You have sworn that oath, have you not?
And you will keep it, will you not ?" "Aye!" they answered with one breath.
"Then prepare you to feel the weight of the first of those trials whereof it speaks, for I will no longer hold back the truth from you.
Children, I, whom for all these years you have thought of your own faith, am a Jew as my forefathers were before me, back to the days of Abraham." The effect of this declaration upon its hearers was remarkable.

Peter's jaw dropped, and for the second time that day his face went white; while Margaret sank down into a chair that stood near by, and stared at him helplessly.

In those times it was a very terrible thing to be a Jew.
Castell looked from one to the other, and, feeling the insult of their silence, grew angry.
"What!" he exclaimed in a bitter voice, "are you like all the others?
Do you scorn me also because I am of a race more ancient and honourable than those of any of your mushroom lords and kings?
You know my life: say, what have I done wrong?
Have I caught Christian children and crucified them to death?
Have I defrauded my neighbour or oppressed the poor?
Have I mocked your symbol of the Host?
Have I conspired against the rulers of this land?
Have I been a false friend or a cruel father?
You shake your heads; then why do you stare at me as though I were a thing accursed and unclean?
Have I not a right to the faith of my fathers?
May I not worship God in my own fashion ?" And he looked at Peter, a challenge in his eyes.

"Sir," answered Peter, "without a doubt you may, or so it seems to me.

But then, why for all these years have you appeared to worship Him in ours ?" At this blunt question, so characteristic of the speaker, Castell seemed to shrink like a pin-pricked bladder, or some bold fighter who has suddenly received a sword-thrust in his vitals.