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life besides to have been allowed to die with her.

"It was at the time of the fourth decree of persecution, a few months
before the promulgation of the first edict of toleration.

"He that sacrifices, it is said, shall go unpunished, and he that
refuses, shall by some means or other be brought to it, but those
who continue stiff-necked shall suffer death. For a long time much
consideration had been shown to the prisoners, but now they were alarmed
by having the edict read to them anew. Many hid themselves groaning and
lamenting, others prayed aloud, and most awaited what might happen with
pale lips and painful breathing.

"Magdalen remained perfectly calm. The names of the Christian prisoners
were called out, and the imperial soldiers led them all together to one
spot. Neither my name nor hers was called, for I did not belong to the
prisoners, and she had not been apprehended for the faith's sake. The
officer was rolling up his list, when Magdalen rose and stepped modestly
forward, saying with quiet dignity, 'I too am a Christian.'

"If there be an angel who wears the form and features of man, his face
must resemble hers, as she looked in that hour. The Roman, a worthy man,
looked at her with a benevolent, but searching gaze. I do not find your
name here,' he said aloud, shaking his head and pointing to the roll;
and he added in a lower voice, 'Nor do I intend to find it.'

"She went closer up to him, and said out loud, Grant me my place among
the believers, and write down, that Magdalen, the Christian, refuses to
sacrifice.'

"My soul was deeply moved, and with joyful eagerness I cried out, 'Put
down my name too, and write, that Menander, the son of Herophilus, also
refuses.' The Roman did his duty.

"Time has not blotted out from my memory a single moment of that day.
There stood the altar, and near it the heathen priest on one side,
and on the other the emperor's officer. We were taken up two by two;
Magdalen and I were the last. One word now--one little word--would give
us life and freedom, another the rack and death. Out of thirty of us
only four had found courage to refuse to sacrifice, but the feeble
hearted broke out into lamentations, and beat their foreheads, and
prayed that the Lord might strengthen the courage of the others. An
unutterably pure and lofty joy filled my soul, and I felt, as if we were
out of the body floating on ambient clouds. Softly and calmly we refused
to sacrifice, thanked the