He went with Margaret, and while she watched the oak-tree tremblingly, fearing every moment to see an arrow strike among the branches, Gerard dug a deep hole to bury the parchments in.
He threw them in, one by one.

They were nearly all charters and records of the burgh; but one appeared to be a private deed between Floris Brandt, father of Peter, and Ghysbrecht.
"Why, this is as much yours as his," said Gerard.

"I will read this." "Oh, not now, Gerard, not now," cried Margaret.

"Every moment you lose fills me with fear; and see, large drops of rain are beginning to fall, and the clouds lower." Gerard yielded to this remonstrance; but he put the deed into his bosom, and threw the earth in over the others, and stamped it down.

While thus employed there came a flash of lightning followed by a peal of distant thunder, and the rain came down heavily.