“Alas, alas, my brother! that day will never come!  My father—­”

“Nay, courage, sweetheart; our father’s power lasts not for ever, and we will be happy yet in spite of him.  And, sister mine, we must have kinsfolks somewhere of the house of Wyvern.  Our father never speaks to us of any such matters; but hast thou heard aught at the Chase?”

Petronella looked quickly up at him.

“Ay, I have heard them speak of kinsfolk of that family, albeit I heeded not greatly what they said.  Are they our kinsfolk likewise?”

“Ay, verily, inasmuch as our grandam was a Wyvern; and there have been Wyverns of two generations that have wed with the Trevlyns, as thou hast heard in the story of the lost treasure, which I have told to thee.  Sister, it might be that thou mightest find a refuge with them safer than with mine uncle of the bridge, who might perchance think I asked too much were I to bring my sister to him, albeit he is a kind man and a just; but—­”

“But I trust I may not have to flee,” said Petronella, with the same air of shrinking that she had shown before.  “I have borne so much; surely I can bear the rest, until thou hast found the treasure, and all is changed for us.  When thou art rich and great, and high in favour with all, then perchance thou canst prevail even with our stern father, and win his leave to carry hence thy poor little sister.  Till then I will strive to remain.”

Cuthbert took her hand and held it between his.

“Petronella, I like it not—­I like not to leave thee here; but it must be as thou desirest.  Only, remember one thing, my sister.  I am nigh at hand.  I am in the forest, not many miles away; and if things should become worse with thee, thou canst fly to me thither; thou wilt find me, doubtless, in or about the pixies’ dell, of which thou hast heard me speak, for it is there that my closest watch will be held.  Thinkest thou that thou canst find the place?”

“I trow so; thou hast told me how to do so.  Nine miles across the open forest, starting from the Trevlyn oak, with the great beech to the right.  If I am forced to fly, I will fly thither by night, and the stars will be my guide.  Brother, it is good to feel that thou art near.”

“Ay, Petronella, I am glad indeed; for I fear me sometimes that our father—­”

“What, Cuthbert?”

“That he must surely be going mad.  It is hard to believe he could so persecute his children were it not so, and it is not fitting that thou shouldest dwell beneath the roof of a madman.”

The girl shivered slightly, and her dark eyes dilated.

“Thinkest thou so, Cuthbert?  Sure I had thought it was his wrath at finding that we loved not the faith in which he has brought us up; that first thou and then I have learned to find comfort in the holy Book he has denied to us, and to find that there be other holy things than our priests have taught us, and purer truths than methinks they know themselves.  I thought that was why his anger burned so hotly against us.  That was his quarrel with thee, and methinks he must have suspected me, else would he scarce have dogged my steps as he did.”