FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   136   137   138   139   140   141   142   143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152   >>  
person supposed to be wounded was detected to be an impostor. Mr Jenkinson also, who had acted as his valet de chambre, had dressed up his hair, and furnished him with whatever was necessary to make a genteel appearance. He now therefore entered, handsomely drest in his regimentals, and, without vanity, (for I am above it) he appeared as handsome a fellow as ever wore a military dress. As he entered, he made Miss Wilmot a modest and distant bow, for he was not as yet acquainted with the change which the eloquence of his mother had wrought in his favour. But no decorums could restrain the impatience of his blushing mistress to be forgiven. Her tears, her looks, all contributed to discover the real sensations of her heart for having forgotten her former promise and having suffered herself to be deluded by an impostor. My son appeared amazed at her condescension, and could scarce believe it real.--'Sure, madam,' cried he, 'this is but delusion! I can never have merited this! To be, blest thus is to be too happy.'--'No, Sir,' replied she, 'I have been deceived, basely deceived, else nothing could have ever made me unjust to my promise. You know my friendship, you have long known it; but forget what I have done, and as you once had my warmest vows of constancy, you shall now have them repeated; and be assured that if your Arabella cannot be yours, she shall never be another's.'--'And no other's you shall be,' cried Sir William, 'if I have any influence with your father.' This hint was sufficient for my son Moses, who immediately flew to the inn where the old gentleman was, to inform him of every circumstance that had happened. But in the mean time the 'Squire perceiving that he was on every side undone, now finding that no hopes were left from flattery or dissimulation, concluded that his wisest way would be to turn and face his pursuers. Thus laying aside all shame, he appeared the open hardy villain. 'I find then,' cried he, 'that I am to expect no justice here; but I am resolved it shall be done me. You shall know, Sir,' turning to Sir William, 'I am no longer a poor dependent upon your favours. I scorn them. Nothing can keep Miss Wilmot's fortune from me, which, I thank her father's assiduity, is pretty large. The articles, and a bond for her fortune, are signed, and safe in my possession. It was her fortune, not her person, that induced me to wish for this match, and possessed of the one, let who will take the other.'
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   136   137   138   139   140   141   142   143   144   145   146   147   148   149   150   151   152   >>  



Top keywords:
fortune
 

appeared

 

William

 

deceived

 

Wilmot

 
promise
 
father
 

impostor

 
entered
 

person


immediately

 

sufficient

 
gentleman
 

inform

 
assiduity
 

pretty

 
articles
 
influence
 

possessed

 

Arabella


signed

 

possession

 

induced

 

turning

 

assured

 

laying

 

pursuers

 

wisest

 

resolved

 

villain


expect

 
justice
 

concluded

 

dissimulation

 

undone

 
perceiving
 

Squire

 
happened
 

Nothing

 
finding

flattery
 

longer

 
dependent
 
favours
 

circumstance

 

military

 
modest
 

fellow

 
vanity
 

handsome