The Old English Baron: a Gothic Story

by Clara Reeve

but the old man would alwaysstand at the side-board, and feast his eyes with the countenance ofhis own master's son, surrounded with honour and happiness. John Wyattwaited upon the person of his lord, and enjoyed his favour withoutabatement. Mr. William Fitz-Owen accompanied Sir Philip Harclay from thenorth country, when he returned to take up his residence at the Castleof Lovel.

  Edmund, in the arms of love and friendship, enjoyed with true relishthe blessings that surrounded him, with an heart overflowing withbenevolence to his fellow creatures, and raptures of gratitude to hisCreator. His lady and himself were examples of conjugal affection andhappiness. Within a year from his marriage she brought him a sonand heir, whose birth renewed the joy and congratulations of all hisfriends. The Baron Fitz-Owen came to the baptism, and partook of hischildren's blessings. The child was called Arthur, after the name of hisgrandfather.

  The year following was born a second son, who was called Philip Harclay;upon him the noble knight of that name settled his estate in Yorkshire;and by the king's permission, he took the name and arms of that family.

  The third son was called William; he inherited the fortune of his uncleof that name, who adopted him, and he made the Castle of Lovel hisresidence, and died a bachelor.

  The fourth son was called Edmund; the fifth Owen; and there was also adaughter, called Emma.

  When time had worn out the prejudices of Sir Robert Fitz-Owen, the goodold Baron of that name proposed a marriage between his eldest sonand heir, and the daughter of Edmund Lord Lovel, which was happilyconcluded. The nuptials were honoured with the presence of bothfamilies; and the old Baron was so elevated with this happy union ofhis descendants, that he cried out, "Now I am ready to die--I have livedlong enough--this is the band of love that unites all my children to me,and to each other!" He did not long survive this happy event; he diedfull of years and honours, and his name was never mentioned but withthe deepest marks of gratitude, love and veneration. Sweet is theremembrance of the virtuous, and happy are the descendants of sucha father! they will think on him and emulate his virtues--they willremember him, and be ashamed to degenerate from their ancestor.

  Many years after Sir Philip Harclay settled at the Castle, he receivedtidings from his friend Zadisky, by one of the two servants whoattended him to the Holy Land. From him he learned that his friend haddiscovered, by private advices, that he had a son living in Palestine,which was the chief motive of his leaving England; that he had metwith various adventures in pursuit of him; that at length he foundhim, converted him to the Christian religion, and then persuaded himto retire from the world into a monastery by the side of Mount Libanus,where he intended to end his days.

  That Walter, commonly called Lord Lovel, had entered into the serviceof the Greek emperor, John Paleologus, not bearing to undergo a life ofsolitude and retirement; that he made up a story of his being compelledto leave his native country by his relations, for having accidentallykilled one of them, and that he was treated with great cruelty andinjustice; that he had accepted a post in the emperor's army, and wassoon after married to the daughter of one of the chief officers of it.

  Zadisky foresaw, and lamented the downfall of that Empire, and withdrewfrom the storm he saw approaching. Finally, he bade the messenger tellSir Philip Harclay and his adopted son, that he should not cease to prayfor them, and desired their prayers in return.

  Sir Philip desired Lord Lovel to entertain this messenger in hisservice. That good knight lived to extreme old age in honour andhappiness, and died in the arms of his beloved Edmund, who alsoperformed the last duties to his faithful Joseph.

  Father Oswald lived many years in the family as chaplain; he retiredfrom thence at length, and died in his own monastery.

  Edmund Lord Lovel lived to old age, in peace, honour and happiness; anddied in the arms of his children.

  Sir Philip Harclay caused the papers relating to his son's history to becollected together; the first part of it was written under his own eyein Yorkshire, the subsequent parts by Father Oswald at the Castle ofLovel. All these, when together, furnish a striking lesson to posterity,of the over-ruling hand of Providence, and the certainty of RETRIBUTION.