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----.

Pity me and tell me, you in whose ear God speaks, tell me, what must I do ?" "Daughter," answered the grave and gentle man, "you must trust in God.
Did He not save you in the house at Tyre?
Did He not save you in the streets of Jerusalem?
Did He not save you on the gate Nicanor ?" "He did," answered Miriam.
"Aye, daughter, and so shall He save you in the slave-market of Rome.