Barford Abbey Part 22

As he was just without the door, I drew him back,--and turn'd the key.--

Come hither, Sir;--Come hither, Mr. Morgan:--I have something of importance to communicate.

D----n ye, Captain, what's the matter now? (staring.)--I'll hear no more bad news:--upon my soul, I'll run out of it (attempting to open the door).

Hold, Sir; why this impatience?--Miss Powis _lives!_--Will you run from me now?--Miss Powis _lives!_--With that he sent forth a horrid noise;--something betwixt howling and screaming.--It reach'd the dressing-room, as well it might:--had the wind sat that way, I question if the village would not have been alarm'd.--Down ran Sir James and Mr.

Powis into the library;--out jump'd Mr. Morgan.--I held up my hand for him to retreat:--he disregarding the caution, I follow'd.--Sir James was inquiring of a servant whence the noise had proceeded.

It was I, said Mr. Morgan, rubbing his sides, and expressing the agitation of joy by dumb shew;--it was I, beating one of my d.a.m.n'd dogs for running up stairs.

If that is all, said Mr. Powis,--let us return to my mother and wife, who are much hurried.--Away we went together, and the affair of the dog pa.s.s'd very well on the Ladies.

I sat musing for some moments how to introduce the event my heart labour'd to give up.--_Every_ sigh that escap'd,--_every_ sorrowful look that was interchang'd, I _now_ plac'd to my own account, because in _my_ power to reverse the scene.

Addressing myself to Mr. Powis, I ask'd if he knew Lord Darcey's servant was below.--He shook his head;--No, he answer'd.--Then it is all _over_, Risby, I suppose in a low voice?--I hardly wish for his _own_ sake he may recover:--for _ours_, it would be selfish.

He was not worse, I reply'd:--there was hope,--great hope he would do well.

Blessings attend him! cried Mrs. Powis.--tears starting afresh to her swoln eyes;--then you really think, Mr. Risby, he may recover?

If he does, Madam, return'd! he is flatter'd into life.--Flatter'd! said Mr. Powis eagerly;--how flatter'd?

Why, continued I, he has been told some persons are sav'd from the wreck.

Up they all started, surrounding me on every side:--there seem'd but one voice, yet each ask'd if I credited the report.

I said I did.--

Down they dropp'd on their knees, praying with uplifted hands their dear,--dear child may be of the number.--Though nothing could equal the solemnity of this scene, I could scarce command my countenance, when I saw Mr. Morgan standing in the midst of the circle, his hat held up before his face, and a cane under his arm.

As they rose from their knees,--I gave them all the consolation I thought at that moment they were capable of sustaining;--and a.s.sur'd them no vigilance would be wanting to come at particulars.--I was ask'd, if there was any letter from Mr. Molesworth?--When answer'd in the affirmative,--the next question was, if it related to what I had just disclos'd?--I equivocated in my reply, and withdrew to write the few unconnected lines sent by John.

After he was dispatch'd, I return'd immediately to the hopeing,--fearing family.--Mr. Watson was sitting amidst them:--he seem'd like a Being of purity presiding over hearts going to be rewarded for resignation to the Divine will.

He heard me as I enter'd: he rose from his seat as I came near him, and pressing one of my hands between both his, whisper'd, I have seen Mr.

Morgan.--Then raising his voice, You are the messenger of joy, Mr.

Risby;--complete the happiness you have begun:--all present, pointing round, are prepar'd to receive it.

Here drops my pen.--I must not attempt this scene:--a Shakespeare would have wrote it in tears.

How infinite,--how dazzling the beauty of holiness!--Affliction seems to have threaten'd this amiable family, only to encrease their love,--their reverence,--their admiration of Divine Omnipotence.--Blessings may appear, as a certain great man remarks, under the shape of pain, losses, and disappointments;--but let us have patience, and we shall see them in their own proper figures.

If rewards even in this world attend the _virtuous_, who would be _depraved?_--Could the loose, the abandon'd, look in on this happy mansion, how would their sensual appet.i.tes be pall'd!--How would they hate,--how detest the vanity,--the folly that leads to vice!--If pleasure is their pursuit, here they might see it speaking at _mouth_ and _eyes_:--_pleasures_ that fleet not away;--_pleasures_ that are carried beyond the grave.

What a family is this to take a wife from!--Lord Darcey's happiness is insur'd:--in my conscience, there will not be such another couple in England.

Preparations are making to welcome the lovely successor of this ancient house;--preparations to rejoice those whose satisfactions are scanty,--to clothe the naked,--to feed the hungry,--to let the stately roof echo with songs and mirth from a croud of chearful, honest, old tenants.

I often hear Mrs. Jenkings crying out in extasy,--My angel!--my sweet angel!--As to the old gentleman and Edmund, they actually cannot refrain from tears, when Miss Powis's name is mention'd.--Sir James and her Ladys.h.i.+p are never easy without these good folks.--It has ever been an observation of mine, that at an unexpected fortunate event, we are fond of having people about us who feel on the same pa.s.sion.

Mr. Morgan is quite his own man again:--he has been regaling himself with a fine hunt, whilst I attended Sir James and my Lady in an airing round the park.--After dinner we were acquainted with all his losses and crosses in the dog and horse way.--He had not seen _Filley_ rubb'd down this fortnight:--the huntsman had lost three of his best hounds:--two spaniels were lame;--and one of his running horses glander'd.--He concluded with swearing, as things turn'd out, he did not matter it _much_;--but had it happen'd three weeks since; he should have drove all his servants to the devil.--Enough of Mr. Morgan.--Adieu, Molesworth!--Forget not my congratulations to your n.o.ble, happy, friend.

RISBY.

LETTER XL.

The Honourable GEORGE MOLESWORTH

to RICHARD RISBY, Esq;

_Dover_.

All is happiness, d.i.c.k!--I see nothing else; I hear of nothing else.--It is the _last_ thing I take leave of at night;--the _first_ thing I meet in the morning.--_Yesterday_ was full of it!--_yesterday_ I dined with Mr. and Mrs. Powis and their charming daughter, at the Banker's.--To look back, it seems as if I had gone through all the vexations of my life in the last three weeks.

Darcey would not let me rest 'till I had been to congratulate them, or rather to satisfy his own impatience, being distracted to hear how Miss Powis bore the great discovery.--Her fort.i.tude is amazing!--But Sir James has had every particular from his son, therefore I shall be too late on that subject.

The following short epistle I receiv'd from Mr. Powis, as I was setting off for Town.

Mr. Powis to the Honourable GEORGE MOLESWORTH.

_London_,

"The first moment I can tear myself from the tender embraces of all my hopes;--the first moment I can leave my belov'd daughter, I come to Dover;--I come to acknowledge my grat.i.tude to the n.o.ble-minded Molesworth--I come to testify my affection to the generous, disinterested Lord Darcey.--We pray for the recovery of his. Lords.h.i.+p's health.--When that is establish'd, not one wish will be wanting to complete the felicity of

J. Powis."

The more I know of _this_ family, the more I admire them.--I _must_ be their neighbour, that's certain--_Suppose_ I pet.i.tion for a little spot at one end of the park; _suppose_ you throw up your commission; and we live together two snug batchelors.

Darcey vows he will go to Town next week.--If fatigue should cause him to relapse, what will become of us _then?_--But I will not think of that _now_.

We shall come down a joyful, cavalcade to the Abbey.--I long to see the doors thrown open to receive us.--School-boy like, I shall first count days;--next hours;--then minutes: though I am your's the same here, there, and every where.

MOLESWORTH.

LETTER XLI

The Honourable GEORGE MOLESWORTH to the same.

_London_.