The guards opened every
door at the sight of the symbol of priestly authority, the bronze
lizard.
Lycias, brave and strong man, grew sick at the dreadful suffering of
delicate women, frail young girls accustomed to luxury, who were so
suddenly thrown into surroundings and as they had never dreamed of.
All because of their faith? Lycias began to wonder what the power was
which enabled these feeble creatures to face death with calmness and
courage.
"There must be something in this religion of Jesus Christ which makes
them forget themselves," he thought. "I will ask Lidia to tell me the
secret."
In one corner of a dark, damp cell, several persons were kneeling in
prayer. The voice of an old man could be heard, petitioning God, for
Christ's sake, to lead them through this valley of the shadow of death
and bring them to the holy city in its beauty and into the presence of
their Lord and Master.
"There, that is Virgilia, the fair one, yonder, with face upraised,"
said Alyrus.
Lycias took a long look at the young girl, so that he would know her
again.
Pages:
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112