"Pancratius!" said Quadratus, looking round, and seeing that he had got clear off; "I do not see him." And he let him go; but it was too late. The youth was safe at the house of Diogenes.

While this scene was going on, the prefect, mortified, ordered Catulus to see the body thrown into the Tiber. But another officer, muffled in his cloak, stepped aside and beckoned to Catulus, who understood the sign, and stretched out his hand to receive a proffered purse.

"At Lucina's villa, an hour after sunset," said Sebastian.

"It shall be delivered there safe," said the executioner.

"Of what do you think that poor girl died?" asked a spectator from his companion, as they went out. "Of fright, I fancy," he replied.

"Of Christian modesty," interposed a stranger who passed them.

CARDINAL WISEMAN: Fabiola.

AIDS TO STUDY

Catulus (Kǎt'ü lus).

diversities (di vûr'sĩ tiz), varieties.

decrees (dé krēz'), laws, regula- garnish (gär'nish), to adorn.

I. 1. Tell what you know about the time, the place, and the author of this remarkable story. 2. What were the catacombs used for by the Christians? 3. Why did Corvinus lead the Roman soldiers into the catacombs? 4. Was it a successful trip? 5. What prevented them from reaching the assembled Christians? 6. On coming out of the catacombs, what did they see? 7. Give the conversation which took place between Cecilia and Pancratius. 8. Why was Fulvius furious? 9. What did Cecilia tell Fulvius about herself?

II. 1. How did the Roman judge treat Cecilia? 2. Were there many present at the trial? 3. Why was she placed on the rack? 4. In what other awful way did they torture her? 5. During all the torments, what did Cecilia do? 6. What did Pancratius say to the judge? 7. How did Sebastian manage to get the body of Cecilia? 8. Express your opinion of the sterling faith of Cecilia, as well as the inhuman conduct of the judge.

Expressions for study:

by word and pen
playful breeze

sightless orbs

strange fancies

suppressed indignation
taken in the dark
unsearchable mazes

weaklings of the flock

1. If you have enjoyed reading this story, think of the parts that are especially pleasing. 2. Make a brief statement of the points in each of these parts. 3. Name the characters in the selection, and describe the part taken by each. 4. Contrast the noble with the ignoble characters. 5. To show the nobility of character make a list of the statements made by each and the acts that each performed. 6. Dramatize the selection.

As an exercise in language, classify according to use and construction the different phrases in the first part of this extract; and classify in the same manner the clauses in the second part.

THE POWER OF PRAYER

I have lived my life, and that which I have done
May He within Himself make pure; but thou,
If thou shouldst never see my face again,

Pray for my soul. More things are wrought by prayer
Than this world dreams of. Wherefore let thy voice
Rise like a fountain for me night and day.

For what are men better than sheep and goats,

That nourish a blind life within the brain,

If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer

Both for themselves and those who call them friend? For so the whole round earth is every way

Bound by gold chains about the feet of God.

ALFRED TENNYSON.

THE BIRDS OF PASSAGE

When dreary winter comes, and the ground is covered with a dress of snow, most of the birds have left us. Did you ever stop to think why they do so every year? Is it because they need a vacation? No; they seek a warm climate so as to obtain food as well as to protect themselves from the severe cold of the North. Have you ever seen them on their way to the sunny South? They usually travel in large numbers flying many miles without a stop. Then when the cold days of winter have past, these little wanderers return to their northern homes.

In the following poem there is a dialogue between the poet and the birds. The poet wants to know whether the birds have noticed any changes in the countries through which they passed; and the birds tell her all they have seen.

Birds, joyous birds of the wandering wing!

Whence is it ye come with the flowers of spring?
"We come from the shores of the green old Nile,
From the land where the roses of Sharon smile,
From the palms that wave through the Indian sky,
From the myrrh trees of growing Araby.

"We have swept o'er cities in song renowned

Silent they lie with the deserts round!

We have crossed proud rivers whose tide hath rolled All dark with the warrior blood of old;

And each worn wing hath regained its home,

Under the peasant's rooftree or monarch's dome."

And what have ye found in the monarch's dome,
Since last ye traversed the blue sea's foam?
"We have found a change, we have found a pall,
And a gloom o'ershadowing the banquet's hall,
And a mark on the floor as of life drops spilt
Naught looks the same, save the nest we built!"

O joyous birds! it hath still been so ;
Through the halls of kings doth the tempest go!
But the huts of the hamlet lie still and deep,
And the hills o'er their quiet a vigil keep :
Say what have ye found in the peasant's cot
Since last ye parted from that sweet spot?

"A change we have found there and many a change! Faces and footsteps, and all things strange!

Gone are the heads of the silvery hair,

And the young that were have a brow of care,
And the place is hushed where the children played
Naught looks the same, save the nest we made!"

Sad is your tale of the beautiful earth,
Birds that o'ersweep it in power and mirth!
Yet through the wastes of the trackless air
Ye have a guide, and shall we despair?
Ye over desert and deep have passed
So may we reach our bright home at last!

MRS. FELICIA D. HEMANS.