--but the strongest proof was, that the names of
the four children corresponded with the names of the Children of the
Forest, as well as their ages, and I went to the church register and
extracted them. Now this was almost amounting to proof; for it was not
likely that four children in the forest cottage should have the same
ages and names as those of Arnwood. After I had ascertained this
point, I engaged Edward, as you know, wishing to secure him, for I was
once acquainted with his father, and at all events well acquainted
with the colonel's merits. You remained in the house together, and it
was with pleasure that I watched the intimacy between you; and then I
exerted myself to get Arnwood restored to him. I could not ask it for
him, but I prevented it being given to any other by laying claim to it
myself. Had Edward remained with us, all might have succeeded as I
wished; but he would join in the unfortunate insurrection. I knew it
was useless to prevent him, so I let him go. I found that he took the
name of Beverley during the time he was with the king's army, and when
I was last in town I was told so by the commissioners, who wondered
where he had come from; but the effect was that it was now useless for
me to request the estate for him, as I had wished to do--his having
served in the royal army rendered it impossible.
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