“Revocatus, in what means are they to survive?” Benedicta asked, as she poured a glass of tea into the man’s cup.         There was a pause. None seemed to want to answer. Revocatus stared across the table at Lawrence. Lawrence had his head in his hands. Adelaide was propped up in a rocking chair nearby; her pale features were thoughtful and her hands were fingering her empty tea-cup. Her head was heavily bandaged, and her ankle was elevated slightly. Nearby on a bed, Charles sat holding his arm out to Dior, who was a surgeon in Revocatus’ company. They were praying a rosary quietly as Dior worked skillfully to withdraw the bullet.         Around the table with Lawrence and Revocatus sat Thomas and the three others who had ridden with Revocatus: Landre, Cosmas, and Gyles.      “Lawrence, you must leave here within the evening,” Revocatus said, his voice was like an instrument. It rang with a clearness and gravity; but it sang. His eyes were grey, deep as the water-cupping sky. He was tall; his shoulders were broad and his hands large.      Lawrence looked up. He held Revocatus' gaze. Those grey eyes were penetrating. He knew he could not deny the truth that lay before him. In his mind he feared for Adelaide, but in his heart he knew that to save her was to leave. Lawrence nodded slowly.       “You will leave at the fall of night,” Jacqueline said.       Adelaide looked up. Lawrence turned. “Adelaide, my heart aches, but we must do as Revocatus says,” said Lawrence.        Adelaide nodded. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. Her head ached and her foot was throbbing. Benoit had grabbed her by the arms and lifted her a few feet off the ground before Charles gripped him. When Benoit was pulled upward, she was dropped and her head struck the floor causing it to pain her even more. She felt dizzy.       “Adelaide can ride before you, Lawrence, on a horse which we brought. He is gentle and has a smooth gait,” said Cosmas. He looked over at Adelaide anxiously and shook his head. He bent his head toward Lawrence and whispered, “Once you get to a village find a place where she can rest. She can not be weakened like this with the revolutionaries running round and tearing apart the country for you and others.”      Lawrence nodded. “Revocatus, of how many hours length will we be riding till we come in sight of a village?”       “No longer than hours of five,” Revocatus said. “If you leave in the next thirty of minutes you can be there by sunset.”       “I will fit you out for the ride at once,” said Benedicta, and she immediately passed through the doorway gently closing it behind her.      “And I will saddle the horse for both of you,” said Cosmos also passing out of the door.      Adelaide opened her eyes. “Lawrence?” she said.      Lawrence rose and knelt down beside her chair. “Yes?”      “Have not a care for me. I see it in you glance. This journey’s thought pains you. You need not fear. I am just now preparing myself. God would not have you worry so.”       Lawrence put his hand on her shoulder. “I fear, Adelaide. I have the fear of a Christian for the world. This country is being torn apart. Its foundations are being consumed, and we are but standing on unsteady ground, watching the earth’s surface plunge beneath our feet,” he looked up. His eye-lids were dragging and the ugly scar across his face was festering.       Adelaide smiled gently and grasped his hand. “But God is wielding the greatest power, and none can tear the hearts of His faithful away from His grasp,”       At this moment Benedicta returned. In her arms was a large saddle bag. She placed it on the table and bustled about gathering items that they would need on their flight.       Dior then stood up from his work and walked over to Adelaide; he took her ankle into his hands and started to unwrap it. Taking from a pouch round his waist, he pulled forth a small ointment jar and began to rub in the oily substance. It smelled of lavender.      “Lawrence,” Revocatus said.      Lawrence again rose and walked over him. “Remember, never leave her alone. They may fear you, but never will they fear her unless she regains strength. Guard her. And get out of the country.”       “We make for the northern boarder,” said Lawrence.