"
At length a timid and hesitating voice replied: "Master--Master of
Ravenswood, is it you?"
"Yes, it is I, Caleb; open the door quickly."
"But it is you in very blood and body? For I would sooner face fifty
deevils as my master's ghaist, or even his wraith; wherefore, aroint ye,
if ye were ten times my master, unless ye come in bodily shape, lith and
limb." "It is I, you old fool," answered Ravenswood, "in bodily shape
and alive, save that I am half dead with cold."
The light at the upper window disappeared, and glancing from loophole to
loophole in slow succession, gave intimation that the bearer was in
the act of descending, with great deliberation, a winding staircase
occupying one of the turrets which graced the angles of the old tower.
The tardiness of his descent extracted some exclamations of impatience
from Ravenswood, and several oaths from his less patient and more
mecurial companion. Caleb again paused ere he unbolted the door, and
once more asked if they were men of mould that demanded entrance at this
time of night.
"Were I near you, you old fool," said Bucklaw, "I would give you
sufficient proofs of MY bodily condition.
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