He instructed a dependent of his, Marcus Claudius, to claim the girl as his slave, and not to yield to those who might demand her interim retention of liberty; considering that, because the girl's father was absent, there was an opportunity for committing the injury.
The tool of the decemvir's lust laid hands on the girl as she was coming into the forum (for there in the sheds the literary schools were held); calling her "the daughter of his slave and a slave herself," he commanded her to follow him; that he would force her away if she demurred.

The girl being stupified with terror, a crowd collects at the cries of the girl's nurse, who besought the protection of the citizens.
The popular names of her father, Virginius, and of her spouse, Icilius, are in the mouths of every one.

Their regard for them gains over their acquaintances, whilst the heinousness of the proceeding gains over the crowd.

She was now safe from violence, when the claimant says, "that there was no occasion for raising a mob; that he was proceeding by law, not by force." He cites the girl into court.

Those who stood by her advising her to follow him, they now reached the tribunal of Appius.