"Then the father, willing if possible to save his child, was moved by her words and tears, though still unconvinced of her innocence. And he said--
"'I will prove and see if these things be even as you say.'
"So they returned together to the house, and he led his daughter into an inner room, and commanded his servants to bring Aureus bound before him. Then having dismissed the slaves, he repeated to the boy the story which his daughter had told; and when he had done this, he said--
"'If this be true, then shalt thou be crucified in the sight of all the people; but if thou canst prove that this was no act of violence, I will sell thee as a slave, and the girl shall die!'
"The boy looked upon the pleading and terrified face of the one he loved, and lifting up his head, swore by the gods, saying--
"'It is true even as thy daughter has said. I, and only I, am to blame.'
"Then the father turned to the girl and said--'And you hate him even as you said?'
"And she, simulating anger, answered--'I hate him--I hate him!'
"But Marius, still doubting, replied, so that he might try her further--'Thou shalt this night then have thy revenge, even before the sun shall set.'
"Then he ordered that a cross of wood should be made ready. When it was prepared and laid upon the ground, he commanded his daughter to come, and the boy was brought forth and laid upon the cross. But when one of the servants was about to take a nail and with the heavy hammer drive it into the boy's hand, Marius stayed him, saying--