Clara Reeve by The Old English Baron A Gothic Story

Author:The Old English Baron A Gothic Story [Story, The Old English Baron A Gothic]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Wenlock lifted up his head, and spoke—

“I believe, father, if you had been with us, you would not have stood upon ceremonies any more than we did. I wish my lord would send you to parley with the ghost; for, without doubt, you are better qualified than we. “

“My Lord, ” said Oswald, “I will go thither, with your permission; I will see that every thing is safe, and bring the key back to you; Perhaps this may help to dispel the fears that have been raised—at least, I will try to do it. “

“I thank you, father, for your good offices—do as you please. “

Oswald went into the outward room. “I am going, ” said he, “to shut up the apartment. The young gentlemen have been more frightened than they had occasion for; I will try to account for it. Which of you will go with me? “

They all drew back, except Joseph, who offered to bear him company. They went into the bedroom in the haunted apartment, and found every thing quiet there. They put out the fire, extinguished the lights, locked the door, and brought away the key. As they returned, “I thought how it would be, ” said Joseph.

“Hush! not a word, ” said Oswald; “you find we are suspected of something, though they know not what. Wait till you are called upon, and then we will both speak to purpose. ” They carried the key to the Baron.

“All is quiet in the apartment, ” said Oswald, “as we can testify. “

“Did you ask Joseph to go with you, ” said the Baron, “or did he offer himself? ” “My Lord, I asked if any body would go with me, and they all declined it but he; I thought proper to have a witness beside myself, for whatever might be seen or heard. “

“Joseph, you were servant to the late Lord Lovel; what kind of man was he? “

“A very comely man, please your lordship. “

“Should you know him if you were to see him? “

“I cannot say, my lord. “

“Would you have any objection to sleep a night in that apartment? “

“I beg, —“I hope, —“I beseech your lordship not to command me to do it! “

“You are then afraid; why did you offer yourself to go thither? “

“Because I was not so much frightened as the rest. “

“I wish you would lie a night there; but I do not insist upon it. “

“My lord, I am a poor ignorant old man, not fit for such an undertaking; beside, if I should see the ghost, and if it should be the person of my master, and if it should tell me any thing, and bid me keep it secret, I should not dare to disclose it; and then, what service should I do your lordship? “

“That is true, indeed, ” said the Baron.

This speech, ” said Sir Robert, “is both a simple and an artful one. You see, however, that Joseph is not a man

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