plants. A cry of glad surprise escaped her lips; and, snatching up something from the ground, she pressed it to her heart, while tears fell copiously from her eyes.

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'See," she exclaimed, turning to Alypius, and a smile played on her quivering lips as she showed him an armlet of gold, curiously engraved, and set with polished stones. "See, Alypius, I have indeed found a treasure! My darling boy wore this ornament, and another like it, the day that I lost him. How often have I reproached myself for my foolish vanity in adorning him with these last remains of my former wealth and prosperity. These bracelets were a gift from my father, who had them made by a very ingenious artist, according to his own design; and, even in my greatest poverty, I could never make up my mind to part with them. But I have often feared it was these glittering trinkets that led the Arabs to our poor dwelling. My Cleon had often gone to their camp in the plain; and, doubtless, some of the tribe had cast greedy and longing eyes on his golden ornaments. I used to love to see them encircling his arms. Now this bracelet is all that remains to me of him; and I will wear it for his sake."

As she said this, Claudia pressed the beautifully wrought and yielding band of gold round her wrist, and gazed at it with fond regret.

"It must have fallen from his arm as they bore him away, and have lain ever since unobserved," she continued. "Oh, where is its fellow now? And where is he who wore

them ?"

"God knoweth," replied Alypius, solemnly. "The God of his believing parents knows where your boy is now; and he is

in his keeping, whether on earth or in heaven. I have a strong hope that he is still living, and may yet be restored to you; for why should the Arabs take his life? Nothing is impossible with God; and in his own good time he may see fit to hear your prayers, and give you your heart's desire."

"I dare hardly hope it," said Claudia sadly; "and yet, when I think of the abounding mercy of the Lord in leading me out of idolatry, and giving me grace to believe in Jesus Christ as my Saviour, I feel that there is nothing indeed too great or wonderful to ask of him—nothing too merciful to hope and to expect from him."

The eye of Claudia was brighter, and her step was firmer and more elastic, as she walked back with Alypius to the river side; and her whole manner was more cheerful. She spoke with greater hope for the future as regarded herself; and she also encouraged her young companion to look forward with more confidence than he had yet ventured to entertain, to Medora's conversion, and her sympathy in his feelings.

It was agreed between them that nothing should be said to Medora concerning the attachment with which she had inspired. Alypius, until he could be assured that she would abandon her long-cherished errors, and embrace the truth; for he was still firmly resolved that if his hopes for such a blessed change were disappointed, he would hide his love for her in his own breast, and never again trust himself in her dangerous presence.

With thoughts, and conversations, and plans such as these, Calanthe, Claudia, and Alypius whiled away the time of their voyage. The barge was heavily laden; and the boatmen had frequently to put forth all their strength in order to stem the

current, especially when the wind was contrary. But when the breeze blew from the north, they spread their coloured sails, and accompanied their lightened labour by singing in chorus to the measured stroke of their oars.

CHAPTER XIX.

T Thebes-the ancient No, or No-Amun-the barge ended its voyage: and our travellers were obliged to remain for a few days, until another vessel was ready to proceed

up the Nile as far as a village near the first cataract.

This period of delay, which would otherwise have proved very irksome to both Claudia and Alypius, was fully occupied in visiting the marvellous buildings which adorned the city and its neighbourhood. The great temple of Karnak-the avenue of colossal sphynxes-the pillars and obelisks of marble and granite-that rose on every side, were subjects of wonder and amazement to Alypius. Already the greater part of these magnificent works of art were regarded as relics of antiquity; and many of them-especially the greater temples and the long ranges of sepulchres hewn in the rocks that bounded the city on both sides of the river-had ceased to be used for their original purposes. But many of the Egyptian race and religion still dwelt in the "City of a Hundred Gates ;" and still the worship of the gods of Egypt was carried on in the city which had ever been considered sacred to them, and which contained the sepulchres of the kings of the ancient dynasties.

These stupendous excavations Alypius visited; partly to examine the carving and painting with which the extensive galleries, and passages, and lofty chambers were decorated,

and partly to acquire information respecting the fraternities of various sects and various religions who, he was informed, had established themselves in these deserted sepulchres, and there dwelt in solitude and austerity apart from all the busy cares of life.

As no females were ever permitted to enter these monastic precincts, Calanthe and Claudia remained on the east side of the river, and spent some hours in the old temple in serious meditation and the prayerful study of a portion of God's word. And thus did they hallow this great seat of idolatry by invoking the presence of Him before whom at last all idols shall for ever be abolished.

Alypius was meanwhile rowed across the river in a small boat, and landed in the western part of the extensive city, which formerly spread to the width of six miles.

He passed through many streets, both ancient and modern, and admired many fine and richly ornamented structures; but he did not pause to examine them, for his curiosity drew him on towards the celebrated "Tombs of the Kings."

On emerging from the city, Alypius found himself at the foot of the range of steep limestone rocks, the face of which was broken into many fantastic forms; with galleries—partly natural and partly artificial-running in various directions.

He climbed by a circuitous path to a long terrace, which had evidently been enlarged and improved by the hand of man, and formed a broad esplanade, from which a magnificent view of the whole of the sacred city was obtained. Here must the gorgeous processions, that in the days of old accompanied the remains of a deceased monarch to his royal sepulchre, have