On the one hand fear and alarm spoke audibly in her soul; on the other the wish rose in her to show courage in suffering, in exposure to torture and death.

The Divine Teacher had commanded to act thus.

He had given the example himself.

Pomponia had told her that the most earnest among the adherents desire with all their souls such a test, and pray for it.

And Lygia, when still in the house of Aulus, had been mastered at moments by a similar desire.