I am but a servant; but I was born your
father's--your grandfather's servant. I was born for the family--I have
lived for them--I would die for them! Stay but at home, and all will be
well!"
"Well, fool! well!" said Ravenswood. "Vain old man, nothing hereafter in
life will be well with me, and happiest is the hour that shall soonest
close it!"
So saying, he extricated himself from the old man's hold, threw himself
on his horse, and rode out the gate; but instantly turning back, he
threw towards Caleb, who hastened to meet him, a heavy purse of gold.
"Caleb!" he said, with a ghastly smile, "I make you my executor"; and
again turning his bridle, he resumed his course down the hill.
The gold fell unheeded on the pavement, for the old man ran to observe
the course which was taken by his master, who turned to the left down a
small and broken path, which gained the sea-shore through a cleft in the
rock, and led to a sort of cove where, in former times, the boats of
the castle were wont to be moored. Observing him take this course, Caleb
hastened to the eastern battlement, which commanded the prospect of the
whole sands, very near as far as the village of Wolf's Hope.
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