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ath； but particularly the husband of the unfortunate Matilda； as he was principally instrumental in protracting the siege。 Their determinations were； in general； executed almost as soon as resolved upon。 The captive soldier was led forth； and the executioner； with his sword； stood ready； while the spectators in gloomy silence awaited the fatal blow； which was only suspended till the general； who presided as judge； should give the signal。 It was in this interval of anguish and expectation； that Matilda came to take her last farewell of her husband and deliverer； deploring her wretched situation； and the cruelty of fate； that had saved her from perishing by a premature death in the river Volturna； to be the spectator of still greater calamities。 The general； who was a young man； was struck with surprize at her beauty； and pity at her distress； but with still stronger emotions when he heard her mention her former dangers。 He was her son； the infant for whom she had encounter'd so much danger。 He acknowledged her at once as his mother； and fell at her feet。 The rest may be easily supposed： the captive was set free； and all the happiness that love； friendship； and duty could confer on each； were united。'
In this manner I would attempt to amuse my daughter； but she listened with divided attention； for her own misfortunes engrossed all the pity she once had for those of another； and nothing gave her ease。 In company she dreaded contempt； and in solitude she only found anxiety。 Such was the colour of her wretchedness； when we received certain information； that Mr Thornhill was going to be married to Miss Wilmot； for whom I always suspected he had a real passion； tho' he took every opportunity before me to express his contempt both of her person and fortune。 This news only served to encrease poor Olivia's affliction； such a flagrant breach of fidelity； was more than her courage could support。 I was resolved； however； to get more certain information； and to defeat； if possible； the completion of his designs； by sending my son to old Mr Wilmot's； with instructions to know the truth of the report； and to deliver Miss Wilmot a letter； intimating Mr Thornhill's conduct in my family。 My son went； in pursuance of my directions； and in three days returned； assuring us of the truth of the account； but that he had found it impossible to deliver the letter； which he was therefore obliged to leave； as Mr Thornhill and Miss Wilmot were visiting round the country。 They were to be married； he said； in a few days； having appeared together at church the Sunday before he was there； in great spiendour； the bride attended by six young ladies； and he by as many gentlemen。 Their approaching nuptials filled the whole country with rejoicing； and they usually rode out together in the grandest equipage that had been seen in the country for many years。 All the friends of both families； he said； were there； particularly the 'Squire's uncle； Sir William Thornhill； who bore so good a character。 He added； that nothing but mirth and feasting were going forward； that all the country praised the young bride's beauty； and the bridegroom's fine person； and that they were immensely fond of each other； concluding； that he could not help thinking Mr Thornhill one of the most happy men in the world。
'Why let him if he can；' returned I： 'but； my son； observe this bed of straw； and unsheltering roof； those mouldering walls； and humid floor； my wretched body thus disabled by fire； and my children weeping round me for bread； you have come home； my child； to all this； yet here； even here； you see a man that would not for a thousand worlds exchange situations。 O； my children； if you could but learn to commune with your own hearts； and know what noble company you can make them； you would little regard the elegance and splendours of the worthless。 Almost all men have been taught to call life a passage； and themselves the travellers。 The similitude still may be improved when we observe that the good are joyful and serene； like travellers that are going towards home； the wicked but by intervals happy； like travellers that are going into exile。'
My compassion for my poor daughter； overpowered by this new disaster； interrupted what I had farther to observe。 I bade her mother support her； and after a short time she recovered。 She appeared from that time more calm； and I imagined had gained a new degree of resolution； but appearances deceived me； for her tranquility was the langour of over…wrought resentment。 A supply of provisions； charitably sent us by my kind parishioners； seemed to diffuse new cheerfulness amongst the rest of the family； nor was I displeased at seeing them once more sprightly and at ease。 It would have been unjust to damp their satisfactions； merely to condole with resolute melancholy； or to burthen them with a sadness they did not feel。 Thus； once more； the tale went round and the song was demanded； and cheerfulness condescended to hover round our little habitation。
CHAPTER 24
Fresh calamities
The next morning the sun rose with peculiar warmth for the season； so that we agreed to breakfast together on the honeysuckle bank： where； while we sate； my youngest daughter； at my request； joined her voice to the concert on the trees about us。 It was in this place my poor Olivia first met her seducer； and every object served to recall her sadness。 But that melancholy； which is excited by objects of pleasure； or inspired by sounds of harmony； sooths the heart instead of corroding it。 Her mother too； upon this occasion； felt a pleasing distress； and wept； and loved her daughter as before。 'Do； my pretty Olivia；' cried she； 'let us have that little melancholy air your pappa was so fond of； your sister Sophy has already obliged us。 Do child； it will please your old father。' She complied in a manner so exquisitely pathetic as moved me。
When lovely woman stoops to folly； And finds too late that men betray； What charm can sooth her melancholy； What art can wash her guilt away？
The only art her guilt to cover； To hide her shame from every eye； To give repentance to her lover； And wring his bosomis to die。
As she was concluding the last stanza； to which an interruption in her voice from sorrow gave peculiar softness； the appearance of Mr Thornhill's equipage at a distance alarmed us all； but particularly encreased the uneasiness of my eldest daughter； who； desirous of shunning her betrayer； returned to the house with her sister。 In a few minutes he was alighted from his chariot； and making up to the place where I was still sitting； enquired after my health with his usual air of familiarity。 'Sir；' replied I； 'your present assurance only serves to aggravate the baseness of your character； and there was a time when I would have chastised your insolence； for presuming thus to appear before me。 But now you are safe； for age has cooled my passions； and my calling restrains them。'
'I vow； my dear sir；' returned he； 'I am amazed at all this； nor can I understand what it means！ I hope you don't think your daughter's late excursion with me had any thing criminal in it。'
'Go；' cried I； 'thou art a wretch； a poor pitiful wretch； and every way a lyar； but yo