Part 18 (1/2)

They contended a long time with equal skill and courage; at length Sir Philip unhorsed his antagonist. The judges ordered, that either he should alight, or suffer his enemy to remount; he chose the former, and a short combat on foot ensued. The sweat ran off their bodies with the violence of the exercise. Sir Philip watched every motion of his enemy, and strove to weary him out, intending to wound, but not to kill him, unless obliged for his own safety.

He thrust his sword through his left arm, and demanded, whether he would confess the fact? Lord Lovel enraged, answered, he would die sooner.

Sir Philip then pa.s.sed the sword through his body twice, and Lord Lovel fell, crying out that he was slain.

”I hope not,” said Sir Philip, ”for I have a great deal of business for you to do before you die: confess your sins, and endeavour to atone for them, as the only ground to hope for pardon.”

Lord Lovel replied, ”You are the victor, use your good fortune generously!”

Sir Philip took away his sword, and then waved it over his head, and beckoned for a.s.sistance. The judges sent to beg Sir Philip to spare the life of his enemy.

”I will,” said he, ”upon condition that he will make an honest confession.”

Lord Lovel desired a surgeon and a confessor.

”You shall have both,” said Sir Philip; ”but you must first answer me a question or two. Did you kill your kinsman or not?”

”It was not my hand that killed him,” answered the wounded man.

”It was done by your own order, however? You shall have no a.s.sistance till you answer this point.”

”It was,” said he, ”and Heaven is just!”

”Bear witness all present,” said Sir Philip; ”he confesses the fact!”

He then beckoned Edmund, who approached.

”Take off your helmet,” said he; ”look on that youth, he is the son of your injured kinsman.”

”It is himself!” said the Lord Lovel, and fainted away.

Sir Philip then called for a surgeon and a priest, both of which Lord Graham had provided; the former began to bind up his wounds, and his a.s.sistants poured a cordial into his mouth. ”Preserve his life, if it be possible,” said Sir Philip; ”for much depends upon it.”

He then took Edmund by the hand, and presented him to all the company.

”In this young man,” said he, ”you see the true heir of the house of Lovel! Heaven has in its own way made him the instrument to discover the death of his parents. His father was a.s.sa.s.sinated by order of that wicked man, who now receives his punishment; his mother was, by his cruel treatment, compelled to leave her own house; she was delivered in the fields, and perished herself in seeking a shelter for her infant.

I have sufficient proofs of every thing I say, which I am ready to communicate to every person who desires to know the particulars. Heaven, by my hand, has chastised him; he has confessed the fact I accuse him of, and it remains that he make rest.i.tution of the fortune and honours he hath usurped so long.”

Edmund kneeled, and with uplifted hands returned thanks to Heaven, that his n.o.ble friend and champion was crowned with victory. The lords and gentlemen gathered round them, they congratulated them both; while Lord Lovel's friends and followers were employed in taking care of him. Lord Clifford took Sir Philip's hand.

”You have acted with so much honour and prudence, that it is presumptuous to offer you advice; but what mean you to do with the wounded man?”

”I have not determined,” said he; ”I thank you for the hint, and beg your advice how to proceed.”

”Let us consult Lord Graham,” replied he.

Lord Graham insisted upon their going all to his castle: ”There,” said he, ”you will have impartial witnesses of all that pa.s.ses.” Sir Philip was unwilling to give so much trouble. The Lord Graham protested he should be proud to do any service to so n.o.ble a gentleman. Lord Clifford enforced his request, saying, it was better upon all accounts to keep their prisoner on this side the borders till they saw what turn his health would take, and to keep him safely till he had settled his worldly affairs.

This resolution being taken, Lord Graham invited the wounded man and his friends to his castle, as being the nearest place where he could be lodged and taken proper care of, it being dangerous to carry him further. They accepted the proposal with many acknowledgements; and, having made a kind of litter of boughs, they all proceeded to Lord Graham's castle, where they put Lord Lovel to bed, and the surgeon dressed his wounds, and desired he might be kept quiet, not knowing at present whether they were dangerous or not.