rebellion was far from being stamped out, and
large bodies of insurgents were in arms in different parts of the
country besides those in the neighbourhood of the Castle of Lindburg.
The Knight had done his best to put his Castle in a state of defence,
and his own tenantry promised to come in and fight to the last gasp
should it be attacked. Ava and Beatrice, notwithstanding the state of
things, went about the country as before, fearless of danger. "We are
doing our duty," they answered, when Dame Margaret expostulated with
them; "we are carrying out the work to which we devoted our lives, in
helping our suffering fellow-creatures, in making known the love of God
through His dear Son, and He will protect us."

The Knight, as I have said, having done all that a man could do, sat
down in his study, to quiet his mind by reading. He found it, however,
a difficult task. Even when he managed to keep his eyes on the page,
his mind let them labour alone, and refused to take in the matter they
attempted to convey. It was a positive relief when he heard a horse's
hoofs clattering into the court-yard. He hurried down to hear the news
brought by the horseman. It was truly alarming. The scout who had been
sent out by the Knight to gain information, stated that a body of some
thousand men were advancing, threatening to destroy all the Castles in
the district, and that Lindburg was the first on their line of march.
Not a moment was to be lost. He instantly sent out messengers, some to
summon his retainers, and others to bring in provisions. The drawbridge
was raised, the gates secured. Dame Margaret and Laneta were greatly
alarmed. Father Nicholas, who had arrived with all the ornaments of the
Church, and as much as his mule could carry, urged the ladies, and all
he could get to listen to him, to invoke the protection of the saints.
"These new-fangled doctrines brought about all these disorders; ergo,
you must go back to the old system to avert them, if it is not already
too late."

The Knight advised him to talk sense or keep silence, but the time was
opportune, he thought.

"Religion must be supported," he answered, meaning the Romish system,
"or we shall be undone."

From the top of the watch-tower a cloud of dust was seen rising. It was
caused by the insurgent peasants, horse and foot, approaching.

"Poor people, they have many real causes of complaint. I wish they had
remained quiet, for their own sake, and allo