(1767).
Edric, a domestic at Hereward's barracks.—Sir W. Scott, Count Robert of Paris (time, Rufus).
Edward, brother of Hereward the Varangian guard. He was slain in battle.—Sir W. Scott, Count Robert of Paris (time, Rufus). Edward (Sir). He commits a murder, and keeps a narrative of the transaction in an iron chest. Wilford, a young man who acts as his secretary, was one day caught prying into this chest, and Sir Edward's first impulse was to kill him; but on second thought he swore the young man to secrecy, and told him the story of the murder. Wilford, unable to live under the suspicious eye of Sir Edward, ran away; but was hunted down by Edward, and accused of robbery. The whole transaction now became public, and Wilford was acquitted.—G. Colman, The Iron Chest (1796).
This drama is based on Goodwin's novel of Caleb Williams. "Williams" is called Wilford in the drama, and "Falkland" is called Sir Edward.
Sowerby, whose mind was always in a ferment,
was wont to commit the most ridiculous
mistakes. Thus when "Sir Edward" says to
"Wilford," "You may have noticed in my
library a chest," he transposes the words thus: