood
in his brown, sad eyes ; not for him-
self —for himself he was happy.

They lay close together in the
piercing cold. The blasts that blew