If the father should be dead, the right to dispose of the children of both sexes in marriage shall belong to the mother. If the mother also should be dead, or if she should have married a second time, the brothers shall have the right to select the husbands or wives for the other children. But if any of the brothers should not be of age, which is indispensable when their brother or sister is to be disposed of in marriage; then the paternal uncles shall have that authority. Where a brother is of full age, and declines the advice of his relatives, he shall have the power to marry without their consent. But if a suitor, equal to a sister in rank, should seek her in marriage; then her uncle or her brother should consult with the other relatives as to whether said suitor shall be accepted, or rejected, by common consent. =IX. Where Brothers Defer the Marriage of their Sister, or Where a Girl Marries beneath her Station.= If the brothers of the girl should put off her marriage, with the expectation that she, taking refuge with her intended husband, may lose what she would have inherited from her father according to law; and they should repulse her suitor two or three times; the girl, as soon as the deceit of her brothers becomes evident, should she deem that her suitor is her equal in birth, shall then receive from her brothers whatever property she is entitled to inherit from her parents. But if, on the other hand, her brothers should do nothing to affect the rights of their sister, but only cause delay in order to provide her with a husband more worthy of her; and she, forgetful of her modesty, and disregarding her rank, should marry a man inferior to her in station; she shall lose what she would have inherited from her parents, whether that inheritance has been divided or not, but she shall still have the right to inherit from her brothers and her sisters, and from any other relatives. =FLAVIUS CHINTASVINTUS, KING.= =X. Where the Items of a Dowry, relating to any kind of Property, are reduced to Writing, it shall not be Contested.= When any one is desirous of contracting marriage, either in his own behalf, or in behalf of his son, or of any other relative; he shall have a right to dispose of, as a dowry, any of his own property; or any given him by the king; or any he has acquired legally, in any way whatsoever. And whatever has lawfully been stated in writing to be a dowry, by any person, shall be valid, as such, in every respect. TITLE II. CONCERNING UNLAWFUL MARRIAGES. =I.= _Where a Woman Marries within a Year after the Death of her Husband._ =II.= _Where a Freeborn Woman Marries a Slave, or her own Freedman._ =III.= _Where a Freeborn Woman Marries the Slave of Another, or a Freeborn Man the Female Slave of Another._ =IV.= _Where a Freedwoman, or a Freedman, Marries the Slave of Another._