But, unlike the kiss she had impressed on the
forehead of Mark, the present embraces were hasty, and evidently awakened
less intense emotion. She had committed the boy to a known and positive
danger, but, under the semblance of some usefulness, she sent the others
to a place believed to be even less exposed, so long as the enemy could be
kept without the works, than the citadel itself. Still, a feeling of deep
and maternal tenderness came over her mind, as her daughter retired; and,
yielding to its sudden impulse, she recalled the girl to her side.
"Thou wilt repeat the prayer for especial protection against the dangers
of the wilderness," she solemnly continued. "In thy asking, fail not to
remember him to whom thou owest being, and who now exposeth life, that we
may be safe. Thou knowest the Christian's rock; place thy faith on its
foundation."
"And they who seek to kill us," demanded the well-instructed child; "are
they too of the number of those for whom he died?"
"It may not be doubted, though the manner of the dispensation be so
mysterious! Barbarians in their habits, and ruthless in their enmities,
they are creatures of our nature, and equally objects of his care.
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