 Allin had long been engaged, with his consent, to Dr. Tunstall, and therefore

had resolved to desist from his pretensions; as he should think himself very criminal, if, taking the advantage of a superiority of fortune, he should attempt to deprive another of a blessing which must be so dear to him; and indeed, he should have so bad an opinion of a woman who could be mercenary and inconstant enough to break her word, though in his favour, as would render it impossible for him to be happy with her.
Mr. Allin was much disconcerted at this declaration, and answered: He might do as he pleased; but that as for Dr. Tunstall, if he intended to marry his daughter, he must wait till business increased, or death put her in possession of his little estate, for he found it impossible to raise a fortune for her, without distressing himself.
From the account Mr. Ellison had heard of his circumstances, he easily believed there was some truth in what he said; and told him he would remove that objection, only desiring him to confirm his former consent with

a good grace, and not diminish the satisfaction of his daughter by an apparent reluctance, or even the coldness of his compliance.
Mr. Ellison was not slow in executing his purpose. He wrote Miss Allin a letter the next morning, wherein he inclosed a draught on his banker for 2000l. His generosity went still farther; he feared her father would not acquit himself properly in regard to her cloaths; and considered that, as the income of the man she married was very small, to be well equipped might prove hereafter much to her convenience; he therefore sent his housekeeper to the next great town, to buy silks, lace, cambrick, muslins, hollands, in such abundance, as would not only enable her to make a very genteel appearance on her marriage, but suffice for some years; and he chose to do it in this manner, rather than to make her a present of the money, as the surest means of securing her convenience, to which, moderation and generosity might have made her less attentive.

The pleasure he felt in this disinterested conduct, almost extinguished for the time the sense of sorrow; but the heart will have its due; when the gratification began to deaden, vexation returned, and he could gladly have excused a visit Dr. Tunstall made him, in order to return thanks for his generosity; which Mr. Ellison learnt from him, was with great pain accepted by Miss Allin; nor could any thing, but her father'
