Andreas to his latest day was ever the faithful adviser of old and young alike.  In the sunshine of love which smiled upon him his austere zeal turned to considerate tenderness.  When at last he lay on his death-bed, and shortly before the end, Melissa asked him what was his favorite verse of the Scriptures, he replied firmly and decidedly: 

“Now the fullness of time is come.”

“So be it,” replied Melissa with tears in her eyes.  He smiled and nodded, signed to Diodoros to draw off his signet ring—­the only thing his father had saved from the days of his wealth and freedom—­and desired Melissa to keep it for his sake.  Deeply moved, she put it on her finger; but Andreas pointed to the motto, and said with failing utterance: 

“That is your road—­and mine—­my father’s motto:  Per aspera ad astra.  It has guided me to my goal, and you—­all of you.  But the words are in Latin; you understand them?  By rough ways to the stars—­Nay what they say to me is:  Upward, under the burden of the cross, to bliss here and hereafter—­And you too,” he added, looking in his darling’s face.  “You too, both of you; I know it.”

He sighed deeply, and, laying his hand on Melissa’s head as she knelt by his bed, he closed his faithful eyes in the supporting arms of Diodoros.

     ETEXT editor’s bookmarks for the entire thorny path: 

     Begun to enjoy the sound of his own voice
     Cast off their disease as a serpent casts its skin
     For what will not custom excuse and sanctify? 
     Force which had compelled every one to do as his neighbors
     Galenus—­What I like is bad for me, what I loathe is wholesome
     He has the gift of being easily consoled
     He only longed to be hopeful once more, to enjoy the present
     It is the passionate wish that gives rise to the belief
     Man, in short, could be sure of nothing
     Misfortunes commonly come in couples yoked like oxen
     Never to be astonished at anything
     Obstacles existed only to be removed
     Possess little and require nothing
     Speaking ill of others is their greatest delight
     The past must stand; it is like a scar