Philip answered, "You are right,my Lord; I had not thought of this point; we owe you, in this respect,more than we can ever repay. But you know not half the respect andaffection Edmund bears for you. When restitution of his title andfortune are fully made, his happiness will still depend on you."
"How on me?" said the Baron.
"Why, he will not be happy unless you honour him with your notice andesteem; but this is not all, I must hope that you will do still more forhim."
"Indeed," said the Baron, "he has put my regard for him to a severeproof; what further can he expect from me?"
"My dear Lord, be not offended, I have only one more proposal to make toyou; if you refuse it, I can allow for you; and I confess it requires agreatness of mind, but not more than you possess, to grant it."
"Well, sir, speak your demand."
"Say rather my request; it is this: Cease to look upon Edmund as theenemy of your house; look upon him as a son, and make him so indeed."
"How say you, Sir Philip? my son!"
"Yes, my lord, give him your daughter. He is already your son in filialaffection; your son William and he are sworn brothers; what remains butto make him yours? He deserves such a parent, you such a son; and youwill, by this means, ingraft into your family, the name, title, andestate of Lovel, which will be entailed on your posterity for ever."
"This offer requires much consideration," returned the Baron.
"Suffer me to suggest some hints to you," said Sir Philip. "This matchis, I think, verily pointed out by Providence, which hath conducted thedear boy through so many dangers, and brought him within view of hishappiness; look on him as the precious relic of a noble house, the sonof my dearest friend! or look on him as my son and heir, and let me, ashis father, implore you to consent to his marriage with your daughter."
The Baron's heart was touched, he turned away his face.
"Oh, Sir Philip Harclay, what a friend are you! why should such a man beour enemy?"
"My lord," said Sir Philip, "we are not, cannot be enemies; our heartsare already allied; and I am certain we shall one day be dear friends."
The Baron suppressed his emotions, but Sir Philip saw into his heart.
"I must consult my eldest son," returned he.
"Then," replied Sir Philip, "I foresee much difficulty; he is prejudicedagainst Edmund, and thinks the restitution of his inheritance an injuryto your family. Hereafter he will see this alliance in a differentlight, and will rejoice that such a brother is added to the family;but, at present, he will set his face against it. However, we will notdespair; virtue and resolution will surmount all obstacles. Let me callin young Lovel."
He brought Edmund to the Baron, and acquainted him with the proposal hehad been making in his name, my Lord's answers, and the objections hefeared on the part of Sir Robert. Edmund kneeled to the Baron; he tookhis hand and pressed it to his lips.
"Best of men! of parents! of patrons!" said he, "I will ever be your sonin filial affection, whether I have the honour to be legally so ornot; not one of your own children can feel a stronger sense of love andduty."
"Tell me," said the Baron, "do you love my daughter?"
"I do, my lord, with the most ardent affection; I never loved any womanbut her; and, if I am so unfortunate as to be refused her, I will notmarry at all. Oh, my Lord, reject not my honest suit! Your alliance willgive me consequence with myself, it will excite me to act worthy of thestation to which I am exalted; if you refuse me, I shall seem an abjectwretch, disdained by those whom my heart claims relation to; your familyare the whole world to me. Give me your lovely daughter! give me alsoyour son, my beloved William; and let me share with them the fortuneProvidence bestows upon me. But what is title or fortune, if I amdeprived of the society of those I love?"
"Edmund," said the Baron, "you have a noble friend; but you have astronger in my heart, which I think was implanted there by Heaven to aidits own purposes. I feel a variety of emotions of different kinds, andam afraid to trust my own heart with you. But answer me a question: Areyou assured of my daughter's consent? have you solicited her favour?have you gained her affections?"
"Never, my lord. I am incapable of so base an action; I have loved herat an humble distance; but, in my situation, I should have thought it aviolation of all the laws of gratitude and hospitality to have presumedto speak the sentiments of my heart."
"Then you have acted with unquestionable honour on this, and, I mustsay, on all other occasions."
"Your approbation, my lord, is the first wish of my life; it is the sealof my honour and happiness."
Sir Philip smiled: "My Lord Fitz-Owen, I am jealous of Edmund'spreferable regard for you; it is just the same now as formerly."
Edmund came to Sir Philip, he threw himself into his arms, he wept, hewas overpowered with the feelings of his heart; he prayed to Heaven tostrengthen his mind to support his inexpressible sensations.
"I am overwhelmed with obligation," said he; "oh, best of friends, teachme, like you, to make my actions speak for me!"
"Enough, Edmund; I know your heart, and that is my security. My lord,speak to him, and bring him to himself, by behaving coldly to him, ifyou can."
The Baron said, "I must not trust myself with you, you make a childof me. I will only add, gain my son Robert's favour, and be assured ofmine; I owe some respect to the heir of my family; he is brave, honest,and sincere; your enemies are separated from him, you have William'sinfluence in your behalf; make one effort, and let me know the result."
Edmund kissed his hand in transports of joy and gratitude.
"I will not lose a moment," said he; "I fly to obey your commands."
Edmund went immediately to his friend William, and related all that hadpassed between the Baron, Sir Philip, and himself. William promised himhis interest in the warmest manner; he recapitulated all that had passedin the castle since his departure; but he guarded his sister's delicacy,till it should be resolved to give way to his address. They bothconsulted young Clifford, who had conceived an affection to Edmund forhis amiable qualities, and to William for his generous friendship forhim. He promised them his assistance, as Sir Robert seemed desirous tocultivate his friendship. Accordingly, they both attacked him with thewhole artillery of friendship and persuasion. Clifford urged the meritsof Edmund, and the advantages of his alliance. William enforced hisarguments by a retrospect of Edmund's past life; and observed, thatevery obstacle thrown in his way had brought his enemies to shame, andincrease of honour to himself. "I say nothing," continued he, "of hisnoble qualities and affectionate heart; those who have been so manyyears his companions, can want no proofs of it."
"We know your attachment to him, sir," said Sir Robert; "and, inconsequence, your partiality."
"Nay," replied William, "you are sensible of the truth of my assertions;and, I am confident, would have loved him yourself, but for theinsinuations of his enemies. But if he should make good his assertions,even you must be convinced of his veracity."
"And you would have my father give him your sister upon thisuncertainty?"
"No, sir, but upon these conditions."
"But suppose he does not make them good?"
"Then I will be of your party, and give up his interest."
"Very well, sir; my father may do as he pleases; but I cannot agree togive my sister to one who has always stood in the way of our family, andnow turns us out of our own house."
"I am sorry, brother, you see his pretensions in so wrong a light; butif you think there is any imposture in the case, go with us, and be awitness of all that passes."
"No, not I; if Edmund is to be master of the castle, I will never moreset my foot in it."
"This matter," said Mr. Clifford, "must be left to time, which hasbrought stranger things to pass. Sir Robert's honour and good sense willenable him to subdue his prejudices, and to judge impartially."
They took leave, and went to make preparations for their journey. Edmundmade his report of Sir Robert's inflexibility to his father, in presenceof Sir
Philip; who, again, ventured to urge the Baron on his favouritesubject.
"It becomes me to wait for the further proofs," said he; "but, if theyare as clear as I expect, I will not be inexorable to your wishes; Saynothing more on this subject till the return of the commissioners."
They were profuse in their acknowledgments of his goodness.
Edmund took a tender leave of his two paternal friends.
"When," said he, "I take possession of my inheritance, I must hope forthe company of you both to complete my happiness."
"Of me," said Sir Philip, "you may be certain; and, as far as