But it was only for an instant, since Dirk was far too honest a man to lie.
"Lysbeth," he said, "I will tell to you what I would not tell to any other living creature, not being one of my own brotherhood, for whether you accept me or reject me, I know well that I am as safe in speaking to you as when upon my knees I speak to the God I serve.

I _am_ what you call a heretic.

I am a member of that true faith to which I hope to draw you, but which if you do not wish it I should never press upon you.

It is chiefly because I am what I am that for so long I have hung back from speaking to you, since I did not know whether it would be right--things being thus--to ask you to mix your lot with mine, or whether I ought to marry you, if you would marry me, keeping this secret from you.

Only the other night I sought counsel of--well, never mind of whom--and we prayed together, and together searched the Word of God.