Blythe was not certain if it was politeness or a general sense that her aunt would simply know something was amiss that kept her anchored firmly in place as the baron dealt with the matter at hand. Perhaps it was a bit of both. His words on his return, though, filled her at once with a (low) level of confidence hitherto unseen during their exchange as she responded, "Oh no, not in the least!"

After a beat, she explained, "Magic is the the Lord's gift to us—those of us blessed with its use, that is, that we might better understand His potential." It occurred to Blythe here that this was not a conversation she had ever had with a muggle before. "The smallest spark of the divine within our grasp, to reassure us of His might."