“It is sad, very sad,” rejoined Katharine, with a shudder of her whole frame: “it seems a stern necessity in the condition of all the kingdoms of this world that they should be defended by the sword. Good men, great men, the holiest servants of Heaven have wielded earthly arms, and the weapons of death:--with his sword and with his bow the father of the faithful led his own household to the combat,--and the virtues of the warrior are the chosen illustrations of those required in the secret conflicts of the Christian.” “I know it, Katharine--and that to the spirit of Christian children there must be joined the courage of sacred warriors. Alas! for me--my heart faints within me--my mind is confused:--I wish I were a man, for then, in the excitement of these struggles, I could escape those of the closet.” “To suffer, Jane, requires a more enduring courage than to act; and in patient suffering the high constancy of woman’s mind hath ever shone most purely:--for the wives of England bitter trials are coming--ours will be light to theirs; and yours, dear girl, as you well know, less heavy than even mine.” “Katharine, you do not know my trial, or you would not speak thus:--not a faithful and suffering wife in all England but I shall envy her the sweetness of her sufferings: it is in storms that we cling most closely to what we love.” “True, fond girl, but remember that they may also divide us from what we love. Still there is a sweet truth in your melancholy words: I think you would be happy united to such a man as Juxon. He is evidently much attached to you; and I think you are not indifferent to him.” “Cousin, he is worthy of a better fortune. He never can be mine.” “What is the meaning of that strong emphasis? Is, then, the secret of your sorrow a concealed attachment to another?” “Katharine, you see not clearly in this matter; I am pitied by Juxon, not loved.” “I know not, dear Jane, for what he should pity you; but pity is akin to love.” “And also to contempt:--Juxon despises me: yes, the pity of one so generous and noble hearted is heavy to bear.” “Impossible! he knows your sterling worth; he knows that you could not do what was wrong: you utter many things that are idle; but I have heard him warmly express his regard for your frank character; his faith in your high principles, and his fear that you judged others by yourself, and might in the trials of life prove too confiding towards others.” “Have you, indeed, Kate? what, lately?” “Yes; not many days ago.”