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Many ceased their labour, complaining how hard it was that they must weary themselves and have no pleasure in the summer, when all other things were enjoying themselves,-quite forgetting the dangers and sorrows of the wilderness without, from which they had been saved. They said that the fruits they had gathered for themselves were much sweeter than the food now supplied to them, and longed to be free from the restraint of the garden walls, that they might amuse themselves as they liked. Soon they began to go away from the mirror, and to look over the walls, which were low enough to admit of their seeing the houses and plains beyond, which the art of their enemies had invested with all the brilliant appearances of noble mansions and splendid parks. Still they durst not venture to leave the garden, or leap over the fence, but remained gazing in discontent at the prospect.

Among those who were enticed away from the mirror, and from their proper work, was Gnostus. He had never tried to labour in his garden, but strained his eyes at the clouds floating round the palace, till he fancied he could see and know much more than any of his companions, while really, his sight was dimmed, and he saw everything in a mist. One of the King's enemies approached him, and, seeming to him to be a royal messenger, easily persuaded him that he had seen all that the mirror could show; but that afar over the plains was a high hill, from which even the interior of the palace could be seen. Gnostus hesitated a moment when he came to the wall, but his false guide told him that for one so far-sighted and distinguished as he was, there could be no danger in leaving the enclosure, which was only for the weak and timid. A slight bound carried him over; and once on the plain, he rushed forward towards the distant hill, calling to those near him to follow, since that hill lay nearer to the palace (as they might see from its brightness) than the garden was. Several followed his example in leaping the wall; but most of them directed their course to some object they had in view for themselves. When the tempters had prevailed on the children to feel discontented with their food and

their work, and to admire themselves in the little glasses, they soon pointed out to them some object of pursuit, which they persuaded them was better worth spending the summer in attaining, than the mere cultivation of their gardens. In autumn, all intended to return and work diligently, that before winter they might raise the fruits which the King's Son expected to find.

At some distance from the garden, was a barren hill, inside which there were said to be mines of great treasures. This was shown to one of the wanderers by the disguised enemy, who had persuaded him to leave the spot where he had been placed by the Deliverer; and he promised that if Arpagus would put himself under his direction, he would help him to get the rich treasure. Joyfully the boy seized the tools given him to cultivate his garden, and followed his new master, calling some of his companions to go along with them. They were soon lost to sight in the depths of the mines, but the sound of their tools was heard far around, and now and then loud shouting, as some mass of ore was discovered. Not many, however, accompanied Arpagus into the mine, for they rather wished to amuse themselves, than to find treasure. A greater number were attracted by the view of a high tower, from which waved many coloured flags, and round which echoed the loud sounds of martial music. Hither went Philexous, followed by an eager band, to scale the heights and gain the lofty tower for their own. But many a weary mile lay between them and it,-many a morass had they to wade through, and often did they plant ladders to scale the walls in vain. Yet on they went with their toil, and regarded no obstacle, if they might but win the desired eminence.

A contrast to these scenes of toil was presented by a gorgeous mansion beneath in the plain whither Hedon had led a troop of comrades, to join him in making merry. Here they found tables ready, spread with costly banquets, rooms filled with precious furniture, and all kinds of amusements ready to fill up the bright hours. In laughter and various sports passed the day with most of them. Some few, soon wearied with their slothful life here, amused and busied themselves in seeking curious plants,

insects, or other rarities, or in contriving new inventions and finding new pleasures for the rest.

All of these were as busy in their several ways as if on their fulfilling their self-appointed tasks had depended their entering the King's palace. But not all were by any means fortunate in finding either employment to engage them, or pleasure to satisfy them. Many wandered over the barren plain, seeking only to satisfy their hunger, and unable to do this, for they only fell in with wild herbs or coarse berries. Dissatisfied with their own way of life, they begged from their former companions; but these, made selfish by their own pleasure or success, denied them assistance. Arpagus took some of them into his service but they became slaves, and the products of their labours were all given up to him.

Meantime Euphilus, with those who yet remained obedient, worked on as they had been commanded, not regarding the heat of the day, nor the invitations made them to rest, and leave toil till a later season. Steadfastly they fixed their eyes on the mirror, anxious to see the brightening mark of the Great King on their faces, but chiefly gazing earnestly at the form of their Deliverer, whose loving countenance shone upon them, giving them continual joy, as they read there all his love, and remembered how with bleeding feet he had gone after them in the desert. So, with their eyes ever turned to him, they laboured on,-rooting up the weeds which sprung up from the very fertility of the soil, gathering out the stones, and carefully tending and cherishing the plants which bore good fruit, and had been set by the King's hand. Their toil was often painful; many a time they were ready to faint under the heat of the sun; and often some unseen thorn, planted by one of their enemies, would tear them, or they were bruised by a stone against which they fell. More than one sank on the ground, and for a time would give up altogether; but then Euphilus was heard urging them to take courage. "Do not fear these hardships," he said; "they are the very proof that we are sharing the lot of our Master; these wounds and bruises are far less than what he bore in his way to seek us; they are marks that we are his, and we may

well bear them patiently, for we shall share his glorious palace."

But," said one who lay on the turf in moody sorrow, "that is far off, and perhaps, after all, it is not necessary to work so hard. We may rest awhile, and yet at last have enough fruit to show."

"Nay," exclaimed Oriana, whose bright face seemed to have caught some of the glory of the mirror, "it is not far off. Our Deliverer even now is near, and watches us; and see how bright the palace walls appear, we can see the King's servants moving to and fro. Oh! do not let us lose one fruit that may be offered to him: he has promised us such happiness, let us do all he has commanded."

Her words roused the languid spirits of many of the weary ones; they saw how happy she looked, and how her garden flourished, being full of rich fruits, and again they set to work.

But now some of those who had left the garden, and who had long been following their own plans and amusements, came back to try and persuade more to join them. Philexous sent some of his comrades to invite them to his tower; and though their garments bore marks of the repeated falls they had had, they displayed their ornaments and flags, and talked of all the honour gained by Philexous, and begged those who were labouring round the mirror to come and partake of all this grandeur. Others brought gold from the hill where Arpagus was toiling, and told of its immense treasure, and of the wealth they were laying up. A troop of gay dancers pointed to the halls where mirth resounded, and where feasting and amusement were the employment of the whole day. None of these approached Euphilus, but they laughed at the labours of the obedient ones, and told them they were extremely foolish to toil and be unhappy all the fine summer, when they might please themselves, gather riches, and become greatly admired, and leave their work till autumn.

One of the stragglers, of a graver appearance, held out a box to Euphilus, filled with all kinds of curious things which he had collected, and invited him to join him in ar

ranging them and making use of them. But Euphilus showed him that of all which he had got together, the most beautiful and valuable were to be found about the garden: so that his offer was useless. Then, seeing that some seemed very strongly inclined to follow the disobedient ones, and partake of their sports, he called to them to behold in the mirror the truth of all which was offered them. He showed them that the gold of Arpagus, when placed near the pure metal, seemed nothing but the vilest dross; that the tower on which Philexous stood, was already tottering, and that the hill itself seemed of volcanic nature. The feast of the gay revellers was delicious, indeed, to behold, but subtle poisons were mixed with every dish, and serpents glided about unperceived to bite the dancers,―while the closer they looked at the palace walls, the more brightly did they seem to shine; and even the fruits and flowers of their gardens, poor as they feared they were of their kind, yet showed soundness and goodness in the mirror.

Nevertheless many turned away, and gazed eagerly on the forbidden sports, and the false treasure. They were those whose eyes had dwelt little on the countenance of their Deliverer, who had seldom lifted their faces to the Palace, and had been working on through fear of the prison-house. They would not openly join the others, but they went as far as the walls with them, and accepted their gifts, and undertook to perform certain services for them, for which they were to be allowed a share of their feasts and treasures. They said they still meant to cultivate their ground, but a little care now and then was all that was required; and as for the mark on their faces, they were quite satisfied on beholding themselves in the small glasses.

Bitterly did Euphilus lament their obstinacy and folly, but for him and his faithful companions there was abundant comfort. They beheld their faces gaining more and more a likeness to the King's Son, and brightly shone the King's mark on them: but their chief delight was to gaze earnestly on their Deliverer, and feel his loving look bent on them. They now understood better all his love in coming into the wild for them, in seeking them to