sister upon this
uncertainty?"

"No, sir, but upon these conditions."

"But suppose he does not make them good?"

"Then I will be of your party, and give up his interest."

"Very well, sir; my father may do as he pleases; but I cannot agree to
give my sister to one who has always stood in the way of our family, and
now turns us out of our own house."

"I am sorry, brother, you see his pretensions in so wrong a light; but
if you think there is any imposture in the case, go with us, and be a
witness of all that passes."

"No, not I; if Edmund is to be master of the castle, I will never more
set my foot in it."

"This matter," said Mr. Clifford, "must be left to time, which has
brought stranger things to pass. Sir Robert's honour and good sense will
enable him to subdue his prejudices, and to judge impartially."

They took leave, and went to make preparations for their journey. Edmund
made his report of Sir Robert's inflexibility to his father, in presence
of Sir Philip; who, again, ventured to urge the Baron on his favourite
subject.

"It becomes me to wait for the further proofs," said he; "but, if they
are as clear as I expect, I will not be inexorable to your wishes; Say
nothing more on this subject till the return of the commissioners."

They were profuse in their acknowledgments of his goodness.

Edmund took a tender leave of his two paternal friends.

"When," said he, "I take possession of my inheritance, I must hope for
the company of you both to complete my happiness."

"Of me," said Sir Philip, "you may be certain; and, as far as my
influence reaches, of the Baron."

He was silent. Edmund assured them of his constant prayers for their
happiness.

Soon after, the commissioners, with Edmund, set out for Lovel Castle;
and the following day the Lord Clifford set out for his own house, with
Baron Fitz-Owen and his son. The nominal Baron was carried with them,
very much against his will. Sir Philip Harclay was invited to go with
them by Lord Clifford, who declared his presence necessary to bring
things to a conclusion. They all joined in acknowledging their
obligations to Lord Graham's generous hospitality, and besought him to
accompany them. At length he consented, on condition they would allow
him to go to and fro, as his duty should call him.

Lord Clifford received them with the greatest hospitality, and presented
them to his lady, and three daughters, who were in the bloom of youth
and beauty.