66. When the others were silent, one burst forth
somewhat roughly: “If,” he said, “your father
were alive, would he suffer you to remain unmarried?” Then
she replied with more religion and more restrained piety:
“And perchance he is gone that no one may be able to hinder
me.” Which answer concerning her father, but warning as to
himself, he made good by his own speedy death. So the others,
each of them, fearing the same for himself, began to assist and not to
hinder her as before, and her virginity involved not the loss of the
property due to her, but also received the reward of her
integrity. You see, maidens, the reward of devotion, and do you,
parents, be warned by the example of transgression.