She feared that if she let Cuthbert carry her off she would but prove a burden and a care, whilst the thought of London and the strange relations there filled her with distaste and dread.
"Nay, nay, my brother; I have borne much--I will bear a little more.

I love the old Gate House as thou hast never loved it; and perchance after this storm there may be a lull of quiet peace.

I should but hamper thee, and hold thee back from that great purpose; and--" "But Martin Holt, he would welcome thee; and once beneath his roof--" "Nay, Cuthbert, it might well be that our father would guess whither I had fled, and would come and drag me back.

I am not of an age to resist him.

And I am a helpless woman, not a man.