If I am forced to fly, I will fly thither by night, and the stars will be my guide.

Brother, it is good to feel that thou art near." "Ay, Petronella, I am glad indeed; for I fear me sometimes that our father--" "What, Cuthbert ?" "That he must surely be going mad.

It is hard to believe he could so persecute his children were it not so, and it is not fitting that thou shouldest dwell beneath the roof of a madman." The girl shivered slightly, and her dark eyes dilated.
"Thinkest thou so, Cuthbert?
Sure I had thought it was his wrath at finding that we loved not the faith in which he has brought us up; that first thou and then I have learned to find comfort in the holy Book he has denied to us, and to find that there be other holy things than our priests have taught us, and purer truths than methinks they know themselves.

I thought that was why his anger burned so hotly against us.

That was his quarrel with thee, and methinks he must have suspected me, else would he scarce have dogged my steps as he did." "It may be so," answered Cuthbert; "but I fear me he has brooded over his wrongs and his sins until he is well-nigh beside himself.
My sister, let not thy patience lead thee into peril.