Even Stephen is
against physical force, with all his odd fancies."
"All very true," said Gerard smiling with good nature; "but
all the same when I was coming home a few days ago, and
stopped awhile on the bridge and chanced to see myself in the
stream, I could not help fancying that my Maker had fashioned
these limbs rather to hold a lance or draw a bow, than to
supervise a shuttle or a spindle."
"Yet with the shuttle and the spindle we may redeem our race,"
said Sybil with animation, "if we could only form the minds
that move those peaceful weapons. Oh! my father, I will
believe that moral power is irresistible, or where are we to
look for hope?"
Gerard shook his head with his habitual sweet good-tempered
smile. "Ah!" said he, "what can we do; they have got the
land, and the land governs the people. The Norman knew that,
Sybil, as you just read. If indeed we had our rights, one
might do something; but I don't know; I dare say if I had our
land again, I should be as bad as the rest."
"Oh! no, my father," exclaimed Sybil with energy, "never,
never! Your thoughts would be as princely as your lot. What
a leader of the people you would make!"
Harold sprang up suddenly and growled.
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