The fangs of the savage beasts, the shouts of the still more savage spectators, the agony of the quivering flesh, the last terror of their departing, what were these?
Soon, very soon, they would be done; the spears of the soldiers would despatch the injured, and those among them whom it was ordained should escape, would be set free by the command of the representative of Caesar, that they might prosecute the work till the hour came for them to pass on the torch of redemption to other hands.

Let them rejoice, therefore, and be very thankful, and walk to the sacrifice as to a wedding feast.

"Do you not rejoice, my brethren ?" he asked.

With one voice they answered, "We rejoice!" Yes, even the children answered thus.
Then they prayed again, and again with uplifted hands the old man blessed them in the holy Triune Name.
Scarcely had this service, as solemn as it was simple, been brought to an end when the head jailer, whose blasphemous jocosity since his reproof by Anna was replaced by a mien of sullen venom, came forward and commanded the whole band to march to the amphitheatre.

Accordingly, two by two, the bishop leading the way with the sainted woman Anna, they walked to the gates.