and the delight of all the neighbourhood."

"He was indeed," said Sir Philip, all that is amiable and good; he was
my dear and noble friend, and I am inconsolable for his loss. But the
unfortunate lady, what became of her?"

"Why, a'nt please your honour, they said she died of grief for the loss
of her husband; but her death was kept private for a time, and we did
not know it for certain till some weeks afterwards."

"The will of Heaven be obeyed!" said Sir Philip; "but who succeeded to
the title and estate?"

"The next heir," said the peasant, "a kinsman of the deceased, Sir
Walter Lovel by name."

"I have seen him," said Sir Philip, "formerly; but where was he when
these events happened?"

"At the Castle of Lovel, sir; he came there on a visit to the lady, and
waited there to receive my Lord, at his return from Wales; when the
news of his death arrived, Sir Walter did every thing in his power to
comfort her, and some said he was to marry her; but she refused to be
comforted, and took it so to heart that she died."

"And does the present Lord Lovel reside at the castle?"

"No, sir."

"Who then?"