按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
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 I。 O what an exchange have I made from the basest of men to the dearest best！Let him enjoy our fortune； I now can be happy even in indigence。''And I promise you；' cried the 'Squire； with a malicious 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 this gentleman and I have been old fellow spotters； 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 rouzed 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 shew a proper return of friendship to your own honest Jenkinson； who brings you a wife； and if the company restrains their curiosity a few minutes； they shall see her。'So saying he went off with his usual celerity； and left us all unable to form any probable conjecture as to his design。'Ay 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 surprised；' said the Baronet； 'what the fellow can intend by this。 Some low piece of humour I suppose！''Perhaps； Sir；' replied I； 'he may have a more serious meaning。 For when we reflect on the various schemes this gentleman has laid 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 surprise me if some one of themAmazement！ 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 theeand still thou shalt live to bless me。'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 I； 'to be my comfort in age！''That 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 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 you are surprised at all this； but a few words will explain the difficulty。 That there 'Squire of renown； for whom I have a great friendship； but that's between ourselves； as 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 went and got a true licence and a true priest； and married them both as fast as the cloth could make them。 Perhaps you'll think it was generosity that 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 so make him come down whenever I wanted money。' A burst of pleasure now seemed to fill the whole apartment； our joy reached even 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 cheek seemed flushed with pleasure。 To be thus restored to reputation； to friends and fortune at once； was a 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 delusion。 'How could you；' cried I； turning to Mr 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 only appeared 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 thou 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 prevented him by bidding him not aggravate his meanness； 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 smile； 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 leasure was in doing good； now looked round with a countenance open as the sun； and saw nothing but joy in the looks of all except that of my daughter Sophia； who； for some reasons we could not comprehend； did