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plain and simple robes； they spent their time in making garments
for the poor； and embroidered work for church decorations； and
with song and prayer and frugal meals； interspersed with frequent
fasts； they kept their vow to 〃forswear the world and its
allurements；〃 in an altogether strict and monotonous manner。 Of
course this style of living is no more to be recommended to
healthy； hearty； fun…loving girls of fifteen than is its extreme
of gayety and indulgence； but it had its effect in those bad old
days of dissipation and excess； and the simplicity and soberness
of this wise young girl's life in the very midst of so much power
and luxury； made even the worst elements in the empire respect
and honor her。
It would be interesting； did space permit； to sketch at length
some of the devisings and doings of this girl regent of sixteen。
〃She superintended with extraordinary wisdom；〃 says the old
chronicler Sozemon； 〃the transactions of the Roman government；〃
and 〃afforded the spectacle；〃 says Ozanam； a later historian； 〃of
a girlish princess of sixteen； granddaughter and sole inheritor
of the genius and courage of Theodosius the Great； governing the
empires of the east and west； and being proclaimed on the death
of her brother； Augusta； Imperatrix； and mistress of the world！〃
This last eventthe death of Theodosius the Youngeroccurred in
the year 449； and Pulcheria ascended the golden throne of
Constantinoplethe first woman that ever ruled as sole empress
of the Roman world。
She died July 18； 453。 That same year saw the death of her
youthful acquaintance； Attila the Hun； that fierce barbarian whom
men had called the 〃Scourge of God。〃 His mighty empire stretched
from the great wall of China to the Western Alps； but； though he
ravaged the lands of both eastern and western Rome； he seems to
have been so managed or controlled by the wise and peaceful
measures of the girl regent； that his destroying hordes never
troubled the splendid city by the Golden Horn which offered so
rare and tempting a booty。
It is not given to the girls of to…day to have any thing like the
magnificent opportunities of the young Pulcheria。 But duty in
many a form faces them again and again； while not unfrequently
the occasion comes for sacrifice of comfort or for devotion to a
trust。 To all such the example of this fair young princess of old
Constantinople； who； fifteen centuries ago； saw her duty plainly
and undertook it simply and without hesitation； comes to
strengthen and incite； and the girl who feels herself overwhelmed
by responsibility； or who is fearful of her own untried powers；
may gather strength； courage； wisdom； and will from the story of
this historic girl of the long agothe wise young Regent of the
East； Pulcheria of Constantinople。
CLOTILDA OF BURGANDY：
THE GIRL OF THE FRENCH VINYARDS
＇Afterward known as 〃St。 Clotilda；〃 the first Queen of France。＇
A。D。 485。
It was little more than fourteen hundred years ago； in the year
of our Lord 485； that a little girl crouched trembling and
terrified； at the feet of a pitying priest in the palace of the
kings of Burgundy。 There has been many a sad little maid of ten；
before and since the days of the fair…haired Princess Clotilda；
but surely none had greater cause for terror and tears than she。
For her cruel uncle； Gundebald； waging war against his brother
Chilperic； the rightful king of Burgundy； had with a band of
savage followers burst into his brother's palace and； after the
fierce and relentless fashion of those cruel days； had murdered
King Chilperic； the father of little Clotilda； the queen； her
mother； and the young princes； her brothers； and was now
searching for her and her sister Sedelenda； to kill them also。
Poor Sedelenda had hidden away in some other far…off corner； but
even as Clotilda hung for protection to the robe of the good
stranger…priest Ugo of Rheims （whom the king； her father； had
lodged in the palace； on his homeward journey from Jerusalem）；
the clash of steel drew nearer and nearer。 Through the corridor
came the rush of feet； the arras in the doorway was rudely flung
aside； and the poor child's fierce pursuers； with her cruel uncle
at their head； rushed into the room。
〃Hollo！ Here hides the game！〃 he cried in savage exultation。
〃Thrust her away； Sir Priest； or thou diest in her stead。 Not one
of the tyrant's brood shall live。 I say it！〃
〃And who art thou to judge of life or death？〃 demanded the priest
sternly； as he still shielded the trembling child。
〃I am Gundebald； King of Burgundy by the grace of mine own good
sword and the right of succession；〃 was the reply。 〃Trifle not
with me； Sir Priest； but thrust away the child。 She is my lawful
prize to do with as I will。 Ho； Sigebert； drag her forth！〃
Quick as a flash the brave priest stepped before； the cowering
child； and； with one hand still resting protectingly on the
girl's fair hair； he raised the other in stern and fearless
protest； and boldly faced the murderous throng。
〃Back； men of blood！〃 he cried。 〃Back！ Nor dare to lay hand on
this young maid who hath here sought sanctuary！〃＇1＇
＇1＇ Under the Goths and Franks the protection of churches and
priests； when extended to persons in peril； was called the 〃right
of sanctuary；〃 and was respected even by the fiercest of
pursuers。
Fierce and savage men always respect bravery in others。 There was
something so courageous and heroic in the act of that single
priest in thus facing a ferocious and determined band； in defence
of a little girl；for girls were but slightingly regarded in
those far…off days；that it caught the savage fancy of the cruel
king。 And this； joined with his respect for the Church's right of
sanctuary； and with the lessening of his thirst for blood； now
that he had satisfied his first desire for revenge。 led him to
desist。
〃So be it then；〃 he said； lowering his threatening sword。 〃I
yield her to thee； Sir Priest。 Look to her welfare and thine own。
Surely a girl can do no harm。〃
But King Gundebald and his house lived to learn how far wrong was
that unguarded statement。 For the very lowering of the murderous
sword that thus brought life to the little Princess Clotilda
meant the downfall of the kingdom of Burgundy and the rise of the
great and victorious nation of France。 The memories of even a
little maid of ten are not easily blotted out。
Her sister； Sedelenda； had found refuge and safety in the convent
of Ainay； near at hand； and there； too； Clotilda would have gone；
but her uncle； the new king； said： 〃No； the maidens must be
forever separated。〃 He expressed a willingness； however； to have
the Princess Clotilda brought up in his palace； which had been
her father's； and requested the priest Ugo of Rheims to remain
awhile； and look after the girl's education。 In those days a
king's request was a command； and the good Ugo； though stern and
brave in th