It is their heart that goes--all the courage
runs from them like water, with their health. If it were the rack and
the rope only, England would be Catholic, yet, I think."
The old man's face blazed with indignation; it was not often that he so
spoke out his mind. It was very easy to see that he had thought
continually of his son's fall.
"Mistress Manners hath told me the very same thing," said Robin. "She
visited Mr. Thomas in gaol once at least. She said that her heart failed
her altogether there."
Mr. Ludlam smiled.
"I suppose it is so," he said gently, "since you say so. But I think it
would not be so with me. The rack and the rope, rather, are what would
shake me to the roots, unless God His Grace prevailed more than it ever
yet hath with see."
He smiled again.
Robin shook his head sharply.
"As for me--!" he said grimly, with tight lips.
* * * * *
It was a lovely night of stars as the four stepped out of the archway
before going upstairs to the parlour. Behind them stood the square and
solid house, resembling a very fortress. The lights that had been
brought in still shone through the windows, and a hundred night insects
leapt and poised in the brightness.
And before them lay the deep valley--silent now except for the trickle
of the stream; dark (since the moon was not yet risen), except for one
light that burned far away in some farm-house on the other side; and
this light went out, like a closing eye, even as they looked.
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