The Old English Baron: a Gothic Story

by Clara Reeve

Themessengers returned with all speed, and Sir Philip read the answerbefore all present.

  "Lord Lovel knows not of any injuries done by him to the late ArthurLord Lovel, whom he succeeded by just right of inheritance; nor of anyright Sir Philip Harclay has, to call to account a man to whom he isbarely known, having seen him only once, many years ago, at the house ofhis uncle, the old Lord Lovel: Nevertheless, Lord Lovel will not sufferany man to call his name and honour into question with impunity; forwhich reason he will meet Sir Philip Harclay at any time, place, and inwhat manner he shall appoint, bringing the same number of friends anddependents, that justice may be done to all parties.

  "LOVEL."

  "'Tis well," said Sir Philip; "I am glad to find he has the spirit tomeet me; he is an enemy worthy of my sword."

  Lord Clifford then proposed that both parties should pass the borders,and obtain leave of the warden of the Scottish marches to decide thequarrel in his jurisdiction, with a select number of friends on bothsides. Sir Philip agreed to the proposal; and Lord Clifford wrote in hisown name to ask permission of the Lord Graham, that his friends mightcome there; and obtained it, on condition that neither party shouldexceed a limited number of friends and followers.

  Lord Clifford sent chosen messengers to Lord Lovel, acquainting himwith the conditions, and appointing the time, place, and manner of theirmeeting, and that he had been desired to accept the office of judge ofthe field. Lord Lovel accepted the conditions, and promised to be therewithout fail. Lord Clifford notified the same to Lord Graham, warden ofthe marches, who caused a piece of ground to be inclosed for the lists,and made preparations against the day appointed.

  In the interim, Sir Philip Harclay thought proper to settle his worldlyaffairs. He made Zadisky acquainted with every circumstance of Edmund'shistory, and the obligation that lay upon him to revenge the death ofhis friend, and see justice done to his heir. Zadisky entered into thecause with an ardour that spoke the affection he bore to his friend.

  "Why," said he, "would you not suffer me to engage this traitor? Yourlife is of too much consequence to be staked against his; but thoughI trust that the justice of your cause must succeed, yet, if it shouldhappen otherwise, I vow to revenge you; he shall never go back from usboth. However, my hope and trust is, to see your arm the minister ofjustice."

  Sir Philip then sent for a lawyer and made his will, by which heappointed Edmund his chief heir, by the name of Lovel, alias Seagrave,alias Twyford; he ordered that all his old friends, soldiers, andservants, should be maintained in the same manner during their lives;he left to Zadisky an annuity of an hundred a year, and a legacy of twohundred pounds; one hundred pounds to a certain monastery; the same sumto be distributed among disbanded soldiers, and the same to the poor andneedy in his neighbourhood.

  He appointed Lord Clifford joint executor with Edmund, and gave hiswill into that nobleman's care, recommending Edmund to his favour andprotection.

  "If I live," said he, "I will make him appear to be worthy of it; if Idie, he will want a friend. I am desirous your lordship, as a judge ofthe field, should be unprejudiced on either side, that you may judgeimpartially. If I die, Edmund's pretensions die with me; but my friendZadisky will acquaint you with the foundation of them. I take theseprecautions, because I ought to be prepared for every thing; but myheart is warm with better hopes, and I trust I shall live to justifymy own cause, as well as that of my friend, who is a person of moreconsequence than he appears to be."

  Lord Clifford accepted the trust, and expressed the greatest relianceupon Sir Philip's honour and veracity.

  While these preparations were making for the great event that was todecide the pretensions of Edmund, his enemies at the Castle of Lovelwere brought to shame for their behaviour to him.

  The disagreement between Wenlock and Markham had by degrees brought onan explanation of some parts of their conduct. Father Oswald had oftenhinted to the Baron, Wenlock's envy of Edmund's superior qualities,and the artifices by which he had obtained such an influence with SirRobert, as to make him take his part upon all occasions. Oswald nowtook advantage of the breach between these two incendiaries, to persuadeMarkham to justify himself at Wenlock's expence, and to tell all heknew of his wickedness; at length, he promised to declare all he knewof Wenlock's conduct, as well in France as since their return, when heshould be called upon; and, by him, Oswald was enabled to unravel thewhole of his contrivances, against the honour, interest, and even lifeof Edmund.

  He prevailed on Hewson, and Kemp, his associate, to add their testimonyto the others. Hewson confessed that he was touched in his conscience,when he reflected on the cruelty and injustice of his behaviour toEdmund, whose behaviour towards him, after he had laid a snare for hislife, was so noble and generous, that he was cut to the heart by it,and had suffered so much pain and remorse, that he longed for nothingso much as an opportunity to unburden his mind; but the dread of Mr.Wenlock's anger, and the effects of his resentment, had hitherto kepthim silent, always hoping there would come a time, when he might haveleave to declare the whole truth.

  Oswald conveyed this information to the Baron's ear, who waited foran opportunity to make the proper use of it. Not long after, the twoprincipal incendiaries came to an open rupture, and Markham threatenedWenlock that he would shew his uncle what a serpent he had harboured inhis bosom. The Baron arrested his words, and insisted upon his tellingall he knew; adding,--

  "If you speak the truth, I will support you; but if you prove false, Iwill punish you severely. As to Mr. Wenlock, he shall have a fair trial;and, if all the accusations I have heard are made good, it is high timethat I should put him out of my family."

  The Baron, with a stern aspect, bade them follow him into the greathall; and sent for all the rest of the family together.

  He then, with great solemnity, told them he was ready to hear all sidesof the question. He declared the whole substance of his informations,and called upon the accusers to support the charge. Hewson and Kemp gavethe same account they had done to Oswald, offering to swear to thetruth of their testimony; several of the other servants related suchcircumstances as had come to their knowledge. Markham then spoke ofevery thing, and gave a particular account of all that had passed onthe night they spent in the east apartment; he accused himself of beingprivy to Wenlock's villany, called himself fool and blockhead for beingthe instrument of his malignant disposition, and asked pardon of hisuncle for concealing it so long.

  The Baron called upon Wenlock to reply to the charge; who, instead ofanswering, flew into a passion, raged, swore, threatened, and finallydenied every thing. The witnesses persisted in their assertions. Markhamdesired leave to make known the reason why they were all afraid of him.

  "He gives it out," said he, "that he is to be my lord's son-in-law;and they, supposing him to stand first in his favour, are afraid of hisdispleasure."

  "I hope," said the Baron, "I shall not be at such a loss for ason-in-law, as to make choice of such a one as him; he never but oncehinted at such a thing, and then I gave him no encouragement. I havelong seen there was something very wrong in him; but I did not believehe was of so wicked a disposition; It is no wonder that princes shouldbe so frequently deceived, when I, a private man, could be so muchimposed upon within the circle of my own family. What think you, sonRobert?"

  "I, sir, have been much more imposed on; and I take shame to myself onthe occasion."

  "Enough, my son," said the Baron; "a generous confession is only a proofof growing wisdom. You are now sensible, that the best of us are liableto imposition. The artifices of this unworthy kinsman have set us atvariance with each other, and driven away an excellent youth from thishouse, to go I know not whither; but he shall no longer triumph in hiswickedness; he shall feel what it is to be banished from the house ofhis protector. He shall set out for his mother's this very day; I willwrite to her in such a manner as shall inform her that he has offendedme, without particularising the nature of his faults; I will give him anopportunity of recovering his credit
with his own family, and this shallbe my security against his doing further mischief. May he repent, and beforgiven.

  "Markham deserves punishment, but not in the same degree."

  "I confess it," said he, "and will submit to whatever your lordshipshall enjoin."

  "You shall only be banished for a time, but he for ever. I will sendyou abroad on a business that shall put you in a way to do credit toyourself, and service to me. Son Robert, have you any objection to mysentence?"

  "My Lord," said he, "I have great reason to distrust myself; I amsensible of my own weakness, and your superior wisdom, as well asgoodness; and I will henceforward submit to you in all things."

  The Baron ordered two of his servants to pack up Wenlock's clothes andnecessaries, and to set out with him that very