It is
true she possessed high feelings of self-respect, together with an
enthusiastic love for her religion, and a most earnest zeal for its
advancement; indeed, so strongly did these predominate in her mind, that
any act involving a personal slight towards herself, or indifference to
her creed and its propagation, were looked upon by Kathleen as crimes
for which there was no forgiveness. If she had any fellings, it was in
these two points they lay. But at the same time, we are bound to say,
that the courage and enthusiasm of Joan of Arc had been demanded of her
by the state and condition of her country and her creed, she would
have unquestionably sacrificed her life, if the sacrifice secured the
prosperity of either.
Something of their difference of temperament might have been observed
during their conversation, while sitting under the white thorn. Every
now and then, for instance, Hanna would start up and commence a
series of little flirtations with the blackbird, which she called her
sweetheart, and again resume her chat and seat as before; or she would
attempt to catch a butterfly as it fluttered about her, or sometimes
give it pursuit over half the green, whilst Kathleen sat with laughing
and delighted eyes, and a smile of unutterable sweetness on her lips,
watching the success of this innocent frolic.
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