 Notice that I came to him on Business of Consequence. I was, thereupon, shewn to a back Parlour, where he sat, in Company with Mrs.
Clement
and a lusty ill looking young Gentleman; but, your Stepmother has a comely and good humoured Countenance; she also appears to be far advanced in her Pregnancy. Mrs.
Graves,
said your Father, take a Seat. What are your Commands with me, Madam? I came, Sir, to let you know that your Son, Mr.
Hammel Clement,
the best of human Beings, has been on the Point of Death. Have you nothing to say to me, Madam, but what concerns my Son
Hammel?
I have not, I confess, Sir, but that is more than enough; it is very interesting and affecting, and concerns you most nearly. Here, Mr.
Clement,
for I will never more call him by the sacred Name of Father, here, I say, he started up, and, catching at a Book, he pressed it to his Lips, and cried, I swear by the Virtue of this and all other holy Books, that I will never listen to any Person who would speak a single Word in Behalf of
Hammel Clement,
and so, Mrs. give me leave to shew you the way out again. So saying, he caught my Hand and drew me to the Door, while I turned, and cried to your Stepmother, O Madam, what sort of a Heart is yours, that refuses its Intercession on this Occasion? but she gave me an Eye and Sneer, of such a mischievous Meaning, as expressed the whole Fiend under the Guise of an Angel. When Mr.
Clement
had taken me to the outward Door, I just turned, and said, I am sorry, Sir, that a Man, of your grave and sensible Appearance, should suffer yourself to be so duped, by People whose Interest it is to deceive you. But, swelling into Choler, he gave me a violent Push from him, and clapped to the Door in my Face. So that, in short, my dear Child, I fear I have done you Harm, where I meant you true Service.
It matters not, my Mother, said I, (endeavouring to suppress a Tear of tender Resentment) I will soon, I trust, procure some kind of Independence on that
Barbarian
and his Fortune; and, while I have you and your
Arabella,
I shall want neither Father nor Friend.
Being, now, very nearly, re-established in my Health
