disappointment does not entirely displease me. Your immoderate passion for wealth is now justly punished. But though the young lady cannot be rich, she has still a sufficient competence to give content. Here you see an honest young soldier, who is willing to take her without fortune; they have long loved each other; and, for the friendship I bear his father, my interest shall not be wanting in his promotion. Leave then that ambition which disappoints you, and for once admit that happiness which courts your acceptance."

,,Sir William," replied the old gentleman,,,be as sured I never yet forced her inclinations, nor will Į now. If she still continues to love this young gentleman, let her have him with all my heart. There is still, thank Heaven, some fortune left, and your promise will make it something more. Only let my old friend here (meaning me) give me a promise of settling six thousand pounds upon my girl, if ever he should come to his fortune, and I am ready this night to be the first to join them together."

21

As it now remained with me to make the young couple happy, I readily gave a promise of making the settlement he required; which, to one who had such little expectations as I, was no great favour. We had now, therefore the satisfaction of seeing them y into each other's arms in a transport.,,After all my misfortunes," cried my son George,,,to be thus rewarded! Sure this is more than I could ever have presumed to hope for. To be possessed of all that's good, and after such an interval of pain! my warmest wishes could never rise so high!",,Yes, my George," returned his lovely bride,,,now let the wretch take my fortune; since you are happy without it, so am L

what an exchange have I made, from the basest of men to the dearest, blest! Let him enjoy our fortune, I now can be happy even in indigence." ,,And I promise you," cried the 'squire, with a nialicious grin,,,that I shall be very happy with what you despise.",,Hold, hold, Sir," cried Jenkinson," there are two words to that bargain. As for that lady's fortune, Sir, you shall never touch a single stiver of it." Pray, your honour," continued he to Sir William,,,can the squire have this lady's fortune if he be married to another ?",,How can you make such a simple demand?" replied the baronet;,,undoubtedly he cannot.",,I am sorry for that," cried Jenkinson;,,for as we have been fellow-sporters, I have a friendship for him. But I must declare, well as I love him, that his contract is not worth a tobacco stopper, for he is married already, "You lie like a rascal," returned the 'squire, who seemed roused by this insult;,,I never was legally married to any woman.",,Indeed, begging your honour's pardon," replied the other,,,you were: and I hope you will show a proper return of friendship to your honest Jenkinson, who brings you a

pany restrain their curiosity a wife; and if the com

see

minutes, they shall her. So saying he went off with his usual celerity, and left us all unable to form any probable conjecture of his design,,,Aye, let him go," cried the squire;,,whatever else I may have done, I defy him there. I am too old now to be frightened with squibs."

,,I am surprized," said the baronet,,,what the fellow can intend by this." Some low piece of humour, I suppose? ,, Perhaps, Sir," replied 1,,,he may have a more serious meaning. For when we reflect on the various schemes this gentlenian has land to

seduce innocence, perhaps some one more artful than the rest, has been found able to deceive him. When we consider what numbers he has ruined, how many parents now feel with anguish the infamy and the contamination which he has brought into their families, it would not surprize me if some of them Amazement? Do I see my lost daughter! Do I hold her! It is, it is, my life, my happiness. I thought thee lost, my Olivia, yet still I hold thee, and still thou shalt live to bless ine." The warmest transports of the fondest lover were not greater than mine, when I saw him introduce my child, and held my daughter in my arms, whose silence only spoke her raptures.,,And art thou returned to me, my darling, cried,,,to be my comfort in age!",,Thạt she is, cried Jenkinson,,, and make much of her, for she is your own honourable child, and as honest a woman as any in the whole room, let the other be who she will. And as for you squire, as sure as you stand there, this young lady is your lawful wedded wife. And to convince you that I speak nothing but the truth, here is the licence by which you were married together." So saying, he put the licence into the baronet's hands, who read it, and found it perfect in every respect.,,And now, gentlemen," continued he,,,I find that you are surprized at all this; but a very few words will explain the difficulty. That there 'squire of renown, for whom I have great friendship, but that's between ourselves, has often employed me in doing odd little things for him. Among the rest, he commissioned me to procure him a false licence and a false priest, in order to deceive this young lady But as I was very much his friend, what did I do but go and get a true licence and a true priest, and marry them both as fast as the cloth could make them. Perhaps you'll think it was generosity

4

made me do all this. But no: to my shame I confess it, my only design was to keep the licence, and let the 'squire know that I could prove it upon him whenever I thought proper, and and so make him come down whenever I wanted money." A burst of pleasure now seemed to fill the whole apartment; our joy even reached to the common room, where the prisoners themselves sympathized,

And shook their chains

In transport and rude harmony,

Happiness was expanded upon every face, and even Olivia's cheeks seemed flushed with pleasure. To be thus restored to reputation, to friends and fortune at once, was rapture sufficient to stop the progress of decay, and restore former health and vivacity. But perhaps among all, there was not one who felt sincerer pleasure than I. Still holding the dear loved child in my arms, I asked my heart if these transports were not delusive. How could you," cried I, turning to Jenkinson,,,how could you add to my miseries by the story of her death? But it matters not; my pleasure at finding her again is more than a recompence for the pain.

As to your question," replied Jenkinson, that is easily answered." I thought the only probable means of freeing you from prison, was by submitting to the 'squire, and consenting to his marriage with the other young lady; but these you had vowed never to grant while your daughter was living there was therefore no other method to bring things to bear, but by persuading you that she was dead; I prevailed on your wife to join in the deceit, and we have not had a fit opportunity of undeceiving you till

now.

In the whole assembly now there appeared only two faces that did not glow with transport. Mr. Thornhill's assurance had entirely forsaken him; he now saw the gulph of infamy and want before him, and trembled to take the plunge. He therefore fell on his knees before his uncle, and in a voice of piercing misery, implored compassion. Sir William was going to spurn him away, but at my request he raised him, and after pausing a few moments.,,Thy vices, crimes, and ingratitude,“ cried he,,,deserve no tenderness; yet thou shalt not be entirely forsaken; a bare competence shall be supplied to support the wants of life, but not its follies. This young lady, thy wife, shall be put in possession of a third part of that fortune, which once was thine, and from her tenderness alone ahou art to expect any extraordinary supplies for the future." He was going to express his gratitude for such kindness in a set speech; but the baronet prèvented him, by bidding him not aggravate his meánness, which was already but too apparent. He ordered him at the same time to be gone, and from all his former domestics to chuse one, such as he should think proper, which was all that should be granted to attend him.

As soon as he left us, Sir William very politely stept up to his new niece with a sinile, and wished her joy. His example was followed by Miss Wilmot and her father; my wife too kissed her daughter with much affection, as, to use her own expression, she was now made an honest woman of. Sophia and Moses followed in turn, and even our benefactor Jenkinson desired to be admitted to that honour. Our satisfaction seemed scarce capable of increase. Sir William, whose greatest pleasure was in doing good, now looked round, with a countenance open as the sun.