During her absence the lady explained to Melissa that they both were Christians.

They were freeborn, the children of a freedman of Berenike's house.

Johannes had at an early age shown so much intelligence that they had acceded to his wish to be educated as a lawyer.

He was now one of the most successful pleaders in the city; but he always used his eloquence, which he had perfected not only at Alexandria but also at Carthage, by preference in the service of accused Christians.

In his leisure hours he would visit the condemned in prison, speak comfort to them, and give them presents out of the fine profits he derived from his business among the wealthy.