Surely
the cup of iniquity of my people is full, and they shall drink it to the
dregs!"
That same afternoon also came an assistant of the officer, who was
called the Marshal, with orders to Gallus as to when and where he was to
deliver over his charge upon the morrow. With him he brought a packet,
which, when opened, proved to contain a splendid golden girdle,
fashioned to the likeness of a fetter. The clasp was an amethyst,
and round it were cut these words: "The gift of Domitian to her who
to-morrow shall be his."
Miriam threw the thing from her as though it were a snake.
"I will not wear it," she said. "I say that I will not wear it; at least
to-day I am my own," while Julia groaned and Gallus cursed beneath his
breath.
Knowing her sore plight, that evening there came to visit her one of the
elders of the Christian Church in Rome, a bishop named Cyril, who had
been the friend and disciple of the Apostle Peter. To him the poor girl
poured out all the agony of her heart.
"Oh! my father, my father in Christ," she said, "I swear to you that
were I not of our holy faith, rather than endure this shame I would slay
myself to-night! Other dangers have I passed, but they have been of the
body alone, whereas this----.
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