After the first few moments had passed, and Adrian had found time to notice his friend's appearance, he felt considerable astonishment at his altered attire. "What!" cried he, "do I really see before me the young patrician Telemachus, in this disguise! Surely, my friend, thou art not become a Christian monk ?"

"Even so, Adrian," replied the monk, a bright smile illuming his face; "him, who was formerly the noble Telemachus, men now call the monk Stephanos; but though my name is changed, my heart still retains old friendships. How have I longed to see thee, Adrian! and often do I pray that we may be one in faith, as we are in heart."

"Not yet, Telemachus, or Stephanos, as I suppose I must learn to call you," laughingly replied Adrian; "my father and sister are already Christians, and I dare say that I shall some day follow their example, for I must confess that my sister's arguments appear to contain a great deal of truth, whenever I have patience to listen to her; but my time is not come yet: besides, the life of a Christian is not the one best fitted for a soldier."

"Pardon me, dear Adrian," replied the monk, every Christian is a soldier, as I hope you will one day know; but, tell me, have you seen your sister yet?"

"I was going to the Palace when I met you," said Adrian, "for I have not seen her once since she has been empress; it must be a pleasant thing to be the only daughter of a great general, and to become an empress, must it not?"

"If one could always be sure of being so really happy as your sister," replied Stephanos, smiling; "but I am afraid it but seldom happens in such cases. I trust that, in the new duties and pleasures of her high station, she will still preserve her pure and innocent heart; and it gives me great happiness to think that she and the Princess Placidia are already such good friends; for, although so young, Placidia's character is more fully formed than in many of twice her age. One can hardly imagine her noble and enthusiastic soul to be confined within that delicate frame. But I must not say any more, or I shall weary you with the praises of my dear children, as they tell me to call them; I will only add that they are impatient to see you. And now I must ask the question that I ought to have thought of first,-Whence came you, and what means this unusual bustle in the city ?"

"I have but just now taken part in the triumphal entry of Honorius," answered the young officer; "but I contrived to disengage myself from the procession before it had proceeded far, as I could not any longer control my impatience to see my sister. I suppose you have heard of the decisive victory my father gained at Pollentia, over Alaric, the Gothic chief? He has at last compelled this formidable enemy of Rome to sue for peace."

"I have heard, but know not if the report be correct, that the battle was fought on Easter day," said the monk.

"I think you call it so," replied Adrian, "but I hardly know; yet have I some recollection of hearing my father say that such was the case. He has brought with him numerous captives to grace this day's triumph, and afterwards to act as gladiators in the approaching games."

"Gladiators!" exclaimed the monk, "surely they will not revive that barbarous and inhuman custom; I had hoped that Christianity was too deeply rooted for that. Besides, has it not already been abolished by an edict of Constantine the Great?"

"That matters not," replied Adrian. "The emperor has consented, and his will is law. I have begged my father to use his influence with him against this cruelty, but he says the attempt would be useless, as Honorius is determined to allow it, on account of its good policy. There are, however, among these unfortunates, two for whom my heart bleeds; they are brothers,-both young, though one is quite a youth, and his affection for his brother, whose heart is breaking for his home, is most touching. I am only afraid that, as they are strikingly alike in person, and of nearly the same height, they may be chosen to fight together; the directors of the games knowing no distinction of kindred."

"GOD forbid !" ejaculated the monk, his face pale with horror. "And even should Honorius thus forget what his religion requires of him, I will endeavour, GoD aiding me, to prevent it, if I perish in the attempt."

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"I entreat you, do not think of it!" exclaimed his friend; it would only be rushing madly on to destruction. Your single voice, like a drop of water in the ocean, could not avail to stay the will of a multitude!"

"I will not dispute the subject with you now," answered Stephanos, "for I hear in the distance the approaching procession. Hark! they are nearer than I imagined."

And as he spoke, the victorious army appeared in sight, preceded by military music, and carrying boughs of laurel in their hands. They were also accompanied by waggons, laden with the spoils of the conquered army. After these came the emperor's chariot, in which were seated Honorius, and his successful general Stilicho, crowned with garlands of purple and gold, and with laurel branches in their right hands. Countless multitudes of citizens lined the streets, who greeted the procession with loud acclamations.

Behind the chariot of the victor came, in melancholy silence, the Gothic prisoners of war,-the living trophies of Stilicho's victory. The monk immediately recognised the two brothers, from the description given of them by Adrian. The tall, commanding

figure of Ataulphus, the younger brother, was drawn up to its full height, as he proudly surveyed the gazing multitude; while at the same time he tenderly supported, as well as his manacled hands would permit, his brother Attalus, who seemed overcome with grief, and insensible to all that passed. The good monk was deeply moved by this sorrowful spectacle, and registered a vow, in the depths of his noble and devoted heart, to sacrifice his life, if it were necessary, in order to rescue these unfortunate, men from such barbarous cruelty. He parted from his friend with this determination; Adrian, meanwhile, hoping that, as he had not again mentioned his intention, it had been merely a passing emotion, which he was careful not to rekindle by alluding to afresh. He therefore, with a light heart, continued his way to the Palace, whither, in the evening of that day, the monk also repaired.

I must now introduce my readers to an apartment of the Imperial Palace, for a short time only the residence of the emperor; the timid Honorius having shortly before removed his court to Ravenna, where, shut up amidst its swamps and marshes, he fancied himself in greater security from the incursions of the dreaded Alaric. The floor of this magnificent room was beautifully tesselated, and the ceiling was inlaid with a fretwork of gold and ivory. The tables and frames of the couches were of massive silver, while the latter had cushions of crimson silk. In the centre a beautifully chased silver lamp, fed with oil mingled with the richest perfumes, hung suspended from the ceiling by chains of the same material, and seemed, in the fast deepening twilight, to shed around it a flood of soft golden radiance. A few of the warm, scented rays found their way to the extremities of the vast apartment, and fell quivering and sparkling on the rich hangings with which it was decorated; while the heavy curtains of crimson, embroidered with gold, had been withdrawn from the numerous large windows which occupied both sides of the room: thus affording full admission to the cool night breeze, so refreshing after the great heat of the day.

On a couch placed before one of these windows a young girl was reclining, whose attire, consisting of a short tunic of purple silk, deeply fringed with gold, and worn over a stola of the finest white wool, indicated her high rank. But an observer would have been principally struck by the extreme simplicity, and yet richness, of her attire, and the total absence of all superfluous ornament; a circumstance so unusual among the Roman women in these luxurious and degenerate days of the empire. Her long dark hair was gathered carelessly up, and simply confined by a golden bodkin; and her only ornament consisted of a plain gold cross, suspended from her neck by a silken string, and denoting her to be a Christian. It was Placidia, the young sister of Honorius. For a long time she silently watched the lovely stars," the forget-me-nots-of

the angels," -as they shone out one by one in the glorious Italian sky; and as she lay thus without motion, her beautiful face colourless as marble, she might almost have been mistaken for some masterpiece of sculpture. But her thoughts were suddenly recalled to earth by a voice at her side, and words of gentle greeting fell on her ear, and on turning her head, she perceived that the monk Stephanos, at all times a welcome visitor, had entered the apartment unperceived, and was standing by her side. She immediately started up from her reclining position, and knelt to receive his blessing; and on arising, affectionately pressed him to take possession of the couch she had vacated. But he gently resisted her efforts to lead him to it, and his voice was deeply sorrowful as he replied, "Not so, my daughter; it would ill become me to take mine ease with the load of such evil tidings as I have to communicate weighing on my heart."

"Father," cried the young princess, in a voice of terror, "what evil tidings can you bring? it is but a few hours ago that my brother returned safe and victorious. Surely nothing can have befallen him since?"

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"Your brother is well, Placidia," replied the monk. tidings do not concern his health; but, to be brief, he intends, as is usual after a triumph, to gratify the people with the exhibition of public games; and, horrible to relate, he has actually consented to win the favour of the populace, by again permitting the inhuman combats of gladiators. But this, if my feeble arm may avail aught, I am determined to prevent."

"O, I beseech you, do not so rash an act!" exclaimed the now thoroughly terrified princess, clinging to the father's arm as she spoke; "consider that, in braving the fury of the excited multitude, you rush on certain destruction."

"My child, when duty bids me go forward, I may not look back and count the dangers of the path; recollect Whose servant I am, and shall I fear to follow where He has trod ?"

"But consider, my father," urged the princess, "how valuable your life is to others; what will become of the brethren whose Superior you are? what will become of your Placidia, without her guide and friend ?"

"Seek not, dear Placidia, to turn me from my fixed purpose; my duty is plain, and He Whom I serve will doubtless protect me, if such be His pleasure. Or should it even be otherwise, we shall not be separated. Remember, my child," continued he, his countenance as he spoke lighting up with holy joy," remember that we shall still be one in the communion of the Church; and, it may be, that He will permit me to watch over you more effectually then, than I can at present."

As he concluded these last words, the costly hangings at the lower end of the apartment were pushed aside, and an attendant entered

to announce the approach of the emperor. Stephanos had just time to charge the princess not to disclose his intentions to Honorius, when the latter appeared, accompanied by his beautiful wife Maria, the daughter of his general Stilicho. He affectionately embraced his sister, and courteously returned the salutation of the good father, but continued inflexible in his determination to allow the games, although earnestly dissuaded from it by his sister and the monk, in whose entreaties the empress also joined.

Honorius, naturally weak minded, had suffered himself to be so fully persuaded by his counsellors of the necessity of conciliating the people, by an indulgence with regard to their favourite games, that, although his disposition was not by nature cruel,—indeed, he had on humane grounds frequently objected to these exhibitions,yet he continued inexorable, and even announced his intention of being present himself. But, when he added that it would be more politic for the whole of his family to be there, Maria and Placidia both so earnestly deprecated it, that he was induced, though reluctantly, to abandon this part of his scheme; for, with that infatuation which so strongly marked his character, he really believed this cruel policy to be the best. Alas! although a nominal Christian, he knew not, or had forgotten, that none may do evil that good may follow.

"And now," said Honorius, "I must pray you, sweet sister, and you, reverend father, to excuse this short visit, for time presses, and I have business in hand that may not be delayed; but I leave Maria as my substitute, and I doubt not that you will find no cause to regret my absence." He raised his wife's hand to his lips as he spoke, and then gracefully withdrew, leaving them in a state of feeling that but ill accorded with his lightness and pleasantry of

manner.

The sorrowful group remained for some time without speaking, when the empress, at last breaking the silence, said, "Honorius is strangely wilful in this matter; I am afraid all opposition will be useless. May I ask you, father, if you have seen my brother?" "I have, my daughter," answered Stephanos.

He then told her of his intention concerning those games, and how Adrian had dissuaded him from it.

Maria instantly joined Placidia in begging him not to peril so valuable a life; but their united entreaties were unable to shake his resolve, and the two fair girls knelt to receive his parting blessing, with heavy and anxious hearts. The father placed his hands upon their meekly bent heads; and after committing them affectionately and fervently to the protecting care of their FATHER in heaven, he quitted the apartment. Placidia still continued kneeling in the same spot, and burst into a passionate flood of tears. The pure and holy words of the good monk's blessing