"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. Force may accomplish my wishes without thy compliance."
The hermit's eyes glistened like twin fires in their hollow recesses. He stood erect, confronting his visitor, who, bold in audacity and guilt, repeated his demand.