"Quite as much as of the all imbibing Saxons. I like the Normans," replied Kate.
"Was it not here, Miss Vernon, that Geraldine Mowbray mounted guard with her waiting woman, to give the Warders time for repose?" enquired Gilpin.
"Yes, it was during an insurrection of the Saxon serfs, and was not unlike the Lady Evelyn Berenger's watch in 'The Betrothed.' She had a brave heart."
"It is wonderful what heroic acts women were capable of in those days," observed the Colonel.
"It was the peculiar position they were placed in called forth faculties which still exist, ready to spring into action whenever there is a call for self devotion," said I.
"Which are exercised every day, and a thousand times more painfully, in silent unregarded sacrifices," observed the Organist.
"And a thousand times more gloriously," said Miss Vernon. "It was, I am sure, comparatively easy to act heroically, when the tone of every thing round you was heroic; applauded and worshipped by noble and gallant knights; celebrated by minstrels through all the world of chivalry. I have not much courage to boast of, but I think I could mount guard on an emergency, and under those circumstances. Ah! dare I say I have that loftier courage that would enable me to bear up under trials, the depth of which, my own heart alone knew!"
She stopped suddenly, blushing, as if ashamed of her own enthusiasm.
"My dear Kate, what makes you think such dreadful things?" whined Mrs. Winter.