on arrived at the Castle of Lovel.

Edmund was walking to and fro in the hall, when he heard the horn that
announced their arrival; his emotions were so great that he could hardly
support them. The Baron and Sir Philip entered the hall hand in hand;
Edmund threw himself at their feet, and embraced their knees, but could
not utter a word. They raised him between them, and strove to encourage
him; but he threw himself into the arms of Sir Philip Harclay, deprived
of strength, and almost of life. They supported him to a seat, where he
recovered by degrees, but had no power to speak his feelings; he looked
up to his benefactors in the most affecting manner, he laid his hand
upon his bosom, but was still silent.

"Compose yourself, my dear son," said Sir Philip; "you are in the arms
of your best friends. Look up to the happiness that awaits you--enjoy
the blessings that Heaven sends you--lift up your heart in gratitude to
the Creator, and think left of what you owe to the creature! You will
have time enough to pay us your acknowledgments hereafter."

The company came round them, the servants flocked into the hall: shouts
of joy were heard on all sides; the Baron came and took Edmund's hand.

"Rise, sir," said he, "and do the honours of your house! it is yours
from this day: we are your guests, and expect from you our welcome!"

Edmund kneeled to the Baron, he spoke with a faltering voice:

"My Lord, I am yours! all that I have is at your devotion! dispose of me
as it pleases you best."

The Baron embraced him with the greatest affection.

"Look round you," said he, "and salute your friends; these gentlemen
came hither to do you honour."

Edmund revived, he embraced and welcomed the gentlemen. Father
Oswald received his embrace with peculiar affection, and gave him his
benediction in a most affecting manner.

Edmund exclaimed, "Pray for me, father! that I may bear all these
blessings with gratitude and moderation!"

He then saluted and shook hands with all the servants, not omitting the
meanest; he distinguished Joseph by a cordial embrace; he called him his
dear friend.

"Now," said he, "I can return your friendship, and I am proud to
acknowledge it!"

The old man, with a faltering voice, cried out:

"Now I have lived long enough! I have seen my master's son acknowledged
for the heir of Lovel!"

The hall echoed with his words, "Long live the heir of Lovel!"

The Baron took Edmund's hands in his own:

"Le