When the Cows Come Home _Mitchell_. 391 V DRAMATIC, NOT IN THE DRAMA Confessional, The _Anon._ 395 Jean Valjean and the Good Bishop _Hugo_. 400 Lasca _Anon._ 404 Michael Strogoff _Verne_. 408 Mrs. Tree _Richards_. 414 Portrait, The _Lytton_. 423 Tell-tale Heart, The _Poe_. 426 Uncle, The _Bell_. 431 VI SCENES FROM THE DRAMA Beau Brummell, Act I, Scene I; Act II, Scene 3 _Jerrold_. 468 Bells, The, Act III, Scene I _Williams_. 437 Lady of Lyons, The, Act II, Scene I; Act III, Scene 2 _Lytton_. 441 Pygmalion and Galatea, Act I, Scene I; Act II, Scene I _Gilbert_. 493 Rip Van Winkle, Act I, Scene I; Act II, Scene I _Irving_. 449 Rivals, The, Act I, Scene 2; Act II, Scene I; Act III, Scene I; Act IV, Scene 2 _Sheridan_. 454 Set of Turquoise, The, Act I, Scene I; Act I, Scene 2 _Aldrich_. 478 She Stoops to Conquer, Act II, Scene I _Goldsmith_. 486 INDEX OF AUTHORS 509 STANDARD SELECTIONS I NARRATIVE, DESCRIPTIVE, PATHETIC THE ARENA SCENE FROM "QUO VADIS"[1] HENRYK SIENKIEWICZ The Roman Empire in the first century presents the most revolting picture of mankind to be found in the pages of history. Society founded on superior force, on the most barbarous cruelty, on crime and mad profligacy, was corrupt beyond the power of words to describe. Rome ruled the world, but was also its ulcer, and the horrible monster, Nero, guilty of all hideous and revolting crimes, seems a fit monarch for such a people. A few years ago appeared "Quo Vadis?" the story from which this selection is made. The book attained so great a popularity, that it was translated into almost every tongue. In spite of its many faults, it invited the attention, and, although it shocked the sensibilities, when its great purpose was understood it melted the heart. The author drew a startlingly vivid and horrible picture of humanity at this lowest stage, and in conflict with it he showed us the Christ spirit. The extract is the story of how the young Vinicius, a patrician, a soldier, a courtier of Nero, through the labyrinth of foul sin, of self-worship and self-indulgence, with love for his guide, found his way home to the feet of Him who commanded, "Be ye pure even as I am pure."