Page:Honest debtor, or, The virtuous man struggling with, rising superior to, and overcoming misfortune (1).pdf/18

( 18 ) 'Monſieur Nervin aſked him how it had happened, that ſo prudent a man as he had nor foreſeen and prevented theſe misfortunes? -"I did foreſee them,” replied d'Amene "and prevented them as far as I could; ſo the very day after my daughter's death, took my meaſures, and, thank heaven, have had the conſolation of recovering he portion and personal property; but that i all I was able to save from the wreck, and left nothing but the ſhattered remains ſo the reſt of the creditors."

'It was with great difficulty that I could contain myself; but perceiving, after hi was gone, the impreſſion he had made upon the minds of the notary and his daughter I could not refrain from vindicating the honourable abſent man; but without mentioning his retreat. "You have been hearing," ſaid I, “this unmerciful father-in-law ſpeak of his fon with the moſt cruel contempt Well, every thing he has ſaid about him i true; and it is not leſs true, that this unfortunate manis innocence and probity itſelf." This exordium ſeemed very ſtrange to them it rivetted their attention, and the father & daughter remaining ſilent, I related wha you have heard.

'Nervin is one of thoſe uncommon characters, that are difficult to be comprehended. Never was there a cooler head or warmer heart. It was a volcano beneath a heap of ſnow. His daughter, on the con