Page:The Adventures of David Simple (1904).djvu/367

 but they were much more surprised when they heard her scream out, as if some terrible accident had happened to her. They did not lose a moment before they flew to her relief; they met an old gentleman bringing her up in his arms, and crying out, "Oh! give me way! for in finding my child I have for ever lost her; but, dead or alive, I will hold her in my arms, and never part with her more." Cynthia and Valentine presently knew him to be their father; and what he said convinced David it could be no other. They conducted him into a chamber, where he gently laid Camilla on the bed. Their present thoughts were all taken up in bringing her to herself; but the moment she opened her eyes, she fixed them on her father for some time, without being able to utter her words. At last she burst into a flood of tears, which gave her some relief, and enabled her to say, "Am I then, at last, so happy that my father thinks me worthy his regard? And could you be so good, sir, to come to look for me?" Valentine took hold of the first opportunity to throw himself at his father's feet, and begged he would condescend to look on him. He tenderly raised him; and embracing him, said, "Oh! my son I nothing but the condition I saw your sister in could have prevented my speaking to you before!" He then flew from him to Camilla, and then back to him again, which he repeated alternately for the space of some minutes. At last, in his ecstasy, he fell on his knees, and said—"My dearest children, if you can forgive me (for guilt has rendered me unworthy of such a son and daughter), every minute of my future life shall be employed to promote your pleasure and happiness." They both, almost by force, got him up from the ground, and assured him, if he would be so good to restore them to his love, having whole worlds at their command could not afford them half the comfort. In short, to describe this scene, and all the