Part 16 (1/1)

The bride, instead of being disguised in tawdry stuffs of gold and silver, and sweating under a harness of diaant taste of the tiee of plain blue satin, without any other jewels than her eyes, which far outshone all that ever was produced by the mines of Golconda Her hair had no other extraneous ornanity of her air, the elegance of her shape, the sweetness and sensibility of her countenance, added to such war, and such exquisite symmetry of features, as could not be excelled by human nature, attracted the eyes and excited the admiration of all the beholders The effect they produced in the heart of Sir Launcelot was such a rapture as we cannot pretend to describe He made his appearance on this occasion in a white coat and blue satin vest, both embroidered with silver; and all who saw him could not but own that he alone seemed worthy to possess the lady whom Heaven had destined for his consort Captain Crowe had taken off a blue suit of clothes strongly guarded with bars of broad gold-lace, in order to honour the nuptials of his friend He wore upon his head a bag-wig, a la pigeon, ; and to his side he had girded a huge plate-hilted sword, which he had bought of a recruiting serjeant Mr Clarke was dressed in poold buttons; and his lovely Dolly in a s, a present from her mistress

The whole company dined, by invitation, at the house of Dr Kawdle; and here it was that thelovers on the face of the earth attained to the consummation of all earthly felicity The captain and his nephew had a hint to retire in due ti, to the roohted up his brightest torch at Virtue's lamp, and every star shed its happiest influence on their Heaven-directed union

Instructions had been already despatched to prepare Greavesbury Hall for the reception of its new mistress; and for that place the new- to the plan which had been previously concerted Sir Launcelot and Lady Greaves, accompanied by Mrs Kawdle and attended by Dolly, travelled in their own coach, drawn by six dappled horses Dr Kawdle, with Captain Crowe, occupied the doctor's post-chariot, provided with four bays Mr Clarke had the honour to bestride the loins of Bronzomarte Mr Ferret was mounted upon an old hunter; Crabshaw stuck close to his friend Gilbert; and two other horse heart in the whole cavalcade, except that of the young lawyer, which was by turns invaded with hot desires and chilling scruples Though he was fond of Dolly to distraction, his regard to worldly reputation, and his attention to worldly interest, were continually raising up bars to a legal gratification of his love His pride was startled at the thought of hter of a poor country publican; and he moreover dreaded the resentment of his uncle Crowe, should he take any step of this nature without his concurrence Many a wishful look did he cast at Dolly, the tears standing in his eyes, and h did he utter

Lady Greaves immediately perceived the situation of his heart, and, by questioning Mrs Cowslip, discovered a mutual passion between these lovers She consulted her dear knight on the subject, and he catechised the lawyer, who pleaded guilty The captain being sounded as to his opinion, declared he would be steered in that, as well as every other course of life, by Sir Launcelot and his lady, who of an order superior to the ordinary race ofobtained from the sailor, our hero took an opportunity on the road, one day after dinner, in presence of the whole coood friend Clarke, I have your happiness very much at heart--your father was an honest ations I have had these ard for yourself, derived frooodness of disposition--I see, you are affected, and shall be brief --Besides this regard, I am indebted to your friendshi+p for the liberty-- what shall I say?--for the inesti the lance of my Aurelia, I will not offend her delicacy--The truth is, reat, and it is tiratitude-- If the stewardshi+p of my estate is worth your acceptance, you shall have it iether with the house and farhbourhood I know you have a passion for Mrs Dolly; and believe she looks upon you with the eyes of tender prepossession--don't blush, Dolly --Besides your agreeable person, which all the world must approve, you can boast of virtue, fidelity, and friendshi+p Your attachet--If you are willing to unite your fate with Mr Clarke, your ives me leave to assure you she will stock the far at Greavesbury Hall”--

By this tirateful lovers had overflowed Dolly was sitting on her knees, bathing her lady's hand with her tears, and Mr

Clarke appeared in the same attitude by Sir Launcelot The uncle, alenerosity of our adventurer, cried aloud, ”I pray God that you and your glorious consort ales whithersoever you are bound; as for ive him a thousand pounds to set him fairly afloat; and if he prove not a faithful tender to you his benefactor, I hope he will founder in this world, and be da to the completion of their happiness but the consent of Dolly's mother at the Black Lion, who they did not suppose could have any objection to such an advantageous hter; but in this particular they were e where the knight had exercised the duties of chivalry; and there he received the gratulation of Mr Fillet and the attorney who had offered to bail hi passed, they gave him to understand that Gobble and his ere turned Methodists All the rest of the prisoners whoratitude, and were hospitably entertained Next day they halted at the Black Lion, where the good woman was overjoyed to see Dolly so happily preferred; but when Sir Launcelot unfolded the proposed e, she interrupted him with a scream--”Christ Jesus forbid--marry and amen!--match with her own brother!”

At this exclamation Dolly fainted; her lover stood with his ears erect, and his ht and his lady expressed equal surprise and concern When Sir Launcelot entreated Mrs

Cowslip to explain this o, Mr Clarke, senior, had brought Dolly, then an infant, to her house, when she and her late husband lived in another part of the country; and as she had then been lately delivered of a child which did not live, he hired her as a nurse to the little foundling He owned she was a love-begotten babe, and from time to tiht pass for her own daughter In his last illness, he assured her he had taken care to provide for the child; but since his death she had received no account of any such provision She moreover informed his honour, that Mr Clarke had deposited in her hands a dia, and a sealed paper, never to be opened without his order, until Dolly should be dee by the man she should like, and not then, except in the presence of the clergyy his eyes on Dolly; ”I hope all will yet be well”

The vicar arriving, and being made acquainted with the nature of the case, the landlady produced the paper; which, being opened, appeared to be an authentic certificate, that the person commonly known by the nahter of Jonathan Greaves, Esq, by a young gentlewo part of the ht, while he ran and embraced the astonished Dolly as his kinswoman

”Jonathan Greaves was e, so that he could make no settlement on his child, the fruit of a private a was a token Mr

Clarke, being his confidant, disposed of the child, and at length, finding his constitution decay, revealed the secret to my father, who in his will bequeathed one hundred pounds a year to this agreeable foundling; but, as they both died while I was abroad, and so this transaction probably were mislaid, I never till now could discover where or how ood wo this affair to a happy issue”

The lovers were now overwhelratitude, and every countenance was lighted up with satisfaction From this place to the habitation of Sir Launcelot, the bells were rung in every parish, and the corporation in their forh which he passed About five miles from Greavesbury Hall he was met by above five thousand persons of both sexes and every age, dressed out in their gayest apparel, headed by Mr Ralph Mattocks froht's own parish They were preceded by s and ensigns; and the women, as well as the e favours At the end of the avenue, a select bevy of coins arrayed in white, and a separate band of choice youths distinguished by garlands of laurel and holly interweaved, fell into the procession, and sung in chorus a rustic epithalaate they were received by the venerable housekeeper, Mrs Oakley, whose features were so brightened by the occasion, that with the first glance she made a conquest of the heart of Captain Crowe; and this connexion was ial conjunction

Meanwhile the houses of Greavesbury Hall and Darnel Hill were set open for the entertainment of all-comers, and both echoed with the sounds of festivity After the cere visits had been performed by Sir Launcelot Greaves and his lady, Mr Clarke was honoured with the hand of the agreeable Miss Dolly Greaves; and the captain was put in possession of his paternal estate The perfect and uninterrupted felicity of the knight and his endearing consort, diffused itself through the whole adjacent country, as far as their example and influence could extend They were admired, esteemed, and applauded by every person of taste, sentiment, and benevolence; at the same time beloved, revered, and al whoence or le sacrifice

Ferret, at first, seemed to enjoy his easy circumstances; but the novelty of this situation soon wore off, and all his misanthropy returned He could not bear to see his fellow-creatures happy around hi his intention of returning to the metropolis, where he knew there would be always food sufficient for the ravenous appetite of his spleen Before he departed, the knight h he could not make him taste of his happiness, which soon received a considerable addition in the birth of a son, destined to be the heir and representative of torthy families, whose mutual aniuished

THE END