NOTE.--The year in which the death of this Felistis occurred, was not correctly noted[258] by the preceding writers of the History of the Martyrs, nor was her full name[259] given, until we, by means of the aforementioned sentence, made the necessary corrections.
[258] The year 1551 was given.
[259] She was simply called Felistis.
Besides the above, it is also worthy of note that old writers state that she was a virtuous and honorable young maiden, and that through her long imprisonment she became so intimate with the jailer’s wife, that the latter employed her as maid-servant, to assist her in her household duties.
When it happened upon a time, that the jailer’s wife had some filth to carry out doors, but had no one around her whom she could order to do it, Felistis said: “Shall I do it?” whereupon the jailer’s wife replied: “Would you not run away?” Felistis said: “No.” But reflecting a little on the matter, and considering the frailness of human intentions, she would not undergo this test, and hence, declined to do it, which was certainly a good resolution on the part of a seemingly weak young maiden.
Shortly after, the old writers state, she was seen coming to the scaffold, to be burnt, cleanly attired and having on a white apron, as though by her outward garments she meant to indicate how purely and uprightly a Christian virgin ought to be adorned inwardly, in order to be acceptable before her beloved heavenly bridegroom, Christ Jesus.
Thus she offered up her sacrifice, and was numbered among the holy and God-pleasing martyrs. Compare this with the _Martyrs Mirror of the Defenseless Christians_, edition 1631, _page_ 125.