"Sacred Virgin, what will become of us ?" "Nothing, I hope, but what you would desire," answered Durward.

"And now I am compelled to ask--gentle ladies, can you trust me ?" "Trust you ?" answered the Countess Hameline.

"Certainly.

But why the question?
Or how far do you ask our confidence ?" "I, on my part," said the Countess Isabelle, "trust you implicitly, and without condition.

If you can deceive us, Quentin, I will no more look for truth, save in Heaven!" "Gentle lady," replied Durward, highly gratified, "you do me but justice.