And as she was yet praying, the attendants came to lead her to the couch of the prefect.
2But Polyxena said to them, Brethren, make not haste to any one's destruction, for this time shall quickly pass away, and they that work together with the destroyers shall perish with them.
3Rather assist strangers, that you be not found strangers to the angels of God.
4The men, being shamed by these words, went to the prefect and said, The maid from fear is seized with a violent fever.
5And the prefect said, Let her alone.
6And, behold, the son of the prefect came to Polyxena by night, and she seeing him was afraid, but the youth said to her, Fear not, girl.
7I seek not to be wedded with you as the bridegroom of destruction, for I know from your prayer that you are the bride of the God of heaven.
8I know this God who is never overcome by any one, for a certain man of glorious countenance lately in Antioch preached this God, and a certain maid, whose name was Thecla, believing him followed him, and encountered dangers on account of her beauty, of whom I have heard that she was condemned to the wild beasts.
9I therefore continually gazed upon the man, and he having observed me said to me, God give heed to you, my son.
10From that time therefore by the grace of Christ I have not gone into the sacrifices of idols, but sometimes feigning illness and sometimes involving myself in some business, my father said to me, Because you have no zeal for the sacrifices of the gods, therefore neither are you in health, not being worthy of the gods.
11But I rejoiced, hearing that I was not worthy of the sacrifices to idols; and, by the grace of God, are you come hither as a providence to me.
12Polyxena said, And what is the name of that man?
13The youth said, Paul is his name.
14Polyxena said, He is in my city.
15The youth said, Come then, girl, put on my appearance, and go down to the shore and wait me there; I having taken money will come quickly.