About an hour after, the wounded man complained of thirst; he asked for the surgeon, and enquired if his life was in danger?  The surgeon answered him doubtfully.  He asked—­

“Where is Sir Philip Harclay?”

“In the castle.”

“Where is that young man whom he calls the heir of Lovel?”

“He is here, too.”

“Then I am surrounded with my enemies.  I want to speak to one of my own servants, without witnesses; let one be sent to me.

The surgeon withdrew, and acquainted the gentlemen below.  “He shall not speak to any man,” said Sir Philip, “but in my presence.”  He went with him into the sick man’s room.  Upon the sight of Sir Philip, he seemed in great agitation.

“Am I not allowed to speak with my own servant?” said he.

“Yes, sir, you may; but not without witnesses.”

“Then I am a prisoner, it seems?”

“No, not so, sir; but some caution is necessary at present.  But compose yourself, I do not wish for your death.”

“Then why did you seek it?  I never injured you.”

“Yes, you have, in the person of my friend, and I am only the instrument of justice in the hand of Heaven; endeavour to make atonement while life is spared to you.  Shall I send the priest to you? perhaps he may convince you of the necessity of restitution, in order to obtain forgiveness of your sins.”

Sir Philip sent for the priest and the surgeon, and obliged the servant to retire with him.  “I leave you, sir, to the care of these gentlemen; and whenever a third person is admitted, I will be his attendant; I will visit you again within an hour.”

He then retired, and consulted his friends below; they were of opinion that no time should be lost.  “You will then,” said he, “accompany me into the sick man’s apartment in an hour’s time.”

Within the hour, Sir Philip, attended by Lord Clifford and Lord Graham, entered the chamber.  Lord Lovel was in great emotion; the priest stood on one side of the bed, the surgeon on the other; the former exhorted him to confess his sins, the other desired he might be left to his repose.  Lord Lovel seemed in great anguish of mind; he trembled, and was in the utmost confusion.  Sir Philip intreated him, with the piety of a confessor, to consider his soul’s health before that of his body.  He then asked Sir Philip, by what means he knew that he was concerned in the death of his kinsman?.

“Sir,” replied he, “it was not merely by human means this fact was discovered.  There is a certain apartment in the Castle of Lovel, that has been shut up these one and twenty years, but has lately been opened and examined into.”

“O Heaven!” exclaimed he, “then Geoffry must have betrayed me!”

“No, sir, he has not; it was revealed in a very extraordinary manner to that youth whom it most concerns.”

“How can he be the heir of Lovel?”

“By being the son of that unfortunate woman, whom you cruelly obliged to leave her own house, to avoid being compelled to wed the murderer of her husband:  we are not ignorant, moreover, of the fictitious funeral you made for her.  All is discovered, and you will not tell us any more than we know already; but we desire to have it confirmed by your confession.”