She no longer tormented herself with dangerous mistrusts, but gave all she had to God, begging Him to purify the gift and supply her mind with the dispositions to render the offering acceptable.

She had learned that most difficult lesson even to the holy--to hope rather than despond in the conviction of unworthiness.
There was one other victory which the Lady Margaret had gained over herself: she had suppressed an inclination to return the attachment of Gilbert de Hers, which she clearly saw could only lead to unfortunate results.

It was the remembrance of this inclination that occasioned the misgivings which she had at last obtained grace to disregard.
Such was the Lady Margaret at the time of the battle of Elster.

She frequently reverted to the challenge she had given the assailants of Stramen Castle, and detected in that defiance a relic of her former pride.

It was the last spark.
She was now in daily expectation of her father and brother, and of one almost equally dear--Father Omehr.