Sir Richard had striven to establish friendly relations with his uncle when he had first brought his family to the Chase, and had only given up the attempt after many rebuffs.

He encouraged his children to show kindness to their cousins, as they called each other, and since that day a ray of sunshine had stolen into Petronella's life, though she was almost afraid to cherish it, lest it should only be withdrawn again.
As she hurried to the tryst that evening, this fear was only second to the bitter thought of parting with Cuthbert.

Yet she did not wish him to stay.

Her father's wrath and suspicion once fully aroused, no peace could be hoped for or looked for.

Terribly as she would miss him, anything was better than such scenes as the one of today.