he also drew near, and keenly watched her manner towards the Egyptian. It was as cold and distant as he could desire, and he rejoiced that it was so; and yet what was it to him? He approached and spoke to her; and then a smile lighted up her features, and his heart bounded with joy—and yet, what was that to him either? But it was something to Muthis, for he looked vexed and irritated at the interruption of a stranger, and drew himself up proudly.

Alypius cared not for his anger. He was happy in being permitted to converse with Medora; he forgot all his good and prudent resolutions, and remained with her as long as the wrestling and other gymnastic sports continued. When they were concluded, she turned rather abruptly from Muthis, who was endeavouring to engage her attention, and led the way to a large and handsome pavilion which had been erected in the garden, and was now brilliantly illuminated with small lamps of every colour, arranged so as to form an arabesque border round the roof and the curtains. At each entrance to the gay pavilion were fountains of perfumed water; and these were also lighted up, so that the spray, as it fell around, looked like a shower of sparkling gems.

It was, indeed, a fairy scene; and, to Alypius, Medora seemed the very queen of the fairies, so lightly and gracefully did she move over the marble floor, and so sweetly did her joyous laugh ring through the air as she talked gaily to her young companions, and replied to the observations which he occasionally ventured to make.

The pavilion was furnished with several tables, which were laden with fruit and other suitable refreshments; and richly

E

inlaid and sculptured seats of antique forms invited the guests to repose. The sun was setting when they entered the building, and darkness followed with great rapidity. But with equal rapidity the whole of the extensive gardens was lighted up as if by magic; and when the company left the pavilion, they found that the darkness of approaching night had been turned into a soft and lovely light as clear as that of the moon, but warmer and richer by the countless coloured lamps that hung from every tree and bush, and formed elaborate patterns on the cool soft grass.

Again the athletic exercises were renewed, and to the wrestling succeeded what closely resembled the well-known game of single-stick; and then a trial of muscular strength, by lifting great weights from the ground.

How true it is that "there is nothing new under the sun.” All these sports were practised in the land of Egypt many centuries before the time of which we are speaking; and exact representations of them and of many other modern customs and so-called inventions are to be seen in the ancient temples and tombs of that strange and mysterious land. We moderns vainly imagine that our superior civilization and intelligence have led us to make discoveries, and devise cunning devices, that were unthought of in the days of old. But the wider and the deeper our researches into antiquity are carried, the more do we find the truth of the saying that "there is nothing new under the sun." Additional proofs are daily brought to light that many of our so-called modern inventions were invented long ago, and that many of our discoveries in science were well known in the days when Jacob and his family went down into Egypt.

It was Medora's pleasant task to give prizes to the successful competitors in the games; and as they were all members of her father's numerous household, they were all personally known to her, and they received with their appointed reward some words of kindness and courtesy, which seemed to be quite as highly appreciated. Alypius almost wished that he were one of the fortunate number, and might dwell near Medora, even in a servile capacity, and have the privilege of waiting upon her and ministering to her comfort, and of receiving in return such kindly smiles and gentle words. Other men, as young and as enthusiastic as Alypius, have entertained as foolish thoughts, and many have acted far more foolishly than he did: for he left the dwelling of Medora that evening with a firm resolve of returning thither no more; and of practising "the better part of valour,” by seeking safety in flight to Tagaste, as soon as he received his mother's reply with regard to the unhappy Claudia.

That reply soon reached him; and it was all that he could expect or desire. Calanthe expressed the sincerest sympathy in the sorrows of the desolate Christian woman, and freely offered her an asylum so long as it might suit her to remain under her roof; and she begged her son to lose no time in bringing her to Tagaste, reminding him at the same time that she should expect a full reward for her compliance with his request, in a lengthened visit from her beloved son.

CHAPTER VIL

Y the side of a rippling stream, whose borders were adorned with oleanders in rich blossom, and shaded by the waving palm and spreading tamarisk, sat two women, whose look and manners bespoke them to be of gentle birth, though the quietness and simplicity of their dress, and the absence of any attendants, might have led to a different supposition.

These women were Monica and Calanthe, the mothers of Augustine and Alypius. Both were widows; and their lonely condition, and sympathy in each other's trials and sorrows, had drawn them together, and caused a strong friendship to exist between them. The difference in their religious opinions still existed-although lessened in degree, and softened in spirit— for Calanthe was still a professed worshipper of the gods of Rome. At the same time, her constant and familiar intercourse with Monica had sufficed to banish her prejudices against the disciples of Jesus, and to inspire her with a sincere respect for the principles of those who were Christians, not only in name, but in deed and in truth.

For some time Monica had endeavoured, by argument, to bring her friend to renounce her false deities, and embrace the true religion of the gospel. Her naturally powerful and intelligent mind, which had been highly cultivated from her youth,