Content cast a hurried and inquiring glance at his father, who in
his turn had anxiously sought the eye of the stranger. The latter stood
firm and unmoved. One hand was clenched upon the back of the chair from
which he had arisen, and, the other grasped, perhaps unconsciously, the
handle of one of those weapons which had attracted the attention of young
Mark, and which still continued thrust through the broad leathern belt
that girded his doublet.
"The sound is like that, which one little used to deal with earthly
instruments might raise!" muttered one of those whose mind had been
prepared, by the narrative of Dudley, to believe in any thing marvellous.
"Come from what quarter it may, it is a summons that must be answered;"
returned Content. "Dudley, thy musket; this visit is so unwonted, that
more than one hand should do the office of porter."
The borderer instantly complied, muttering between his teeth as he shook
the priming deeper into the barrel of his piece, "Your over-sea gallants
are quick on the trail to-night!" Then throwing the musket into the hollow
of his arm, he cast a look of discontent and resentment towards Faith
Ring, and was about to open the door for the passage of Content, when
another blast arose on the silence without.
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