The setting sun was shining brightly now upon the windows of the house which faced the south, with half a point of west, so that in winter the sunlight shone to the very time of its setting into the lofty and decorated chambers.  The glow from blazing fires within likewise shone and twinkled hospitably through the clear glass, and one long window of one of the rooms stood open to the still evening air, and a little group was gathered together just outside.

A tall young man of some five-and-twenty summers, with the regular Trevlyn features and a pair of honest gray eyes, was standing out on the terrace with his face towards the red sky, a couple of sporting dogs frisking joyously about him, as if hoping he was bent upon a stroll in the woods.  By his side stood a tall slim maiden, bright faced and laughing eyed, straight as a dart, alert and graceful in her movements, with an expression of courage and resolution on her fair face that stamped it at once with a strong individuality of its own.  She was dressed simply, though in soft and rich textures, as became her station, and she held her hood in her hands, leaving her ruffled curly hair to be the sport of the light night breeze.  She had very delicate features and an oval face, and from the likeness that existed between them the pair were plainly brother and sister.

Just within the open window were two more girls, dressed in the same fashion as the first, and plainly her sisters, though they were more blonde in type, and whilst very pretty, lacked the piquant originality that was the great characteristic of the dark girl’s beauty.  They were not quite so tall, and the elder of the blonde pair was not nearly so slim, but had something of womanly deliberation and dignity about her.  She was plainly the eldest of the three sisters, as the little maid beside her was the youngest.  All three were engrossed in some sort of talk that appeared full of interest for them.

“I wish he would not do it,” said Philip, turning his eyes in an easterly direction, towards a hollow in the falling ground, where the ruins of the ancient wall could still be dimly traced.  The old Gate House itself could not be seen from this side of the house, but it was plain that the thoughts of all had turned in that direction.  “It is brave of him to obey his conscience rather than his father; but yon man is such a veritable tiger, that I fear me there will be dark work there betwixt them if the lad provoke him too far.  Nicholas Trevlyn is not one to be defied with impunity.  I would that Cuthbert had as much prudence as he has courage.”

“So do not I,” answered Kate quickly, turning her flashing eyes full upon her brother.  “I hate prudence—­the prudence of cowardice!  I am right glad that Cuthbert thinks first of his conscience and second of his father’s wrath.  What man who ever lived to do good in the world was deterred from the right by craven fears?  I honour him for his single mindedness.  He is a bold youth, and I would fain help him an I could see the way.”