Page:Tragical history of Jane Arnold (2).pdf/14

 receive some money, which a gentleman, to whom he had lent it about a twelvemonth before, had remitted to his banker. The time for Henry's return passed, yet the youth came not. Jane's anguish was insupportable; her family was alarmed at her squallid looks. She was ill; she pleaded indisposition; and to her own family she expressed her fears that Henry was false to his vows. Yet they knew not the extent of her misery; she would sooner have died than related her loss of innocence. How could she overwhelm her aged parents with anguish, and bring a stain on a family whose virtue had been their boast? A letter came by the post to Mr. Percival; its contents were like a thunder-clap to the old gentleman. Henry had embarked for the West Indies. The yonthyouth [sic] entreated his pardon, but assured him, that cireumstancescircumstances [sic] of an unpleasant nature, which he could not then explain, had obliged him to leave England, and retire to his relation abroad.

What Henry could not explain, was soon explained for him. Lucy too abruptly communicated the intelligence at the farm, and in tho presence of the unfortunatounfortunate [sic] Jane.-Violent hysterics seized on her fragile form; an abortion succeeded. In frantic accents she confessed her guilt. What werowere [sic] the feelings of Arnold and his aged Margaretta!-They tore their hair, and wept with bitterness of soul. But they did not upbraid their hapless daughter, they would not add to her misery. Great were their sufferings. ThoyThey [sic] tried to calm her mind, and spoke thothe [sic] language of peace and comfort to the mourner; their efforts succeeded, and she fell into a calm slumber. At a late hour thothe [sic] family retired to their slumbers, all but Rosetta, who watched by the bed-side of her