And his friendly solicitude had been soothing to Anthony through the day, restoring his balance of mind, and quieting the nervous restlessness which had possessed him hitherto.

And now he was approaching the house of his beloved, and her gentle sweetness and tender counsels would fill up the measure of his happiness, and restore that confidence in himself and his cause which had at one time been somewhat rudely shaken.
She met him on the threshold, and for the first time since the troth plight her arms were about his neck, and he felt the tremor of her whole slender frame.
"Anthony, Anthony, thou art safe!" "Beloved, yes; wherefore didst thou fear for me ?" "How could I not fear, not knowing all, when such stories and rumours have been flying about ?" "What stories?
what rumours ?" he asked, feeling his heart begin to beat more rapidly.
She drew him into a little antechamber close at hand, and by the light of the flickering fire he saw that her face was pale and anxious, whilst her eyes looked as though they had shed tears.
"My Freda, what is the matter?
Thou hast been weeping." "Yes, for my heart has been heavy within me.

How should it not be?
And yet I know that the cause is holy and righteous, and I would have all men to be constant and full of courage.

Cannot the Lord preserve His own ?" "Yes, yes; let us not fear!" cried Dalaber, his courage rising with the need to reassure his beloved.

"But tell me, what hast thou heard ?" "Arthur Cole has been here; he has come thrice today, each time with fresh news.