“Is this your haste, when my commands are most urgent?”

He turned sharply upon them as he spoke:  his eyes grew wild and keen; but at times a heaviness and languor, as if from long watching, seemed to oppress them.

“We could not”—­Michael was stammering out an apology, when thus interrupted:—­

“Enough!  I know what thou wouldst say.  Let thy comrade remain below.  Geoffery, conduct him to the refectory; Michael abides here.  Haste, and let refreshments be prepared.”

What was the purport of the conversation that ensued may be surmised from the following history.

Old Hardpiece, grumbling the greater part of the way, led his companion through a labyrinth of stairs and passages to a small room, where a huge flagon of ale, with cold beef and other substantial articles for breakfast, were about being displayed.  Anthony, nothing loth, threw aside his cap, and unbraced his girdle, for the more capacious disposal of such savoury and delicious viands.  A heavy pull at the tankard again brought out Master Geoffery’s deep-mouthed oratory.  Anthony’s tongue grew more nimble as his appetite waxed less vigorous; he asked many questions about the business which required their presence at Raven Castle in such haste.

“The orphan children of Sir Henry Fairfax are to be conveyed to some place of concealment for a short period.  Master says he has had intimation of a design on the part of the late Sir Henry’s friends to seize them perforce.  Which act of violence Hildebrand Wentworth, being left as their sole guardian, will make all haste to prevent.”

“The children of the late Sir Harry Fairfax who was killed in the wars?” inquired Anthony.

“Ay, ay.  Poor things! since their mother drowned herself”——­

Old Hardpiece here looked round, as though fearing some intrusion.  He continued in an undertone—­

“Goody Shelton says she walks in the forest; and that her wraith so frightened Humphrey’s horse that it would not budge a straw’s breadth, just beside the great oak in the Broad Holm, before you get into the forest on the other side towards Slaidburn.”

Anthony was, at this precise moment, cramming the last visible remains of a goose-pie into the same place where he had before deposited half the good things on the table, anointing his beard with their savoury outskirts,—­when suddenly his chin dropped, his face assumed a sort of neutral tinge, and his whole form appeared to grow stiff with terror.  He made several efforts to speak; but the following words only could be distinguished:—­

“I was sure it would be a ghost!”

“What!—­a ghost!—­Where!” anxiously inquired Geoffery.

“Just by the great oak in the Broad Holm, on the other side of the forest.”

“What was it like?”

“I cannot tell; and Michael pretended he did not see it!”

“Thou canst surely show the appearance it put on.”