When the bishop came back, Apra needlessly reminded him of his proposed suitor. The saintly father smiled, and showed his daughter a crucifix. As the girl looked at this image of her royal suitor, St. Hilary gently and earnestly counseled her to consecrate herself to Christ by a vow of life-long virginity. Apra followed his advice, and was thus engaged to the King of Kings. Very soon afterwards, the virgin died a holy death. As his young girl lay dying, St. Hilary's paternal eyes shone with a holy pride and joy.

“See,” the father told his daughter as she prepared to enter eternity, “your Bridegroom has come to conduct you to the eternal marriage-feast.”