; he went out and brought in Edmund,
encouraging him by the way; he presented him to Baron Fitz-Owen, who
looked 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 will
appear; but I am, at the same time, the most humble and grateful of all
your 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 be
pleased to detect it, and, if all that is affirmed be true, you will not
shut 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. William
nodded to Edmund, and was silent. All the company had their eyes fixed
on the young man, who stood in the midst, casting down his eyes with
modest respect to the audience; while Sir Philip related all the
material circumstances of his life, the wonderful gradation by which
he came to the knowledge of his birth, the adventures of the haunted
apartment, the discovery of the fatal closet, and the presumptive proofs
that Lord Lovel was buried there. At this part of his narration, Lord
Fitz-Owen interrupted him.
"Where is this closet you talk of? for I and my sons went over the
apartment since Edmund's departure, and found no such place as you
describe."
"My Lord," said Edmund, "I can account for it: the door is covered with
tapestry, the same as the room, and you might easily overlook it; but I
have 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 me
be deemed an impostor, and all I say a falsehood; I will risk my
pretensions 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 have
vowed to keep it till I shall open that closet before witnesses
appointed for that purpose."
"Proceed, sir," said the Baron Fitz-Owen.
Sir Philip then related the conversation between Edmund and Margery
Twyford, his supposed mother.
Lord Fitz-Owen seemed in the utmost surprise. He exclaimed, "Can this be
true? strange discovery! unfortunate child!"
Edmund's tears bore witness to his veracity. He was obliged to hide
his face, he lifted up his clasped hands to heaven, and was in
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