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?"

66

"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?"

66

"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 height, they may be chosen to fight together; the directors of the games knowing no distinction of kindred."

same

"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."

"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 wagons, 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, who greeted the procession with loud acclamations, lined the streets.

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, 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, was reclining. 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 victorious. since ?"

ago that

my brother returned safe and Surely nothing can have befallen him

"Your brother is well, Placidia," replied the monk. "My 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