The place was even now full of terrors for her--a gruesome spot, always dim and dark, always full of lurking horrors.

Her eyes dilated with agony and fear as she beheld her brother fastened up--not before his stout doublet had been removed--and her knees almost gave way beneath her as her father turned sharply upon her and said: "Where is the whip, girl ?" It was seldom that the maiden had the courage to resist her, stern father; but today, love for her brother overcoming every other feeling, she suddenly sank on her knees before him, clasping her hands in piteous supplication, as she cried, with tears streaming down her face: "O father, sweet father, spare him this time! for the love of heaven visit not his misdoings upon him! Let me but talk to him; let me but persuade him! Oh, do not treat him so harshly! Indeed he may better be won by love than driven by blows!" But Nicholas roughly repulsed the girl, so that she almost fell as he brushed past her.
"Tush, girl! thou knowest not what thou sayest.

Disobedience must be flogged out of the heretic spawn.

I will have no son of mine sell himself to the devil unchecked.

A truce to such tears and vain words! I will none of them.