This goes on every year, but the
representatives of the conquerors are not touched: it is the
descendants of the conquered alone who are the victims."
"It sometimes seems to me," said Sybil despondingly, "that
nothing short of the descent of angels can save the people of
this kingdom."
"I sometimes think I hear a little bird," said Gerard, "who
sings that the long frost may yet break up. I have a friend,
him of whom I was speaking to you the other day, who has his
remedies."
"But Stephen Morley does not believe in angels," said Sybil
with a sigh; "and I have no faith in his plan."
"He believes that God will help those who help themselves,"
said Gerard.
"And I believe," said Sybil, "that those only can help
themselves whom God helps."
All this time Egremont was sitting at the table, with the book
in his hand, gazing fitfully and occasionally with an air of
absence on its title-page, whereon was written the name of its
owner. Suddenly he said "Sybil."
"Yes," said the daughter of Gerard, with an air of some
astonishment.
"I beg your pardon," said Egremont blushing; "I was reading
your name. I thought I was reading it to myself. Sybil
Gerard! What a beautiful name is Sybil!"
"My mother's name," said Gerard; "and my grandame's name, and
a name I believe that has been about our hearth as long as our
race; and that's a very long time indeed," he added smiling,
"for we were tall men in King John's reign, as I have heard
say.
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