Page:Tragical history of George Barnwell (2).pdf/23

 ſatisfactory till her eighteenth year, when a letter came with tidings that without any known cauſe ſhe had eloped. A ſevere illneſs that threatened my diſſolution followed this intelligence; every effort to diſcover her was unavailing. Thus miſery weighs down my declining years; and I live in torturing doubt as to my child my Ellinor. Laſt night I was diſcovered by ſome peaſants at my favorite occupation in the Abbey-ruins. I will not be a theme for babbling tongues: I have taken an old domeſtic with me and I quit this place, perhaps for ever. —— Will you then, pity a miſerable old man, and commiſerate his fate. Talk of him as little as poſſible; but when his name is mentioned, do that juſtice to his memory, which theſe memoirs enable you. —— Thy breaſt is pure thy ſlumbers are ſweet! may they ever be ſo —— Farewell." Barnwell's uncle mother and the tender-hearted Eliza, to whom he communicated the melancholy tale, united in commiſerating the ſuffering of a man whoſe life almoſt from his infancy, had been marked with diſappointment and ſorrow.

In a few days, George quitted his uncle's hoſpitable roof which ſtill remained the aſylum of his mother and Eliza Sir James had given his nephew three thousand pounds and a further ſeven thouſand was to be given at the expiration of the time for which he was articled on condition of his being admitted into a ſhare of the concern. Mr, the elder partner in the firm, resided wholly in the country with his lovely daughter the Maria; he was a widower, and not being