“The judgments of Heaven are fallen upon me!” said Lord Lovel.  “I am childless, and one is arisen from the grave to claim my inheritance.”

“Nothing, then, hinders you to do justice and make restitution; it is for the ease of your conscience; and you have no other way of making atonement for all the mischief you have done.”

“You know too much,” said the criminal, “and I will relate what you do not know.”

“You may remember,” proceeded he, “that I saw you once at my uncle’s house?”

“I well remember it.”

“At that time my mind was disturbed by the baleful passion of envy; it was from that root all my bad actions sprung.”

“Praise be to God!” said the good priest; “he hath touched your heart with true contrition, and you shew the effect of his mercies; you will do justice, and you will be rewarded by the gift of repentance unto salvation.”

Sir Philip desired the penitent to proceed.

My kinsman excelled me in every kind of merit, in the graces of person and mind, in all his exercises, and in every accomplishment.  I was totally eclipsed by him, and I hated to be in his company; but what finished my aversion, was his addressing the lady upon whom I had fixed my affections.  I strove to rival him there, but she gave him the preference that, indeed, was only his due; but I could not bear to see, or acknowledge, it.

“The most bitter hatred took possession of my breast, and I vowed to revenge the supposed injury as soon as opportunity should offer.  I buried my resentment deep in my heart, and outwardly appeared to rejoice at his success.  I made a merit of resigning my pretensions to him, but I could not bear to be present at his nuptials; I retired to my father’s seat, and brooded over my revenge in secret.  My father died this year, and soon after my uncle followed him; within another year my kinsman was summoned to attend the king on his Welch expedition.

“As soon as I heard he was gone from home, I resolved to prevent his return, exulting in the prospect of possessing his title, fortune, and his lady.  I hired messengers, who were constantly going and coming to give me intelligence of all that passed at the castle; I went there soon after, under pretence of visiting my kinsman.  My spies brought me an account of all that happened; one informed me of the event of the battle, but could not tell whether my rival was living or dead; I hoped the latter, that I might avoid the crime I meditated.  I reported his death to his Lady, who took it very heavily.

“Soon after a messenger arrived with tidings that he was alive and well, and had obtained leave to return home immediately.