Hanging lamps of bronze burned in the room, and by their light Miriam saw that it was very clean and well, though not richly, furnished.
"This is my own house, daughter," she explained, "which my father left me, where I have dwelt during all these weary years that my husband has been absent in the wars of the East.

It is a humble place, but you will find peace and safety in it, and, I trust, comfort.

Poor child," she added in a gentle voice, "I who am also a Christian, though as yet of this my husband knows nothing, welcome you in the Name of the Lord." "In the Name of our Lord, I thank you," answered Miriam, "who am but a friendless slave." "Such find friends," said Julia, "and if you will suffer it I think that I shall be one of them." Then at a sign from the elder woman they knelt down, and in silence each of them put up her prayer of thanksgiving, the wife because her husband had come back to her safe, the maiden because she had been led to a house ruled by a woman of her own faith.
After this they ate, a plain meal but well cooked and served.

When it was done Julia conducted Miriam to the little whitewashed chamber which had been prepared for her.

It was lighted from the court by a lattice set high in the wall, and, like all the house, very clean and sweet, with a floor of white marble.
"Once another maid slept here," said Julia with a sigh, glancing at the white bed in the corner.
"Yes," said Miriam, "she was named Flavia, was she not, your only child?
Nay, do not be astonished.