"
Again Halbert paused, and summoned his mind to a hasty council. The
vengeance with which the Abbot was likely to visit the slaughter of
Shafton, his friend, and in some measure his guest, was likely to be
severe; yet, in the various contingencies which he had considered
previous to their duel, he had unaccountably omitted to reflect what
was to be his line of conduct in case of Sir Piercie falling by his
hand. If he returned to Glendearg, he was sure to draw on his whole
family, including Mary Avenel, the resentment of the Abbot and
community, whereas it was possible that flight might make him be
regarded as the sole author of the deed, and might avert the
indignation of the monks from the rest of the inhabitants of his
paternal tower. Halbert recollected also the favour expressed for the
household, and especially for Edward, by the Sub-Prior; and he
conceived that he could, by communicating his own guilt to that worthy
ecclesiastic, when at a distance from Glendearg, secure his powerful
interposition in favour of his family. These thoughts rapidly passed
through his mind, and he determined on flight. The stranger's company
and his promised protection came in aid of that resolution; but he was
unable to reconcile the invitation which the old man gave him to
accompany him for safety to the Castle of Avenel, with the connexions
of Julian, the present usurper of that inheritance.
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