The Old English Baron: a Gothic Story

by Clara Reeve

possession. He enjoined me to keep secret what I had seen andheard, till the time should come to declare it. I conceived that Iwas called to be a witness of these things; besides, my curiosity wasexcited to know the event; I, therefore, desired to be present atthe interview between him and his mother, which was affecting beyondexpression. I heard what I have now declared as nearly as my memorypermits me. I hope no impartial person will blame me for any part of myconduct; but if they should, I do not repent it. If I should forfeit thefavour of the rich and great, I shall have acquitted myself to God andmy conscience. I have no worldly ends to answer; I plead the cause ofthe injured orphan; and I think, also, that I second the designs ofProvidence."

  "You have well spoken, father," said the Lord Clifford; "your testimonyis indeed of consequence.

  "It is amazing and convincing," said Lord Graham; "and the whole storyis so well connected, that I can see nothing to make us doubt the truthof it; but let us examine the proofs."

  Edmund gave into their hands the necklace and earrings; he showed themthe locket with the cypher of Lovel, and the seal with the arms; hetold them the cloak, in which he was wrapped, was in the custody ofhis foster-mother, who would produce it on demand. He begged that someproper persons might be commissioned to go with him to examine whetheror no the bodies of his parents were buried where he affirmed; adding,that he put his pretensions into their hands with pleasure, relyingentirely upon their honour and justice.

  During this interesting scene, the criminal covered his face, and wassilent; but he sent forth bitter sighs and groans that denoted theanguish of his heart. At length, Lord Graham, in compassion to him,proposed that they should retire and consider of the proofs; adding,"Lord Lovel must needs be fatigued; we will resume the subject in hispresence, when he is disposed to receive us."

  Sir Philip Harclay approached the bed; "Sir," said he, "I now leave youin the hands of your own relations; they are men of strict honour, and Iconfide in them to take care of you and of your concerns."

  They then went out of the room, leaving only the Lord Fitz-Owen andhis sons with the criminal. They discoursed of the wonderful story ofEdmund's birth, and the principal events of his life.

  After dinner, Sir Philip requested another conference with the Lords,and their principal friends. There were present also Father Oswald,and Lord Graham's confessor, who had taken the Lord Lovel's confession,Edmund, and Zadisky. "Now, gentlemen," said Sir Philip, "I desire toknow your opinion of our proofs, and your advice upon them."

  Lord Graham replied, "I am desired to speak for the rest. We think thereare strong presumptive proofs that this young man is the true heir ofLovel; but they ought to be confirmed and authenticated. Of the murderof the late Lord there is no doubt; the criminal hath confessed it, andthe circumstances confirm it; the proofs of his crime are so connectedwith those of the young man's birth, that one cannot be public withoutthe other. We are desirous to do justice; and yet are unwilling, forthe Lord Fitz-Owen's sake, to bring the criminal to public shame andpunishment. We wish to find out a medium; we therefore desire SirPhilip to make proposals for his ward, and let Lord Fitz-Owen answer forhimself and his brother, and we will be moderators between them."

  Here every one expressed approbation, and called upon Sir Philip to makehis demands.

  "If," said he, "I were to demand strict justice, I should not besatisfied with any thing less than the life of the criminal; but I am aChristian soldier, the disciple of Him who came into the world to savesinners;--for His sake," continued he, crossing himself, "I forego myrevenge, I spare the guilty. If Heaven gives him time for repentance,man should not deny it. It is my ward's particular request, that I willnot bring shame upon the house of his benefactor, the Lord Fitz-Owen,for whom he hath a filial affection and profound veneration. Myproposals are these:--First, that the criminal make restitution of thetitle and estate, obtained with so much injustice and cruelty, to thelawful heir, whom he shall acknowledge such before proper witnesses.Secondly, that he shall surrender his own lawful inheritance andpersonal estate into the hands of the Lord Fitz-Owen, in trust for hissons, who are his heirs of blood. Thirdly, that he shall retire into areligious house, or else quit the kingdom in three months time; and,in either case, those who enjoy his fortune shall allow him a decentannuity, that he may not want the comforts of life. By the last, Idisable him from the means of doing further mischief, and enable him todevote the remainder of his days to penitence. These are my proposals,and I give him four-and-twenty hours to consider of them; if he refusesto comply with them, I shall be obliged to proceed to severer measures,and to a public prosecution. But the goodness of the Lord Fitz-Owenbids me expect, from his influence with his brother, a compliance withproposals made out of respect to his honourable character."

  Lord Graham applauded the humanity, prudence, and piety of Sir Philip'sproposals. He enforced them with all his influence and eloquence. LordClifford seconded him; and the rest gave tokens of approbation.

  Sir Robert Fitz-Owen then rose up. "I beg leave to observe to thecompany, who are going to dispose so generously of another man'sproperty, that my father purchased the castle and estate of the house ofLovel; who is to repay him the money for it?"

  Sir Philip then said, "I have also a question to ask. Who is to paythe arrears of my ward's estate, which he has unjustly been kept out ofthese one-and-twenty years? Let Lord Clifford answer to both points, forhe is not interested in either."

  Lord Clifford smiled.

  "I think," returned he, "the first question is answered by the second,and that the parties concerned should set one against the other,especially as Lord Fitz-Owen's children will inherit the fortune, whichincludes the purchase-money."

  Lord Graham said, "This determination is both equitable and generous,and I hope will answer the expectations on all sides."

  "I have another proposal to make to my Lord Fitz-Owen," said Sir Philip;"but I first wait for the acceptance of those already made."

  Lord Fitz-Owen replied, "I shall report them to my brother, and acquaintthe company with his resolution to-morrow."

  They then separated; and the Baron, with his sons, returned to thesick man's chamber; there he exhorted his brother, with the piety of aconfessor, to repent of his sins and make atonement for them. He madeknown Sir Philip's proposals, and observed on the wonderful discoveryof his crime, and the punishment that followed it. "Your repentance,"continued he, "may be accepted, and your crime may yet be pardoned. Ifyou continue refractory, and refuse to make atonement, you will drawdown upon you a severer punishment."

  The criminal would not confess, and yet could not deny, the truthand justice of his observations. The Baron spent several hours in hisbrother's chamber. He sent for a priest, who took his confession; andthey both sat up with him all night, advising, persuading, and exhortinghim to do justice, and to comply with the proposals. He was unwilling togive up the world, and yet more so to become the object of public shame,disgrace, and punishment.

  The next day, Lord Fitz-Owen summoned the company into his brother'schamber, and there declared, in his name, that he accepted Sir PhilipHarclay's proposals; that, if the young man could, as he promised,direct them to the places where his parents were buried, and if hisbirth should be authenticated by his foster-parents, he should beacknowledged the heir of the house of Lovel. That to be certified ofthese things, they must commission proper persons to go with him forthis purpose; and, in case the truth should be made plain, they shouldimmediately put him in possession of the castle and estate, in thestate it was. He desired Lord Graham and Lord Clifford to chuse thecommissioners, and gave Sir Philip and Edmund a right to add to them,each, another person. [sic]

  Lord Graham named the eldest son of Lord Clifford, and the other, inreturn, named his nephew; they also chose the priest, Lord Graham'sconfessor, and the eldest son of Baron Fitz-Owen, to his greatmortification. Sir Philip appointed Mr. William Fitz-Owen, and Edmundnamed father Oswald; they chose out the servants to attend them,who were also to be witnesses of all th
at should pass. Lord Cliffordproposed to Baron Fitz-Owen, that, as soon as the commissioners wereset out, the remainder of the company should adjourn to his seat inCumberland, whither Lord Graham should be invited to accompany them, andto stay till this affair was decided. After some debate, this was agreedto; and, at the same time, that the criminal should be kept with themtill every thing was properly settled.

  Lord Fitz-Owen gave his son William the charge to receive and entertainthe commissioners at the castle; But, before they set out, Sir Philiphad a conference with Lord Fitz-Owen, concerning the surrender of thecastle; in which he insisted on the furniture and stock of the farm,in consideration of the arrears. Lord Fitz-Owen slightly mentioned theyoung man's education and expences. Sir