Life and liberty, while safe, are little thought of: for why?
they are matters of course.

Endangered, they are rated at their real value.

In this, too, they are like sunshine, whose beauty men notice not at noon when it is greatest, but towards evening, when it lies in flakes of topaz under shady elms.

Yet it is feebler then; but gloom lies beside it, and contrast reveals its fire.

Thus Gerard and Margaret, though they started at every leaf that rustled louder than its fellows, glowed all over with joy and thankfulness as they glided among the friendly trees in safety and deep tranquil silence, baying dogs and brutal voices yet ringing in their mind's ears.
But presently Gerard found stains of blood on Margaret's ankles.
"Martin! Martin! help! they have wounded her: the crossbow!" "No, no!" said Margaret, smiling to reassure him; "I am not wounded, nor hurt at all." "But what is it, then, in Heaven's name ?" cried Gerard, in great agitation.
"Scold me not, then!" and Margaret blushed.
"Did I ever scold you ?" "No, dear Gerard.