Lo , I come , the messenger of glad tidings , for the day of persecution is over-past . The heart of the king , even Charles , hath been moved in gentleness toward us , and he hath sent forth his letters to stay the hands of the men of blood . A ship 's company of our friends hath arrived at yonder town , and I also sailed joyfully among them . '' As Catharine spoke her eyes were roaming about the room in search of him for whose sake security was dear to her . Pearson made a silent appeal to the old man , nor did the latter shrink from the painful task assigned him . `` Sister , '' he began , in a softened yet perfectly calm tone , `` thou tellest us of his love manifested in temporal good , and now must we speak to thee of that selfsame love displayed in chastenings . Hitherto , Catharine , thou hast been as one journeying in a darksome and difficult path and leading an infant by the hand ; fain wouldst thou have looked heavenward continually , but still the cares of that little child have drawn thine eyes and thy affections to the earth . Sister , go on rejoicing , for his tottering footsteps shall impede thine own no more . '' But the unhappy mother was not thus to be consoled . She shook like a leaf ; she turned white as the very snow that hung drifted into her hair . The firm old man extended his hand and held her up , keeping his eye upon hers as if to repress any outbreak of passion . `` I am a woman -- I am but a woman ; will He try me above my strength ? '' said Catharine , very quickly and almost in a whisper . `` I have been wounded sore ; I have suffered much -- many things in the body , many in the mind ; crucified in myself and in them that were dearest to me . Surely , '' added she , with a long shudder , `` he hath spared me in this one thing . '' She broke forth with sudden and irrepressible violence : `` Tell me , man of cold heart , what has God done to me ? Hath he cast me down never to rise again ? Hath he crushed my very heart in his hand ? -- And thou to whom I committed my child , how hast thou fulfilled thy trust ? Give me back the boy well , sound , alive -- alive -- or earth and heaven shall avenge me ! ''
The agonized shriek of Catharine was answered XXXXX the faint -- the very faint -- voice of a child .
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