"The earl is at her side," said Percival, "tending her with all loving care, and in the great mercy of God she will pass hence, having in her mind a fair recollection of these present months of peace to soothe her past pain. Primrose assures me daily of the quiet time of peace and love which God hath vouchsafed to herself and her parents during the past months, and it would seem that her gentle influence hath verily chased away already much evil. Yet my heart fails me at the thought of the heavy charge so soon to fall upon her, for though but once since she took up her sojourn within the castle has she witnessed the dread power of the curse upon her unfortunate father, yet that once sufficed to rend her tender heart in twain, and she told me, trembling, of the unhappy scene. I thank God that, in my solitude of prayer and labour during these weary months past, He has given me the victory, and that I dare bravely take up my abode and my work at my darling's feet, and take upon myself the sharing of her burdens and bearing of her griefs, which I pray He may ever enable me to do manfully." "And there is no hope that time may soften her resolution?" said Jack sadly. "Ah, how fain would I see her safe sheltered in your loving arms! Why should the innocent suffer with the guilty, and your young hearts break for the sins of your forefathers?" "They shall not break, dear Jack," answered Percival bravely, though his voice shook. "They have borne their worst, and their mutual suffering has but knit them more firmly together, and made of them one strong soul--strong to bear the woes of earth, and wait for the joys of eternity. Nay, Jack, we have together counted the cost of our sacrifice, and would not draw back. But let it not grieve you over much, for there is a love passing that of earth, and that love is ours. I doubt not that we must needs oft wrestle and pray, and oft shrink beneath the burden of our cross, but in lightening the burdens of others, we shall surely in part forget our own, and through the sweet influences of a pure and holy friendship we yet hope and pray that we may together help our brethren in this world of sin and sorrow as cheerfully and bravely as we had planned to do throughout the years of a blessed marriage union. Our hearts are in God's keeping, Jack, and while He needs them for His service, He will not suffer them to break with earthly sorrow."