moonlight lay on the great leaves of the fan-palm. But on the present occasion the whole scene was like fairy-land. Every path was bordered, every arch outlined with myriads of lamps. In an open saloon garlanded with flowers, pyramids of lamps rose in each corner, clusters of lamps hung from the ceiling. The figures that moved in this scene of enchantment seemed, to my young eyes, quite worthy of it; the ladies with their light floating dresses, the gentlemen mostly in gay uniforms. The musicians, hidden in a bower of leaves and blossoms, gave out sounds that filled me with delight. By and by, as we were preparing to go home, a number of fireworks were sent up among the taller trees, bringing into strong relief the varied beauty of leaf and flower that surrounded us. The large round moon was shining over the sea before we reached home, and my dreams that night were like a fairy-tale.

A few days later, I saw the same place again under the common light of day, with not a soul besides our own party to be found there, except a potter, who plied his wheel and moulded a lump of clay into rude flowerpots, as he sat under a pomegranate-tree. But it was Aladdin's garden still, with buds and bells of magical beauty, and fruits bright as jewels hanging on the trees; to say nothing of the palm called the “Tra

veller's joy," which, when a slight incision was made below its great leaves, sent forth a gush of pure cool water that would have been priceless in the desert whence the tree had been originally brought.

Fortunately for us, the merchants who were my father's employers, found it necessary to send a confidential agent to Aden at this time, and they selected my father for the duty. The local government, too, required information on some question connected with the fortifications in progress at the same place, and Colonel Clay was ordered to repair thither, so we mustered a large party when the day of departure came. I remember that day well: the last drive through the palm-bordered roads, and the busy bazaars, with a sickly smell of musk and sandal-wood pervading the air, and then out on the open esplanade and past the fort, to the Apollo Bunder. I remember the confusion on deck when we reached the steamer, the tears, the anguish, as husbands and wives, fathers and children, bade each other farewell. I remember, as we steamed away, my last sight of Bombay, and the long low land of Colaba, with houses peeping among the trees, and the lighthouse gleaming white in the sunshine.

Our voyage across the Indian Ocean was very delightful, or would have been so, but for the querulous

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invalids and spoiled children who were among the passengers. The evenings were especially lovely, and we lingered late on deck to enjoy the coolness, and to watch the wonderful white light that gleamed over the sea, or flashed like liquid fire from the paddle-wheels. My father showed me the Southern Cross on one of those evenings, as he walked the deck with me in his arms, in the same loving manner to which I had been ever accustomed. I was sorry when I thought that I was to part with him so soon.

"To-morrow evening we shall be at Aden, Clary," he said, after we had both been silent for some time; "to-morrow night I hope we shall sleep on shore; and the next day, Clary, we must bid each other good-bye. What will you be like, I wonder, when I see you again? Not a little 'weeny white rabbit' that I can carry in my arms; but, perhaps, a tall, dignified young lady, who will say, 'Who is that old gentleman? Pray introduce him to me.""

"Nonsense, papa!" I

cried, "I shall always know you, if you have your face all puckered up with wrinkles, and your hair all white and thin."

'Well, I hope we may meet before so great a change takes place, Clary," he said, smiling.

"I hope so, papa," I said. "Do come to England and see us very soon, or let us come back to you."

"God knows how it will be, Clary; I cannot tell," he answered, very gravely, and then we were both silent for a long time. When he spoke again, it was to bid me obey my mother in all things, and do my utmost for her comfort always. With my cheek on his, I made a promise which, thank God, I believe I had grace to keep.

ADEN, THE DESERT, AND CAIRO.

HE next evening we reached Aden, when the rugged peaks were but dimly visible against the sky. All our party landed, by

invitation, and found rooms ready for them in the Resident's house, near the landing-place. The next morning I woke on a couch in Mrs. Armstrong's room, and could not at first imagine where I was, but I soon rose and went to the window, to ascertain whence came the sound of singing which reached my ear. I exclaimed with delight as I saw the hills, bare and rugged as they might really be, beautified and made to glow like amethysts by the glorious morning-light.