Beware lest the endowment be wrested from
thy grasp, the glebe and manor pass away from thine inheritance."
"Thou hadst the privity and counsel of the deceased, and a whisper would
have made it mine," said the dean, with great dejection.
"Greedy and unblushing as thou art, know it was I who counselled him,
and the deed is in my keeping. I sent a secret message unto Halton with
the news, and Roger de Fitz-Eustace will be here anon!"
"Thou dreamest; he is in bondage, or slain at Ascalon."
"He will reappear," replied the hermit, "and the banner of the
Fitz-Eustace wave on yonder turret. Hence! ungrateful member of our holy
communion;--to thy house, and let an old man rest in peace."
The disappointed priest departed in great haste: terror, of which he
could not divest himself, and for which he could not account,
overpowered him in the presence of the hermit. He durst not provoke him
further; but as he crossed the courtyard again a glimpse of hope shot
suddenly on his soul.
"In thy keeping!" He spoke scarcely above his breath; but the walls
seemed to give back the sound. He started like some guilty thing at the
discovery of its crime.
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