The lesser is swallowed up of the greater." "But thy mother lives; she must know ?" Joanna's dark eyes glowed strangely.
"Ay, she verily must know; but will she tell what she knows?
If it be as I suspect, she must be in the plot." "What plot ?" asked Cuthbert, beginning to feel bewildered with all this intricacy of mystery.
"Thou hadst better hear my story to the end," answered Joanna with a slight smile; "then thou wilt better comprehend.

Listen to me, and ask thy questions when I have done." "Speak on, then," said Cuthbert, glad enough to hold his peace; "I will give good heed to all thou sayest." And Joanna continued her tale.
"Sir Richard, wedded to Isabel Wyvern, might no longer be the mark for the gipsy's curse.

Esther was then queen of the tribe, and with her, love for the Wyverns far outweighed hatred towards the Trevlyns.

She gave it out that no hair of his head should be hurt; the vengeance must wait.

If it were to be carried out, it must be upon another generation.