seen before. There were armour, and tapestry, and many-coloured Turkish carpets, Venetian mirrors, and articles of furniture in carved wood were standing about; also statues and pictures. On a raised dais, at one end of the room, a large half-finished picture stood upon an easel; and the young men seemed to have been busily engaged upon other pictures.

Angelo stood in bewildered surprise, whilst the painter and the young men interchanged their greetings.

"I bring you here a younger brother," said the painter, at length; "receive him as one whom I love well." He glanced his eye amongst them, and, beckoning to a slight, pale, and very handsome young man, he said—" Angostino, you will be his master at present. Instruct him, and keep me informed of his progress. His chamber in the house is next to yours. And you, my child," said he, turning to Angelo, "follow Angostino, and obey him as you would obey me; and now, gentlemen, let me see what has been done my absence."

in

Angostino took Angelo by the hand, and led him into a smaller room, where there was little

to be seen besides an easel, upon which stood a picture, at which he had been at work.

"I once had a brother of your age; he was like you, too. Perhaps you have been sent to me to be one in his stead," said Angostino to Angelo, when they were alone.

"I should like to have a brother," said Angelo; I never had any one to belong to me except my grandmother. Have you a mother?"

"No," replied Angostino, sadly; "my mother and my brother are both blessed spirits now. I shall go to them I hope, some time."

"How glad you will be to meet them," said Angelo; "it must be better to go to heaven when you have friends there you love. I shall see my angel, if ever I get there."

66

Ah, you love angels, then," said Angostino; my mother and my brother are the only angels I care about. I always think they can see me, and that they are ever near me; and it keeps me from doing many things which I might be led to do, if it were not for the thought of grieving them, and, perhaps, driving them away."

"I should like to be able to think that," said

Angelo; "but I never saw my mother, and she will not know me."

"Well, it will be all made right, never fear," said Angostino; "I recollect a verse she taught me : 'As one whom his mother comforteth, so will 1 comfort thee, saith the Lord." "

And so they talked together for some time; and Angelo found that a friend had been prepared for him, even in this place of strangers. Angostino and Angelo felt their hearts knit together; and they loved each other like brothers.

Angelo had to work diligently to learn the art of painting. It was not so easy as to carve shapes in wood, after his own fancy; but he gradually gained skill and understanding. He was taken by Angostino to see all that was to be seen in the great city. But the churches moved his spirit beyond all other things. In Rome they are very magnificent, adorned with pictures, statues, and beautiful monuments. Angelo had never cared for amusing himself as a child; and, as he grew up to be a young man, he did not care for what are called pleasures and amusements. He worked very hard at his painting, and in his leisure time he made

carvings in wood. His master had a book which he much prized; and Angelo thought he would make two leaves of wood to bind it up in. It was the work of many months. On one side was represented the history of Joseph, and on the other, the life of Jesus. And the back was carved with flowers and emblems. It was all carved in oak; and there was a silver lock and key, engraved with curious devices. His master was much pleased with this binding for his precious book; and said, Angelo, you must always take sacred subjects, you do them the best; I suppose it is because you love them most." Angelo said nothing at that time, but went his way.

Angelo did not often see his master, who worked in the upper school, as it was called; and he was besides, often absent upon journeys. Everything needful was, however, provided for Angelo, as though he had been a son. He was taught to ride and fence, and do all that was customary for a well-bred young man of that day. Angostino was always with him; and they loved each other more and more every day.

His heart continued to be filled with the thoughts

of God and his Angels. He lived always as in His presence; and lived and served Him with all his heart. And God kept Angelo in the great city as he had kept him in the forest, from all that was hurtful, and from doing what was not right.

One day it happened that Angelo was in a church, in a distant part of the city, where he did not often go. He saw a venerable old man, whose face seemed familiar to him, though he could not tell when or where he had seen him before. The old man looked very feeble, and appeared to be in great sorrow. After service, Angelo went near him, and they left the church together.

The steps that led down the street were numerous, and the intense heat had made them slippery. Angelo offered his arm to assist the old man, who accepted it.

As they walked along, Angelo became more and more convinced that he had known this old man before; and at last he said so.

"No, my son," replied the came to Rome three days ago. years in distant countries.

old man, "I only

I have been many

I have visited the

Holy Places, and have been a missionary to convert