You are not afraid, Ysobel.

Tell my mother you are not." I turned my face toward her again in the darkness.

I felt as if something was going on between them which he somehow knew I could help them in.

It was as though he were calling on something in my nature which I did not myself comprehend, but which his profound mind saw and knew was stronger than I was.
Suddenly I felt as if I might trust to him and to It, and that, without being troubled or anxious, I would just say the first thing which came into my mind, because it would be put there for me by some power which could dictate to me.

I never felt younger or less clever than I did at that moment; I was only Ysobel Muircarrie, who knew almost nothing.