Page:Inchbald - Lovers vows.djvu/84

72 My father’s cruelty.

You have a father then?

I have, and a rich one—Nay, one that’s reputed virtuous, and honourable. A great man, poeing etates and patronage in abundance; much eteemed at court, and beloved by his tenants; kind, benevolent, honet, generous—

And with all thoe great qualities, abandons you?

He does, with all the qualities I mention.

Your father may do right; a diipated, deperate youth, whom kindnes cannot draw from vicious habits, everity may.

You are mitaken—My father does not dicard me for my vices—He does not know me—has never een me—He abandoned me, even before I was born.

What do you ay?

The tears of my mother are all that I inherit from my father. Never has he protected or upported me—never protected her.

Why don’t you apply to his relations?

They diown me, too—I am, they ay, related to