to Jones, and something else perhaps in which he was concerned, been removed, I much doubt whether she would not have sacrificed herself to a man she did not like, to have obliged her father. She promised him, she would make it the whole business of her life to oblige him, and would never marry any man against his consent; which brought the old man so near to his highest happiness, that he was resolved to take the other step, and went to bed completely drunk.

CHAP. III.

Allworthy visits Old Nightingale; with a strange Discovery that he made on that Occasion. THE morning after these things had happened, Mr. Allworthy went according to his promise to visit old Nightingale, with whom his authority was so great, that after having sat with him three hours, he at last prevailed with him to consent to see his son.

Here an accident happened of a very extraordinary kind; one indeed of those strange chances,' whence very good and grave men have concluded that Providence often interposes in the discovery of the most secret villany, in order to caution men from quitting the paths of honesty, however warily they tread in those of vice.

Mr. Allworthy, at his entrance into Mr. Nightingale's, saw Black George; he took no notice of him, nor did Black George imagine he had per

ceived him.

However, when their conversation on the principal point was over, Allworthy asked Nightingale, Whether he knew one George Seagrim, and upon what business he came to his house? Yes,' answered Ninghtingale, 'I know him very well, and ' a most extraordinary fellow he is, who, in these

days, hath been able to hoard up 5001. from renting a very small estate of 30l. a year.' 'And is this the story which he hath told you?' cries Allworthy. Nay, it is true, I promise you,' said Nightingale, for I have the money now in my ' own hands, in five Bank bills, which I am to lay out either in a mortgage, or in some purchase in 'the North of England.' The Bank bills were no sooner produced at Allworthy's desire, than he blessed himself at the strangeness of the discovery. He presently told Nightingale, that these Bank bills were formerly his, and then acquainted him with the whole affair. As there are no men who complain more of the frauds of business than highwaymen, gamesters, and other thieves of that kind; so there are none who so bitterly exclaim against the frauds of gamesters, &c. as usurers, brokers, and other thieves of this kind; whether it be that the one way of cheating is a discountenance or reflection upon the other, or that money, which is the common mistress of all cheats, makes them regard each other in the light of rivals; but Nightingale no sooner heard the story, than he exclaimed against the fellow in terms much severer than the justice and honesty of Allworthy had bestowed on him.

Allworthy desired Nightingale to retain both the money and the secret till he should hear farther from him; and if he should in the mean time see the fellow, that he would not take the least notice to him of the discovery which he had made. He then returned to his lodgings, where he found Mrs. Miller in a very dejected condition, on account of the information she had received from her son-in-law. Mr. Allworthy, with great cheerfulness, told her, that he had much good news to communicate; and with little further preface, acquainted her, that he had brought Mr. Nightingale to consent to see his son, and did not in the least doubt to effect a perfect reconciliation between

them; though he found the father more soured by another accident of the same kind, which had happened in his family. He then mentioned the running away of the uncle's daughter, which he had been told by the old gentleman, and which Mrs. Miller, and her son-in-law, did not yet know.

The reader may suppose Mrs. Miller received this account with great thankfulness, and no less pleasure; but so uncommon was her friendship to Jones, that I am not certain whether the uneasiness she suffered for his sake, did not overbalance her satisfaction at hearing a piece of news tending so much to the happiness of her own family; nor whether even this very news, as it reminded her of the obligations she had to Jones, did not hurt as well as please her; when her grateful heart said to her, While my own family is happy, how miser'able is the poor creature, to whose generosity we owe the beginning of all this happiness!'

6

Allworthy having left her a little while to chew the cud (if I may use that expression) on these first tidings, told her, he had still something more to impart, which he believed would give her plea

sure.

'I think,' said he, I have discovered a pretty considerable treasure belonging to the young gentleman, your friend; but, perhaps, indeed, his present situation may be such, that it 'will be of no service to him.' The latter part of the specch gave Mrs. Miller to understand who was meant, and she answered with a sigh, I hope not, Sir.' 'I hope so too,' cries Allworthy, with all my heart; but my nephew told me this morning, ' he had heard a very bad account of the affair.' 'Good heaven! Sir,' said she-' Well, I must 'not speak, and yet it is certainly very hard to be obliged to hold one's tongue when one hears.' Madam,' said Allworthy, you may say 'whatever you please, you know me too well to think I have a prejudice against any one; and as for that young man, I assure you I should be и h

VOL. VII,

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heartily pleased to find he could acquit himself of every thing, and particularly of this sad affair. You can testify the affection I have formerly borne him. The world, I know, censured me for loving him so much. I did not withdraw that affection from him without thinking I had the justest cause. Believe me, Mrs. Miller, I should be glad to find I have been mistaken.' Mrs. Miller was going eagerly to reply, when a servant acquainted her, that a gentleman without desired to speak with her immediately. Allworthy then inquired for his nephew, and was told that he had been for some time in his room with the gentleman who used to come to him, and whom Mr. Allworthy guessing rightly to be Mr. Dowling, he desired presently to speak with him.

When Dowling attended, Allworthy put the case of the Bank notes to him, without mentioning any name, and asked in what manner such a person might be punished. To which Dowling answered, he thought he might be indicted on the Black Act; but said, as it was a matter of some nicety, it would be proper to go to counsel. He said he was to attend counsel presently upon an affair of Mr. Western's, and if Mr. Allworthy pleased he would lay the case before them. This was agreed to; and then Mrs. Miller opening the door, cried, 'I ask pardon, I did not know you had company;' but Allworthy desired her to come in, saying he had finished his business. Upon which Mr. Dowling withdrew, and Mrs. Miller introduced Mr. Nightingale the younger, to return thanks for the great kindness done him by Allworthy; but she had scarce patience to let the young gentleman finish his speech before she interrupted him, saying, O Sir! Mr. Nightingale brings great news about poor Mr. Jones; he hath been to see the wounded gentleman, who is out of all danger of death, and what is more, declares he fell upon poor Mr. Jones himself, and beat him. I am

sure, Sir, you would not have Mr. Jones be a coward. If I was a man myself, I am sure if any 'man was to strike me, I should draw my sword. Do pray, my dear, tell Mr. Allworthy, tell him all yourself." Nightingale then confirmed what Mrs. Miller had said; and concluded with many handsome things of Jones, who was, he said, one of the best-natured fellows in the world, and not in the least inclined to be quarrelsome. Here Nightingale was going to cease, when Mrs. Miller again begged him to relate all the many dutiful expressions he had heard him make use of towards Mr. Allworthy. To say the utmost good of Mr. Allworthy,' cries Nightingale, 'is doing no more 'than strict justice, and can have no merit in it; but, indeed, I must say, no man can be more sensible of the obligations he hath to so good a man, than is poor Jones. Indeed, Sir, I am con'vinced the weight of your displeasure is the 'heaviest burthen he lies under. He hath often 'lamented it to me, and hath as often protested ' in the most solemn manner he hath never been 'intentionally guilty of any offence towards you; nay, he hath sworn he would rather die a 'thousand deaths than he would have his con'science upbraid him with one disrespectful, ungrateful, or undutiful thought towards you. But 'I ask pardon, Sir, I am afraid I presume to in'termeddle too far in so tender a point.' 'You ' have spoke no more than what a christian ought,' cries Mrs. Miller. Indeed, Mr. Nightingale,' answered Allworthy, I applaud your generous friendship, and I wish he may merit it of you. I confess I am glad to hear the report you bring 'from this unfortunate gentleman; and if that ' matter should turn out to be as you represent it (and, indeed, I doubt nothing of what you say), may, perhaps, in time, be brought to think better than lately I have of this young man; for this good gentlewoman here, nay, all who know