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ings with Metella, he made a present of the young stranger to
his rich customer.
Metella had scarcely looked on Seraphica's youthful and at-
tractive form, than she gave an approving nod to the slave-master
and asked him her birth-place. As she was born in Lydia, she
was to be called in future after her province, "Lydia." The
last that Seraphica held as her own, was her Christian name and
that too, must vanish. She stood a stranger amongst strangers
far from her native land, from her kindred, and from her com-
panions
in the Faith She who now commands her is a heathen.
Nothing more then, remained for her, than a look towards the
blue heavens common to all, and to place her trust in Him
whose throne is beyond the stars. For His sake she has given up
all, therefore her trust in Him was boundless. For He who could
speak naught but truth, gave her the holy assurance, that she
should receive a hundred fold in this life, and life everlasting.
(Matthew xix.)
CHAPTER IV.
THE TIROCINIUM.
IN the magnificent square near Adrian's Stoa, the people of
Athens might be seen crowding about a porphyry pillar, on
which hung a decree, beginning with the words " Bonum Factum."
Those who stood near the placard, could scarcely be
induced to leave it; whilst others did their utmost to copy the
contents, and those at a distance, though they stood on tip-toe,
still could not see to read more than the two words, "Bonum
Factum." "A good deed." At last, some who stood nearest to
the pillar turned round to those at a distance, and called out.
" War is publicly proclaimed against the barbarians! "
Almost at the same instant, a herald passed through the square,
and in a voice of thunder, announced the Emperor's declaration
of war, against the people of the Danube; and that both Emperors,
Marcus Aurelius, and Lucius Verus, were to head the
armies in person. Scarcely" had the herald ceased to speak, when
the people expressed their unqualified approbation, by loud
continued applause.
and
Amongst those who were thirsting for war, was the youthful
Lucius, who still wore the long Toga, Prcetexta, striped with purple.
With glowing cheeks, he hastened to some companions of
his own age, to relate the news, and to consult on what part they
were to take in the matter.
At this time, Metella was completely ignorant of what was
passing in the city. She was at home, and for pastime, according
to the singular custom of noble ladies of that day, had a tame
serpent coiled round her neck; and was feeding it with crumbs
of bread, whilst with her foot she beat time to distant music.
At this moment her copyist approached with a sheet of news
he had .just finished, and laid it on her richly chased silver table.
While she was reading it, Lucius rushed in with flying Toga:
" Mother, Mother! have you heard the great news? War against
the Marcomanni and the two Emperors are themselves, to be in
action and to accompany the army to Aquileia. And al. the
youths capable of wielding a sword, are called on to make
preparation."
" Quietly my son " replied Metella, " you storm as if you were
Mars himself. Do you not know that the sages never repeated
anything so often to youth, as: 'Not so fiery!' you have left
your Toga behind you. pick it up."
LTD IA.
xterior natural gifts: then followed the love of the endowments
of the iiuiiil and lastly came love of the adornment of
the soul
Now let us glance at the newly arrived travelers. We have
been informed that there was a young Asiatic slave, just come
from Smyrna. It is no other than Soraphica. In the consternation
that reigned in the harbor of her native city, it was not
difficult for the Merchant of the vessel in which she sought refuge,
to claim her as his own property; and as he had large deal-
"Oh how stupid!" replied Lucius, "but no wonder! I have
lost my head as well as my Toga, but the loss of the latt.
favorable omen." He lifted up his Toga and again appr<
his mother. "This is exactly what I would beg that y