The African Fabiola; Or, the Church of Carthage in the Days of Tertullian (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1881. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER III.. THE CHRISTIAN SLAVE. Among the slaves.given by her mother to Julia at the time of her marriage to Ilanno was one named Rufina, who was about the same age as her young mistress. The fairness of her complexion showed plainly enough that she belonged to no African race, but was sprung from some one of the tribes that dwell in the mild climate of Europe. Always grave and pensive, she was ever respectful to her superiors and affable to her equals, yet she never shared in their merrymakings and wanton dances. Whenever her occupations allowed her a few moments of liberty, she either retired to her humble chamber or strolled alone in some solitary walk in the garden. Occasionally she would be heard singing in some unknown tongue, and though the listeners understood not the refrain, the air affected them singularly; there was something so sweet in the voice, so touching and melancholy in the tone They who heard paused to listen until tears came, as they invariably did, nnd put an end to those weird melodies. On certain days she assnmed a more animated and lively strain; but such days were few, and she speedily relapsed into her habitual melancholy. As may be easily imagined, the curiosity of her companions was aroused in no small degree, and each of them had formed bcr own commentary. "She is a hypocrite," cried one. "Just think, at her age people naturally love enjoyment and dancing; in every climate youth laughs and skips, and still, no matter how we try, we have never yet been able to induce her to join us in our amusements. By this affected gravity she flatters herself, of course, that she will ingratiate herself into the good graces of our sedate mistress, and it must be acknowledged that in this she has succeeded but too well already." "Perhap...