ll see this alliance in a different
light, 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 not
despair; virtue and resolution will surmount all obstacles. Let me call
in young Lovel."

He brought Edmund to the Baron, and acquainted him with the proposal he
had been making in his name, my Lord's answers, and the objections he
feared on the part of Sir Robert. Edmund kneeled to the Baron; he took
his hand and pressed it to his lips.

"Best of men! of parents! of patrons!" said he, "I will ever be your son
in filial affection, whether I have the honour to be legally so or
not; not one of your own children can feel a stronger sense of love and
duty."

"Tell me," said the Baron, "do you love my daughter?"

"I do, my lord, with the most ardent affection; I never loved any woman
but her; and, if I am so unfortunate as to be refused her, I will not
marry at all. Oh, my Lord, reject not my honest suit! Your alliance will
give me consequence with myself, it will excite me to act worthy of the
station to which I am exalted; if you refuse me, I shall seem an abject
wretch, disdained by those whom my heart claims relation to; your family
are the whole world to me. Give me your lovely daughter! give me also
your son, my beloved William; and let me share with them the fortune
Providence bestows upon me. But what is title or fortune, if I am
deprived of the society of those I love?"

"Edmund," said the Baron, "you have a noble friend; but you have a
stronger in my heart, which I think was implanted there by Heaven to aid
its own purposes. I feel a variety of emotions of different kinds, and
am afraid to trust my own heart with you. But answer me a question: Are
you 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 her
at an humble distance; but, in my situation, I should have thought it a
violation of all the laws of gratitude and hospitality to have presumed
to speak the sentiments of my heart."

"Then you have acted with unquestionable honour on this, and, I must
say, on all other occasions."

"Your approbation, my lord, is the first wish of my life; it is the seal
of my honour and happiness."

Sir Philip smiled: "My Lord Fitz-Owen, I am jealous of Edmund's
preferable regard for you; it is just the same now as formerly."

Edmund