Poor fellow! He seems anxious to make amends for so much self-sacrifice.

In compliance to his wishes your friend reaps twofold pleasure, therefore Mary shall hear "of the churches." About three weeks ago a party of tourists, including the Croftons and ourselves; visited several of the grand old churches, so important in the history of Roman architecture of classic ages.

The first we entered was the church of the Ara Coeli, said to occupy the site of the ancient temple of Jupiter Feretrius.

It was a gloomy old structure with long rows of pillars of Etruscan design.
On ascending the long flight of steep stairs on one side the impressive gloom increased.

The situation awoke old associations of the sybilline and vague predictions of the time-honored soothsayers--their power--their greatness--their fall.