is telling
all he knew; adding,--

"If you speak the truth, I will support you; but if you prove false, I
will punish you severely. As to Mr. Wenlock, he shall have a fair trial;
and, if all the accusations I have heard are made good, it is high time
that I should put him out of my family."

The Baron, with a stern aspect, bade them follow him into the great
hall; and sent for all the rest of the family together.

He then, with great solemnity, told them he was ready to hear all sides
of the question. He declared the whole substance of his informations,
and called upon the accusers to support the charge. Hewson and Kemp gave
the same account they had done to Oswald, offering to swear to the
truth of their testimony; several of the other servants related such
circumstances as had come to their knowledge. Markham then spoke of
every thing, and gave a particular account of all that had passed on
the night they spent in the east apartment; he accused himself of being
privy to Wenlock's villany, called himself fool and blockhead for being
the instrument of his malignant disposition, and asked pardon of his
uncle for concealing it so long.

The Baron called upon Wenlock to reply to the charge; who, instead of
answering, flew into a passion, raged, swore, threatened, and finally
denied every thing. The witnesses persisted in their assertions. Markham
desired leave to make known the reason why they were all afraid of him.

"He gives it out," said he, "that he is to be my lord's son-in-law;
and they, supposing him to stand first in his favour, are afraid of his
displeasure."

"I hope," said the Baron, "I shall not be at such a loss for a
son-in-law, as to make choice of such a one as him; he never but once
hinted at such a thing, and then I gave him no encouragement. I have
long seen there was something very wrong in him; but I did not believe
he was of so wicked a disposition; It is no wonder that princes should
be so frequently deceived, when I, a private man, could be so much
imposed upon within the circle of my own family. What think you, son
Robert?"

"I, sir, have been much more imposed on; and I take shame to myself on
the occasion."

"Enough, my son," said the Baron; "a generous confession is only a proof
of growing wisdom. You are now sensible, that the best of us are liable
to imposition. The artifices of this unworthy kinsman have set us at
variance with each other, and driven away an excellent youth from th