Richard took up the book, and read, in gold letters on the cover, "Lord Bellasis." The unhappy young man knelt down beside the body and raised it.
The skull had been fractured by a blow, but it seemed that life yet lingered.

Overcome with horror--for he could not doubt but that his mother's worst fears had been realized--Richard knelt there holding his murdered father in his arms, waiting until the murderer, whose name he bore, should have placed himself beyond pursuit.

It seemed an hour to his excited fancy before he saw a light pass along the front of the house he had quitted, and knew that Sir Richard had safely reached his chamber.

With some bewildered intention of summoning aid, he left the body and made towards the town.

As he stepped out on the path he heard voices, and presently some dozen men, one of whom held a horse, burst out upon him, and, with sudden fury, seized and flung him to the ground.
At first the young man, so rudely assailed, did not comprehend his own danger.