As he drew near the estate of his friend, he began to enquire of every one he met, whether the Lord Lovel resided at the seat of his ancestors?  He was answered by one, he did not know; by another, he could not tell; by a third, that he never heard of such a person.  Sir Philip thought it strange that a man of Lord Lovel’s consequence should be unknown in his own neighbourhood, and where his ancestors had usually resided.  He ruminated on the uncertainty of human happiness.  “This world,” said he, “has nothing for a wise man to depend upon.  I have lost all my relations, and most of my friends; and am even uncertain whether any are remaining.  I will, however, be thankful for the blessings that are spared to me; and I will endeavour to replace those that I have lost.  If my friend lives, he shall share my fortune with me; his children shall have the reversion of it; and I will share his comforts in return.  But perhaps my friend may have met with troubles that have made him disgusted with the world; perhaps he has buried his amiable wife, or his promising children; and, tired of public life, he is retired into a monastery.  At least, I will know what all this silence means.”

When he came within a mile of the Castle of Lovel, he stopped at a cottage and asked for a draught of water; a peasant, master of the house, brought it, and asked if his honour would alight and take a moment’s refreshment.  Sir Philip accepted his offer, being resolved to make farther enquiry before he approached the castle.  He asked the same questions of him, that he had before of others.

“Which Lord Lovel,” said the man, “does your honour enquire after?”

“The man whom I knew was called Arthur,” said Sir Philip.

“Ay,” said the Peasant, “he was the only surviving son of Richard, Lord Lovel, as I think?”

“Very true, friend, he was so.”

“Alas, sir,” said the man, “he is dead! he survived his father but a short time.”

“Dead! say you? how long since?”

“About fifteen years, to the best of my remembrance.”

Sir Philip sighed deeply.

“Alas!” said he, “what do we, by living long, but survive all our friends!  But pray tell me how he died?”

“I will, sir, to the best of my knowledge.  An’t please your honour, I heard say, that he attended the King when he went against the Welch rebels, and he left his lady big with child; and so there was a battle fought, and the king got the better of the rebels.  There came first a report that none of the officers were killed; but a few days after there came a messenger with an account very different, that several were wounded, and that the Lord Lovel was slain; which sad news overset us all with sorrow, for he was a noble gentleman, a bountiful master, 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?”