Part 17 (1/2)

G.o.d knows I do not;--but I am acquainted, Mr. Morgan, with an unfortunate circ.u.mstance relative to Sir James.

Sir James! Zounds, do speak out:--Sir James, to my knowledge, does not owe a s.h.i.+lling.

It is not money matters, Sir, that brought me here:--heaven grant it was!

The devil, Sir!--tell me at once, what is this d.a.m.n'd affair? Upon my soul, you must tell me immediately.

Behold!--read, Sir--what a task is mine! (_putting your letter into his hands_.)

Never was grief, surprize, and disappointment so strongly painted as in him.--At first, he stood quite silent; every feature distorted:--then starting back some paces, threw his hat over the hedge:--stamp'd on his wig;--and was stripping himself naked, to fling his clothes into a pond just by, when I prevented him.

Stop, Sir, I cried: do not alarm the family before they are prepar'd.--Think of the dreadful consequences;--think of the unhappy parents!--Let us consult how to break it to them, without severing their hearts at one blow.

Zounds, Sir, don't talk to me of breaking it; I shall go mad:--you did not know her.--Oh! she was the most lovely, gentle creature!--What an old blockhead have I been!--Why did I not give her my fortune?--_then_ Darcey would have married her;--_then_ she would not have gone abroad;--_then_ we should have sav'd her. Oh, she was a sweet, dear soul!--What good will my curst estates do me _now?_--You shall have them, Sir;--any body shall have them--I don't care what becomes of _me_.--Do order my horse, Sir--I say again, do order my horse. I'll never see this place more.--Oh! my dear, sweet, smiling girl, why would you go to France?

Here I interrupted him.

Think not, talk not, Sir, of leaving the family in such a melancholy situation.--Pray recollect yourself.--You _ought_ not to run from your friends;--you _ought_ to redouble your affection at this hour of trial.--Who _can_ be call'd friends, but those who press forward, when all the satisfactions of life draw back.--You are not;--your feeling heart tells me you are not one of the many that retire with such visionary enjoyments.--Come, Sir, for the present forget the part you bear in this disaster:--consider,--pray, consider her poor parents; consider what will be their sufferings:--let it be our task to prepare them.

What you say is very right, Sir, return'd he.--I believe you are a good christian;--G.o.d direct us,--G.o.d direct us.--I wish I had a dram:--faith, I shall be choak'd.--Sweet creature!--what will become of Lord Darcey!--I never wanted a dram so much before.--Your name, Sir, if you please.--I perceive we shall make matters worse by staying out so long.

I told him my name; and that I had the honour of being intimately acquainted with Mr. and Mrs. Powis.

He continued,--You will go in _with me_, Sir.--How am I to act!--I'll follow your advice--We must expect it will be a dreadful piece of work.--

Caution and tenderness, Mr. Morgan, will be absolutely necessary.

But where is my hat?--where is my wig?--have I thrown them into the pond?

It is well the poor distress'd man recollected he had them not; or, bare-headed as he was, I should have gone with him to the house.--I pick'd them up, all over dirt; and, well as I could, clean'd them with my handkerchief.

Now, Sir, said I, if you will wipe your face,--for the sweat was standing on it in large drops,--I am ready to attend you.

So I must _really_ go in, captain.--I don't think I can stand it;--you had better go without me.--Upon my soul, I had sooner face the mouth of a cannon--If you would blow my brains out, it would be the kindest thing you ever did in your life.

Poh! don't talk at this rate, Sir.--Do we live only for ourselves?--

But _will_ you not leave us, captain;--_will_ you not run from us, when all is out?

Rather, Sir, suspect me of cowardice.--I should receive greater satisfaction from administering the smallest consolation to people in distress, than from whole nations govern'd by my nod.

Well, captain, I _will_ go;--I _will_ do any thing you desire me, since you are so good to say you will not leave us.

But, notwithstanding his fair promise, I never expected to get him within the doors.--He was s.h.i.+fting from side to side:--sometimes he would stand still,--sometimes attempt to retreat.--When we were just at the house, a servant appear'd:--of whom he enquir'd, if Mr. and Mrs.

Powis were return'd; and was inform'd the latter was within;--the former gone out in pursuit of us. We likewise found the Ladies were with Sir James in the library. I sent in my name: it was in vain for me to expect any introduction from my companion.

Mrs. Powis flew to meet me at the door:--Mr. Morgan lifted up his eyes, and shook his head.--I never was so put to it:--I knew not what to say; or how to look.--Welcome, Mr. Risby, said the amiable, unfortunate, unsuspecting mother;--doubly welcome at this happy juncture.--Let me lead you to parents, introducing me to Sir James and Lady Powis, from whom I have receiv'd all my felicity.

You need not be told my reception:--it is sufficient that you know Sir James and her Ladys.h.i.+p.--My eyes instantly turn'd on the venerable chaplin: I thought I never discover'd so much of the angel in a human form.

Mrs. Powis ask'd me a thousand questions;--except answering _them_, I sat stupidly silent.--It was not so with Mr. Morgan: he walk'd, or rather ran up and down;--his eyes fix'd on the floor,--his lips in motion.--The Ladies spoke to him: he did not answer; and I could perceive them look on each other with surprize.