"When you go into that garden, of which you have told us so much", he said sarcastically, "will you have the goodness to send me some of those fruits and flowers you said were so lovely?"

"I will do it," the kind maiden replied, sincerity ringing through her voice. "I will do it without fail."

As Dorothy was about to be beheaded, an angel, under the form of a young child, appeared beside her. In his hands, he held a basket in which were apples with two red and two white roses. All had a beauty and a fragrance that had never before been seen. Dorothy sent the angel to Theophilus and was then martyred.

Very soon afterwards, while still enjoying his mocking request to the ‘foolish virgin’, Theophilus saw a beautiful child approach him.

"These flowers are for you," the child said, "will you not take them?"

"And from where do you bring them?" Theophilus asked.

"From Dorothy," the angel replied, "these are the flowers she promised to bring you."

"Roses in the winter time!" the pagan exclaimed. It was February 6th and the area was covered with a great frost.

"Yes, indeed," Theophilus continued, "and roses such as never blossomed in an earthly garden."

Having received the heavenly gift, the lawyer made his way to the pagan leader who had had Dorothy executed.

"Prefect." Theophilus addressed him bravely. "Your work is not yet done; your sword has slain one Catholic, but it has made another. I also am of the same faith for which Dorothy died."

That very day Theophilus died at the same spot Dorothy had, and went to that same garden of which she had spoken, and together they will be immensely happy there for all of eternity.