Old and poor, the melancholy pair returned to Lorrain. He died a few months after his arrival: the furvived him but a few years. Thus we fee, that vice, though it may reign triumphant for a time, always at the end meets with the punishment it deferves. There are few fcenes in life but what will confirm this remark. THE CHAMPION OF VIRTUE, A GOTHIC STORY. Abridged from the Original. IR Philip Harclay, who had ferved under King Henry V. of England, and, after that Monarch's decease, entered into the fervice of the Greek Emperor; upon his return to England, fettled at his family feat in Yorkshire, and soon after set out on a journey to the castle of Lovel, in the west of England, on a visit to his friend, G Lord Lord Lovel. Upon his arrival in that neighbourhood, he is informed by a peafant that Lord Lovel and his Lady had been dead about fifteen years, and that Sir Walter Lovel, kinfman to the deceafed Lord, had taken poffeffion of the eftate and castle of Lovel, which he had fince difpofed of to his brother-in-law, Lord Baron Fitz Owen, and had himfelf retired to Northumberland. Sir Philip, on an invitation from the Baron, is kindly received by him, who introduces his three fons and daughter, and fome other young relations, then in his family, to him, and amongst the rest, Edmund, (the supposed son of Andrew and Margery Twyford, peafants in the neighbourhood), whom the Baron had taken into his family, with whofe appearance the Knight is fo greatly affected, that, on his leaving the caftle of Lovel, he promifes Edmund his protection and fupport, in cafe any future occafion fhould render fuch fervice neceffary. The young family and relations of Lord Fitz Owen being most of them envious of the rifing genius of Edmund, endeavour to ruin his credit with the Baron; who fends them and Edmund over to the Regent in France, where notwithftanding the machinations of his enemies who accompanied companied him, Edmund acquits himself with honour. On their return to England, the complaints against Edmund ftill continuing, Lord Fitz Owen proposes that Edmund, as a test of his courage, fhould fleep three nights in part of the caftle, faid to be haunted, and which had been shut up for feveral years. In this retirement Edmund meets with feveral furprifing fcenes, which having communicated to his friend and confidant, the pious Father Ofwald, a fufpicion arifes concerning the parents of Edmund, and it is determined to interrogate his fuppofed mother Margery relative thereto; who gives an account that her husband found Edmund in a field, apparently just born, rolled up in a fine handkerchief, and over that a rich velvet cloak, trimmed with gold lace, and the body of a lady was afterwards found drowned, which they buried, having first taken off her cloaths, and a fine necklace with a golden locket, and a pair of ear-rings. Thefe particulars immediately fuggefts to Father Ofwald, that Edmund was the fon of the late Lord Lovel; and having procured the necklace and other tokens from Margery, it is determined that Edmund fhall immediately quit the castle of Lovel, and implore the protection of Sir Philip This worthy Knight receives Edmund with great cordiality; and having heard his ftory, is fully perfuaded that he is the son of his late friend, Sir Philip hereupon fummonfes Lord Walter Lovel to fingle combat, accufing him of the murder of the late Lord. In this combat Sir Philip being conqueror, gives his antagonist his life, upon his promife of relating the truth of what was laid to his charge. Lord Walter hereupon confeffes that he had caufed the late Lord Lovel to be affaffinated on his return from accompanying the King in his wars; and that his widow had, upon his offering to marry her, quitted the caftle big with child; upon which he had given it out that he was dead, and made a pretended funeral for her. Having made this confeffion, he accepts the offer made him of leaving the kingdom; and every thing being cleared up, Edmund is put in poffeffion of the estate of Lord Lovel, and afterwards marries Emma, the daughter of Baron Fitz Owen, for whom he had long entertained a fecret affection. The The following account of the interview between Edmund, Father Ofwald, and Margery Twyford, when he relates the manner of Edmund's being found by her husband, is given as a fpecimen of of this performance: "Edmund and Father Ofwald fet out directly, and Edmund went haftily to old Twyford's cottage, and declared that every field feemed a mile to him.-Restrain your warmth, my fon, (faid Ofwald) compofe your mind, and recover your breath before you enter upon a business of fuch confequence.-Margery met them at the door, and afked Edmund what wind blew him thither?---Is it fo very furprifing (faid he) that I fhould vifit my parents?—Yes, it is, (faid fhe) confidering the treatment you have met with from us; but, fince Andrew is not in the house, I may say I am glad to fee you: Lord blefs you, what a fine youth you be grown! 'Tis a long time fince I faw you; but that is not my fault: many a cross word, and many a blow have I had on your account; but I may now venture to embrace my dear child. Edmund came forward, and embraced her fervently. The starting tears on both fides evinced their affection. And why (faid he) fhould my fa ther |