It is unnecessary to repeat particulars; in a word, you can imagine no kind of ill usage which I did not suffer in this family.
"At last an heathen priest, an acquaintance of my lady's, obtained me of her for a present.

The scene was now totally changed, and I had as much reason to be satisfied with my present situation as I had to lament my former.

I was so absolutely my master's favorite, that the rest of the slaves paid me almost as much regard as they showed to him, well knowing that it was entirely in my power to command and treat them as I pleased.
I was intrusted with all my master's secrets, and used to assist him in privately conveying away by night the sacrifices from the altars, which the people believed the deities themselves devoured.

Upon these we feasted very elegantly, nor could invention suggest a rarity which we did not pamper ourselves with.

Perhaps you may admire at the close union between this priest and his slave, but we lived in an intimacy which the Christians thought criminal; but my master, who knew the will of the gods, with whom he told me he often conversed, assured me it was perfectly innocent.
"This happy life continued about four years, when my master's death, occasioned by a surfeit got by overfeeding on several exquisite dainties, put an end to it.
"I now fell into the hands of one of a very different disposition, and this was no other than the celebrated St.Chrysostom, who dieted me with sermons instead of sacrifices, and filled my ears with good things, but not my belly.