seek to gain my affections; it would therefore be worse than useless for you to endeavour to obtain my hand. You are my brother's friend, and I would gladly have you for my friend also. We can never be anything more to each other. Let me, then, entreat you to prove the regard which you profess for me, and for which I thank you, by looking on me only as the sister of Orestes, and abstaining from all further mention of our marriage to my father. Promise me this, Muthis, and I freely offer you my friendship and my gratitude."

As Medora spoke, she held out her hand to Muthis, and a sweet smile lighted up her countenance. She thought that her persuasions must prove effectual; but she did not know the character of him whom she hoped to move by motives of generosity and kindness.

Muthis caught her hand, but not in the spirit in which she had tendered it.

"It shall be mine!" he exclaimed. "Willingly or unwillingly you shall give this hand to me, and no other shall possess it. I will appeal to Sophis!"

Medora attempted to withdraw her hand, but Muthis held it as in a vice. Then offended dignity came to her aid, and, drawing up her tall graceful figure, she stood perfectly still, and said in a firm voice

"I also will appeal to my father. He loves me, and he will not suffer me to be insulted: far less will he seek to compel me to accept as a husband a man who condescends first to act the part of a spy, and then that of a ruffian.”

Fire flashed from the eyes of Muthis at this well-merited reproach. But he did not loose the hand of Medora; he only

crushed it in his own till the tears started to her eyes with pain. She still remained motionless, waiting for his reply, and scorning to show her indignation at his violence. Setting his teeth firmly, and speaking in a low, deep voice, he said—

"Your father loves his country and his gods more than he loves his child. Your father is a man of honour, and he has pledged himself that you shall be my wife. Your father is a stern man, and he has already cast off one daughter who disobeyed him; he may cast off another. We shall see!"

With these words he flung back her hand, and strode away into the darkness, leaving Medora and her mother greatly agitated, and full of apprehension for the future.

When they reached their home, they found that Sophis had retired to the luxurious bath-room, where he was, according to the custom of the time, enjoying the society of some friends. They therefore hastened to their own apartments, rejoicing to escape for the present any awkward interrogatories, and full of anxiety as to the part which it was now their duty to take.

To their very unpleasant meditations we must now leave them, and return to Milan, to follow Alypius and his friend Augustine through trials and conflicts of a different nature.