“What,” said Oswald, “have you not heard that my Lord is going to build a new apartment on the west side of the castle?”
“And why,” said Edmund, “should my Lord be at that expence when there is one on the east side that is never occupied?”
“That apartment,” said the friar, “you must have observed is always shut up.”
“I have observed it often,” said Edmund; “but I never presumed to ask any questions about it.”
“You had then,” said Oswald, “less curiosity, and more discretion, than is common at your age.”
“You have raised my curiosity,” said Edmund; “and, if it be not improper, I beg of you to gratify it.”
“We are alone,” said Oswald, “and I am so well assured of your prudence, that I will explain this mystery in some degree to you.”
“You must know, that apartment was occupied by the last Lord Lovel when he was a batchelor. He married in his father’s lifetime, who gave up his own apartment to him, and offered to retire to this himself; but the son would not permit him; he chose to sleep here, rather than in any other. He had been married about three months, when his father, the old lord, died of a fever. About twelve months after his marriage, he was called upon to attend the King, Henry the Fourth, on an expedition into Wales, whither he was attended by many of his dependants. He left his lady big with child, and full of care and anxiety for his safety and return.
“After the King had chastised the rebels, and obtained the victory, the Lord Lovel was expected home every day; various reports were sent home before him; one messenger brought an account of his health and safety; soon after another came with bad news, that he was slain in battle. His kinsman, Sir Walter Lovel, came here on a visit to comfort the Lady; and he waited to receive his kinsman at his return. It was he that brought the news of the sad event of the battle to the Lady Lovel.
“She fainted away at the relation; but, when she revived, exerted the utmost resolution; saying, it was her duty to bear this dreadful stroke with Christian fortitude and patience, especially in regard to the child she went with, the last remains of her beloved husband, and the undoubted heir of a noble house. For several days she seemed an example of patience and resignation; but then, all at once, she renounced them, and broke out into passionate and frantic exclamations; she said, that her dear lord was basely murdered; that his ghost had appeared to her, and revealed his fate. She called upon Heaven and earth to revenge her wrongs; saying, she would never cease complaining to God, and the King, for vengeance and justice.