But to Thekla it had seemed impossible that she could
become a Catholic.
The two religions stood in arms against each other; Catholics and
Protestants differed not only in faith but in politics. In all
things they were actively and openly opposed to each other, and the
thought that she might be compelled to abjure her faith was most
terrible to the girl; and she was firmly resolved that, so long as
her strength lasted and her mind was unimpaired, she would resist
whatever pressure might be placed upon her, and would yield neither
to menaces, to solitary confinement, or even to active cruelty. The
prospect, however; had weighed heavily upon her mind. Her father
had appeared to consider any escape impossible; her mother had
said nothing of her hopes; and the words which Malcolm had spoken,
indicating something like a surety of freeing her from her terrible
position, filled her with surprise and delight.
"Whom have you here?" the governor asked, indicating Malcolm by a
motion of the head.
"It is a craftsman from Nuremberg. The clock had stopped, and the
count, with whom the hours pass but slowly, fretted himself at not
being able to count them; so I asked our attendant to bring hither
a craftsman to put it in order, first sending her with a note to
you asking for permission for him to come; as you were out your
deputy signed the order.
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