By my father's head, I would not risk a finger on the hazard if this city, this Court of Elizabeth were set 'twixt the fire from Heaven and eternal peace.

In truth, child, I would lay me down and die in black disgust were it not that one might come hereafter would make a very Sodom or Gomorrah of this land: and out yonder--out in all my counties, where the truth of England is among my poor burgesses, who die for the great causes which my nobles profess but risk not their lives--out yonder all that they have won, and for which I have striven, would be lost....

Speak on.

I have not heard so plain a tongue and so little guile these twenty years." Angele continued, more courage in her voice.

"In the midst of it all came the wave of the new faith upon my mother.