great
emotions during all this part of the relation; while Lord Lovel groaned,
and seemed in great agitation.

Sir Philip then addressed himself to Lord Fitz-Owen.

"My Lord, there was another person present at the conversation between
Edmund and his foster-mother, who can witness to all that passed;
perhaps your lordship can tell who that was?"

"It was father Oswald," replied the Baron; "I well remember that he went
with him at his request; let him be called in."

He was sent for, and came immediately. The Baron desired him to relate
all that passed between Edmund and his mother.

Oswald then began--

"Since I am now properly called upon to testify what I know concerning
this young man, I will speak the truth, without fear or favour of any
one; and I will swear, by the rules of my holy order, to the truth of
what I shall relate."

He then gave a particular account of all that passed on that occasion,
and mentioned the tokens found on both the infant and his mother.

"Where are these tokens to be seen?" said the Lord Clifford.

"I have them here, my lord," said Edmund, "and I keep them as my
greatest treasures."

He then produced them before all the company.

"There is no appearance of any fraud or collusion," said Lord Graham;
"if any man thinks he sees any, let him speak."

"Pray, my lord, suffer me to speak a word," said Sir Robert. "Do you
remember that I hinted my suspicions concerning father Oswald, the night
our kinsmen lay in the east apartment?"

"I do," said the Baron.

"Well, sir, it now appears that he did know more than he would tell us;
you find he is very deep in all Edmund's secrets, and you may judge what
were his motives for undertaking this journey."

"I observe what you say," answered his father, "but let us hear all that
Oswald has to say; I will be as impartial as possible."

"My lord," returned Oswald, "I beg you also to recollect what I said, on
the night your son speaks of, concerning secrecy in certain matters."

"I remember that also," said the Baron; "but proceed."

"My lord," continued Oswald, "I knew more than I thought myself at
liberty to disclose at that time; but I will now tell you every thing.
I saw there was something more than common in the accidents that
befell this young man, and in his being called out to sleep in the east
apartment; I earnestly desired him to let me be with him on the second
night, to which he consented reluctantly; we heard a great noise