aw
down upon you a severer punishment."

The criminal would not confess, and yet could not deny, the truth
and justice of his observations. The Baron spent several hours in his
brother's chamber. He sent for a priest, who took his confession; and
they both sat up with him all night, advising, persuading, and exhorting
him to do justice, and to comply with the proposals. He was unwilling to
give up the world, and yet more so to become the object of public shame,
disgrace, and punishment.

The next day, Lord Fitz-Owen summoned the company into his brother's
chamber, and there declared, in his name, that he accepted Sir Philip
Harclay's proposals; that, if the young man could, as he promised,
direct them to the places where his parents were buried, and if his
birth should be authenticated by his foster-parents, he should be
acknowledged the heir of the house of Lovel. That to be certified of
these things, they must commission proper persons to go with him for
this purpose; and, in case the truth should be made plain, they should
immediately put him in possession of the castle and estate, in the
state it was. He desired Lord Graham and Lord Clifford to chuse the
commissioners, and gave Sir Philip and Edmund a right to add to them,
each, another person. [sic]

Lord Graham named the eldest son of Lord Clifford, and the other, in
return, named his nephew; they also chose the priest, Lord Graham's
confessor, and the eldest son of Baron Fitz-Owen, to his great
mortification. Sir Philip appointed Mr. William Fitz-Owen, and Edmund
named father Oswald; they chose out the servants to attend them,
who were also to be witnesses of all that should pass. Lord Clifford
proposed to Baron Fitz-Owen, that, as soon as the commissioners were
set out, the remainder of the company should adjourn to his seat in
Cumberland, whither Lord Graham should be invited to accompany them, and
to stay till this affair was decided. After some debate, this was agreed
to; and, at the same time, that the criminal should be kept with them
till every thing was properly settled.

Lord Fitz-Owen gave his son William the charge to receive and entertain
the commissioners at the castle; But, before they set out, Sir Philip
had a conference with Lord Fitz-Owen, concerning the surrender of the
castle; in which he insisted on the furniture and stock of the farm,
in consideration of the arrears. Lord Fitz-Owen slightly mentioned the
young man's education and expence