But let us trust it may be corrected without such violent remedies as you hint at.

Surely the ruin of a second civil war--though I trust your thoughts go not that dreadful length--were at best a desperate alternative." "Sharp, but sure," replied Bridgenorth.

"The blood of the Paschal lamb chased away the destroying angel--the sacrifices offered on the threshing-floor of Araunah, stayed the pestilence.

Fire and sword are severe remedies, but they pure and purify." "Alas! Major Bridgenorth," said the lady, "wise and moderate in your youth, can you have adopted in your advanced life the thoughts and language of those whom you yourself beheld drive themselves and the nation to the brink of ruin ?" "I know not what I then was--you know not what I now am," he replied, and suddenly broke off; for they even then came forth into the open light, and it seemed as if, feeling himself under the lady's eye, he was disposed to soften his tone and his language.
At the first distinct view which she had of his person, she was aware that he was armed with a short sword, a poniard, and pistols at his belt--precautions very unusual for a man who formerly had seldom, and only on days of ceremony, carried a walking rapier, though such was the habitual and constant practice of gentlemen of his station in life.
There seemed also something of more stern determination than usual in his air, which indeed had always been rather sullen than affable; and ere she could repress the sentiment, she could not help saying, "Master Bridgenorth, you are indeed changed." "You see but the outward man," he replied; "the change within is yet deeper.

But it was not of myself that I desired to talk--I have already said, that as you have preserved my child from the darkness of the grave, I would willingly preserve yours from that more utter darkness, which, I fear, hath involved the path and walks of his father." "I must not hear this of Sir Geoffrey," said the Lady Peveril; "I must bid you farewell for the present; and when we again meet at a more suitable time, I will at least listen to your advice concerning Julian, although I should not perhaps incline to it." "That more suitable time may never come," replied Bridgenorth.