by Clara Reeve
exposed me tostrangers, and, what is worse, to my dearest friends; when I lay ina state of danger, you obliged me to say any thing, and now you takeadvantage of it, to ruin me in my friends' affection. But, if I recover,you may repent it!"
Sir Philip then came forward.
"My Lords, I shall take no notice of what this unhappy man has just nowsaid; I shall appeal to you, as to the honourable witnesses of all thathas passed; you see it was no more than necessary. I appeal to you forthe motives of my treatment of him, before, at, and after our meeting.I did not take his life, as I might have done; I wished him to repent ofhis sins, and to make restitution of what he unjustly possesses. I wascalled out to do an act of justice; I had taken the heir of Lovel undermy protection, my chief view was to see justice done to him;--whatregarded this man was but a secondary motive. This was my end, and Iwill never, never lose sight of it."
Lord Lovel seemed almost choaked with passion, to see every one givingsome mark of approbation and respect to Sir Philip. He called out--
"I demand to know who is this pretended heir, whom he brings out toclaim my title and fortune?"
"My noble auditors," said Sir Philip, "I shall appeal to yourjudgment, in regard to the proofs of my ward's birth and family; everycircumstance shall be laid before you, and you shall decide upon them.
"Here is a young man, supposed the son of a peasant, who, by a trainof circumstances that could not have happened by human contrivance,discovers not only who were his real parents, but that they came tountimely deaths. He even discovers the different places where theirbones are buried, both out of consecrated ground, and appeals to theirashes for the truth of his pretensions. He has also living proofs tooffer, that will convince the most incredulous. I have deferred enteringinto particulars, till the arrival of Baron Fitz-Owen. I know hisnoble heart and honourable character, from one that has long been aneye-witness of his goodness; such is the opinion I have of his justice,that I will accept him as one of the judges in his brother's cause.I and my ward will bring our proofs before him, and the company herepresent; in the course of them, it will appear that he is the bestqualified of any to judge of them, because he can ascertain many ofthe facts we shall have occasion to mention. I will rest our cause upontheir decision."
Lord Graham applauded Sir Philip's appeal, affirming his ownimpartiality, and calling upon Lord Clifford and his son, and also hisown nephews who were present. Lord Clifford said--
"Sir Philip offers fairly, and like himself; there can be no place norpersons more impartial than the present, and I presume the Lord Lovelcan have no objection."
"No objection!" answered he; "what, to be tried like a criminal, to havejudges appointed over me, to decide upon my right to my own estate andtitle? I will not submit to such a jurisdiction!"
"Then," said Sir Philip, "you had rather be tried by the laws of theland, and have them pronounce sentence upon you? Take your choice, sir;if you refuse the one, you shall be certain of the other."
Lord Clifford then said--"You will allow Lord Lovel to consider ofthe proposal; he will consult his friends, and be determined by theiradvice."
Lord Fitz-Owen said--"I am very much surprised at what I have heard. Ishould be glad to know all that Sir Philip Harclay has to say for hisward, that I may judge what my brother has to hope or fear; I will thengive my best advice, or offer my mediation, as he may stand in need ofthem."
"You say well," replied Lord Graham, "and pray let us come directly tothe point; Sir Philip, you will introduce your ward to this company, andenter upon your proofs."
Sir Philip bowed to the company; he went out and brought in Edmund,encouraging him by the way; he presented him to Baron Fitz-Owen, wholooked very serious.
"Edmund Twyford," said he, "are you the heir of the house of Lovel?"
"I am, my Lord," said Edmund, bowing to the ground; "the proofs willappear; but I am, at the same time, the most humble and grateful of allyour servants, and the servant of your virtues."
Sir Robert rose up, and was going to leave the room.
"Son Robert, stay," said the Baron; "if there is any fraud, you will bepleased to detect it, and, if all that is affirmed be true, you will notshut your eyes against the light; you are concerned in this business;hear it in silence, and let reason be arbiter in your cause."
He bowed to his father, bit his lip, and retired to the window. Williamnodded to Edmund, and was silent. All the company had their eyes fixedon the young man, who stood in the midst, casting down his eyes withmodest respect to the audience; while Sir Philip related all thematerial circumstances of his life, the wonderful gradation by whichhe came to the knowledge of his birth, the adventures of the hauntedapartment, the discovery of the fatal closet, and the presumptive proofsthat Lord Lovel was buried there. At this part of his narration, LordFitz-Owen interrupted him.
"Where is this closet you talk of? for I and my sons went over theapartment since Edmund's departure, and found no such place as youdescribe."
"My Lord," said Edmund, "I can account for it: the door is covered withtapestry, the same as the room, and you might easily overlook it; but Ihave a witness here," said he, and putting his hand into his bosom,he drew out the key. "If this is not the key of that closet, let mebe deemed an impostor, and all I say a falsehood; I will risk mypretensions upon this proof."
"And for what purpose did you take it away?" said the Baron.
"To prevent any person from going into it," replied Edmund; "I havevowed to keep it till I shall open that closet before witnessesappointed for that purpose."
"Proceed, sir," said the Baron Fitz-Owen.
Sir Philip then related the conversation between Edmund and MargeryTwyford, his supposed mother.
Lord Fitz-Owen seemed in the utmost surprise. He exclaimed, "Can this betrue? strange discovery! unfortunate child!"
Edmund's tears bore witness to his veracity. He was obliged to hidehis face, he lifted up his clasped hands to heaven, and was in greatemotions during all this part of the relation; while Lord Lovel groaned,and seemed in great agitation.
Sir Philip then addressed himself to Lord Fitz-Owen.
"My Lord, there was another person present at the conversation betweenEdmund and his foster-mother, who can witness to all that passed;perhaps your lordship can tell who that was?"
"It was father Oswald," replied the Baron; "I well remember that he wentwith him at his request; let him be called in."
He was sent for, and came immediately. The Baron desired him to relateall that passed between Edmund and his mother.
Oswald then began--
"Since I am now properly called upon to testify what I know concerningthis young man, I will speak the truth, without fear or favour of anyone; and I will swear, by the rules of my holy order, to the truth ofwhat I shall relate."
He then gave a particular account of all that passed on that occasion,and mentioned the tokens found on both the infant and his mother.
"Where are these tokens to be seen?" said the Lord Clifford.
"I have them here, my lord," said Edmund, "and I keep them as mygreatest treasures."
He then produced them before all the company.
"There is no appearance of any fraud or collusion," said Lord Graham;"if any man thinks he sees any, let him speak."
"Pray, my lord, suffer me to speak a word," said Sir Robert. "Do youremember that I hinted my suspicions concerning father Oswald, the nightour kinsmen lay in the east apartment?"
"I do," said the Baron.
"Well, sir, it now appears that he did know more than he would tell us;you find he is very deep in all Edmund's secrets, and you may judge whatwere his motives for undertaking this journey."
"I observe what you say," answered his father, "but let us hear all thatOswald has to say; I will be as impartial as possible."
"My lord," returned Oswald, "I beg you also to recollect what I said, onthe night your son speaks of, concerning secrecy in certain matters."
"I remember that also," said the Baron; "but p
roceed."
"My lord," continued Oswald, "I knew more than I thought myself atliberty to disclose at that time; but I will now tell you every thing.I saw there was something more than common in the accidents thatbefell this young man, and in his being called out to sleep in the eastapartment; I earnestly desired him to let me be with him on the secondnight, to which he consented reluctantly; we heard a great noise in therooms underneath, we went down stairs together; I saw him open the fatalcloset, I heard groans that pierced me to the heart, I kneeled down andprayed for the repose of the spirit departed; I found a seal, with thearms of Lovel engraven upon it, which I gave to Edmund, and he now hasit in his