The Old English Baron: a Gothic Story

by Clara Reeve

backward, he saw his friend Mr. William, and hallooedto him. He came running towards him; and, leaping over the style, stoodstill a while to recover his breath.

  "What is the matter, sir?" said Edmund; "your looks bespeak some tidingsof importance."

  With a look of tender concern and affection, the youth pressed his handand spoke--

  "My dear Edmund, you must come home with me directly; your old enemieshave united to ruin you with my father; my brother Robert has declaredthat he thinks there will be no peace in our family till you aredismissed from it, and told my father, he hoped he would not break withhis kinsmen rather than give up Edmund."

  "But what do they lay to my charge?" said Edmund.

  "I cannot rightly understand," answered William, "for they make a greatmystery of it; something of great consequence, they say; but they willnot tell me what: However, my father has told them that they must bringtheir accusation before your face, and he will have you answer thempublicly. I have been seeking you this hour, to inform you of this, thatyou might be prepared to defend yourself against your accusers."

  "God reward you, sir," said Edmund, "for all your goodness to me! Isee they are determined to ruin me if possible: I shall be compelled toleave the castle; but, whatever becomes of me, be assured you shall haveno cause to blush for your kindness and partiality to your Edmund."

  "I know it, I am sure of it," said William; "and here I swear to you, asJonathan did to David, I beseech Heaven to bless me, as my friendship toyou shall be steady and inviolable!"

  "Only so long as I shall deserve so great a blessing," interruptedEdmund.

  "I know your worth and honour," continued William; "and such is myconfidence in your merit, that I firmly believe Heaven designs you forsomething extraordinary; and I expect that some great and unforeseenevent will raise you to the rank and station to which you appear tobelong: Promise me, therefore, that whatever may be your fate you willpreserve the same friendship for me that I bear to you."

  Edmund was so much affected that he could not answer but in brokensentences.

  "Oh my friend, my master! I vow, I promise, my heart promises!"

  He kneeled down with clasped hands, and uplifted eyes. William kneeledby him, and they invoked the Supreme to witness to their friendship,and implored His blessing upon it. They then rose up and embraced eachother, while tears of cordial affection bedewed their cheeks.

  As soon as they were able to speak, Edmund conjured his friend not toexpose himself to the displeasure of his family out of kindness to him.

  "I submit to the will of Heaven," said he; "I wait with patience itsdisposal of me; if I leave the castle, I will find means to inform youof my fate and fortunes."

  "I hope," said William, "that things may yet be accommodated; but do nottake any resolution, let us act as occasions arise."

  In this manner these amiable youths conferred, till they arrived at thecastle. The Baron was sitting in the great hall, on a high chair with afootstep before, with the state and dignity of a judge; before him stoodFather Oswald, as pleading the cause for himself and Edmund. Round theBaron's chair stood his eldest son and his kinsmen, with their principaldomestics. The old servant, Joseph, at some distance, with his headleaning forward, as listening with the utmost attention to what passed.Mr. William approached the chair. "My Lord, I have found Edmund, andbrought him to answer for himself."

  "You have done well," said the Baron. "Edmund, come hither; you arecharged with some indiscretions, for I cannot properly call them crimes:I am resolved to do justice between you and your accusers; I shalltherefore hear you as well as them; for no man ought to be condemnedunheard."

  "My lord," said Edmund, with equal modesty and intrepidity, "I demand mytrial; if I shall be found guilty of any crimes against my Benefactor,let me be punished with the utmost rigour; But if, as I trust, no suchcharge can be proved against me, I know your goodness too well to doubtthat you will do justice to me, as well as to others; and if it shouldso happen that by the misrepresentations of my enemies (who havelong sought my ruin privately, and now avow it publicly), if by theirartifices your lordship should be induced to think me guilty, I wouldsubmit to your sentence in silence, and appeal to another tribunal."

  "See," said Mr. Wenlock, "the confidence of the fellow! he alreadysupposes that my lord must be in the wrong if he condemns him; and thenthis meek creature will appeal to another tribunal. To whose will heappeal? I desire he may be made to explain himself."

  "That I will immediately," said Edmund, "without being compelled. I onlymeant to appeal to Heaven that best knows my innocence."

  "'Tis true," said the Baron, "and no offence to any one; man can onlyjudge by appearances, but Heaven knows the heart; Let every one ofyou bear this in mind, that you may not bring a false accusation, norjustify yourselves by concealing the truth. Edmund, I am informed thatOswald and you have made very free with me and my family, in some ofyour conversations; you were heard to censure me for the absurdity ofbuilding a new apartment on the west side of the castle, when there wasone on the east side uninhabited. Oswald said, that apartment was shutup because it was haunted; that some shocking murder had been committedthere; adding many particulars concerning Lord Lovel's family, such ashe could not know the truth of, and, if he had known, was imprudentto reveal. But, further, you complained of ill-treatment here; andmentioned an intention to leave the castle, and seek your fortuneelsewhere. I shall examine into all these particulars in turn. Atpresent I desire you, Edmund, to relate all that you can remember ofthe conversation that passed between you and Oswald in the wood lastMonday."

  "Good God!" said Edmund, "is it possible that any person could put sucha construction upon so innocent a conversation?"

  "Tell me then," said the Baron, "the particulars of it."

  "I will, my lord, as nearly as my memory will allow me." Accordingly herelated most of the conversation that passed in the wood; but, in thepart that concerned the family of Lovel, he abbreviated as much aspossible. Oswald's countenance cleared up, for he had done the samebefore Edmund came. The Baron called to his eldest son.

  "You hear, Sir Robert, what both parties say; I have questioned themseparately; neither of them knew what the other would answer, yet theiraccounts agree almost to a word."

  "I confess they do so," answered Sir Robert; "but, sir, it is very boldand presuming for them to speak of our family affairs in such a manner;if my uncle, Lord Lovel, should come to know it, he would punish themseverely; and, if his honour is reflected upon, it becomes us to resentand to punish it." Here Mr. Wenlock broke out into passion, and offeredto swear to the truth of his accusation.

  "Be silent, Dick," said the Baron; "I shall judge for myself. Iprotest," said he to Sir Robert, "I never heard so much as Oswald has nowtold me concerning the deaths of Lord and Lady Lovel; I think it isbest to let such stories alone till they die away of themselves. I had,indeed, heard of an idle story of the east apartment's being haunted,when first I came hither, and my brother advised me to shut it up tillit should be forgotten; but what has now been said, has suggested athought that may make that apartment useful in future. I have thought ofa punishment for Edmund that will stop the mouth of his accusers forthe present; and, as I hope, will establish his credit with every body.Edmund, will you undertake this adventure for me?"

  "What adventure, my Lord," said Edmund? "There is nothing I would notundertake to shew my gratitude and fidelity to you. As to my courage, Iwould shew that at the expence of my malicious accusers, if respect tomy Lord's blood did not tie up my hands; as I am situated, I beg it maybe put to the proof in whatever way is most for my master's service."

  "That is well said," cried the Baron; "as to your enemies, I am thinkinghow to separate you from them effectually; of that I shall speakhereafter. I am going to try Edmund's courage; he shall sleep threenights in the east apartment, that he may testify to all whether it behaunted or not; afterwards I will have that apartment set in order, andmy eldest son shall take it for his own; it will spare me so
me expence,and answer my purpose as well, or better; Will you consent, Edmund?"

  "With all my heart, my Lord," said Edmund, "I have not wilfully offendedGod or man; I have, therefore, nothing to fear."

  "Brave boy!" said my Lord; "I am not deceived in you, nor shall yoube deceived in your reliance on me. You shall sleep in that apartmentto-night, and to-morrow I will have some private talk with you. Do you,Oswald, go with me; I want to have some conversation with you. The restof you, retire to your studies and business; I will meet you at dinner."

  Edmund retired to his own chamber, and Oswald was shut up with