And what can the life of such a brute be to you ?' Before he could stop her, Pelagia had sprung from her cushions, and thrown herself into the midst of the laughing ring of wild beasts.
'Spare him! spare him for my sake!' shrieked she.
'Oh, my pretty lady! you mustn't interrupt warriors' sport!' In an instant she had torn off her shawl, and thrown it over Philammon; and as she stood, with all the outlines of her beautiful limbs revealed through the thin robe of spangled gauze-- 'Let the man who dares, touch him beneath that shawl!--though it be a saffron one!' The Goths drew back.

For Pelagia herself they had as little respect as the rest of the world had.

But for a moment she was not the Messalina of Alexandria, but a woman; and true to the old woman-worshipping instinct, they looked one and all at her flashing eyes, full of noble pity and indignation, as well as of mere woman's terror--and drew back, and whispered together.
Whether the good spirit or the evil one would conquer, seemed for a moment doubtful, when Pelagia felt a heavy hand on her shoulder, and turning, saw Wulf the son of Ovida.
'Go back, pretty woman! Men, I claim the boy.

Smid, give him to me.

He is your man.