That fear laid to rest, he would be glad to be rid of the charge, and to give over the gold to its rightful owner.
Philip's heart was with Petronella, and he had not concerned himself as yet with any thoughts as to her poverty and his own somewhat impecunious position as his father's heir, but with three sisters to be provided for out of the revenues of the impoverished estate.

He was man of the world enough to know that this dowry would do much to smooth his path when the time should come for making known his case to his parents, but for the moment his thoughts were all with the lonely girl shut up so relentlessly by her father.
"I will see Nicholas Trevlyn," he said, with stern decision.
"Things have gone too far not to go further.

I will see him, and make formal application for his daughter's hand.

He can but refuse me, and I shall tell him plainly that I decline to give her up at any word of his.

I can wait with patience till she is of age to judge for herself; but she is the woman of my choice, and her alone will I wed if she will have me." Cuthbert's face was grave and troubled.
"And waiting for that, she may well be done to death within those walls, as I should have been had I not fled.