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met the rose-colour of the zenith. A sweet sea-breeze from the east, sporting with the flowers and the leaves, refreshed an atmosphere still heated by the breath of noon, and dispersed the mists which began to gloom over the humid lowlands. Nature prepared to take her rest; the timid dove, flushed by the softest sound, arose from the path, and sought amid the branches a safe roosting-place, whilst upon the boughs of a blasted pine-tree the large dark-brown buzzards gathered to repose their pinions after the long laborious flights of the hours of light.

The bells of the Jesuit Campanile struck seven as the two men whom we have described neared the stream. Both, reverently raising their felt hats with enormous flaps, broke off speech to address the Most High. Having crossed themselves after prayer, the Father took the hand of the Novice and thus addressed him:—

"Thou wouldst then quit the house of God and give up the service of religion and the Company?"

"I feel no calling for the ghostly state," replied the youth, attempting to kiss the hand that was withdrawn. "Doth not the Lord guide His own creation?" he resumed after some moments of silence. "If He grant not to me the will and the vocation, it is that He destineth me for another career."

"Thine end will be miserable, my son," rejoined the Padre. "The Almighty ordaineth no tyranny. Hardly He granteth conviction that the stray sheep may be gathered into the fold of the Church. He createth men free that they may be responsible for will and deed. But thou wilt be wretched. The Catholic Church is the divine reason, the sole salvation of mankind; and there can be no rest for him who abandoneth her, and who plungeth into the depths of this world of woe."

"Why then did not God sow in my heart the seed of longing and ardent aspiration for a priestly life