The stranger did not long remain silent. "This, then," he said, "is the
ancient Castle of Wolf's Crag, often mentioned in the Scottish records,"
looking to the old tower, then darkening under the influence of a stormy
cloud, that formed its background; for at the distance of a short mile,
the chase, having been circuitous, had brought the hunters nearly back
to the point which they had attained when Ravenswood and Bucklaw had set
forward to join them.
Ravenswood answered this observation with a cold and distant assent.
"It was, as I have heard," continued the stranger, unabashed by his
coldness, "one of the most early possessions of the honourable family of
Ravenswood."
"Their earliest possession," answered the Master, "and probably their
latest."
"I--I--I should hope not, sir," answered the stranger, clearing his
voice with more than one cough, and making an effort to overcome a
certain degree of hesitation; "Scotland knows what she owes to
this ancient family, and remembers their frequent and honourable
achievements. I have little doubt that, were it properly represented
to her Majesty that so ancient and noble a family were subjected to
dilapidation--I mean to decay--means might be found, ad re-aedificandum
antiquam domum----"
"I will save you the trouble, sir, of discussing this point farther,"
interrupted the Master, haughtily.
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