"Others may do that as well as thou."
"But will he, whose coming is now at hand, make so costly a sacrifice
for the welfare of the Church? I will found an abbey, holy father,
consecrate to thy patron, wherein thou shalt be the ruler. I purpose to
enrich it with half my possessions, even of those whereby, through thy
ministry, I do become entitled from the death of Robert de Lacy."
"Which meaneth, if I but aid thee to rob another of some large and
goodly inheritance, thou wilt give to Heaven, forsooth, a portion of
what belongs not to thee."
"Once thou didst promise me thine aid."
"To robbery and rapine?"
"I have not wronged _thee_!"
"Nor I"--
"Thou hast; the inheritance is mine; thou hast robbed me of my right,
but I will regain these lands or perish on them."
"And so thou mayest, unblushing traitor."
"Traitor!--ah! this word to me?"
"Yes, to thee, Robert de Whalley!"
"Thou art in my power, old man; ere I entered thy cell I left a trusty
keeper at the door," cried the dean, with a grin of savage exultation.
"In thy power!--never, miscreant."
"Give the deed to my keeping, and no harm shall happen thee; refuse, and
thou art my prisoner.
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