the vicar of wakefield-第38章
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And shall these things be ours？ Ours they will certainly be if we but try for them； and what is a comfort； we are shut out from many temptations that would retard our pursuit。 Only let us try for them； and they will certainly be ours； and what is still a comfort； shortly too； for if we look back on past life； it appears but a very short span； and whatever we may think of the rest of life； it will yet be found of less duration； as we grow older； the days seem to grow shorter； and our intimacy with time； ever lessens the perception of his stay。 Then let us take comfort now； for we shall soon be at our journey's end； we shall soon lay down the heavy burthen laid by heaven upon us； and though death； the only friend of the wretched； for a little while mocks the weary traveller with the view； and like his horizon； still flies before him； yet the time will certainly and shortly come； when we shall cease from our toil； when the luxurious great ones of the world shall no more tread us to the earth； when we shall think with pleasure on our sufferings below； when we shall be surrounded with all our friends； or such as deserved our friendship； when our bliss shall be unutterable； and still； to crown all； unending。
CHAPTER 30
Happier prospects begin to appear。 Let us be inflexible； and fortune will at last change in our favour
When I had thus finished and my audience was retired； the gaoler； who was one of the most humane of his profession； hoped I would not be displeased； as what he did was but his duty； observing that he must be obliged to remove my son into a stronger cell； but that he should be permitted to revisit me every morning。 I thanked him for his clemency； and grasping my boy's hand； bade him farewell； and be mindful of the great duty that was before him。
I again； therefore laid me down； and one of my little ones sate by my bedside reading； when Mr Jenkinson entering； informed me that there was news of my daughter； for that she was seen by a person about two hours before in a strange gentleman's company； and that they had stopt at a neighbouring village for refreshment； and seemed as if returning to town。 He had scarce delivered this news； when the gaoler came with looks of haste and pleasure； to inform me； that my daughter was found。 Moses came running in a moment after； crying out that his sister Sophy was below and coming up with our old friend Mr Burchell。
Just as he delivered this news my dearest girl entered； and with looks almost wild with pleasure； ran to kiss me in a transport of affection。 Her mother's tears and silence also shewed her pleasure。'Here； pappa；' cried the charming girl； 'here is the brave man to whom I owe my delivery； to this gentleman's intrepidity I am indebted for my happiness and safety' A kiss from Mr Burchell； whose pleasure seemed even greater than hers； interrupted what she was going to add。
'Ah； Mr Burchell；' cried I； 'this is but a wretched habitation you now find us in； and we are now very different from what you last saw us。 You were ever our friend： we have long discovered our errors with regard to you； and repented of our ingratitude。 After the vile usage you then received at my hands I am almost ashamed to behold your face； yet I hope you'll forgive me； as I was deceived by a base ungenerous wretch； who； under the mask of friendship； has undone me。'
'It is impossible；' replied Mr Burchell； 'that I should forgive you； as you never deserved my resentment。 I partly saw your delusion then； and as it was out of my power to restrain； I could only pity it！'
'It was ever my conjecture；' cried I； 'that your mind was noble； but now I find it so。 But tell me； my dear child； how hast thou been relieved； or who the ruffians were who carried thee away？'
'Indeed； Sir；' replied she； 'as to the villain who carried me off； I am yet ignorant。 For as my mamma and I were walking out； he came behind us； and almost before I could call for help； forced me into the post…chaise； and in an instant the horses drove away。 I met several on the road； to whom I cried out for assistance； but they disregarded my entreaties。 In the mean time the ruffian himself used every art to hinder me from crying out： he flattered and threatened by turns； and swore that if I continued but silent； he intended no harm。 In the mean time I had broken the canvas that he； had drawn up； and whom should I perceive at some distance but your old friend Mr Burchell； walking along with his usual swiftness； with the great stick for which we used so much to ridicule him。 As soon as we came within hearing； I called out to him by name； and entreated his help。 I repeated my exclamations several times； upon which； with a very loud voice； he bid the postillion stop； but the boy took no notice； but drove on with still greater speed。 I now thought he could never overtake us； when in less than a minute I saw Mr Burchell come running up by the side of the horses； and with one blow knock the postillion to the ground。 The horses when he was fallen soon stopt of themselves； and the ruffian stepping out； with oaths and menaces drew his sword； and ordered him at his peril to retire； but Mr Burchell running up； shivered his sword to pieces； and then pursued him for near a quarter of a mile； but he made his escape。 I was at this time come out myself； willing to assist my deliverer； but he soon returned to me in triumph。 The postillion； who was recovered； was going to make his escape too； but Mr Burchell ordered him at his peril to mount again； and drive back to town。 Finding it impossible to resist； he reluctantly complied； though the wound he had received seemed； to me at least； to be dangerous。 He continued to complain of the pain as we drove along； so that he at last excited Mr Burchell's compassion； who； at my request； exchanged him for another at an inn where we called on our return。'
'Welcome then；' cried I； 'my child； and thou her gallant deliverer； a thousand welcomes。 Though our chear is but wretched； yet our hearts are ready to receive you。 And now； Mr Burchell； as you have delivered my girl； if you think her a recompence she is yours； if you can stoop to an alliance with a family so poor as mine； take her； obtain her consent； as I know you have her heart； and you have mine。 And let me tell you； Sir； that I give you no small treasure； she has been celebrated for beauty it is true； but that is not my meaning； I give you up a treasure in her mind。'
'But I suppose； Sir；' cried Mr Burchell； 'that you are apprized of my circumstances； and of my incapacity to support her as she deserves？'
'If your present objection；' replied I； 'be meant as an evasion of my offer； I desist： but I know no man so worthy to deserve her as you； and if I could give her thousands； and thousands sought her from me； yet my honest brave Burchell should be my dearest choice。'
To all this his silence alone seemed to give a mortifying refusal； and without the least reply to my offer； he demanded if we could not be furnished with refreshments from the next inn； to which being answered in the affirmative； he ordered them to send in the best dinner that could be provided upon such short notice。 He bespoke also a dozen of their best wine； and some cordials for me。 Adding； with a smile； that he would stretch a little for once； and tho' in a prison； asserted he was never better disposed to be merry。 The waiter soon made his appearance with preparations for dinner； a table was lent us by the gaoler； who seemed remarkably assiduous； the wine was disposed in order； and two very well…drest dishes were brought in。
My daughter had not yet heard of her poor brother's melancholy situation； and we all seemed unwilling to damp her cheerfulness by the relation。 But it was in vain that I attempted to appear chearful； the circumstances of my unfortunate son broke through all efforts to dissemble； so that I was at last obliged to damp our mirth by relating his misfortunes； and wishing that he might be permitted to share with us in this little interval of satisfaction。 After my guests were recovered； from the consternation my account had produced； I requested also that Mr Jenkinson； a fellow prisoner； might be admitted； and the gaoler granted my request with an air of
