affections; your Lordship has many demands upon your generosity: I can
provide for this promising youth without doing injustice to any one;
will you give him to me?"

"He is a fortunate boy," said the Baron, "to gain your favour so soon."

"My Lord," said the knight, "I will confess to you, that the first
thing that touched my heart in his favour, is a strong resemblance he
bears to a certain dear friend I once had, and his manner resembles him
as much as his person; his qualities deserve that he should be placed
in a higher rank; I will adopt him for my son, and introduce him into
the world as my relation, if you will resign him to me; What say you?"

"Sir," said the Baron, "you have made a noble offer, and I am too much
the young man's friend to be a hindrance to his preferment. It is true
that I intended to provide for him in my own family; but I cannot do it
so effectually as by giving him to you, whose generous affection being
unlimited by other ties, may in time prefer him to a higher station as
he shall deserve it. I have only one condition to make; that the lad
shall have his option; for I would not oblige him to leave my service
against his inclination."

"You say well," replied Sir Philip; "nor would I take him upon other
terms."

"Agreed then," said the Baron; "let us send for Edmund hither."

A servant was sent to fetch him; he came immediately, and his Lord
thus bespoke him."