To the surprise of all around, one of the women exclaimed—
“We desire not freedom; we cannot recant; we believe in Jesus the Lord.”
“To the lions with them—they want sport for the arena,” exclaimed a voice. “If they do not recant, spare them not.”
“Oh, spare them, spare them!” exclaimed Hyacintha.
“There is no need for entreaty,” said Terentia, haughtily. “Unloose the cords and let the women free. It is the invariable favour granted by the priestesses of the goddess Vesta, nor can I remit it, though, forsooth, I have rarely seen a favour so coldly received. Move on,” she said.
And then the crowd separated, and the two prisoners’ cords being loosed they were flung aside, with rough blows and angry exclamations. And the people poured on towards the Coliseum, where they yet hoped to find the beasts were not disappointed of their prey.
The two women sank down on the highway, utterly exhausted. They had been rescued from death, but had hardly power to realise it. Anna put her arm round one of the women, and said—
“Can I lead you home?” and Rebekah, less gently, had taken her companion by the shoulder and tried to rouse her.
“Are they gone?” she murmured.
“They are gone where you will follow unless you rouse yourselves. Your lives have been spared; make haste to flee.”