Goldsmith_The_Vicar_of_Wakefield.txt topic ['13', '324', '378', '393']
and restore former health and vivacity.
perhaps among all there was not one who felt sincerer pleasure
than . holding the dear-loved child in my arms, asked my
heart if these transports were not delusion. ' could you,'
cried , turning to , 'how could you add to my
miseries by the story of her death! it matters not, my
pleasure at finding her again, is more than a recompence for the
pain.'
' to your question,' replied , 'that is easily
answered. thought the only probable means of freeing you from
prison, was by submitting to the ', and consenting to his
marriage with the other young lady. these you had vowed never
to grant while your daughter was living, there was therefore no
other method to bring things to bear but by persuading you that
she was dead. prevailed on your wife to join in the deceit, and
we have not had a fit opportunity of undeceiving you till now.'
the whole assembly now there only appeared two faces that did
not glow with transport. 's assurance had entirely
forsaken him: he now saw the gulph of infamy and want before him,
and trembled to take the plunge. therefore fell on his knees
before his uncle, and in a voice of piercing misery implored
compassion. was going to spurn him away, but at my
request he raised him, and after pausing a few moments, '
vices, crimes, and ingratitude,' cried he, 'deserve no
tenderness; yet thou shalt not be entirely forsaken, a bare
competence shall be supplied, to support the wants of life, but
not its follies. young lady, thy wife, shall be put in
possession of a third part of that fortune which once was thine,
and from her tenderness alone thou art to expect any
extraordinary supplies for the future.' was going to express
his gratitude for such kindness in a set speech; but the
prevented him by bidding him not aggravate his meanness, which
was already but too apparent. ordered him at the same time to
be gone, and from all his former domestics to chuse one such as
he should think proper, which was all that should be granted to
attend him.
soon as he left us, very politely stept up to his
new niece with a smile, and wished her joy. example was
followed by and her father; my wife too kissed her
daughter with much affection, as, to use her own expression, she
was now made an honest woman of. and followed in
turn, and even our benefactor desired to be admitted to
that honour. satisfaction seemed scarce capable of increase.
, whose greatest leasure was in doing good, now looked
round with a countenance open as the sun, and saw nothing but joy
in the looks of all except that of my daughter , who, for
some reasons we could not comprehend, did not seem perfectly
satisfied. ' think now,' cried he, with a smile, 'that all the
company, except one or two, seem perfectly happy. only
remains an act of justice for me to do. are sensible, ,'
continued he, turning to me, 'of the obligations we both owe
. it is but just we should both reward him for it.
will, am sure, make him very happy, and he shall
have from me five hundred pounds as her fortune, and upon this
am sure they can live very comfortably together. ,
, what say you to this match of my making? you have
him?'-- poor girl seemed almost sinking into her mother's arms
at the hideous proposal.--' him, !' cried she faintly.
', , never.'--',' cried he again, 'not have
, your benefactor, a handsome young fellow, with five
hundred pounds and good expectations!'--' beg, ,' returned
she, scarce able to speak, 'that you'll desist, and not make me
so very wretched.'--' ever such obstinacy known,' cried he
again, 'to refuse a man whom the family has such infinite
obligations to, who has preserved your sister, and who has five
hundred pounds! not have him!'--', , never,' replied
she, angrily, ''d sooner die first.'--' that be the case
then,' cried he, 'if you will not have him-- think must have
you myself.' so saying, he caught her to his breast with
ardour. ' loveliest, my most sensible of girls,' cried he, 'how
could you ever think your own could deceive you, or that
could ever cease to admire a mistress that
loved him for himself alone? have for some years sought for a
woman, who a stranger to my fortune could think that had merit
as a man. having tried in vain, even amongst the pert and
the ugly, how great at last must be my rapture to have made a
conquest over such sense and such heavenly beauty.' turning
to , ' cannot, , part with this young lady
myself, for she has taken a fancy to the cut of my face, all the
recompence can make is to give you her fortune, and you may
call upon my steward to-morrow for five hundred pounds.' we
had all our compliments to repeat, and underwent
the same round of ceremony that her sister had done before.
the mean time 's gentleman appeared to tell us that
the equipages were ready to carry us to the inn, where every
thing was prepared for our reception. wife and led the van,
and left those gloomy mansions of sorrow. generous
ordered forty pounds to be distributed among the prisoners, and
, induced by his example, gave half that sum. were
received below by the shouts of the villagers, and saw and
shook by the hand two or three of my honest parishioners, who
were among the number. attended us to our inn, where a
sumptuous entertainment was provided, and coarser provisions
distributed in great quantities among the populace.
supper, as my spirits were exhausted by the alternation of
pleasure and pain which they had sustained during the day,
asked permission to withdraw, and leaving the company in the
midst of their mirth, as soon as found myself alone, poured
out my heart in gratitude to the giver of joy as well as of
sorrow, and then slept undisturbed till morning.
32.
next morning as soon as awaked found my eldest son
sitting by my bedside, who came to encrease my joy with another
turn of fortune in my favour. having released me from the
settlement that had made the day before in his favour, he let
me know that my merchant who had failed in town was arrested at
, and there had given up effects to a much greater amount
than what was due to his creditors. boy's generosity pleased
me almost as much as this unlooked for good fortune. had
some doubts whether ought in justice to accept his offer.
was pondering upon this, entered the room, to whom
communicated my doubts. opinion was, that as my son was
already possessed of a very affluent fortune by his marriage,
might accept his offer without any hesitation. business,
however, was to inform me that as he had the night before sent
for the licences, and expected them every hour, he hoped that
would not refuse my assistance in making all the company happy
that morning. footman entered while we were speaking, to tell
us that the messenger was returned, and as was by this time
ready, went down, where found the whole company as merry as
affluence and innocence could make them. , as they were
now preparing for a very solemn ceremony, their laughter entirely
displeased me. told them of the grave, becoming and sublime
deportment they should assume upon this occasion, and
read them two homilies and a thesis of my own composing, in order
to prepare them. they still seemed perfectly refractory and
ungovernable. as we were going along to church, to which
led the way, all gravity had quite forsaken them, and was often
tempted to turn back in indignation. church a new dilemma
arose, which promised no easy solution. was, which couple
should be married first; my son's bride warmly insisted, that
, (that was to be) should take the lead; but this
the other refused with equal ardour, protesting she would not be
guilty of such rudeness for the world. argument was supported
for some time between both with equal obstinacy and good
breeding. as stood all this time with my book ready, was
at last quite tired of the contest, and shutting it, '
perceive,' cried , 'that none of you have a mind to be married,
and think we had as good go back again; for suppose there
will be no business done here to-day.'-- at once reduced them
to reason. and his were first married, and then
my son and his lovely partner.
had previously that morning given orders that a coach should be
sent for my honest neighbour and his family, by which
means, upon our return to the inn, we had the pleasure of finding
the two alighted before us. gave
his hand to the eldest, and my son led up the other; (and
have since found that he has taken a real liking to the girl, and
my consent and bounty he shall have whenever he thinks proper to
demand them.) were no sooner returned to the inn, but numbers
of my parishioners, hearing of my success, came to congratulate
me, but among the rest were those who rose to rescue me, and whom
formerly rebuked with such sharpness. told the story to
, my son-in-law, who went out and reprove them with great
severity; but finding them quite disheartened by his harsh
reproof, he gave them half a guinea a piece to drink his health
and raise their dejected spirits.
after this we were called to a very genteel entertainment,
which was drest by 's cook. it may not be
improper to observe with respect to that gentleman, that he now
resides in quality of companion at a relation's house, being very
well liked and seldom sitting at the side-table, except when
there is no room at the other; for they make no stranger of him.
time is pretty much taken up in keeping his relation, who is
a little melancholy, in spirits, and in learning to blow the
- horn. eldest daughter, however, still remembers him
with regret; and she has even told me, though make a great
secret of it, that when he reforms she may be brought to relent.
to return, for am not apt to digress thus, when we were to
sit down to dinner our ceremonies were going to be renewed.
question was whether my eldest daughter, as being a matron,
should not sit above the two young brides, but the debate was cut
short by my son , who proposed, that the company should sit
indiscriminately, every gentleman by his lady. was received
with great approbation by all, excepting my wife, who could
perceive was not perfectly satisfied, as she expected to have had
the pleasure of sitting at the head of the table and carving all
the meat for all the company. notwithstanding this, it is
impossible to describe our good humour. can't say whether we
had more wit amongst us now than usual; but am certain we had
more laughing, which answered the end as well. jest
particularly remember, old drinking to , whose
head was turned another way, my son replied, ', thank
you.' which the old gentleman, winking upon the rest of the
company, observed that he was thinking of his mistress. which
jest thought the two miss would have died with
laughing. soon as dinner was over, according to my old custom,
requested that the table might be taken away, to have the
pleasure of seeing all my family assembled once more by a
chearful fireside. two little ones sat upon each knee, the
rest of the company by their partners. had nothing now on this
side of the grave to wish for, all my cares were over, my
pleasure was unspeakable. now only remained that my gratitude
in good fortune should exceed my former submission in adversity.