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forfeit, when this wood is full of men that hunger and thirst for my
destruction, what doth gratitude? what doth faith? I have but a little
company remaining; is it grateful or faithful to poison me their hearts
with your insidious whisperings? Save me from such gratitude! But,
come, now, what is it ye wish? Speak; we are here to answer. If ye have
aught against me, stand forth and say it."
"Sir," replied Dick, "my father fell when I was yet a child. It hath
come to mine ears that he was foully done by. It hath come to mine
ears--for I will not dissemble--that ye had a hand in his undoing. And
in all verity, I shall not be at peace in mine own mind, nor very clear
to help you, till I have certain resolution of these doubts."
Sir Daniel sat down in a deep settle. He took his chin in his hand and
looked at Dick fixedly.
"And ye think I would be guardian to the man's son that I had murdered?"
he asked.
"
Nay," said Dick, "pardon me if I answer churlishly; but indeed ye know
right well a wardship is most profitable. All these years have ye not
enjoyed my revenues, and led my men? Have ye not still my marriage? I
wot not what it may be worth--it is worth something. Pardon me again;
but if ye were base enough to slay a man under trust, here were, perhaps,
reasons enough to move you to the lesser baseness."
"When I was lad of your years," returned Sir Daniel, sternly, "my mind
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