"And thereby seem to admit the truth of all wherewith we are charged. That were in some sort a betrayal of our trust, and what neither thou nor I may do."
"Call you the preservation of our liberty and lives a betrayal of trust? Celestina, grief hath crazed thy brain."
"Nay, Sir Christopher, I have thought over all these things, and the virgin inspires my determination. I will do nought to confirm a suspicion already entertained, that we are Catholics, which would be turned into certainty, were we to take refuge among our French neighbors. Thus should we make the task more difficult for the successors who must take our places, since we have been found unworthy."
"Then we will remain among the Indians, if that please thee better."
"To bring trouble upon them for their hospitality; to cause them to be hunted on our account, like wild beasts. Thy generosity would disdain safety purchased by another's suffering."
"We will go to some distant tribe. Anything is better than to remain in the hands of these pitiless fanatics."
"I dread them not," answered Sister Celestina, loftily. "The talisman of the true faith will preserve me."
"Is, then, thy resolution fixed beyond change? Will no prayers, no entreaties change thee?"
"It is better thus: the poor Sister Celestina knows how to suffer and to die, but not how to desert the post entrusted to her by her superiors."
At this moment Joy and Sassacus entered, and the former, approaching the Knight, informed him that all was ready for a start.