The Old English Baron: a Gothic Story

by Clara Reeve

  From the time the young men returned from France, the enemies of Edmundemployed their utmost abilities to ruin him in the Baron's opinion, andget him dismissed from the family. They insinuated a thousand thingsagainst him, that happened, as they said, during his residence inFrance, and therefore could not be known to his master; but when theBaron privately enquired of his two elder sons, he found there was notruth in their reports. Sir Robert, though he did not love him, scornedto join in untruths against him. Mr. William spoke of him with thewarmth of fraternal affection. The Baron perceived that his kinsmendisliked Edmund; but his own good heart hindered him from seeing thebaseness of theirs. It is said, that continual dropping will wear away astone; so did their incessant reports, by insensible degrees, produce acoolness in his patron's behaviour towards him. If he behaved with manlyspirit, it was misconstrued into pride and arrogance; his generositywas imprudence; his humility was hypocrisy, the better to cover hisambition. Edmund bore patiently all the indignities that were thrownupon him; and, though he felt them severely in his bosom, scorned tojustify his conduct at the expence even of his enemies. Perhaps hisgentle spirit might at length have sunk under this treatment, butprovidence interposed in his behalf; and, by seemingly accidentalcircumstances, conducted him imperceptibly towards the crisis of hisfate.

  Father Oswald, who had been preceptor to the young men, had a strongaffection for Edmund, from a thorough knowledge of his heart; he sawthrough the mean artifices that were used to undermine him in hispatron's favour; he watched their machinations, and strove to frustratetheir designs.

  This good man used frequently to walk out with Edmund; they conversedupon various subjects; and the youth would lament to him the unhappinessof his situation, and the peculiar circumstances that attended him.The father, by his wholesome advice, comforted his drooping heart,and confirmed him in his resolution of bearing unavoidable evils withpatience and fortitude, from the consciousness of his own innocence, andthe assurance of a future and eternal reward.

  One day, as they were walking in a wood near the castle, Edmund askedthe father, what meant those preparations for building, the cutting downtrees, and burning of bricks?

  "What," said Oswald, "have you not heard that my Lord is going to builda new apartment on the west side of the castle?"

  "And why," said Edmund, "should my Lord be at that expence when there isone on the east side that is never occupied?"

  "That apartment," said the friar, "you must have observed is always shutup."

  "I have observed it often," said Edmund; "but I never presumed to askany questions about it."

  "You had then," said Oswald, "less curiosity, and more discretion, thanis common at your age."

  "You have raised my curiosity," said Edmund; "and, if it be notimproper, I beg of you to gratify it."

  "We are alone," said Oswald, "and I am so well assured of your prudence,that I will explain this mystery in some degree to you."

  "You must know, that apartment was occupied by the last Lord Lovel whenhe was a batchelor. He married in his father's lifetime, who gave up hisown apartment to him, and offered to retire to this himself; but the sonwould not permit him; he chose to sleep here, rather than in any other.He had been married about three months, when his father, the old lord,died of a fever. About twelve months after his marriage, he was calledupon to attend the King, Henry the Fourth, on an expedition into Wales,whither he was attended by many of his dependants. He left his lady bigwith child, and full of care and anxiety for his safety and return.

  "After the King had chastised the rebels, and obtained the victory, theLord Lovel was expected home every day; various reports were sent homebefore him; one messenger brought an account of his health and safety;soon after another came with bad news, that he was slain in battle. Hiskinsman, Sir Walter Lovel, came here on a visit to comfort the Lady; andhe waited to receive his kinsman at his return. It was he that broughtthe news of the sad event of the battle to the Lady Lovel.

  "She fainted away at the relation; but, when she revived, exerted theutmost resolution; saying, it was her duty to bear this dreadful strokewith Christian fortitude and patience, especially in regard to thechild she went with, the last remains of her beloved husband, and theundoubted heir of a noble house. For several days she seemed an exampleof patience and resignation; but then, all at once, she renounced them,and broke out into passionate and frantic exclamations; she said, thather dear lord was basely murdered; that his ghost had appeared to her,and revealed his fate. She called upon Heaven and earth to revenge herwrongs; saying, she would never cease complaining to God, and the King,for vengeance and justice.

  "Upon this, Sir Walter told the servants that Lady Lovel was distracted,from grief for the death of her Lord; that his regard for her was asstrong as ever; and that, if she recovered, he would himself be hercomforter, and marry her. In the mean time she was confined in this veryapartment, and in less than a month the poor Lady died. She lies buriedin the family vault in St. Austin's church in the village. Sir Waltertook possession of the castle, and all the other estates, and assumedthe title of Lord Lovel.

  "Soon after, it was reported that the castle was haunted, and that theghosts of Lord and Lady Lovel had been seen by several of the servants.Whoever went into this apartment were terrified by uncommon noises, andstrange appearances; at length this apartment was wholly shut up, andthe servants were forbid to enter it, or to talk of any thing relatingto it: However, the story did not stop here; it was whispered about,that the new Lord Lovel was so disturbed every night, that he couldnot sleep in quiet; and, being at last tired of the place, he soldthe castle and estate of his ancestors, to his brother-in-law the LordFitz-Owen, who now enjoys it, and left this country."

  "All this is news to me," said Edmund; "but, father, tell me whatgrounds there were for the lady's suspicion that her lord diedunfairly?"

  "Alas!" said Oswald, "that is only known to God. There were strangethoughts in the minds of many at that time; I had mine; but I willnot disclose them, not even to you. I will not injure those who may beinnocent; and I leave it to Providence, who will doubtless, in its ownbest time and manner, punish the guilty. But let what I have told you beas if you had never heard it."

  "I thank you for these marks of your esteem and confidence," saidEdmund; "be assured that I will not abuse them; nor do I desire topry into secrets not proper to be revealed. I entirely approve yourdiscretion, and acquiesce in your conclusion, that Providence will inits own time vindicate its ways to man; if it were not for that trust,my situation would be insupportable. I strive earnestly to deserve theesteem and favour of good men; I endeavour to regulate my conduct so asto avoid giving offence to any man; but I see, with infinite pain, thatit is impossible for me to gain these points."

  "I see it too, with great concern," said Oswald; "and every thing that Ican say and do in your favour is misconstrued; and, by seeking to do youservice, I lose my own influence. But I will never give my sanction toacts of injustice, nor join to oppress innocence. My dear child, putyour trust in God: He who brought light out of darkness, can bring goodout of evil."

  "I hope and trust so," said Edmund; "but, father, if my enemies shouldprevail--if my lord should believe their stories against me, and Ishould be put out of the house with disgrace, what will become of me?I have nothing but my character to depend upon; if I lose that, I loseevery thing; and I see they seek no less than my ruin."

  "Trust in my lord's honour and justice," replied Oswald; "he knows yourvirtue, and he is not ignorant of their ill-will towards you."

  "I know my lord's justice too well to doubt it," said Edmund; "butwould it not be better to rid him of this trouble, and his family of anincumbrance? I would gladly do something for myself, but cannot withoutmy lord's recommendation; and, such is my situation, that I fear theasking for a dismission would be accounted base ingratitude; beside,when I think of leaving this house, my heart saddens at the thought, andtells me I cannot be happy out of it; yet I think I could return to apeasant
's life with cheerfulness, rather than live in a palace underdisdain and contempt."

  "Have patience a little longer, my son," said Oswald; "I will thinkof some way to serve you, and to represent your grievances to my lord,without offence to either--perhaps the causes may be removed. Continueto observe the same irreproachable conduct; and be assured that Heavenwill defend your innocence, and defeat the unjust designs of yourenemies. Let us now return home."

  About a week after this conference, Edmund walked out in the fieldsruminating on the disagreeable circumstances of his situation.Insensible of the time, he had been out several hours without perceivinghow the day wore away, when he heard himself called by name severaltimes; looking