for they were all glad that one who had
been such a good little girl, and was become such a virtuous and good
woman, was going to be made a lady; but just as the clergyman had
opened his book, a gentleman richly dressed ran into the church and
cried, "Stop! stop!" This greatly alarmed the congregation,
particularly the intended bride and bridegroom, whom he first accosted
and desired to speak with them apart. After they had been talking some
little time, the people were greatly surprised to see Sir Charles
stand motionless, and his bride cry and faint away in the stranger's
arms. This seeming grief, however, was only a prelude to a flood of
joy which immediately succeeded; for you must know, gentle reader,
that this gentleman, so richly dressed, was that identical little boy,
whom you before saw in the sailor's habit; in short, it was Mrs.
Margery's brother, who was just come from sea, where he had, after a
desperate engagement, taken a rich prize; and hearing, as soon as he
landed, of his sister's intended wedding, had rode post to see that a
proper settlement was made on her, which she was now entitled to, as
he himself was both able and willing to give her an ample fortune.
They soon returned to the communion table, and were married in tears,
but they were tears of joy.

VI

THE TRUE USE OF RICHES

About this time she heard that Mr. Smith was oppressed by Sir Timothy
Gripe and his friend Graspall; upon which she, in conjunction with her
brother, defended him in Westminster Hall, where Mr. Smith gained a
verdict. As a justice of the peace he was struck off the list, and no
longer permitted to act in that capacity. A relation of his who had a
right to the Mouldwell estate, finding that it was possible to get the
better at law of a rich man, laid claim to it, brought his action, and
recovered the whole manor of Mouldwell; and being afterwards inclined
to sell it, he in consideration of the aid Lady Margery had lent him
during his distress, made her the first offer, and she purchased the
whole. This mortified Sir Timothy and his friend Graspall, who
experienced nothing but misfortunes, and was in a few years so
dispossessed of his ill-gotten wealth, that his family were reduced to
seek subsistance from the parish, at which those who had felt the
weight of his iron hand rejoiced; but Lady Margery desired that his
children might be treated with care and tenderness; "for they" (says
she) "are noways accountable