fortune, at once, was a rapture fufficient to ftop the progress of decay, and restore former health and vivacity. But, perhaps, among all, there was not one who felt fincerer pleasure than I. Still holding the dear loved child in my arms, I asked my heart, if these transports were not delufion? "How could you," cried I, turning to Mr. Jenkinson, "how could you add to my mi"feries, by the story of her death? But it matσε ters not; my pleasure at finding her again, is more than a recompence for the pain.”

"As to your question,” replied Jenkinson, that is eafily anfwered. I thought the only probable means of freeing you from prison, "was by fubmitting to the Squire, and confent"ing 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 perfuading you that fhe was dead. I pre"vailed on your wife to join in the deceit; and "we have not had a fit opportunity of undeceiv "ing you till now."

*

In the whole affembly, now, there only appeared two faces that did not glow with tranfport.. Mr. Thornhill's affurance had entirely forfaken. him he now faw the gulf 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 mifery, implored compaffion. Sir William was going to fpurn him. away; but, at my request, he raised him; and,

after

after paufing a few moments, " "Thy vices, "crimes, and ingratitude," cried he, "deferve "no tenderness; yet, thou shalt not be entirely "forfaken; a bare competence shall be supplied, "to fupport the wants of life, but not its follies. "This young lady, thy wife, fhall be put in pof"feffion of a third part of that fortune which 66 once was thine, and from her tenderness alone "thou art to expect any extraordinary fupplies "for the future." He was going to exprefs his gratitude for fuch kindness in a set speech; but the Baronet prevented him, by bidding him not aggravate his meannefs, which was already but too apparent. He ordered him at the fame time to be gone, and from all his former domefticks to choose one, fuch as he fhould think proper, which was all that should be granted, to attend him.

As foon as he left us, Sir William very politely ftept up to his new niece with a fmile, and wifhed her joy. His example was followed by Mifs Wilmot and her father; my wife too kissed her daughter with much affection, as, to use her own expreffion, she was now made an honeft woman of. Sophia and Mofes followed in turn, · and even our benefactor Jenkinson defired to be admitted to that honour. Our fatisfaction feemed scarce capable of increase. Sir William,

whose greatest pleasure was in doing good, now looked round, with a countenance open as the fun, and faw nothing but joy in the looks of all, except that of my daughter Sophia, who, for

fome

fome reasons we could not comprehend, did not feem perfectly fatisfied. "I think now," cried he, with a fmile, "that all the company, ex"cept one or two, feem perfectly happy. There "only remains an act of justice for me to do. "You are fenfible, Sir," continued he, turning to me," of the obligations we both owe Mr. Jen"kinfon; and it is but juft we should both re"ward him for it. Mifs Sophia will, I am fure, "make him very happy; and he fhall have from "me five hundred pounds as her fortune; and "upon this, I am fure, they can live very comfort

ably together. Come, Mifs Sophia, what fay 66 you to this match of my making? Will you "have him?"--My poor girl feemed almost finking into her mother's arms at the hideous propofal." Have him, Sir !" cried fhe faintly, No, Sir, never."" What," cried he again," not have Mr. Jenkinson, your be"nefactor, an handsome young fellow, with "five hundred pounds, and good expectations?"

I beg, Sir," returned fhe, fcarce able to fpeak," that you'll defift, and not make "me fo very wretched." "Was ever fuch

obftinacy known," cried he again," to re"fuse a man whom the family has fuch infinite "obligations to, who has preferved your fifter, "and who has five hundred pounds! What! "not have him!"" No, Sir, never," replied fhe, angrily; "I'd fooner die firft."—“ If "that be the cafe then," cried he, "if you "will not have him-I think I muft have you

"myself.".

myfelf." And fo faying, he caught her to his breaft with ardour. "My lovelieft, my moft fen"fible of girls," cried he, "how could you e

ver think your own Burchell could deceive you, "or that Sir William Thornhill could ever cease "to admire a mistress, that loved him for him"self alone? I have, for fome years fought for "a woman, who, a ftranger to my fortune, could "think that I had merit as a man. After hav66 ing tried in vain, even amongst the pert and the 66 ugly, how great, at last, must be my rapture, to "have made a conqueft over such sense and such "heavenly beauty!" Then turning to Jenkin fon, "As I cannot, Sir, part with this young 66 lady myself, for fhe has taken a fancy to the "cut of my face, all the recompence I can make, "is to give you her fortune, and you may call "6 upon my fteward to-morrow, for five hundred "pounds." Thus we had all our compliments to repeat, and Lady Thornhill underwent the fame round of ceremony that her fifter had done before. In the meantime, Sir William's gentleman appeared, to tell us that the equipages were ready to carry us to the inn, where every thing was prepared for our reception. My wife and I led the van, and left thofe gloomy manfions of forrow. The generous Baronet ordered forty pounds to be diftributed among the prisoners; and Mr. Wilmot, induced by his example, gave half that fum. We were received below by the fhours of the villagers, and I faw and fhook by the hand two or three of my honeft parishioners, who were among

among the number. They attended us to our inn, where a fumptuous entertainment was provided, and coarser provisions diftributed in great quantities among the populace.

After fupper, as my fpirits were exhausted by the alternation of pleasure and pain which they had sustained during the day, I asked permission to withdraw, and, leaving the company in the midst of their mirth, as foon as I found myself alone, I poured out my heart in gratitude to the Giver of joy as well as of sorrow, and then slept undisturbed till morning.

CHAP. XXXII.

The Conclufion.

'HE next morning, as foon as I awaked, I

THE

found my eldest fon fitting by my bed-fide, who came to increase my joy with another turn of fortune in my favour. Firft having released me from the settlement that I had made the day before in his favour, he let me know, that my merchant who had failed in town, was arrested at Antwerp, and there had given up effects to a much greater amount than what was due to his creditors. My boy's generofity pleased me almost as much as this unlooked-for good fortune. But I had some doubts whether I ought in justice to accept