“Where am I? and what has happened?”
“Thou art surrounded by warm friends, and peace and joy belong to thee. Be not disquieted, for all is well!”
“I have had a terrible dream—nay, it must be more than a dream, for I am in a strange place, and cannot move!”
“Thou art in the palace of the Vice Legate of Tarsus! He snatched thee from the hand of the cruel horde, and brought thee here and placed thee in my charge. Our love, care, and healing influence will restore thee!”
“Thy kindly young face seemeth familiar! Wilt thou be pleased to tell me concerning thyself?”
“I am Amabel, the daughter of Rabban Gamaliel of Jerusalem, and wife of Serenus!”
“My love and thanks go out to thee for thy goodly service.”
She was then made acquainted with the escape of her father and mother; but soon a confused mingling of past scenes, with faintness from the terrible shock of the afternoon, overcame her, and she sank into a deep slumber.
After two or three hours she awoke visibly improved. Though very weak, she now clearly recalled all the events of the day, excepting those during the period of her unconsciousness. As she looked up, both Serenus and Amabel were seated by her side. The face of the former at once brought before her the well-remembered scenes of the Holy City. The panic of the Feast of Weeks, their subsequent conversation, the procession of prisoners, and other events of the persecution, were all vividly recalled. Yet this was “the friend of Saulus.” Then she thought of the previous day, when Serenus and Amabel coming from the Nereid were driven through the streets in the company of that Roman whose dark face was so deeply engraven upon her memory.
“There is much that seemeth mysterious to me!” she exclaimed; and then turning towards Serenus said,—