for that he bears to you; but he has increased my regard for him; I think myself bound in honour to him and you to provide for you; I cannot do it, as I wished, under my own roof.  If you stay here, I see nothing but confusion in my family; yet I cannot put you out of it disgracefully.  I want to think of some way to prefer you, that you may leave this house with honour; and I desire both of you to give me your advice in this matter.  If Edmund will tell me in what way I can employ him to his own honour and my advantage, I am ready to do it; let him propose it, and Oswald shall moderate between us.”

Here he stopped; and Edmund, whose sighs almost choked him, threw himself at the Baron’s feet, and wet his hand with his tears:  “Oh, my noble, generous benefactor! do you condescend to consult such a one as me upon the state of your family? does your most amiable and beloved son incur the ill-will of his brothers and kinsmen for my sake?  What am I, that I should disturb the peace of this noble family?  Oh, my lord, send me away directly!  I should be unworthy to live, if I did not earnestly endeavour to restore your happiness.  You have given me a noble education, and I trust I shall not disgrace it.  If you will recommend me, and give me a character, I fear not to make my own fortune.”

The Baron wiped his eyes; “I wish to do this, my child, butin what way?”

“My lord,” said Edmund, “I will open my heart to you.  I have served with credit in the army, and I should prefer a soldier’s life.”

“You please me well,” said the Baron; “I will send you to France, and give you a recommendation to the Regent; he knows you personally, and will prefer you, for my sake, and for your own merit.”

“My lord, you overwhelm me with your goodness!  I am but your creature, and my life shall be devoted to your service.”

“But,” said the Baron, “how to dispose of you till the spring?”

“That,” said Oswald, “may be thought of at leisure; I am glad that you have resolved, and I congratulate you both.”  The Baron put an end to the conversation by desiring Edmund to go with him into the menage to see his horses.  He ordered Oswald to acquaint his son William with all that had passed, and to try to persuade the young men to meet Edmund and William at dinner.

The Baron took Edmund with him into his menage to see some horses he had lately purchased; while they were examining the beauties and defects of these noble and useful animals, Edmund declared that he preferred Caradoc, a horse he had broke himself, to any other in my lord’s stables.  “Then,” said the Baron, “I will give him to you; and you shall go upon him to seek your fortune.”  He made new acknowledgments for this gift, and declared he would prize it highly for the giver’s sake.  “But I shall not part with you yet,” said my lord; “I will first carry all my points with these saucy boys, and oblige them to do you justice.”