might at length have sunk under this treatment, but
providence interposed in his behalf; and, by seemingly accidental
circumstances, conducted him imperceptibly towards the crisis of his
fate.

Father Oswald, who had been preceptor to the young men, had a strong
affection for Edmund, from a thorough knowledge of his heart; he saw
through the mean artifices that were used to undermine him in his
patron's favour; he watched their machinations, and strove to frustrate
their designs.

This good man used frequently to walk out with Edmund; they conversed
upon various subjects; and the youth would lament to him the unhappiness
of his situation, and the peculiar circumstances that attended him.
The father, by his wholesome advice, comforted his drooping heart,
and confirmed him in his resolution of bearing unavoidable evils with
patience and fortitude, from the consciousness of his own innocence, and
the assurance of a future and eternal reward.

One day, as they were walking in a wood near the castle, Edmund asked
the father, what meant those preparations for building, the cutting down
trees, and burning of bricks?

"What," said Oswald, "have you not heard that my Lord is going to build
a new apartment on the west side of the castle?"

"And why," said Edmund, "should my Lord be at that expence when there is
one on the east side that is never occupied?"

"That apartment," said the friar, "you must have observed is always shut
up."

"I have observed it often," said Edmund; "but I never presumed to ask
any questions about it."

"You had then," said Oswald, "less curiosity, and more discretion, than
is common at your age."

"You have raised my curiosity," said Edmund; "and, if it be not
improper, I beg of you to gratify it."

"We are alone," said Oswald, "and I am so well assured of your prudence,
that I will explain this mystery in some degree to you."

"You must know, that apartment was occupied by the last Lord Lovel when
he was a batchelor. He married in his father's lifetime, who gave up his
own apartment to him, and offered to retire to this himself; but the son
would not permit him; he chose to sleep here, rather than in any other.
He had been married about three months, when his father, the old lord,
died of a fever. About twelve months after his marriage, he was called
upon to attend the King, Henry the Fourth, on an expedition into Wales,
whither he was attended by many of his dependants. He left his