Marshall, Emma 1830-1899 creator text utu 2020 monographic en 1 online resource : multiple file formats "No. XIII; or, The Story of the Lost Vestal" by Emma Marshall is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The story delves into the life and trials of a lost Vestal Virgin, identified only as "Number Thirteen," who confronts the intersection of ancient paganism and the early Christian faith. The narrative unfolds amidst the backdrop of Roman Britain, exploring themes of faith, sacrifice, and the struggles of women in a tumultuous society. At the start of the novel, the city of Verulam is depicted in a strange silence as its streets empty out, with citizens flocking to witness a public execution. The scene is set in the home of Severus, a Roman noble, where his wife, Cæcilia, and their daughter, Hyacintha, remain oblivious to the grim event unfolding outside. Amidst conversations about the expected death of the martyr Alban, we are introduced to Ebba, the British slave, who grapples with her feelings about the persecuted Christians. The opening establishes a rich blend of personal concerns and societal issues, hinting at the deep conflicts that will arise as the characters navigate the dangers of religious persecution and societal expectations. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Release date is 2020-07-03 Produced by Tim Lindell, David E. Brown, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This book was produced from images made available by the HathiTrust Digital Library.) Original publication data not identified Rome -- History -- Empire, 30 B.C.-476 A.D. -- Fiction Vestal virgins -- Fiction Christian converts -- Fiction PR Original publication data not identified https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/62548 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/62548 UtSlPG 260607 20260610134436.0 62548