"
"It shall be done," said Mr. William; "but first let me intreat you to
come with me and take some refreshment after your journey, for you must
be fatigued; after dinner we will proceed in the enquiry."
They all followed him into the great hall, where they were entertained
with great hospitality, and Mr. William did the honours in his father's
name. Edmund's heart was deeply affected, and the solemnity of his
deportment bore witness to his sincerity; but it was a manly sorrow,
that did
not make him neglect his duty to his friends or himself. He enquired
after the health of the lady Emma.
"She is well," said William, "and as much your friend as ever."
Edmund bowed in silence.
After dinner the commissioners sent for Andrew and his wife. They
examined them separately, and found their accounts agreed together, and
were in substance the same as Oswald and Edmund had before related,
separately also. The commissioners observed, that there could be no
collusion between them, and that the proofs were indisputable. They
kept the foster parents all night; and the next day Andrew directed
them to the place where the Lady Lovel was buried, between two trees
which he had marked for a memorial. They collected the bones and
carried them to the Castle, where Edmund caused a stately coffin to be
made for the remains of the unfortunate pair. The two
priests obtained leave to look in the coffin buried in the church, and
found nothing but stones and earth in it.
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