as mine won't go
out without a long struggle. What have I to live for now? All are
gone--she and her child! But what is this to you? You have no child; and
if you had, you could not feel like a father. No matter--I rave. Listen
to me. I have crawled hither to die. 'Tis five days since I beheld you,
and during that time food has not passed these lips, nor aught of
moisture, save Heaven's dew, cooled this parched throat, nor shall they
to the last. That time cannot be far off; and now can you not guess
_how_ I mean to die? Begone and leave me; your presence troubles me. I
would breathe my last breath alone, with none to witness the parting
pang."

"I will not trouble you longer, mother," said Dick, turning his mare;
"nor will I ask your blessing."

"My blessing!" scornfully ejaculated Barbara. "You shall have it if you
will, but you will find it a curse. Stay! a thought strikes me. Whither
are you going?"

"To seek Sir Luke Rookwood," replied Dick. "Know you aught of him?"

"Sir Luke Rookwood! You seek him, and would find him?" screamed Barbara.

"I would," said Dick.

"And you _will_ find him," said Barbara; "and that ere long. I shall
ne'er again behold him. Would I could. I have a message for him--one of
life and death. Will you convey it to him?"

"I will," said the highwayman.

"Swear by those bones to do so," cried Barbara, pointing with her skinny
fingers to the gibbet; "that you will do my bidding."

"I swear," cried Dick.

"Fail not, or _we_ will haunt thee to thy life's end," cried Barbara;
adding, as she handed a sealed package to the highwayman, "Give this to
Sir Luke--to him alone. I would have sent it to him by other hands ere
this, but my people have deserted me--have pillaged my stores--have
rifled me of all save this. Give this, I say, to Sir Luke, with your own
hands. You have sworn it, and will obey. Give it to him, and bid him
think of Sybil as he opens it. But this must not be till Eleanor is in
his power; and she must be present when the seal is broken. It relates
to both. Dare not to tamper with it, or my curse shall pursue you. That
packet is guarded with a triple spell, which to you were fatal. Obey me,
and my dying breath shall bless thee."

"Never fear," said Dick, taking the packet; "I'll not disappoint you,
mother, depend upon it."

"Hence!" cried the crone; and as she watched Dick's figure lessening
upon the Waste, and at length beheld him finally disappear down the
hill-side,