Among the many martyrs who long ago gave up their lives, rather
than deny their Master, we love to remember one little maid—a
child-martyr and saint. We do not know a great deal about her,
for she lived so very long ago, but what we know makes us love
and honour her, and speak her name with reverence. Faith was the
name of this little maiden, and her home was in France, in the
pleasant country of Aquitaine. Her parents were rich and noble,
and she was brought up carefully, and taught to be courteous and
gentle to every one. But she did not need much teaching, for her
nature was sweet and pure, and her face was fair, with the
beauty that shines from within. The town in which little Faith
lived was called Agen, and lay at the foot of a high rugged
hill, which seemed to keep guard over it. It was a quiet little
place, and most of the people who dwelt there were Christians,
living happily together with the good bishop at their head. But
one day a heavy cloud of dust was seen rolling along the
highroad that led ov