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"
"
"
Will ye take my word of honour, Dick?" inquired the knight.
That would I," answered the lad.
I give it you," returned Sir Daniel. "Upon my word of honour, upon the
eternal welfare of my spirit, and as I shall answer for my deeds
hereafter, I had no hand nor portion in your father's death."
He extended his hand, and Dick took it eagerly. Neither of them observed
the priest, who, at the pronunciation of that solemn and false oath, had
half arisen from his seat in an agony of horror and remorse.
"Ah," cried Dick, "ye must find it in your great-heartedness to pardon
me! I was a churl, indeed, to doubt of you. But ye have my hand upon
it; I will doubt no more."
"Nay, Dick," replied Sir Daniel, "y' are forgiven. Ye know not the world
and its calumnious nature."
"I was the more to blame," added Dick, "in that the rogues pointed, not
directly at yourself, but at Sir Oliver."
As he spoke, he turned towards the priest, and paused in the middle of
the last word. This tall, ruddy, corpulent, high-stepping man had
fallen, you might say, to pieces; his colour was gone, his limbs were
relaxed, his lips stammered prayers; and now, when Dick's eyes were fixed
upon him suddenly, he cried out aloud, like some wild animal, and buried
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