brought to Him, and He promised them the Kingdom of Heaven. Wherefore
then should we exclude them and deny them baptism?"

"I cannot share your views," replied a presbyter with a high forehead and
sunken eyes. "We ought no doubt to follow the Saviour, but those who
tread in His steps should do so of their own free choice, out of love for
Him, and after He has sanctified their souls. What is the sense of a new
birth in a life that has scarcely begun.

"Your discourse," replied the bishop, "only confirms my opinion that
this question is one for a higher assembly. We will now close our
discussion of that point, and go on to the care of the poor. Call in the
women, my good Justinius."

The deaconesses came into the room and took seats at the lower end of the
table, Paulina, the widow of Pudeus, taking her place opposite the bishop
in the middle of the other women. She had learnt from Selene's kind
nurse in what pressing difficulties the children of the deceased steward
now found themselves, and that Hannah had promised to assist them.

The deacons first gave their reports of what their works had been among
the poor; after them the women were allowed to speak. Paulina, a tall,
slight woman with black hair faintly streaked with gray, drew from her
dress, which was perfectly plain, but made of particularly soft, fine
white woollen stuff--a tablet that she placed before her, and slowly
raising her eyes and looking at the assembly she said:

"Dame Hannah has a melancholy story to tell you, for which I crave your
sympathy. Will you be so good as to allow her to speak?"