The Dark Guest came first when I was young; if I remember correctly, a day when I saw Sarah; she not the cause, but the occasion, that is, her skirt, draped over her hips, swaying beneath them as she walked. A thing in itself good and lovely; even in memory my heart stalls, my breath quickens, as then; but not her, that is the temptation not resident in her but

The Dark Guest as a Fencing-master, to strengthen us against the wiles of Satan. Placed in us by God? Made constituent to us by God? For our own benefit. Temptations of our Lord in the Desert: did not begin his Ministry until Dark Guest conquered. But external to him, being blameless; inherent in us, the seed of corruption, of fallen. But through grace (perseverance) and through the practice of prayer, etc; that is the organization and direction of the will a force, a storm, a tremendous gale.

Thus Capt Cromwell: we rise prior to dawn, as the squadrons set to guard the bridges at Downham, St Ives, Holyfen etc gather; there is prayer, and Psalms sung (XX, Some trust in chariots, but I shall remember the name of the LORD our God, I am brought down They are brought down and fallen) and Preaching (Kilmister, on the garment rolled in Blood; I think he is an Antinomian, certainly a Brownist). Then we ride the ring, by squadrons, with one-third firing muskets, and beating drums, and clanging swords on armour, so that the horses will learn; then sword-thrusts, etc when mounted; pistol, etc, at dummies we've planted in one of Cedric's fields; then we charge, at a trot; then when the signal (trumpet, flag) given, we regroup with Capt Cromwell and charge in the other direction; all this to Sundown, when the next squadrons are sent to the bridges, and reports collected from scouts, etc. Very soon, Capt Cromwell says we shall visit known Malignants, and search for arms, etc.

Thus far the Captain hath not asked I search the Rectory; Anne says she has seen nothing there but old rusted Pikes, and similar Arms stored there against the Armada; I do though remember barrels of Powder there, and maybe some Muskets, with Swords. I see no need to search; there is no way Father and Thomas could depart unobserved, much less with a train of munitions, etc (did such exist).

Thomas and Father hath delayed departing for the King's camp, threatened some weeks ago, Father saying (in a rare lucid moment) that he could not so forsake His Majesty, having supped so many years at his Table. But he is very sick and I cannot see how he would be more than a burden to an Army; I have asked Thomas to convince him to remain, under the care of Anne, if Thomas believes it's his duty to rally to the King.

Anne is gentle with Father, and tender; though it pains me greatly to see Father so reduced, and soiling himself, and the rages, and babbling, and when in the evenings he slumps to a stupor. Anne cleans him gently, and laughs at his stories, though he tells the same ones again and again; and as best she can maintains the household such as it is. Her skirt is quite worn, and clings to her; she seldom wears a bonnet, so her hair, chestnut, is sun-touched

She tells me, we walked by the mere, the wind clasped that thin skirt to her legs, that appx four or five years ago Sydney came and with great cruelty and malignancy ordered Father and Thomas to the rectory, and to never depart under threat of the loss of an Allowance, which Anne said is merely enough to stave off hunger, and never satisfy; and that Sydney ordered no Dogs were allowed in the village, and named the tavern Two Cats, and many other things all intended to punish and humiliate Father who, Anne said, lost considerable Money in a scheme to drain the Fens and other things. Sydney is by her account a wicked, cruel man who has accused her of Witchcraft and goes so far as to espouse Atheism, she says. She touched my hand, two fingers, lightly.

That was yesteday and last night I dream of Sarah; she behind me, and saying I would that you would be happy, my love; but she spoke in a voice or torment, of torture; in the roaring of the forest, and I afraid to turn, afraid of seeing her as I found her

She is this must be The occasion to fence with the Dark Guest should be regarded a Blessing, a Forge of the Will and the Soul. Tonight I ride toward Crowland with Capt Cromwell who calls me now.