ges and Hamlets, who thought themselves happy in the Notice we took of them; and I begged my Father, in my Name and young Mr. Sharpley's, to give 500l. in Charities to the diftreffed Poor, and the induftrious Labourers of his Parifh, which raifed their Love and Veneration of me to a Height like Adoration. I was congratulated by every one upon my good Fortune, and, in a Day or two after our Arrival, an Opportunity ferving, we, at their Defire, related our Adventures to my Father and Mother, Mr. Archer and Mr. Sharpley; but when I came to that Part of my Story, where I had found fo miraculously my Louifa, it was a long Time before I could obtain Belief, tho' from Perfons that confided in my Veracity, till our joint Proteftations of the Truth, and, as a Proof, her being fo near us confirmed what we faid. Never were People fo befide themselves with Joy,-the Blifs to them. was unutterable! My Father himfelf could not refrain from fhewing the Share he took in my Felicity, by the moft tranfporting Acts of Satisfaction; and my Mother now wept, and now fmiled exultingly at having recovered her dear dead Louifa! They promifed, however, to keep the Secret till a proper Time for Difcovery, and my Father's, Mr. Sharpley's, and Mr. Archer's Houfes, being fufficient to entertain all our illuftrious Guefts, they begged they might have that Honour; and my Mother bespoke

bespoke Louisa to be with her till our Nuptials, which I readily granted.

I was juft defigning to pay a Vifit to Sir Walter, whose Pulse I longed to feel; and indeed I longed to see him, and all my old Regard for him was returned, when he fent a Servant to me to defire my Company at his Houfe, and I, taking Captain Sharpley with me, immediately obeyed the Summons. We found him in the Apartment in which I had enjoyed fo much Happinefs, in a Mourning Drefs, which he had worn confiantly ever fince he received the News of his Daughter's Death! At the Sight of me, for he knew me immediately, the old Baronet burst into Tears, and faid, Ah! Mr. Thempfin, you are too good,-I did not expect fo ready a Compliance to my Defires,-I did not deferve it at your Hands,—I who murdered Louifa, and behaved fo ungratefully, fo wickedly to you. I was moved to fee him fo touched with Sorrow, and, advancing, preffed him in my Arms, whilft the Tears ftood in my Eyes; and replied, Deareft Sir,-my Father-for I muft ever call you fo,-forget whatever Injuries were done to me,-I forget them for ever,—you are punished enough, Sir, in the Lofs of our dear and excellent Louifa! Can I forget you are her Father, and, tho' oppreffed with the fame Sorrow, will ever behave to you with Duty and Affection, and strive to leffen your Woes, or mix my own with them.-Ah! generous Youth,-he returned,

3

returned,-How could I be blind to fo much Merit?-Oh! if the dear Girl were now alive,-she furely fhould be thine;-but, fince it cannot be recalled, come live with me,-the Solace of my Age, and accept of all that I can give at my Decease; that Wretch, that Villain,-that Bane to my Happiness,feduced me, but, no doubt, you've heard it all,-the fad, the fatal Story. I have, dear Sir,-you are excufable, and highly fo. I accept your kind Propofal of living with you, and chearing my Louifa's Father in his Troubles; for Fortune I have enough,-and long for nothing now, fo much in Life,-as to punish, to chastise, that baseft Wretch, your execrable villainous Nephew! Fidele broke in, and, hanging about my Neck, repeated oft her Lady's Name with mine,-her dear Friend and Patron, her Mr. Thompson; and when we were taking our Leave, and retiring thro' the Gate, an honeft looking Man and Woman, whom I did not recollect, gave me a thoufand Bleffings, and prayed for my long Life and Profperity! I ftood ftill, and, after returning their Compliments, enquired how I came to merit fuch a Share of their Refpect? The Man replied, with fome Emotion, Dear Sir, if you have forgot us, we shall ever remember your bountiful Goodness to us, as well as that of our dear Lady departed. I then began to recollect fomewhat of their Faces, and found it was the poor Excife-man

and

and his Wife, whom my dear Louisa had fo charitably relieved, and to whom I made a Prefent at my Departure for London fo many Years ago.

I faluted the Woman, and, taking the Man by the Hand, enquired, if I could be of any Service to them now? If I could, I was very ready to do it; but he replied, Sir, your Goodness overcomes me; but I want nothing at prefent, and have every Thing in the Service of Sir Walter that we can defire; for when he understood, that we had been the Objects of my late young Lady's Charity, he took us into his Houfe, making me his Bailiff, and my Wife his Laundry-maid, and has been intimately kind to me ever fince. I was charmed to hear these Inftances of his Regard to Louifa's Memory, and found every Thing fo fituated, that we had little Oppofition to fear, even if he knew his Daughter's real Story.

I had prefented Mr. Sharpley to him, who was going, tho' unknown to him, to be his Nephew ; and he received him as the Son of a Gentleman he esteemed, and upon our mentioning the brilliant Affembly, that was coming down to the Marriage of Mr. Diaper, and thofe of fome other Friends, he generously offered his Houfe alfo for their Accommodation.

CHA P. LXIII.

They return to Mr. Bellair's.-All fet out for Mr. Thompson's. - Arrive there.-How they are difpofed of.-He makes a Propofal to Sir Walter.-Sir Walter confents to it. -Fidele introduced to her Lady.—Truman falls in Love.-Makes a Request to Thompfon. He grants his Defire, and makes Louifa an Advocate for him.— Fidele grants his Suit, and obtains Sir Walter's Leave to marry him.

WE ftaid about a Week longer with our Pa

rents, and, now, longing to behold our Miftreffes, accompanied by my Father, Mr. Sharpley, and Mr. Archer, we fet out for Mr. Bellair's, and once more rejoined the dear Objects of our Affection, and gave our Company an Account of Sir Walter's Difpofition; at which my Louifa was transported, and faid, I think, my dear Thompson, I had better die in earneft; you fee you may have the Estate without the Incumbrance of a Wife. Ah, Madam! I replied, you know me too well to think I can even bear a fmiling Sentence of that Sort from you: Without you all the Riches and Pleasures in the World would be diftafteful. When my Father came forward at first to falute her, fhe would