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 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 
 LIBRARY 
 
 Ciass 
 
 Book 
 
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 Ja 09-2iM 
 
 Volume
 
 Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
 in 2009 with funding from 
 
 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/hermitnovel01lond
 
 THE 
 
 HERMIT. 
 
 y O L. L
 
 THE 
 
 HERMIT. 
 
 A NOVEL. 
 
 By A LADy.^1Kf]V5' 
 IN TWO VOLUMES. 
 V O L. L 
 
 ^'^4"^^^^ 
 <*i-^> 
 
 # 
 
 ho N B O Nr 
 
 Printed for H. Gardner, oppofite St. Clemenf 5 
 Church, Strand; and fold by J. Walter 
 
 at Charing-Crofs J and G. Pearch, 
 at No. iz, in Cheapfide^

 
 > 
 
 r 
 
 THE 
 
 HERMIT* 
 
 „ C K A p. I. 
 
 f W^^f^^^^ ^^'^5" ™'^^ ^'^"^ 
 
 1^3* 'S A ^ the Metropolis is a village, 
 ^^v5^^^ for beauty out-vying the 
 ^ many delightful ones with w^hich this 
 6* iiland abounds. — Verdant fields, en- 
 amelled with flowers, are here made 
 ftill more charming by a ferpentinc 
 xiver that meanders through them. 
 . — Upon the velvet margin of this clair 
 mirror the lovely nymph may contem* 
 Vol. I. B plate
 
 9 The hermit. 
 
 fkte her dazzling complexion, with- 
 out fear of having it injured by the 
 icordiing fun 5 nature having planted 
 its banks fo thick witli elms, limes, 
 ^nd willows,, that though Phcelms, in 
 3bisjourn£y, now and then gives them 
 a glance, yet his rays are fo mild that 
 the mod celebrated belle would not 
 Jjave run from them. 
 
 This walk was to our rural lads 
 ^nd laiTes what the Mall or Green-park 
 jare to thofe of z more exalted fphere. 
 
 Here every new gown or cap was 
 U^ewn for the firft tim^. — -It was here 
 Amintor got the blufhing Syhla to de- 
 clare fhe preferred him to Cimon \—^ 
 for, as the damfel rightly obferved, 
 What are great riches without the man 
 one loves ? and, to prove thefe were 
 fj^r rf?al fentiments, flie determined ne*- 
 
 ver
 
 The hermit. f 
 
 ttr more to fee the opulent Cimony 
 who was then in axftual poffeffion of a 
 mill and two acres of ground, — It was 
 here too, in this very walk, that Roger 
 fwore he would be conftant to his dear 
 Sufan ; who, in return, protefted fhe 
 had fooner three of Sir Francis Gil- 
 ford's beft cows fliould die, than that 
 "Tom the footman fliould again touch 
 her hand« 
 
 After fuch an affurance, could he 
 have any doubt of his Sufan s faith, 
 /he being dairy-maid to the Baronet, 
 and, it was thought, loved her keey 
 better than any other earthly thing, 
 except honed Roger. 
 
 Sir Francis Giford being at this 
 
 time the Goliath, or, in other words, 
 
 head man in the village, it will be ne- 
 
 xeffary to give my reader a fKetch of 
 
 B 2 ^' 
 
 itii,.
 
 4 The hermit. 
 
 the family at the Grange, that being 
 the name of the feat in which the 
 Gilfords had refided for a century 
 pali 
 
 iCKXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX^ 
 
 CHAP. II. 
 
 C I R Gregory, father of the prefcnt 
 incumbent, was, in every fenfe of 
 th.e word, an hpneft n^an ; that is, a 
 good hulband, — a tender parent, — a 
 jjncere friend, — a kind landlord. 
 
 Thefe were his charaderiftics. His 
 income, though large, was fcarce fuf- 
 ficient for his uribounded generofity. 
 The worthy and friendlefs were al- 
 ways fure of a welcome at his table. 
 The indigent, that continually crouded 
 his gates, went not away unfatisfied. 
 Nev^r was forrow fg contagious as at 
 
 the
 
 The hermit. i 
 
 the little parifli of Weatly^ when deatfl 
 took from them their patron and bene- 
 fador. 
 
 Lady Gilford \V2ir\tQA her hufband'^ 
 IK)bjenef3 of foul 5 but nothing of this* 
 deficiency appeared whilft he lived. Her 
 adions might be faid to fliine througli 
 his 3 nor was hcrheart unlike thofe flow-^ 
 €rs which expand their foliage to the ilin^ 
 hut nofooner is its cenggnial influence 
 withdrawn, than it again fmks into its* 
 native littlenefs ^ fo was her mind for 
 a time enlarged by the example of her 
 hufband, but having loft that, becan\r 
 narrow and contrailed. 
 
 After the intermentof Sir Gregmy^ 
 Hoipitality, which in the Mfetime oi 
 that good man always flood as Porter^ 
 was immediately difcharged, and his 
 place fupplied by Parfimony. As the 
 B 3^ former
 
 9 The hermit, 
 
 former by fmiles and affability invited 
 all to enter ; fo the meagre and four vi- 
 fage of the latter kept them out as ef* 
 feftually as bolts and bars. 
 
 It was by means of this new fer* 
 vant that the prefent heir poffeiles an 
 eft ate clearing fix thoufand fer annum^ 
 which at his father's death hardly 
 amounted to five; yet he could not 
 properly be faid to gain by this acqui- 
 fition, as it was procured him at the ex- 
 pence of the moft profound igrtorance 
 in all that is learned or polite. 
 
 In the place of Homer y Horace, 
 and Vh'gil^ he fubftituted fuch authors 
 as could beft inform him in the rife 
 and fall of ftock, or inftrud him in the 
 true value of land; in which he made fo 
 fwift a progrefs, that after an exadl cal- 
 culation he found it was ftill pofTible to 
 
 raifc
 
 The hermit. ^ 
 
 raife his eftates five hundred annually j 
 this he determined to do by turning 
 out thofe old tenants of his father's 
 who would not come into his terms. 
 
 The joyful mother's eyes ^arkled 
 with pleafure to fee the happy bent of 
 her fon s difpofition ; fhe felt no fears 
 on his account, having moulded his 
 heart according to her own fordid prin- 
 ciples : it had often paffed the ordeal 
 trial, by being expofed to the moft ^if- 
 treffed objedts ;. but, always to tb^ 
 great fatisfadion of Lady Gilford^ wa^ 
 hardened by the fightr 
 
 Though mild-eyed Pity was fcanifliW 
 cd by -a wrong-judging parent fron^ 
 the breaft of Sir Francis^ it was not; 
 unmindful of the warm- reception it 
 had formerly met with in that of his^ 
 father j for which reafon, unwilling to 
 B 4 kave
 
 ^ tHE HERMIT. 
 
 leave a family where he had been onc« 
 fo diftinguifhed, he fhook his dove- 
 like pinions, and flew for fhelter to the 
 bofom of Lavinia ; which finding to 
 be ahb a habitation for the Virtues and 
 the Graces, determined from that in* 
 ftant to make it his abode. To Ipeak 
 without a metaphor, never were difpo-* 
 fitions more diametr-ically oppofite than 
 this brother and fifter. 
 
 Often with inexpreffible concern 
 had this amiable girl feen and fhed 
 tears at the inftances of unfeeling inhu- 
 manity that peeped out in all his ac- 
 tions, yet (he never difputed with him. 
 She would fay to herfelf, '^ If dead to 
 •* the pleading of compaffion, will any 
 ** thing that I can urge affeft him ?** 
 ftriving by her own benevolence to 
 prevent, as much as fhe could do, the 
 cruelty he meditated. 
 
 Yet
 
 TrtE HERMIT. 9 
 
 Yet in this flie was obliged to fol- 
 low clofely the rule prefcribed us in? 
 riie Scriptures, Not to let our left hand 
 know what our right hand doeth ; for 
 had any of thefe afts of generofity,- 
 which conftituted the fole delight of 
 Lavim'a, come to the ears of Lady 
 Gilford^ fhe would have been fure to 
 have fallen urrder her Ladyship's fevere 
 difpleafure. Indeed, fhe had never 
 been a favourite of her mother,, whole 
 whole ftock of fondnefs was laviflied 
 on Sir Francis ; nor is this partiality to- 
 be wondered at, there being in tbeiir 
 fcntiments fo ftrifl: a unity. 
 
 At the eommencement of this- 
 Iliftory, Mifs Gi/ford had gained her 
 twentieth year, the firft feventeen of 
 which had fled away with a pleafing 
 rapidity : but it was not fo with the laft 
 three ) they had dragged heavily on, 
 B5 as
 
 lo The HERMIT. 
 
 as if upon their wing they bore the 
 troubles , which had rent her tender 
 heart : yet to make her fome requital, 
 they brought to JVeatly, about fix 
 months before this period, Mr. Coven^ 
 try and his daughter, in whofe con- 
 verfation Lavinia found fuch pleafure, 
 tliat in thofe hours fpent at Hartly-row 
 fhe almoft forgot to think herfelf unv 
 happy. 
 
 As my readers are unacquainted with 
 this little family, I muft ftep back to 
 their firft arrival, or rather to i fketch 
 of their hiftory before that time 3 but 
 thinking it is a poor compliment to in- 
 troduce people of their merit at th^end 
 of a chapter, I jlhall dedicate another to 
 that purpofe. 
 
 CHAP.
 
 The hermit. U 
 
 CHAP. m. 
 
 TT being a received opinion, that the 
 Feminine gives precedency to the 
 Mafculine, we fhall for that reafoa 
 beg Mifs Coventry s pardon a few mL- 
 nutes to bring the reader acquainted 
 with her worthy father. 
 
 Mr. Coventry was a man both of 
 family and fortune, had received a li- 
 beral education, extremely fenfible, 
 with a thorough knowledge of men 
 ^nd manners. — He made what' is call- 
 ed the Grand Tour, but did not retiirrv 
 fo heavy laden as many of our Britijh 
 youth, being curious to cull none but 
 flowers : as for weeds, he was of opi- 
 nion we had already too many of our 
 ©wn grovv th. 
 
 B 6 BfiFORE
 
 12 The hermit. 
 
 Before the age of twenty-five he 
 had vifited moft of the courts in £«- 
 rope^ at none of which he pafled un- 
 noticed. A certain great Potentate, of 
 whom he was a particular favourite, 
 would have detained him at ■ \ 
 
 hut that not fuiting with his plan, he de- 
 clined the Monarch's intended favour, 
 tho* with fuch modefty and gratitude, 
 that his Majefty honoured him with 
 letters to the French Courts wherein 
 he was mentioned in fuch high terms 
 as Qccafioned a conteft who ,fhould 
 diftinguifh himfelf moft, by {hewing^ 
 civilities to the favourite of fo great a 
 prince* 
 
 The death of his father haftened his 
 return to England^ where he foon af- 
 ter married Mifs VillerSy a young lady 
 of -reat merit but fmall fortune, to 
 whom his afFeaio^& bad been long 
 
 engaged^
 
 The hermit. 13 
 
 engaged ; yet as the alliance was not 
 agreeable to his father, Mr. Coventry 
 determined to facrifice his Love to his 
 Duty ; nor would his honour fufFer 
 him even to hint a defire to the lady, of 
 keeping her heart referved till he mi^ .1 
 be at liberty to offer her his own in 
 exchange. 
 
 Never had he openly declared his 
 paffion ; and dreading to fee that hand 
 beftowed on another which would have 
 made him happy, he refolved for fome 
 years to leave England. 
 
 Every thing being fettled for his de« 
 parture, he went to pay a laft vifit to Mifs 
 Vil/ers, whom he acquainted with his 
 defign. — A tear, which could not be 
 fuppreffed, efcaped her 3 yet by words 
 fhe did not attempt to detain him. — 
 They parted. — He fet out the next day'
 
 14 The HERMIT. 
 
 on his travels, v/hllft fhe retired to the 
 confolatory arms of an indulgent aunt 
 who lived at Weatly^ both fecretly in 
 love v^ith each other, and both deter- 
 mined never to marry, if Fate fliould 
 deny them the objed: of their wifhes. 
 
 Their conftancy was not put to a 
 long trial ^ death thought fit to call on 
 the elder Mr. Coventry two years after 
 his fon left England:, on which event 
 he returned : and no obftacle now re- 
 maining to his union with NLik Fillers^ 
 they interchanged their mutual vowg 
 at the altar. 
 
 The ceremony being performed at 
 Weatlyy in compliance with the Lntrea- 
 ties of their aunt Frejlon^ they ftill con- 
 tinued her vifitors. Thefituation of this 
 jfweet place had fomething in it fo 
 very plealing, the happinels they there 
 
 en-
 
 The hermit. 15 
 
 enjoyed was fo exquifite, that they fcarce 
 ever thought of returning into what 
 is called the Great World. 
 
 Ambition often courts thofe ta 
 whom he is moft obnoxious; at leaft it 
 was now the cafe with Mr. Coventry. 
 Lord L — , a man in great power, and 
 his coufin-german, well knew how 
 very fit this relation was to fupport the 
 charader for which he had deftined 
 him. 
 
 An ambaffador was to be fent to 
 
 3ie court of , when his Lordfhip 
 
 propofed Mr. Coventry^ who was ac- 
 cordingly nominated. 
 
 As men are apt to judge of others 
 fentiments by their own, Lord L 
 thought fuch an honour could not 
 avoid giving his coufin the higheft 
 
 plea-
 
 i6 The HERMIT. 
 
 pleafure; for which reafon a meflenger 
 was difpatched to acquaint him with 
 it ; at the fame time defiring his im- 
 mediate attendance. Mr. Coventry and 
 his Lady received this mandate in a 
 far different manner than was ex- 
 peded by their noble kinfman 5 their 
 hearts were fo intirely filled with 
 Love, that Ambition could not find 
 fo much as a corner to inhabit. 
 
 However, he determined to ac-' 
 cept the embaflys but without a view 
 either to honour or profit. — It was the 
 pleafure of his Monarch that he fhoulcT 
 go, and this alone at once refolved 
 him; on which he wrote a polke letter 
 to Lord L r-,, thanking that noble- 
 man, and fignrfying his defign o£ 
 coming to town the next week. 
 
 Mrs.
 
 The hermit. i? 
 
 Mrs. C5w;^/ry determining to accom- 
 pany her hufband,, they took a tender 
 leave of Mrs. Prejlon^ and fet out for 
 the Metropolis. — His credentials were 
 foon ready ; they embarked, and after 
 a fhort delightful voyage arrived fafe 
 
 at . Formerly he had refided 
 
 Tome months at this court, and was 
 again received with particular marks 
 of efteem. 
 
 Mrs. Coventry met with univerial 
 admiration 5 nor is it to be wondered 
 at, as fhe furpaffed almoft every wo- 
 man in external a$ well as internal 
 beauties. 
 
 This confefled fuperiority did not 
 excite the leaft fpirit of envy j emula- 
 tion was the only paflion fhe infpired 
 in the breads of thofe fair dames. 
 
 JBvA LLS,
 
 i8 The HERMIT. 
 
 Balls, Concerts, Mafquerades had 
 flown away with twelve months, when 
 Mr. Cove?itry received orders to return 
 immediately to England, but not till 
 he had declared war with ■ : 
 
 fuch a command as this he had but 
 little reaibn to exped:, as our court and 
 
 that of were at this time feem- 
 
 ingly on the moft amicable terms* 
 
 Having no defign to dive into the 
 political caufes for this war, or why 
 Mr. Coventry had not been made 
 fooner acquainted with them, I Ihall 
 only fay he did as he was direded by 
 his late order. 
 
 After taking a polite leave, he 
 embarked with his Lady, though her 
 going was entirely againft the advice 
 of the learned, as (he was very^ near 
 the time of her delivery. 
 
 Even-
 
 The hermit. 19 
 
 • Even Mr. Coventry ufed every per- 
 fuafion to make her continue at — — 
 till flie was delivered. — No arguments 
 could prevail, and they embarked to- 
 gether. 
 
 It is a common and juft obferva-i 
 tion, That love will fometimes mak^ 
 a coward of the braveft. 
 
 Mr. Coventry had never till now 
 known what it was to fear.-— Winds 
 had blown from every point : he had, 
 as the Royal Pfalmift elegantly de* 
 fcribes it, " feen the fea mount to the 
 heavens, and return with equal impe- 
 tuofity to the nethermoft deep," yet his 
 mind continued unmoved : — but now 
 the time was come when his foul 
 feemed rufHed by every breath of air. 
 —If the weather was. fair, he dreaded 
 
 a calm ;
 
 ao The hermit. 
 
 a calm : — again,, if it blew frefh, ^ 
 ftorm would certainly enfue. — Whole 
 hours would he even deprive himfelf 
 of his Lady's company to walk on the 
 deck, contemplating the hemifphere : 
 ten times in an hour would he afk the 
 f'ailors if the winds continued favoura- 
 ble. 
 
 Mps. Coventry on her part,, (hewed 
 hiuch more hcroifm. 
 
 ■ She faw her hufband's anxiety, and 
 knew it was on her account 5 (he there- 
 fore exerted her refolution, which no- 
 thing elfe could have nrvade her exert j 
 for a natural dread of the water, joined 
 to an extreme ficknefs, made her fuf- 
 fer a great deal : however, at length 
 they were both relieved by being fafely 
 landed at Dover. 
 
 Having
 
 Th^ hermit. 21 
 
 Having once more feen them fet 
 foot on terra fir ma ^ we think it high 
 time to put an end to the chapter. 
 
 CHAP. IV. 
 
 A Few hours after they difembarked 
 they proceeded to London^ a 
 houfe in Great Ormond-Street being 
 provided for their reception. 
 
 The next morning Mr. Coventry 
 waited on his Majefty, by whom he 
 was mofl gracioufly received ; and flay- 
 ing only a (hort time at St. James Sy 
 
 paid a vifit to Lord L . It was by 
 
 his Lordfhip he was made acquainted 
 with the reafons for his fudden recall 
 to England \ but as that gentleman 
 defired them to be kept a profound fe- 
 
 cret.
 
 12 The hermit. 
 
 cret, I do not think myfelf at liberty 
 to difclofe of what nature they were« 
 
 We muft now leave him with his 
 Lordihip, and return to Mrs. Coventry y 
 who, though far from well when her 
 hufband left her, yet had made no 
 complaint ; but now found it would be 
 
 foon neceffary to fend for Mrs. T> ; 
 
 and in a few hours a meifage was dif- 
 patched to Mr, Coventry to acquaint 
 him his Lady was fafely delivered of a 
 daughter. 
 
 Can my reader form any idea of 
 • the joy a poor wretch receives, who 
 having but ten pounds ventures his lit- 
 tle all in the lottery ; if it turns out a 
 blank he ftarves, and when his hopes 
 rare at the lowed ebb up comes the 
 -ten thoufand : — or fuppofe the tranf- 
 
 ports
 
 The hermit. 13 
 
 ports of a man who receives a reprieve 
 juft as the dreaded mufquets are level- 
 led at his head:^ — if he can raife to 
 himfelf any picture of fuch fenfations, 
 then may he in fome meafurc judge of 
 Mr. Covepjtrfs, 
 
 He handfomely rewarded the per- 
 ibn who brought him the intelligence; 
 and flinging himfeif into his chariot, 
 ordered to be drove home with great 
 expedition. 
 
 The way from Hanover-Square to 
 Ormo?id'St7'eet not being a great length, 
 and the horfes appearing to have 
 caught fome of their mafter's impa- 
 tience, he ibon faw the welcome 
 door. 
 
 The fervant who opened it did not 
 wear a face of joy: the houfe-keeper, 
 
 who
 
 24 The HERMIT, 
 
 who met him in the veftibule, had 
 melancholy vifibly painted on her's; 
 however, it pafied unnoticed by Mr. 
 Coventry, People happy in themfelves 
 are not the firft to mark the appearance 
 of misfortunes in others. 
 
 When he eagerly enquired after 
 his Lady, and was informed Dodlor 
 Edgcome would wait on him, without 
 receiving any other anfwer he began 
 to be alarmed. 
 
 " Doctor Edgcome ! (repeated he) 
 *' For heaven's f ike, Mrs. Dayl)\ what 
 ** can all this mean ! Cannot you an- 
 " fwer me ? Is your Lady ^" 
 
 He was proceedings but happening 
 to glance his eye towards her's, *' O 
 " my God ! (he exclaimed) why thofe 
 ^' tears ? But fpeak ! Ipeak ! your filence 
 
 *' is.
 
 The hermit. 15 
 
 ^ Is, if poffible, more dreadful than 
 ^' my own thoughts !" 
 
 Still Mrs. D^j/^ was filent, reply- 
 ing only with her tears : at length flie 
 pronounced with difficulty, *^ My 
 ^' Lady! my Lady, Sir !" and again her 
 voice was choaked. 
 
 This was enough: he fuddenly 
 dropped upon his knees, he Hfted his 
 ftreaming eyes to heaven, and cried 
 ■out, *^ Spare, oh gracious God! if 
 
 *' it be thy bleffed will" the life of 
 
 my dear wife, he w^ould have faid, but 
 fobs prevented more. 
 
 The Chaplain, who now entered^ 
 judged by his pofture and tears, which 
 ftill flowed, that ah'eady he was ac- 
 quainted with what he fb much dreaded 
 . to inform him ; therefore taking him 
 by the hand as foon as he arofe, " Now 
 Vol. L C "is
 
 2'6 The hermit. 
 
 " is the time (faid he) my dear Mr. 
 '^ Coventry^ to fhew both the Chriflian 
 «• and the Hero/' 
 
 " Then fhe k goae ! gone for ever! 
 ^^ (exclaimed he) but tell me, my 
 ^' friend, — nor fear my refignation to 
 f ' the divine will." 
 
 *< A HEART like yours (replied that 
 
 *^ gentleman) will always think and 
 
 *^ a(3: as it ought. — We fhould not fet 
 
 *^ our minds too much on a^iy thing 
 
 *^ iiere below.— Mrs. Coventry^ whilfl 
 
 ^' on earth, lived the life of an Angel; 
 
 *' do aot then repine that fl:ie has now 
 
 ^' for ever joined thofe BleiTed Spirits. 
 
 ^^ This is a trial fent you from the 
 
 «' Almighty ; — bear it you muft 3 — 
 
 ^« therefore, fince it is unavoidable, bear 
 
 ^ it like a Man 5 — one who hopes to 
 
 '* meet her again where you will never 
 
 ^^ more be difunited." 
 
 This
 
 The HERMIT. tj 
 
 Tnisbeing a favourite topic with the 
 good man, he would probably have 
 carried it much farther, if the fudden 
 fall of Mr. Coventry had not interrupt- 
 ed him. 
 
 His fortitude was not equal to his 
 rcfignation ; for no fooner did he hear 
 ilie was really dead, than his eye- 
 fight forfook him, and h^ fell fenfe- 
 kfs on the floor. 
 
 Doctor Edgcome was much a« 
 larmedj he rang the bell, and the fer- 
 vants foon came to his afliftanee, Mr« 
 Coventry was immediately conveyed to 
 bed, where his recovery was. for a long 
 time doubtful. 
 
 However, the apprehenfions of 
 
 his friend were at length removed ; 
 
 Imt a phyfician, who was called in, 
 
 C ^ ilill
 
 2i The hermit. 
 
 ftill thought him in great danger from 
 the fever into which this fliock had 
 thrown him. 
 
 Whoever are folicitous for the re- 
 covery Df this worthy unfortunate gen- 
 tleman, may receive the gratification 
 c>f their wiihes in the following chapter. 
 
 ^^^eSM lae* iJOS 99S»8{>998C»«t»a00 Jo^ »0«JO»88O»OOO0«««»O9«»O9i6» §J>J» 
 
 CHAP. V. 
 
 ll^EADERS,— if any of you are 
 of the fame way of thinking with 
 the Wife Man, who fays " it is bet- 
 ^' ter to go to the houfe of mourning 
 *« than to the houfe of mirth /' if any 
 fiich there are amongft you, I not only 
 permit^ but alfo invite you toftay fome 
 
 little
 
 The hermit. %^ 
 
 Iktle time longer in Ormond-Street, 
 vl'here you fhall behold real forrow ^ 
 
 not fuch as Lady R- expreiled for 
 
 the lofs of her Lord -, nor does it bear 
 the leaft fimilltude \o Jack Hampton s^ 
 Tvhen, by the death of his elder bro- 
 llier, he came to the titk and eftate. 
 
 Mr. Coventry s tears flowed nor 
 through the channel either ©f fafliion^ 
 cuflom, or hypocrify ; they came di-^ 
 redlly from a heart where the image* 
 ef his deceafed wife afforded them a 
 continual fource > yet time, that kind 
 healer of woes, with the prefence of 
 the little Maria in Ibme degree flopped 
 their current, and calmed, if not fup- 
 prelTed his affidions^ 
 
 Maria was, at leaft in his opinion, 
 
 the exad; refemblance of her dear 
 
 mother. Often, would he fit and gaz^a 
 
 C 3 whola:
 
 30 The ITER MIT. 
 
 whole lK)urs on the miniature, and con- 
 template her growing charms, which 
 every day received improvement from 
 the hand of Time, that feemed re- 
 folved to ripen fo fair a bloffom, and 
 bring it to perfedion, that the root. 
 from which it fprung might not finl^ 
 into oblivion, 
 
 Mr. Coventry, faw the beauties 
 of his daughter; he faw them with 
 fatisfadion, with delight, but not with- 
 out refledion* He righdy judged that 
 an edifice, though ever fo richly de*^ 
 corated by the artift's hand, foon comei 
 to decay y his chief care, therefore, 
 was to fit up the apartments of her 
 foul, not only as they were more dura- 
 ble, but more worthy of his care. 
 
 The cardinal Virtues he placed 
 nearefther heart i Affiibility, Genero- 
 
 fity.
 
 Th£ her m It: ^i 
 
 £ty, and Humanity, with a tboufand 
 ©ther namelefs ones, were ranged by 
 him in fuch beautiful order, that I can? 
 ©nly fay, in one word, in mind and 
 perfon Maria was the m after-piece of 
 Nature. 
 
 She had now attained her fifteentli^ 
 year, in which time her father's fond- 
 nefs had never fufFered her to be fronr 
 him 5 yet he took care not to let her 
 feel this partiality to her difadvantage. 
 
 Masters of all kinds had beent- 
 procured to teach her the polite lan- 
 guages, whilfl: a governefs was pro- 
 vided to inftrud: her in thofe accom- 
 plifhments young ladies of fafliion are 
 cxpefted to poffefs, 
 
 Mr. Cove7itryy though much againffe 
 
 his inclinations, flayed in town till- 
 
 C 4, Mari^
 
 32 The HERMIT. 
 
 Maria was fixteen, when he propofect 
 once more to vifit the. dear fpot where 
 he had paffed fo many hours of feli- 
 city with his beloved wife. 
 
 Only one dlfagreeable circumftancc 
 could attend his removing to Weatly. 
 He knew his daughter's duty would 
 not oppofe any plan of life he ap- 
 proved; but was he fure her heart 
 would chearfuUy acquiefce to leave the 
 beau-monde^ and that general admira- 
 tion file was fure to infpire, where- 
 ever fhe appeared? This refleftion 
 gave him uneafinefs ^ and nothing but 
 an inclination for retirement, which 
 he could not conquer, would have 
 made him propofe it to her. 
 
 How agreeably was he furprifed to 
 hear his fweetAf^r/^ declare, o«hts firfl 
 hinting it, that nothing could poflibly 
 
 ' make
 
 The hermit. ^3. 
 
 fiiake her more happy than fuch a re- 
 tirement as he defcribed ! 
 
 ** We fliall there, my dear Sir, 
 " (faid flie) find people who will teli 
 "us their true fentiments without' 
 " flattery : iincerity and friendship are 
 " furely confined to^ thofe charming, 
 " rural retreats*^*' 
 
 Mr. Coventry did not think exa(ftly 
 with his daughter, yet made no dis- 
 couraging reply, unwilling to deaden 
 the rapture with which fhe embraced 
 his propofal: however, he knew too 
 much of mankind to fuppofe the 
 Virtues had taken up their refi* 
 dence in any particular fpot', knowing 
 they were difperfed abroad ; and that 
 whoever are willing to entertain them, 
 whether in a public circle or a private 
 ihade, whether in a court or cottage; 
 C 5 n a)?-
 
 34 The HERMIT: 
 
 may always find ihem ready for ad- 
 mittance. 
 
 About fix weeks after this refolu- 
 tion, Mr. and Mifs Coventry took a 
 genteel leave of their general acquaint- 
 ance, and an affectionate one of Lord 
 
 Lt , who was really a worthy 
 
 man, and had fhewn himfelf their 
 fincere friend on all occafions. 
 
 Accompanied by A-o^oiRdgcome^ 
 they left Londofiy and without any. 
 accident or adventure worth relating: 
 arrived fafe at Weatly, 
 
 Had Mr. Coventry confulted orrly^ 
 his own inclinations, he would have 
 declined any acquaintance with the fa- 
 milies who had alfo made that their 
 place of refidence ^ not out of any 
 diflike to them-, but a thorough difre- 
 
 liib
 
 The hermit. 35; 
 
 liih of company: yet, for Marids'> 
 fake, he encouraged thofe advances 
 that were made, and feldom a day 
 gaffed without their receiving vifits. 
 
 Miss Cove?2trys charms were echoed^- 
 from all mouths, and in enumerating, 
 them they had not forgot to mention^ 
 her fortune. 
 
 Fifty thoufand; pounds, and fuchi 
 a lovely girlj could not fail to turn the 
 heads of all the young fellows of 
 fafhion in or about JVeatfy, — Her ap- 
 pearance at church the Su?2day after 
 their arrival, gained her the hearts of 
 the whole village, from the lofty ba- 
 ronet down to the fpruce attorney. — 
 Thofe who had either mother or fifler, 
 intreated they would by fome means or 
 other make an acquaintance at Hartly-' 
 Row, 
 
 C 6 ' Tim
 
 S6 The HERMIT. 
 
 The heart of Sir Francis Gilford^ 
 which was imagined till now to be 
 made intifely of flint, was, to the fur- 
 prize of all, but to none more than 
 his mother, found to have in it fome- 
 thing of a combuftible nature ; for 
 it was moft certain his confamed with 
 the multitude^ 
 
 Her Ladyfliip and her amiable 
 daughter felt great pleafure at this un- 
 looked-for event, though from very 
 
 different motives. His filler,, who 
 
 well knew the effedts of that paffion, 
 hoped its infltience would humanize his 
 foul, and foften his bear-like temper : 
 yet if it had not this defired power, fhe 
 lincerely wilhed he might not fuc- 
 ceed, as it was impoffible for a man 
 of his difpofition to make happy one 
 Xo mild and gentle as Mifs Coventry 
 was reported to be- 
 
 Ladv
 
 The hermit. '37 
 
 Lady G/^6?r^ confidered nothing but 
 the fortune flie would bring into her 
 family, which anfwering her moft 
 fanguine expedtations, flie congratu- 
 lated Sir Fraficis on his choice; and a 
 card was inftantly difpatched to inform 
 Mr. and Mifs Coventry, that, if agree- 
 able, they would wait on them the 
 next afternoon. 
 
 A POLITE and fatisfadory anfwer 
 being received to this little billet, I 
 ihall leave them to confult on the im- 
 portant article of drefs, and clofe the 
 chaptei*. 
 
 CHAP,
 
 St The hermit. 
 
 G H A P. VI. 
 
 CIR Francis^ though mighty plain 
 in his common appearance, would, 
 ©n this extraordinary occafion, have 
 drefled himfelf to the beft advantage : 
 But alas ! in what a dilemma do we 
 find him ? without fo much as a trim- 
 med coat or bag- wig to appear in be- 
 fore his miftrefs. 
 
 At length it occurred to him that 
 he had never vifited his late father's 
 wardrobe, which might poffibly af- 
 ford him fome relief in this moment 
 ef exigency. He flew to his mother, 
 demanded the keys, and haflened thi- 
 ther with more impatience than lean 
 well defcribe. 
 
 Having
 
 The hermit. j^ 
 
 Having rummaged over and over 
 every drawer, every box, every trunk, 
 beine diftraded in his choice amidft 
 more finery than he expedled to meet 
 with, at length he laid his hands on a 
 rich fuit that feemed, as they lay in 
 folds, to pleafa him mightily ^ and 
 pulling them out from under a heap 
 of other things, equipped himfelf on 
 the fpot, and then went down to have 
 his mother 8 opinion of his choice. 
 
 Lady Gilford^ when flie faw himi< 
 enter her room, eryed out, furveying: 
 him from top to toe, " This muft doj, 
 *' my dear, this muft do, or Mifs Co^ 
 " 'u^;2/ry will not think as I did: the 
 " firfl: time Sir Gregory came to vifit- 
 " me in thefe very cloaths, I thought: 
 ** him the moft graceful figure I 
 *< had ever beheld. There is magic 
 !' in thefe cloaths»— --Ah Frank!/ 
 
 i! there
 
 45 The HERMIT.* 
 
 " there will be no withftanding you. 
 ''• Mifs Coventry will foon put you in 
 ** poffeflion of her thoufands." 
 
 The vain fellow fmiled a look of 
 affent, and fixing his long unmeaning 
 eyes on an oppofite glafs, replied; 
 " Indeed, Mad?m, I muft confefs 
 ^ your fon makes no defpicable figure; 
 ^* — I think I am tolerable. — I think 
 " I am not an objed: to be refufed ; — 
 " 1 think I am not — Yet damn thefe 
 " women, my Lady ; there is no an- 
 " fwering for their capricious humours.'" 
 
 " But, my dear, (added her Lady- 
 " fhip) your father had a very pretty 
 " fword, wig, and ftockings, that, 
 " poor man, he always ufed to wear 
 « with this fuit 5 I fancy you may find 
 " them, and then your drefs will be 
 ^ complete," 
 
 Away
 
 The hermit. 41 
 
 Away went Sir Francis in purfuit 
 of thefe valuable acquifitions j and hav- 
 ing been fuccefsful in his fearch, when 
 the coach drew up to the door which 
 was to convey them to Mr. CoventrySy 
 he offered his hand to help in the la- 
 dies, one of whom could hardly re- 
 frain from an immoderate fit of laugh- 
 ter, this being Lavim'as firft interview 
 with her wife brother, fince he be- 
 came a beau of the laft age. 
 
 That my Readers may not accufe 
 Mifs Gilford of laughing at her own 
 folly, I muft in juftice exhibit the very 
 ftriking figure of Sir Francis. 
 
 His perfon was tall, corpulent, 
 and bony -, his face long, pitted with 
 the fmall-pox, without fentiment, and 
 never ornamented with a fmi!e but to 
 anfwer fome finifter purpofe 5 and oa 
 
 this
 
 42 Tim HERMIT. 
 
 this occafion it was fo very coufpicu- 
 ous, that it may more properly be 
 termed a convulfion than a fmile. 
 The only tolerable thing about him 
 had been his hair, which three months 
 before his tender mother obliged hini' 
 to cut off, thinking, perhaps, his head 
 heavy enough without it : now a round 
 bob fupplied its place, and mufl: have 
 paid Mifs Coventry a vifit with its maf- 
 ter, had it not, for that day, been very- 
 fortunately fuperfeded by a magnifi* 
 cent wig of his father's, whofe three 
 tails dangled on his broad {boulders, 
 A full-dreffed fuit of dark green- 
 grogram, richly trimmed with a 
 broad gold lace, fitted him very nicely 
 after it was on^ though we mufl 
 confefs, nothing but the moil violent 
 paffion (or Maria could have fupported 
 him in the arduous trial, whilft he 
 worked, fumed, and tugged to get en- 
 
 trance.
 
 ThiT hermit. 4S 
 
 trance into the fleeves, &c. His legs 
 would have been wonderfully hand- 
 fome> if Nature had not, in fixing 
 them to his body, made a ftrange mif- 
 take, and put that part to his knee^ 
 which mull have been defigned to 
 join with his foot. Sir Francis had 
 not himfelf perceived thismiftake, and 
 thinking them as worthy of notice as 
 either his head or body, had orna- 
 mented them with a pair of crimifoft 
 ftockings, richly wrought at the ancles, 
 and gartered very exactly. 
 
 Without exaggeration, fuch was 
 the figure of Sir Francis: may not 
 then the inclination for mirth which 
 his fifter betrayed, be efl:eemed a na- 
 tural and very excufable emotion ? 
 
 The young baronet, on his return 
 from Hartly-Row^ found himfelf as 
 
 much
 
 44 Ths hermit, 
 
 much in love as it was poflible for one 
 of his diipofition to be, but without 
 being acquainted with any of the re- 
 finements of that paffion. 
 
 Lady Gilford expreffed her appro- 
 bation of Mifs Coventry in high terms y 
 but neither her Lady (hip nor her hope- 
 ful fon were capable of diftinguifhing 
 that young Lady's value : her lovely 
 perfon, but more her princely fortune 
 attracted their notice.. 
 
 Lavinia declared Mifs Coventry to 
 be the moft defirable, beautiful, and 
 accompliilied woman fhe had ever feen. 
 *^ Indeed, brother (faid fhe), you muft 
 '* be extremely happy, if this Lady 
 *^ fliQuld approve your addreffes/* 
 
 " If ! (repeated he in a fupercilious 
 ^' tone) if! Pray, what reafon caa 
 
 «« there.
 
 The hermit. 45 
 
 *' there be to doubt it ? Think you^ 
 1' child, Mr. Coventry will be fuch a 
 " fool to refufe a man of my figure? 
 " a man of fix thoufand a year ? — a 
 *^ man of title r"* 
 
 " Mr. Coventry ! (cryed Lavinla^ 
 " fmiling) I imagined it was his 
 " daughter's heart you wanted to fo- 
 <' licit." 
 
 *' Why, fliould flie give it me vo- 
 '* luntary, which I think flie cannot 
 " avoid, to confefs the truth, Levy, I 
 *^ lliould not like my bargain the 
 " worfe for having it thrown into the 
 "purchafe.'* 
 
 *^ I FANCY, Sir, you will find your- 
 *' felf miftaken, if you intend to pur- 
 ^^ chafe either Mifs Coventry % peribn 
 t[ or heart/'
 
 46 The HERMIT. 
 
 " Be that as it may, I am eafy about 
 *' the matter : however, I fliall have 
 " one trial with her father. My re- 
 " liance is on him : he knows, I war- 
 *' rant, how many fhillings make a 
 *^ pound." 
 
 " Fie, fie, brother !" faid the love- 
 ly girl, a blufh of refentment unit- 
 ing the rofe to the hly 5 *' If thefe 
 " are your real feritlments, do not re- 
 " peat them. This afternoon, (con- 
 " tinued ihe) I wiflied you might mar- 
 «• ry Mifs Coventry. That v/ifli, I own, 
 ^' was from a felfifli motive : I was 
 *' ambitious of being related to fuch 
 *' a woman : — I longed to call her 
 ** fifter. — After what you have faid, 
 ** you cannot be deferving fo great a 
 " treafure.'' 
 
 •^ And fie on you, Lavima /'* cried 
 Lady Gilford^ drawing up her ftifF 
 
 neck.
 
 The hermit. 47 
 
 STCck, whilil Sir Franch\ odious face 
 was puffed out with paffion ; " Fie on 
 -** you, child ! Sure you have not con- 
 ^' fidered on what you was fo bold, fo 
 " daring, to fay. Certainly your bro- 
 " ther is deferving of Mifs Coventry, — 
 '* Deferving, indeed ! Has he not an 
 "* eilate adequate to her fortune .? Has 
 ^' he not a title ? and a title, girl, is 
 ^* not fo lightly to be eileemed." 
 
 ^^ Oh ! you are miftaken, Madam, 
 ^* (faid the malicious fnarler, biting 
 ** his blubber lip with vexation) 
 *' you are miilaken ; tide is a mere 
 ^^ bawble in her better judgment, or 
 ** fhe would not have refufed my 
 ^^ friend: flie would not have carried 
 ** herfelf with fuch haughty airs to Sir 
 *' William More^ and have taken up 
 *^ with a fellow every way his in- 
 f .&rior;' 
 
 5* Oh
 
 4^ The HERMIT. 
 
 " Oh brother, brother! (replied the 
 ^' weeping Lavinia) how meanly, 
 " how cruelly, do you remind me of 
 <* that unhappinefs you afiifted to 
 " bring upon me ! Do you not blufh 
 " to call that vile man your friend ? — 
 *' He fuperior ! Sir William More fu- 
 
 <' perior ! If you have the leaft 
 
 *^ regard to facred truth, inftantly re- 
 " cal your words,, unlefs you meant to 
 *' fay in every kind of wickednefs. If 
 " that was your meaning, I own, in- 
 " deed, you are right : greatly in that, 
 " is Mr. Gore inferior to Sir Wil^ 
 *' Ham r 
 
 " Romantic girl! (foaming with 
 *^ anger) You would, no doubt, run 
 " after this good-for-nothin g wretch, 
 ^' did you but know where to find 
 *' him. No, no, girl, fool as I think 
 *^him, he is too wife for your arts : 
 
 "he
 
 The hermit. 49 
 
 ** he will not be troubled with: you. 
 " But don't cry, Levy, (feeing he had 
 *' brought tears to her eyes) don't cry, 
 *' my pretty forward Mifs ; Sir Wil- 
 " Ham will be here foon, and depend 
 " on it, you (hall not go without a 
 ^' hufband." 
 
 " Sir Francis, (replied flie, fpirited 
 ^^ up by this laft infuh) how dare you 
 *' ufe me thus ?-^— What right have 
 " you to difpofe of me ? — I tell you, 
 *' Sir, once again, that all the powers 
 " on earth fhall never force me to be 
 " the wife of a man I hate, defpiie, 
 ^* and loath." 
 
 Company coming in at this inftant, 
 prevented the enraged Sir Francis from 
 making the anfwer he had, no doubt, 
 meditated, and alfo a fevere repri- 
 mand from Lady Gilford^ who was 
 
 Vol, L D ready
 
 50 The HERMIT. 
 
 ready to ftorm at hearing her darling 
 treated fo freely by his ungracious 
 fifler. 
 
 Before the vifitors were feated, 
 Lavinia took an opportunity to leave 
 the room, in order to wipe away thofe 
 tears her brother's ill ufage had occa- 
 fioned, and to give a figh to the me- 
 mory of Mr. Gore -, which being dif- 
 patched, flis again returned to the 
 drawing-room with a countenance that 
 bore no bad refemblance to an April 
 morning. Like that blooming month, 
 her face was dreffed with opening 
 bloffoms : the fnow-drop hung upon 
 her cheek -, her eyes were tinged with 
 the violets blae ; whilH: her breath ex- 
 ceeded die fweetnefs of that flower. 
 
 The company, who all rofe at her 
 entrance, being again replaced, pur^ 
 
 lued
 
 The hermit. st 
 
 fued their converfation, which her ap-* 
 pearance had interrupted. 
 
 Mr. and Mifs Coventry were 
 their topics. The latter, it feems, 
 was paffing a fevere fcrutinyj and 
 the two Mifs Joiiess had, as they 
 flattered themfelves, difcovered many 
 defeds in her really faultlefs perfon. 
 The eldeft with particular energy 
 pointed them out to Sir Francisy who 
 {he had long thought a conquefl worth 
 obtaining. 
 
 ** I CANNOT for my life (faid flie) 
 ^^ fee thofe thoufand beauties in the 
 *' eyes of Mifs Coventry ^ which my 
 " coufin Jack is continually talking of. 
 *' Only obferve them when you fee her 
 ** next, Sir Francis : they are cut fo 
 
 i^ very long! Well, Iproteft their 
 
 D 2 '^ fliape
 
 52 The HERMIT. 
 
 ** fliape do not pleafe me ; nor is black 
 *' by any means my favourite co- 
 '' lour." 
 
 "' Indeed, fifter, (added Mifs Patty) 
 *' there is a fweetnefs in them which I 
 *' cannot help thinking agreeable ; yet 
 *' I confefs it is very wonderful that a 
 *' young Lady reported to have fo great 
 *^ a fhare of fenfe, fhould paint, tho' 
 *^ it is laid on very cleverly." 
 
 *^ Odious! (cried Mifs y^^^f^) Well, 
 *' that is a fafhion I never could ac- 
 ** commodate myfelf to.— Pray, Sir 
 *' Fr.ancis^ is not her hair two fliades 
 *' lighter than the true chefnut r For 
 *' my part, I have only as yet had a 
 *' tranfient view^ of this all-excelling 
 '' beauty.'' 
 
 The
 
 The hermit, 5% 
 
 The Baronet being thus called upoHy 
 faid, for his part (yawning as he fpoke) 
 he was no judge of w^omen's matters : 
 he thought her very well altogether > 
 but rot him if he could tell whether 
 her hair was dark or light. 
 
 Mr. K?20wles and Mr. Nejbif readily 
 acquiefced with the fentiments of Mifs 
 Jones, though in their fouls each hear* 
 tily difavowed them ; but they were 
 too polite and too well-bred to contra- 
 did: the Ladies. 
 
 Mr. Hunter, a gentleman not quite 
 fo well-bred as the very polite Mr,- 
 Knowles and Mr.. Nefiit, having lift- 
 ened patiently, faid with a deal of hu- 
 mour, " You are right, Mifs Patty 5, 
 " Mifs Ccz'entry is moil certainly 
 " painted:"
 
 54 The HERMIT. 
 
 By Nature alone fhe is painted and dre/Ted, 
 Rofes wiJl bloom when there's peace in th« 
 breafl.'* 
 
 This he fung with fuch an air of re- 
 proach as made them both blufli, 
 particularly the perfon to whom he ad- 
 dreiTed his fatire. 
 
 " Now (continued he) will any 
 " body allow themfelves to think Mifs 
 " Coventry does not carry peace in her 
 *' bread ? — How can fhe avoi4 being 
 *' pleafed and happy, when (he gains 
 •^ a new admirer in every man that 
 ** beholds her ?" 
 
 Though, after this reproof, their 
 envy did not again appear, yet it was 
 not dead, but only funk back to hearts 
 in which it had been long nouriflied. 
 
 Miss
 
 The hermit. 55 
 
 Miss Jones's being lefs perfed mif- 
 trefles of any other fubjedt than that 
 Mr. Hunter had interrupted, fpoke 
 little the remainder of their vifit, 
 which ended at feven. 
 
 If any of my readers after that hour, 
 in the month of June^ and the fined 
 evening in that month, are inclined 
 for a folitary walk, I invite them to 
 attend Lavinia^ who having tyed on 
 a ftraw hat lined with blue, and thrown 
 a handkerchief of the fame colour on 
 her neck, is proceeding all alone to 
 that pleafing walk I defcribed in my 
 firft chapter ; her brother ftill too- 
 much irritated to efcort her : rancour 
 and refentment were weeds which 
 could not fail to flourifhin a foil fo un- 
 cultivated, whilil her bofom, forgiv- 
 ing as Mercy, only fighed at his un- 
 kindnefs. 
 
 D4 M
 
 S6 The HERMIT. 
 
 As Lavinia purfued her walk, flie 
 thought incefiantly of Mr. Gore, and. 
 in this manner meditated on her 
 wrongs :. 
 
 " Alas ! (faid flie) the moft worthy 
 ** of men believes me fickle, incon- 
 " fiant Y — ^he fliuns, — he flies me ;— • 
 *« he regards me as the enemy of his 
 " repofe. — Ah ! how could they de- 
 *' ceive a heart like his ! — Vile, vile Sir 
 
 ^' William! Thy Alacbi aveli an ^}:ts 
 
 " have for ever robbed me of him. — 
 *' Every ftep I take reminds me of my 
 *' lofs. — How applicable to me are 
 " thefe beautiful lines I have fo oftea 
 *' read, fo often admired, in a fweetly- 
 *' diftrefling monody :" 
 
 *' In vain I look around 
 
 ** O'er all the well-known ground, 
 
 " My lover's wonted footfteps to defcry f, 
 
 ** Here oft we ufed to walk, 
 
 <* Plere oft in tender talk 
 
 ^M We Taw the furanier. fun go down the fky.'*
 
 The hermit: 57 
 
 Z^vi?2ia could not fupprefs her tearO' 
 at the recoUedion of paft fcenes, 
 
 ^^ It is the opinion o£ 2 celebrated^ 
 " poet. That there is a pleafure \r\ 
 *' madnefs which none but niad-n?iei> 
 " know ; fo it is mine alfoy that there 
 " is certainly a pleafure in the enjoy- 
 " ment of melancholy ideas,, whicb 
 " none can be a judge of, except thofo 
 *' to w^hom they have been familiar.'* 
 
 Though Mifs Gilford, at this In- 
 ifont, had not a thought but what was; 
 infpired by the goddeXs Melpomene-, yet: 
 fhe would not have exchanged thenrt- 
 to have feen the inimitable Garrick, or 
 to have heard the warblings-of aP//^/^?..- 
 
 The melody of the latter* was welS 
 
 Supplied by a harmonious Philomel',^ 
 
 D 5, perchedi
 
 5? The HERMIT. 
 
 perched on a tree under which Lavi-^ 
 7iia had placed herfelf. 
 
 Those who underftand the nature 
 of love will alfo know, that paffion is 
 generally attended with fome degree of 
 poetic rapture. Lavinia liftened a few 
 moments with fixed attention to the 
 mufical notes of her little feathered 
 companion, and then exclaimed in the 
 words of her moft admired poet : 
 
 ** With fuch variety and dainty fkill 
 •-* Yon nightingale divides her mournful fong, 
 " As if ten thoufand of them through one bill 
 ** Did fing in parts the flory of her wrong.'* 
 
 Here her contemplaticnG were a- 
 greenbly interrupted by the appearance 
 of Mr. Coventry and his fair daughter, 
 who, invited by the ferenity of the 
 evening, were come to this enchant- 
 kig walk to enjoy it in full perftdion*
 
 The hermit. 59 
 
 Lavinia and Maria, who at firfl 
 fight had been equally prejudiced in 
 favour of each other, did not try to 
 hide under the formal mafk of cere- 
 mony their mutual pleafure at this un- 
 cxpeded meeting. 
 
 Lavinia had high, perhaps roman- 
 tic notions of friend fhip. The firfl 
 time fhe faw and converied with Mifs 
 Coventry, fhe thought herfelf con- 
 vinced, {he (liould in that young Lady 
 find the phaenix ^o many had in vain 
 fearched for, a fincere and tender friend. 
 
 Far, very far am I from think- 
 ing fuch a treafure is never to be at- 
 tained ; neither do I hold it fo eafy 
 an acquilition as many unexperi- 
 enced creatures of both fex believe 
 it. 
 
 D 6 When
 
 6o The HERMIT. 
 
 When' Lord IV- or Sir Harry 
 
 ihakes a thoufand voters by the 
 
 hand, fwearing to each he is their eter- 
 nal friend, he proftitutes the name.— 
 Friendihip is a facred fire. To pre- 
 ferve its flame bright and lafting, it is 
 necefiary to light it up in hearts free 
 from envy, ambition, or any of thefe 
 extinguifliers, as v^ere our firft parents 
 before they had tafted the forbidden 
 fruit, or as the bofoms of Maria and 
 Lavinia. 
 
 Time v^as fo agreeably v^inged with 
 a very pleafing and rational converfa- 
 tion, that they did not obferve the ap- 
 proach of Vefper till fhe had adually 
 wrapped them in her dark mantle. — 
 JLavinia was fo much importuned 
 both by Mr. and Mifs Coventij ta 
 fpend the remainder of this evening, 
 (which her company had made fo de- 
 
 lightful)
 
 The hermit. Ct 
 
 Kghtful) at Hartly-Row, that fhe at laft 
 confentedj and as foon as they reach'- 
 ed it, a fervant was difpatched to pre- 
 vent Lady Gilford from being uneafy 
 at the abience of her daughter. 
 
 Sir Francis v^ 2.^ v/Ith her Ladyfliip 
 when the meflage came from Lavinia^ 
 and in fpite of himfelf could not help 
 being pleafed at the thoughts of her 
 cuhivating an intimacy with Mr. Co^ 
 venfrys family, into which he hoped 
 to be very foon received. — Nature hav- 
 ing endowed him with a fufficient de- 
 gree of cunning to enter it on the foot- 
 ing he wifhed, he found it would be 
 abfolutely neceffary to wear a difguifc 
 till marriage fhould enable him ta 
 throw it off with fafety. 
 
 Being determined to follow his 
 pwn ingenious devices^ he very wifely 
 
 re*
 
 62 The HERMIT. 
 
 refolved a thorough alteration Ihould 
 be his firft ftep ; not an alteration of 
 heart, but only of manner, regarding 
 his behaviour to Lavinia, 
 
 " I AM forry, my Lady (fald he) 
 *^ that I have taken off the cloaths I 
 *' v^'ore this afternoon > but they were 
 ** fo plaguy tight, I could not fit in 
 *' them with any eafe to myfelf. If I 
 ** had not been in fuch curfed hafte, I 
 *^ might have gone to efcort Levy 
 *' home from Hartly-RGW j it v/ould 
 
 *' have been a d d good opportu- 
 
 « nity." 
 
 " And why, my dear (replied her 
 *' Ladydiip) will you not go as you are ? 
 " You know Mifs Coventry haS feen 
 '* you full-dreffed. I dare fay flie does 
 *' not forget the figure you made yef- 
 ** terday afternoon. — Ay, ay, I often 
 
 ** faw
 
 The hermit. 63 
 
 '^ faw her eyes fixed on you, Frank. 
 ** Come, come, go my dear 5 I per- 
 *i ceive your mind is fet on it. — She 
 *' muft fome time or other fee you in 
 " dijldabilk. What fignlfies if it be 
 ** this night or a month hence"? 
 
 Thus encouraged, he furveyed him- 
 felf from fhoe to wig, turned the lat- 
 ter three or four times on his clumfy 
 fift, called a fervant, bad him throw 
 a little powder over it, and bring him 
 his gold-headed cane, determining at 
 all events to gratify his inclinations. 
 
 About ten o'clock Lavinia was 
 gready furprifed to fee him make 
 his appearance at Hhrtly-Row. That 
 lowr which ufed to St on his brow was 
 intircly baniihed, and good-nature, 
 though he hadonly ufurped it for a 
 time, wrought fuch an alteration, that 
 
 he
 
 ^4 The HERMIT. 
 
 he paid his refpedts to Mr. and Mifj 
 Coventry with a grace that aftonilhed 
 his lifter. 
 
 ^^ Sir Francis^ (faid that gentle- 
 " man, fhaking him very heartily by 
 " the hand) as this vifit is unexpected, 
 ^'- we fet on it the higher vahie : but 
 «' let me add, Sir, though I gain one 
 " pleafure I lofe another, as before 
 " you came I propofed being Mifs G/V- 
 "yir^'s efcort to the Grange!' 
 
 ** I WISH, Sir, (replied Sir Francis,. 
 ** who was by this time quite a fecond 
 <* Cymon) you had kept your intentions 
 ** a fecret: my fifter, I fear, will fcarce- 
 ** ly pardon me for robbing her of fo 
 •« agreeable a condudlor; and, upon?. 
 ** my honour, nothing would make 
 ;* me moreunhappy thantooffendher.**" 
 
 Lavinia;.
 
 The hermit. 65 
 
 Lavinia, after what had pafled 
 that day, and indeed for many years, 
 doubted with great reafon the truth of 
 this aflertlon -, yet fhe returned him a 
 gracious fmile, and the higheft good- 
 humour fubfifted till twelve. 
 
 Notwithstanding the ridiculous 
 appearance Sir Francis made the pre- 
 ceding day, when his drefs pronounced 
 him a ftupid fool and conceited cox- 
 comb, yet, diverted of thefe enfigns of 
 folly, he was fo very fortunate as to 
 work a favourable change in the opi- 
 nion of Mr. Coventry, who began to 
 regard him as not altogether incapable 
 of rational converlation, and to think 
 the abfurdity of his cloaths rather ow- 
 ing to the narrownefsof education than 
 from want of underftanding. 
 
 Indjeed^
 
 66 The HERMIT. 
 
 Indeed, he had never fhone half To 
 bright as this evening. Luckily no 
 fubjedl^had been brought on the car- 
 pet which required any degree of 
 learning to fupport, and he had the 
 cunning to adopt fo intirely his fenti- 
 ments to thofe of the company, that 
 he appeared to all but Lavima liberal, 
 compaflionate, hqmane, in fhort, to 
 be as full of thofe virtues as he was in 
 reality of their oppolites ; and he car- 
 ried on this deceit fo long, till he had 
 aftually impofed it on his fifter,. 
 
 Often would he beg her pardon 
 for being the means of preventing her 
 from marrying Mr. Gore -, and one 
 day he went fo far as to aflure her, if 
 that gentleman fl:iould ever more re- 
 turn, he would no longer influence his 
 mother to oppofe their union. " To 
 *' fliew you, Levy, that I am fincere 
 
 (con-
 
 The hermit. 67 
 
 «^ (continued he), I am determinfed to 
 " break with Sir William Mere. Yoi* 
 «' know he expedts, on his return froni 
 " London^ that Lady Gilford and I? 
 " fhall pufh the match ^ but he will 
 ^' now find a cold friend in me.— 
 •* In return, may I not exped, Levy^ 
 " you will be my advocate with Mifa 
 « Coventry?'' 
 
 " I DO promife, brother, to fay every 
 *' thing in your favour that can be faid 
 « withjuftice." 
 
 This anfwer had like to have de- 
 ftroyed his new plan 3 yet he fo well 
 commanded his paflion as not to fuffer 
 it to pafs his lips, to prevent which he 
 bit them moft unmercifully. 
 
 Recollecting himfelffora mo- 
 ment, he replied, ^ You are very 
 
 " oblige
 
 6S The HERMIT. 
 
 " obliging, Levy :" then faying he was 
 engaged to fpend the afternoon with 
 Mr. Knowks, he quitted the room, 
 as I fhall for fome time my pen. 
 
 ^F TT W^ W W" TT 'W W ^T*" "W^ "W ■'Tr 'fl' 'fr ^" W ^r 'n* 'fr W" tP 'rr W TT W^"^ W ^* 
 
 CHAP. VIII. 
 
 T^OUR months had paffed fince 
 Mr. Coventry came to fettle at 
 Weatly^ in which time nothing ^rnate- 
 rial happened to our hiftory, except 
 an overture from Sir Francis on ac- 
 count of his fair daughter : to whicb 
 Mr. Cove7itry had replied, that he did 
 him honour ; but having determined 
 in fo nice a point not to influence the- 
 choice of Maria^ it mufl intirely de- 
 pend on her inclinations either to ac- 
 cept or refufe his offer,. 
 
 After
 
 The hermit. ^ 
 
 After this anfwer. Sir Francis 
 feveral times refolved to apply himfelf 
 to the Lady ; but notwithftanding the 
 good opinion he had of his own per- 
 fon and deferts, whenever he had an 
 opportunity of fpeaking to her, the 
 referve of her manners and the dig- 
 nity of her appearance awed him in- 
 to filence. 
 
 Though Mifs Coventry could not 
 condefcend to any degree of freedom 
 with the brother, to the iifter fhe was 
 without referve, and every day ferved 
 to increafe their friendfhip. 
 
 Miss Coventry had already told La* 
 vinia every thought of her heart. In- 
 deed angels might have known them, 
 they were fo pure, fo like their own. 
 Mifs Gilford had not been quite fo ex- 
 plicit \ not that hers were lefs inno- 
 cent.
 
 70 The hermit. 
 
 cent, or needed to be concealed from 
 any other motive than the regard fhe 
 was now beginning to feel for her bro- 
 ther, whofe change of condudl, we 
 muft confefs, was carried on with in- 
 imitable management, iince he firfl 
 laid down his fcheme of opera- 
 tions. 
 
 One day Mifs Coventry going to the 
 Grange to call on Lavinia^ fhe was 
 told by a fervant his young Lady was 
 gone to walk on the terrace. Not fuf- 
 fering her to be fent for, flie tripped 
 through the lawn, where fhe perceived 
 Sir Francis and his fifler in deep dif- 
 courfe. They did not fee her till fhe 
 came fo near as to hear her own name 
 pronounced by the former • and the 
 furprife they both fhewed at her ap- 
 pearance, confirmed the fufpicion fhe 
 began to entertain that Ihe had been 
 
 the
 
 The hermit. 71 
 
 the fubjed: of fome debate between 
 them. 
 
 Long had fhe dreaded an explana- 
 tion of Sir Francis's paflion ; for tho' 
 fhe gave hiin many good qualities 
 which in reality he had no pretenfion 
 to, yet fhe difliked him with an in- 
 conceivable averiion. 
 
 Lavinia had often hinted how 
 happy fhe (hould be to call her fifter, 
 which ihe would not have done with- 
 out believing his dilpofition intirely 
 altered. 
 
 Maria, who never felt the leaft 
 tendency to love, either for him or in- 
 deed any other perfon, would on thefe 
 occafions rally her friend j faying, fhe 
 eftimated liberty fo highly, that it was 
 
 not
 
 72 The hermit. 
 
 not in the power of an emperor to pre* 
 vail on her to refign it. 
 
 When flie furprifed them on the 
 terrace, propoiing to take Lavinia an 
 airing, as they had appointed the day 
 before, it happened that Mifs Gilford 
 had jufl then promifed her brother to 
 feize the next opportunity of a private 
 moment with her friend to mention 
 his paffion, which he Rvore he never 
 £hou!d have courage to do himfelf. 
 
 Sir Fra?icis having handed the La- 
 dies to their chariot with the grimace 
 of politenefs (for with real politenefs 
 he was intirely unacquainted) gave his 
 filler's hand a gentle fqueeze to remind 
 her of her promife 3 and intending to 
 fee Mifs Covefitry either at the Grmjge 
 or Hartly-Row after her return, he 
 was going to prepare his fweet perfon 
 
 for
 
 The hermit. 73 
 
 for the interview ; not in the antique 
 cloaths of his father, but a modern 
 fuit of pompadour and filver juft im- 
 ported from Londo?2y with a wig, fword, 
 hat, &c. of the neweft mode. 
 
 Before he begun to drefs, the ar- 
 rival of Sir William More difconcerted 
 his intentions ^ and notwithftanding 
 all he had promifed his fifter, he gave 
 the baronet a reception very far from 
 cold or difcouraging : and as the com- 
 pany of his friend would prevent him 
 from a vifit that evening to his mif- 
 trefs, he determined to confole hlm- 
 felf by a free enjoyment of his bottle; 
 a liberty he had for fome time re- 
 trenched, with his other ill qualities. 
 
 We (hz\ leave this brace of v/or- 
 thies at a table with excellent claret be- 
 fore them, and go back to the Ladies. 
 
 Vol. I. E La-
 
 74 The HERMIT. 
 
 LAViNiAhad not forgot her engage- 
 ment to Sir Francis y but found Mifs 
 Covejitry fo very determined not to re- 
 ceive his addreffes, that fhe refolved 
 never more to mention fo unpleafing a 
 fubjed:. 
 
 Though Mifs Gilford \w reality did 
 not look the leaft grave, yet the regard 
 Maria had for her made that young 
 Lady fancy fhe faw a cloud on her 
 countenance ; and taking her hand w^ith 
 the moft engaging franknefs, '^ Do 
 " not, my dear Mifs Gilford, (faid fhe) 
 *^ make me unhappy in withdrawing 
 ** )70ur friendfliip. If I refufe your 
 " brother, it is from the fame motive 
 «^ I fhould do the addreffes of all the 
 " men I have ever yet feen. Perhaps 
 " my fentiments of love may be too 
 " refined. How many do we every 
 " day fee marry with indifference, yet 
 
 '' live
 
 The hermit. ^^ 
 
 *^ live what the world calls tolerably 
 
 •I 
 
 "happy! — Poffibly they may; but I 
 " will never make the trial : I have no 
 " idea of what is meant by tolerable 
 *^ happinefs. — Do you think, Lavima^ 
 ^' my notions of that ftate are too high, 
 " when I tell you that to me it appears 
 *^ a faint refemblance of what we are 
 " to exped: in another world, either 
 ^' extreme felicity, or unceafing tor- 
 '' ment ?" 
 
 " These fentiments (replied Mifs 
 ^^ Giljord) I expected from you. My 
 " brother muft refign himfelf to his 
 " fate ; fuch a heart as yours he never 
 " can merit; yet I will love you as a 
 '' fifter, though you refufe to give me a 
 ^' title to the name." 
 
 Nothing could be more aereeable 
 
 than this declaration to the perfon for 
 
 E 2 , whom
 
 j€ The HERMIT. 
 
 whom It was intended. — She returned 
 the mod fincere profeffions of efteem, 
 and they continued their Httle excur- 
 lion, delighted in the company of each 
 other. 
 
 " My dear, (faid Lavinia, as they 
 " purfued the great road) about two 
 ** miles from this, place is one of Na~ 
 *' ture's rude beauties, but fo fweetly 
 *^ pleafing, that if you are inclined for 
 *' contemplation, I wih convey you to 
 "** it, and you fliall confefs no fpot was 
 '^ ever better calculated to infpire either 
 •' the moil gloomy or the mofl chear- 
 *' ful ideas." 
 
 *' You have raifed my curiofity to 
 '' fo high a pitch (faid Mifs Coventry) y 
 ** that pofitively you muft give me a 
 " defcription of this wonderful place 
 ^' before we reach it." 
 
 <' Not
 
 Thi hermit. ^^ 
 
 ** Not a word of defcription," re- 
 plied Lavinia ; and pulling the firing 
 ordered the coachman to drive imme- 
 diately to Combe-Woods. 
 
 Again Mifs Coventry renewed her 
 intreaties, but to no purpofe ; Lavinia 
 continued obflinately filent to all her 
 inquiries. — Striking out of the beaten 
 road, and entering one almoft impaf- 
 lible, they continued dragging through 
 narrow lanes till all of a fudden, at 
 the end of one of them, the carriage 
 flopped, a fervant opened the door, 
 and Mifs Gilford ftepping out defired 
 her friend to follow. 
 
 " Follow (faid Mifs Coventry)\ 
 " Where the duce, my dear, would 
 *' you lead (at the fame time getting 
 " out) ? If you mean to fliew me 
 " any remarkable view, I am fure we 
 E 3 «* mufl
 
 yS The HERMIT. 
 
 *' muft climb one of thefe high elms 
 " to command it." 
 
 " Trust yourfelf to my condudl 
 " (replied Lavi?iia)^ and you fliall nei- 
 " ther climb or creep to attain the 
 ** promifed land." Then taking hold 
 of her arm, Ihe turned lliort upon 
 the right ; and all at once ftartled Ma^ 
 71 a by introducing her to a fmall but 
 beautiful common, furrounded by na- 
 tural woods, and above them hills of a 
 thoufand variegated colours, on the 
 fides of which fhe pointed out both the 
 Grame ^nd Har^Jy^^--^ V^ith uiiuy- 
 other pretty looking houfes. 
 
 Observing how much Maria was 
 delighted with this little fpot, fhe faid 
 to her, " Flere it is, Mifs Coventry^ 
 '* if you w^ould indulge chearful ideas, 
 ** you may do it freely. If you are 
 
 '' more
 
 The hermit. 79 
 
 " more inclined to the gloomy, I 
 " will lead you to another retreat." 
 
 " I AM fo pleafed, fo tranfported^ 
 *' (returned ik/jr/<^) with thisfweet en- 
 *' chanting place, that I (hould be loth 
 " to leave it, if I had not a ftrong in- 
 " clination to have my whole curioiity 
 *' fatisfied -, fo lead on, I befeech you, 
 " to the gloomy : not that I have any 
 " thoughts to indulge there. 111 affure 
 " you. 
 
 Lavinia fighed. " This place 
 
 " (faid fhe) is called Combe-Woods y and 
 *' thought fo very curious, that it is of- 
 " ten vifited by ftrangers > otherwife 
 *' it would be perfedlly unfrequented,, 
 '^ none of the neighbourhood ever 
 " coming hither ; the common peo- 
 " pie having entertained a llrange no- 
 " tion, that it is the habitation of fu- 
 E 4 " per-r
 
 So The HERMIT. 
 
 <* pernatural beings; and thofe of fupe^ 
 *' rior rank having fatisfied their curio- 
 ** fity feldom take the trouble of com- 
 '* ing again/' 
 
 Bv this time they were entered the 
 furrounding woods. 
 
 " Ah ! (faid Mifs Covenfry}this, in- 
 *^ deed, may be called a fit place for 
 " melancholy reflections. Here, (con- 
 ** tinued fhe, feating herfelf onan old 
 " tree felled by the hand of Time) 
 "let us on this friendly trunk enjoy 
 " them. But having none of my 
 ** own, Lavinia^ I charge you let me 
 " partake of yours. — Yes, my dear, 
 ** it is in vain to deny it ; you have fe- 
 " crets; painful ones too, or I am 
 *' miftaken. I have heard you figh 
 «' often. — Certainly you do not figh 
 *' without a caufe. 
 
 « Heigh-
 
 The hermit. 8i 
 
 "Heigh-Ho!" 
 
 *' There it is again. — Declare im- 
 •* mediately the happy fwain who — " 
 
 She was proceeding, when Mifs G/7- 
 yor^ interrupted her: " Cannot you in- 
 ** ipire me with fome fmall fhare of 
 " your charming vivacity ?" — 
 
 '' Not a tittle ((he returned), till 
 " you lighten that heart of yours, by 
 ** giving me the huge fecret it carries. 
 ** — Do this, and I will engage to 
 " make you as blithe as a lark." 
 
 " What you promife, is not in your 
 ** power to perform (faid Lavinia) ; I 
 " can never more be chearful ! I can 
 *' never again be happy !" 
 
 " Heavens ! Hov7 you furprife, 
 ** how you terrify me ! If you had 
 *' troubles, why did you not make me 
 E 5 "a fliarcr
 
 82 The HERMIT. 
 
 *' a fliarer in them ? — Indeed it was 
 *' unkind ! — Indeed I fhould not have 
 *' treated you with fo little confidence !" 
 
 " Pardon mc, Maria^ I had rea- 
 *^ fon till now for concealment. My 
 *' brother muft have fufFered in your 
 *' opinion: his hopes are now at an 
 ^"^ end, and you fliall no longer tax 
 "me with referve." 
 
 " Thank you, my dear Laviniay 
 " we have yet an hour good before 
 *' we need leave this charming place. 
 ** You have alarmed my fears for you ^ 
 ** in pity, then, make hafte to relieve 
 them. If you are unhappy, it is the 
 ' office of friendfliip to take a ihare 
 ' in your concern." 
 
 (< 
 
 Miss Gilford faw the impatience of 
 Maria, and addrefied her as may be 
 found in the next chapter. 
 
 CHAP.
 
 The hermit. 83: 
 
 f»i?'''^^oooooo««oco86eeeowo»3»o 0000 i?o^3c8ocooc MOO ooesoooocwooew?^^^ 
 
 ♦*• 
 
 C H A P. IX. 
 
 " A BOUT two years lince I was 
 " unfortunate enoup;h to be ao- 
 " proved of by Sir WilUa?n More 3 a- 
 " man 
 
 " Nay, my dear, (interrupted Mifs 
 " Coventry) fpare yourfelf the trouble 
 " of giving me his charader : 1 have 
 " already received it from my father. 
 " Surely your friends could not en- 
 *' courage a wretch of luch abandonedi 
 '* morals!'* 
 
 " I KNOW not what to fay in- their 
 
 «^ vindication (replied Lavinia) 5 riches 
 
 •* often fafcinate the fenfes, makins: 
 
 E 6^ « people:
 
 84 The HERMIT. 
 
 *' people and things appear quite dif- 
 ** ferent from what they really are. 
 ** Light faults in perfons of narrow 
 ** fortune are aggravated to a furprifing 
 " magnitude ; whilft an opulent man 
 *' may be guilty of the greateft enor- 
 •* mities, and pafs them on the partial 
 " world for lively fallieSj frolicks, and 
 ** many other much too gentle appe!- 
 " laticns. A king can do no wrong, 
 " is a faying I have often heard 5 nor, 
 " in fome people's opinion, can men 
 " en whom Fortune has beftowed her 
 ** favours. This I found to be the 
 '' cafe in refped to Sir William More. 
 *' 'When I objeded to his love of drink, 
 *' All men that were not milk-fops 
 '^ v/ould fometimes take a chearful 
 
 *' glafs :'■ his libertine principles, 
 
 *' Thefe were affertions of his ene- 
 *' Piiies :" — his being addifted to fwear- 
 " ing, fcarce a v/ord being unattended 
 
 *' by
 
 The hermit. 85 
 
 «' by a horrid oath, " No fign of a bad 
 ** heart > only a foolifh habit, and 
 " eafily conquered." 
 
 " Good heavens ! (exclaimed Ma^ 
 " r/^) fure Lady Gilford could never 
 *^ argue thus," 
 
 " No, no ', this converfation paffed 
 " with my brother, who had ever been 
 *^ the fworn friend of Sir William. 
 
 *' 1 fee refentment rifing in your 
 
 " bofom. Madam (continued ihc) ; I 
 *' know you do, I know you muft 
 *' blame me for attempting to preju- 
 " dice you in favour of Sir Fra?2cis ; 
 ** but had I not thought his very dif- 
 " ferent from the principles of Sir 
 '^ JVilliaj7i More ; had I not thought 
 *' he now utterly defpifed that v/retch ; 
 " had I not believed him the molT: al- 
 *' tered man in the world 3 that he loved 
 
 " my
 
 86 The HERMIT. 
 
 " my dear Mifs Coventry with the mofl: 
 '^ fincere and fervent paffion, and that 
 " he would fufFer in his health by 
 " concealing it longer; I fhould never 
 *' have mentioned a fubjed: which I 
 " determined to drop, as foon as I law 
 " it was diijDleafing." 
 
 Miss- Coventry had no longer any 
 cloud on her countenance ; jflie grace- 
 fully afTured Lavinia of her entire 
 friendfhip, and with a fweet fmile 
 begged fhe would proceed in a recital 
 that had already filled her with impa- 
 tience.. 
 
 ** Eighteen months have I been^ 
 ** teized, my dear Mifs Coventry^ with 
 *^ the addreifes of Sir William More ; 
 " my brother, and confequently my 
 " mother, till now ftrenuous in his fa- 
 5* vour \ notwithflanding which I al- 
 
 " ways
 
 The hermit. S; 
 
 " ways declared myfelf very freely, 
 " that I never w^ould be his. 
 
 .^' About ten months lince, being 
 " much preffed by the advocates of Sir 
 ^^ William to attend them at a ball he 
 " gave, and finding it impoffible to 
 '' get myfelf excufed, I very reludlantly 
 *' com.plied. — We entered the room, 
 " happily for me, before Sir William y 
 " who finding me engaged at his arri- 
 " val, curfed the bufinefs that had de- 
 *' tained him, and would not dance 
 " the whole evening, but fat in a cor- 
 " ner by himfelf, fullen and outof hu- 
 " mour, except when he could engage 
 ** me in converfation, which I took. 
 " care fhould be very feldom. 
 
 " I AM not going to defcribe the 
 " gentleman with whom I danced, as 
 " I know myfelf incapable of doing 
 
 '' him
 
 88 The HERMIT. 
 
 " him juftice -, I (hall only fay, his 
 *^ converfation had in it fomething fo 
 " elegantly refined, as that very even- 
 " ing got him a footing in my efteem» 
 
 *« Notwithstanding the com- 
 *' pany did not part till three, I never 
 *' thought any time fofhort. 
 
 " On our v^ay home, I'afked my 
 '* brother if he knew the gentleman 
 ** who had been my parties. 
 
 " He faid his name was Gore^ and 
 " on a vifit to Mr. Willace, 
 
 " He has loft fome near relation, I 
 " fuppofe (replied I), by his being in 
 " fuch clofe mourning. 
 
 " His father (he returned) is lately 
 [\ dead, and has left him an eftate of 
 
 '' two
 
 The hermit. S^ 
 
 " two thoufand pounds a year 5 but 
 " methinks, Levy, you are very inqui- 
 " fitive : I hope you do not mean to let 
 " him fupplant Sir William^ 
 
 *^ Supplant Sir William! (repc2Ltcd 
 '* I) ; furely, brother, you might have 
 " fpared the fuppofition. What is Sir 
 " William More to me ? How often 
 « fhall I repeat to you, that I never 
 " will think of him in the light you 
 " propofe him." 
 
 *^ Perverse girl !" faid my mother. 
 
 *' My brother did not confine him- 
 " fclf, on this occafion, even to com- 
 " mon decency ; he fwore I Ihould 
 " marry his friend. 
 
 " Indeed, child, you muft (added 
 " her Ladyfhip) ; you muft, and fhall 
 I' he Lady More:\
 
 90 The HERMIT. 
 
 " Never, never, Madam ! whilff 
 '' I exift, I will never be Sir Willi am\ r 
 
 " The coach flopping prevented a 
 " very angry anfv^er ; and as foon as 
 " the door was opened, I ftepped out, 
 " and flew to my apartment, where 
 <* I ipent the remainder of the night iii 
 *' a manner not to be envied. 
 
 ** I never clofed my eyes to fleep 
 " till iQWQn ; and when Sally came to 
 " call me at ten, I was enjoying that 
 ^* refrefhing infenfibility. 
 
 *^ Having awakened me by un- 
 *^ drawing my curtains, I alked if 
 « breakfaft was ready. She told me 
 " no ; but added, " I have a letter for 
 *' you. Madam.'' 
 
 " I ftarted up In my bed, I broke 
 *' the feal with eagernefs, and found it.
 
 The hermit. 91^ 
 
 ^ contained two cards , one from Mr. 
 " Gorey addreffed to me, with polite' 
 " inquiries after my health ; the other 
 " to my mother, fromMrs, ffil/ace, to 
 " fay they would be with us in the af- 
 *^ ternoon^ if her Ladyihip was difen- 
 ** gaged. 
 
 " I GOT up immediately, and went 
 '* to my mother's room^ which fhe 
 " had juft leftj and I found her in the 
 " breakfall-parlour with Sir Francis. 
 
 " I GAVE the card intended for her 
 t' x-('dayinip, uul laia not a wuiu u*. 
 " mine, for fear of renewing their 
 *' fufpicions. 
 
 (C 
 
 " After having glanced it over, 
 fhe put it into the hands of my bro- 
 " ther, who returned it with his opi- 
 " nion, that they could not avoid fee- 
 
 '' ing
 
 92 Thk hermit. 
 
 " ing them, as Sir William and othef 
 ** company were expeded. 
 
 " In fhort, Madam, Mr. Gore came 
 " with them ) that vifit was produftive 
 ** of a fecond ; — that fecond of a third -, 
 " and every time I faw him 1 was 
 *' more and more convinced of his re- 
 " gard for me : we felt the warmeft 
 " fcntiments of friendihip for each 
 *^ other, and did not attempt to con- 
 *' ceal them." 
 
 " How prettily, my dear, (faid Ma^ 
 -• riuy interrupting her) you fubliitute 
 " the word Friendfhip to fupply that 
 " of Love : but you are certainly right ; 
 <« the latter fliould always be founded 
 " on the former. Love is a mift which 
 *^ feldom continues longer than the 
 " morning of life. If friendfhip, 
 ^[ like the fun, appears warm and 
 
 [' bright
 
 The hermit. 93 
 
 ** bright tofucceed it, we are affured of 
 *' a fine day : if the contrary, ftorms, 
 " clouds, and tempeft, are to be ex- 
 " pecked." 
 
 " Charmingly imagined ! (repli- 
 " ed Lavinia,) Indeed, to confefs the 
 ** truth, my friendfhip for Mr. Gore 
 " might have bore another appellation, 
 *' if I had not, like my dear Mifs C?- 
 " ventry^ taken the terms of love and 
 " friendfhip to be almoft fynonymous. 
 
 " However, give it which name 
 " you pleafe, the fentiment we mu- 
 " tually felt, v/as as mutually acknow- 
 " ledged ; and nothing but my mo- 
 " therms confent feemed wanting to 
 " complete our happinefs. 
 
 " I HAD the plcafure to think Mr. 
 " Gore enjoyed a confiderablc (hare in 
 
 '' her
 
 94 The HERMIT. 
 
 *' her efteem. — How, indeed, could 
 " he avoid it ? Were not her eyes, her 
 " ears formed of the fame materials 
 *' as thofe of her unhappy daughter ? 
 
 " At lafl: he laid open his inten- 
 *' tions, and was liftened to with fome 
 " degree of condefcenfion, his offers 
 " of fettlement being extremely no- 
 *' ble : however, flie told him, before 
 *^ he could expefl: a definitive anfwer, 
 ** fhe muft confult her fon ; and if he 
 " would give up the intereft of Sir 
 " William More, fhe fhould then have 
 *' no objedion to his alliance, 
 
 " But on confulting my brother, 
 *' and finding him more flrenuous than 
 ^« ever for his friend, her behaviour to 
 " Mr. Gore underwent an immediate 
 " change ; and without the leaft apo- 
 •=' logy, fl:ie defired him to defifl from 
 
 "his
 
 The hermit. g^ 
 
 *' his vlfits, as Sir Francis had engaged 
 '*' his promife to Sir William More^ and 
 *' would by no means break it. 
 
 " He begged, he prayed, he in- 
 ** treated, he expoftulated ; but in vain. 
 *' —Would my mother, he afked, 
 *' oblige me to marry a man to whom 
 ** I had fo often declared my averfion? 
 *' — He wasanfwered, That intermed- 
 * * dlers were not looked on by her in 
 ** an advantageous light : — That they 
 " had great reliance on my duty, if he 
 " did not attempt to fet it afide. 
 
 *' Struck to the foul by this reply, 
 *' he had fcarce command enough over 
 ** himfelf to confider it was my mo- 
 *' ther who treated him with fo much 
 " difrepedl : however, no fooner had 
 ** he made this reflexion, than he left 
 ** the houfe, only faying, as his vifits 
 
 " were
 
 96 The HERMIT. 
 
 " were fo very difagreeable, he would 
 y endeavour not to repeat them. 
 
 '* On my return from Mifs Lea/on s, 
 " where I had fpent the afternoon, I 
 *^ was furprifed not to find Mr. Gore 
 ** at the G range y having appointed to 
 ** pafs the evening with us : but what 
 ** did I feel, when told by my unkind 
 ** mother, and I muft fay cruel bro- 
 ** ther, that if ever I expefled to he 
 ** looked on as the child of the one, 
 *' as the fifter of the other, I muft ab- 
 *' folutely promife never to fee Mr. 
 ** Go?r, or at leaft fpeak to him again, 
 ** and inftantly determine to accept 
 *^ the hand of Sir William, 
 
 ** The moft explicit duty furely 
 ** could not have demanded a faerie- 
 ** fice like this : I refufed to make it, 
 \^ and their anger was raifed to fuch a 
 
 '' height,
 
 The hermit. gy 
 
 " that I was forced to fly to my cham- 
 *^ ber to avoid its fevere efieds. 
 
 " A LETTER from Mr. Gore^ which 
 *' Sally conveyed to me, ferved to 
 '^ heighten the load of grief I felt. — 
 *^ How kind, how tender, how ge- 
 ** neroufly did he intreat that I would 
 *' become the abiblutc miftrefs of his 
 ** fortune, as I already w^as of his 
 *• heart! — His very exiftence, he faid, 
 ** depended on the refolution I had 
 •' made, never to have Sir William, 
 
 *^ My anfwer was didated by a fin- 
 ** cere regard ^ and another letter, 
 ** which I foon received, convinced me 
 ** it was far from difpleaiing him. 
 
 ** A REGULAR correfpondence was 
 '* now fettled between us, Sally being 
 *** our 2tgent> for though Mr. Gere 
 
 Vol. I. F ^' MX
 
 9« The HERMIT. 
 
 <^ ftill continued with his friend Mr. 
 *« V/illace, I was too clofely watched 
 ** even for a fingle interview : and had 
 *' it not been for the pleafure his let- 
 *' ters afforded me, I muft in this fitu- 
 " ation have found myfelf extremely 
 <* miferable, being reduced to the dif- 
 *' agreeable neceffity of hearing pro- 
 «* feffions of love from tjie wretch I 
 " moft on earth defpifed, 
 
 ** Sir William was almoft become 
 ** an inmate in our family, and my 
 *' brother fearing my averfion would 
 *' at length tire out his pafTion, deter- 
 " mined with my mother's acquief- 
 ^' cence to ob'-ige me to marry him, in 
 *' fpight of objections. 
 
 *' They firft tried to gain their ends 
 ^* by affedlionate intreaties. If any 
 *' method could have prevailed, it mufl 
 
 «< have
 
 The hermit. 99 
 
 ** have been this : the large fettlement 
 '" and blaze of jewels, that next made 
 ^' an appearance on the perfuafive lift, 
 ** were equally ineffectual. 
 
 " This obftinacy, as my fteady re- 
 ^' fufal was called, provoked Sir Fran- 
 ^^ CIS to fuch a height, that he fwore I 
 *' fhould marry his friend before the 
 " next Thurjdayy or he would not live 
 ** in England another week, 
 
 ** My mother, terrified by this 
 ** threat, and feeing him leave the 
 " room in a rage, loaded me with re- 
 " proaches which it pains me to recol- 
 ^' led. 
 
 " I FELL on my knees, and with 
 
 *' tears intreated (lie would not facri- 
 
 " fice me to my brother's cruel ca- 
 
 *' price ; that fl:ie v^ould not give her 
 
 F a fandioa
 
 100 The HERMIT. 
 
 " fandlion to my being made the moft 
 <' mifeiable of wretches. 
 
 ^^ Very pretty, very pretty, Ma- 
 «' dam ! replied my mother: I per- 
 " ceive whence all this proceeds , but 
 " if you will not have Sir JVilliam, you 
 " fhalinothaveGc'r^s depend on that." 
 
 *' No, Madam, (faid I, rifing from 
 *^ my fupplicating pofture) no, it is not 
 " the idea of Mr. Gore that obftrudls 
 ** my union with Sir William : before 
 " I knew the one, I abhorred the 
 *' other. Refled impartially but for 
 " a moment : Can the knowledge of 
 " fo much worth as Mr. Gore poffefTes, 
 " leffen may averfion to his detefled 
 *^ rival ?" 
 
 '' Fie, fie, girl ! Detefted ! Is that 
 <* a proper word for the man who 
 
 " muft.
 
 The hermit, ioi 
 
 " muft, who (liall, I am determined 
 «* fhall be your hufband ?" 
 
 " The hated Sir William coming m 
 «* at this inftant, deaf to his folicita- 
 « tions, and almoft to the commands 
 « of my mother^ I retired to my 
 ** chamber/' 
 
 F3 CHAP,
 
 102 The hermit. 
 
 ^^^"^^^^- ^n-^-ifr^'^'^'^-^'^'-^ -^-^ 
 
 C H A p. X. 
 
 " TLTAVING compofed my fpirits, 
 " I wrote to Mr. Gore whzt had 
 
 " paffed ; at the fame time bidding 
 " him depend on my refolution never 
 " to take a ftep which would give him 
 " reafon to upbraid me. 
 
 " Mr. JVillaces was not more than 
 ** a mile from the Grange, and Sal/y 
 ** returned in lefs than an hour : — but, 
 «' O my God ! with what an account 
 '* of Mr. Gore's frenzy ! Indeed the 
 *' few diftradled hnes he fent would 
 •* have fpoke it, had fhe been filent." 
 
 '* Can
 
 The hermit. 105 
 
 *' Can you remember (afkcd Mifs 
 ^' Coventry) what they were ?" 
 
 " Perfectly (replied Lavifiiay^ 
 
 . « Talk to me not (faid he) of next 
 f« ^hurfday ! — Talk to me not of your 
 " refolution ! What, my gentlq Lavi^ 
 " nia^ will avail your reliftance ?— 
 «« Perhaps the deed on which I am re- 
 " folved, may be wrong ! — I will notv 
 " cannot drop it. Blame me not, my 
 ** love! I muft not lofe you ! — Angela 
 ** protect and guard my deareft JL^* 
 " vinia H 
 
 Maria, who was kindly wiping 
 the tears from Mifs Gilford^ cheek,, 
 foon found by the trickling drop that 
 glided down her own, that £he had 
 caught the loft infeSiorh. 
 
 ^ F 4. ♦* How
 
 104 The HERMIT, 
 
 '* How my heart (faid fhe) bleeds 
 ** for my diftrefled Lavinia I But my 
 " impatience will not fuffer me to fay 
 '* with what tender fympathy. Hea- 
 " vens ! proceed, pray proceed ! I am 
 •' all fear, all dread ! Mr. Gore is cer- 
 *' tainly killed by the detefted Sir Wit^ 
 '' liamr 
 
 *' No, my dear Mifs Coventry^ I am 
 
 •' not fo very, very unhappy as that 
 
 •* would have made me : he ftill lives, 
 
 ** though for ever dead, for ever loll 
 
 ^ to me." 
 
 *^ Thank God, he lives ! (cried 
 *' her friend) he cannot, (hall not be 
 *' loft to you ! But tell me why you 
 •* accufe him of infidelity ?" 
 
 *' Far be it from me to accufe him 
 ** of infidelity, replied L^'u/WV : hear 
 
 ''the
 
 The hermit, la^: 
 
 •* the fequel of my flory, and be your- 
 " felf the judge. 
 
 ** No fooner had I read his letter:,, 
 *' than I was rendered infeniible by the 
 " violent fhock it gave me. Sally did 
 *•' not call any one to my affiftancej but 
 *' laid me on the bed, and with har 
 '* endeavours to bring me to my fenfes,. 
 ^^ I began to recover enough to know 
 *' what it was that occafioned my inr- 
 *' fenfibility. 
 
 " It immediately occurred to me: 
 ** that Sir PFilliam might be ftill with'; 
 •^ my mother y and not knowing what 
 ** I did, or paying the leaft attentioa. 
 ** to Sallys remonftrances, I haftened 
 " down ftairs, my drefsin the gi^eateft. 
 /* diforder, and buifting open the door 
 ^^ I entered the room with fuch a. wiJd- 
 ^ nefs in my air and manner, as quite: 
 F 5 '* terriiiedi
 
 io6 The HERMIT. 
 
 ** terrified my mother : but not feeing 
 ** the perfon there whom I came in 
 ** purfuit of, my fears redoubled, and 
 *' I exclaimed in words fcarce articu- 
 •* late, 
 
 ** Where, O my God ! where is- 
 
 *• Sir m'/liam ? 
 
 •* Her Ladyfhip had the goodnefs^ 
 •* feeing me fo agitated, to take my hand,. 
 ** and feating me by her, enquired into 
 ** tlie caufe of my perturbations; but 
 " inftead of anfwering her queftion, 
 *' I repeated my own, Where, where 
 •* is Sir JVilliam ? — How long has 
 ** Re left you ? Was he fent for ?" 
 
 *« Yes, (faid my mother) he was 
 ** fent for to a gentleman on particular 
 *^ bufinefs," 
 
 *' Then
 
 The H: Eft r^ it: i^o;^ 
 
 *' Then all is over! all is over^- 
 ** Madam ! Yet hafte to lave the life- 
 " of the man you favour 5. and O fave, 
 ** if poffible, the life of him for whonii 
 " I would gladly refign my own !" 
 
 " Explain, laaviniay or how will 
 ** it be poffible to do either ?'* 
 
 " Having given the beff accounts 
 ^^ my fluttered ipirits would allow, fhe' 
 "left the room with a precipitations 
 •* equal to my wiflies^ 
 
 *' After her Ladyffiip Bad diP 
 •''patched half a dozen fervants tO' 
 ** prevent the fate of her intended fon-- 
 ** in-law, (he came back, doubtkfs^ 
 <* with a deflgn to^ read me a ledure^ 
 '* on the dreadful effeds of difobedi-- 
 •* ence, and to reprimand me for ear-^ 
 •* rying on a private correfpondenee:^ 
 F 6 **^wiib
 
 io8 The HERMIT. 
 
 " with Mr. Gore, but found a fitter 
 " objedl for compaffion than feverity. 
 
 *' A SECOND time I was extended 
 *' on the floor, from which being re- 
 " moved to my bed, I lay a fortnight 
 '* without the leaft hope of reco- 
 *' very. So violent a fever fucceeded 
 *« my fainting, that I did not fpeak 
 " during that time ; yet I remember 
 ** my mother was very afliduous about 
 *' me, and more than once I faw her 
 '* ilied tears. 
 
 " One day, as fhe was fitting by 
 *• my bed-fide, I took her hand, and 
 " faindy pronounced the nam.e of 
 " Mr. Gore. 
 
 '' I KNOW, Lev)^, (replied her Lady- 
 " fhip) what you would fay, and give 
 *' you my honour that Mr. G^r^is fafe." 
 
 .«* I LIFTED
 
 The hermit. 109 
 
 ** I LIFTED up my hands and eyes, 
 " in gratitude to heaven for this in- 
 *' telligence. 
 
 " I NOW every day gathered ftrengtb. 
 " I wanted much an opportunity of 
 **• ipeaking to Sally -, but fhe appeared 
 " as iludious to avoid, as I did to pro- 
 ** cure it. 
 
 " Her Ladyfliip being called to a 
 " perfon on bufinefs, I faid to her, 
 " Come hither, Sally, ; why have you 
 " not before this contrived fome means 
 "to tell me how Mr. Gore came off 
 '* in the duel he had with Sir William^ 
 
 " Duel ! replied Hie ; a duel, 
 ^* Madam! I know of none. Thefe 
 " gentlemen have never fought^' 
 
 ^' Thank
 
 no The HERMIT. 
 
 "Thank God! faid I; then I 
 ** may ftill be happy. I am fure no- 
 " thing lefs than Sir Williams refign- 
 *' ing his pretenfions could have pre- 
 ** vented the event I dreaded." 
 
 ** I FANCY it is not fo neither, Ma- 
 "dam^ iox S\v William is here every 
 «• day to enquire after your health: it 
 " was not five minutes fince Ifaw him> 
 « below." 
 
 *' You furprife me, Sally I — Not 
 ** fight ! — Sir William come ftill to the 
 
 ** houfe ! Have you received no 
 
 «* letters for me ?" 
 
 ** I HAVE had one, Madam, more 
 «* than a week, but could not find an 
 ^ opportunity to deliver it till now." — 
 
 •'My
 
 The hermit. hi 
 
 *^ My mother coming in at that in- 
 " flant, made me hide it in the bed, 
 ^' till I could find a proper time to read 
 ** it, which, alas ! came but too foon» 
 
 " The furprife, the aftonifliment, 
 *' the grief I felt was inexpreffible, 
 " when, inftead of telling me what 
 *' he fuffered from my illnefs, to be 
 " told, and in the moft aggravating: 
 *' terms, that I was no longer worthy 
 ** his regard -, that he had once thought 
 ** my heart the throne of conftancy,. 
 " but found it was only an appearance 
 *^ of that virtue. — He bid me ftill be^ 
 ** happy, though it was not now m 
 " my power, nor in that of any other 
 " woman, to make him foJ' 
 
 " Oh the horrid ingrate! exclaim- 
 '* ed Mifs Coventry 5 how I hate, how 
 «* I detefl him !" 
 
 «* Let
 
 112 The hermit. 
 
 ** Let not appearances deceive you; 
 '"* (replied Lavinia) I cannot bear that 
 ** he fhould lie under your difpleafure 
 *^* even for a moment. I am impa- 
 ** tientto clear him -, but we muft talk 
 ** on this fubjed: in the carriage : we 
 *' do not feem to confider it is fix miles 
 " to JVeatly, and that the fun has al- 
 «^.moft kiffedthefea." 
 
 Marta, who could have fat till 
 midnight without counting hours whilft 
 fhe liftened to Lavinia^ thus remind*- 
 ed, arofe from her humble feat, when 
 a ruftling of the boughs made them 
 turn round, and they flarted at feeing 
 a man within a few yards of them. 
 
 The mild fweetnefs that fhoneupon 
 Ihs face forbade fear. Some thoufand 
 years before, he might have been mif*- 
 taken for the Genius of the woods. — 
 
 The
 
 The hermit. 115 
 
 The filver bear dwhich hung halfway 
 down his waift caught their attention, 
 and Lavinia whifpered Maria to ob- 
 ferve his graceful movement, as he 
 came towards them. 
 
 When he fpoke, they felt a vene- 
 ration for him they could by no meani 
 account for. 
 
 ** You are doubtlefs furprifed, . my 
 " daughters, (faid he) at the fight of a 
 " man of fuch uncommon appearance. 
 " Believe me, (turning to Mifs G/7- 
 ^^ far-d) I came not to this place to be 
 *^ a liftener : No ; I came to contem- 
 ** plate my own misfortunes, and weep 
 *' afrefh at their remembrance : but 
 " you have robbed them of their daily 
 ** tribute ; your flory has ftole from me 
 ** thofe tears which were due to them.'* 
 
 " I AU
 
 fi4 The HERMIT. 
 
 " I AM forry, Sir, (fhe replied) tho* 
 ** inadvertently, that I fhould have in 
 ^* the leaft diftreffed you > finding too, 
 ^' by your words, you are not on your 
 y own account exempt from trouble/*^ 
 
 " Indeed I am not (returned the 
 f* pious ftranger) ; but though I have 
 ** had a double portion of afflidions^ 
 ** I blefs God continually, and doubt 
 ♦^ not the wifdom of his defign in fend- 
 ** ing them. — Pardon me, Ladies, I 
 ** had a requeft to make ; particularly,. 
 ■*< Madam, I muft addrefs myfelf to 
 <« you," added he, fpeaking to Mifs 
 Gilford, 
 
 " It is already granted. Sir," (he 
 replied with a moft enchanting grace. 
 
 •' You know not, my good young 
 " Lady, the extent of my boldnefs ; 
 
 " yet
 
 The hermit. 115 
 
 " yet term it not idle curiofity, when 
 " I tell you I wifh much to hear the 
 «' fequel of that relation you have 
 ** been juft giving your friend, and to 
 " which I liftened not from a bad 
 *^ motive*— You fay (continued he) you 
 <* can clear the feeming infidelity of 
 f * your lover/* 
 
 ; *^ Indeed^ Sir, lean; and if yon 
 ^ will meet us here to-morrow after- 
 ** noon, I will give you the fequel 
 f you defire." 
 
 " Excellent goodnefs! he re- 
 ** turned : I pray Heaven all your 
 ** diftrelTes may foon have an end, and 
 ** that you may again meet and be 
 " united to the perfon who has the 
 •' happinefs to be efteemed by you ! — 
 *' And -may this other flower, this fif- 
 ** ter-fweetnefs, (turning to Mifs Co- 
 
 (< ventry^
 
 ii6 Thk hermit. 
 
 " venfry, taking a hand of each) make 
 " happy fome man deferving fo much 
 " innocence, fo much beauty ! O my 
 " God ! fuch a one you once lent me !" 
 
 " Ah, my good Sir ! (faid Maria) 
 ^* you afflidl us greatly. See Mifs Gil^ 
 *^ ford's eyes ; look at mine i they 
 " overflow to think a man fo worthy 
 " as you kem to be, Ihould labour 
 " under the opprefRon of forrow. Da 
 f * not deny me a boon I am about to 
 " alk ; if you fhould, it would almoft 
 " break my heart." 
 
 ' <* Speak, my child (faid the venc- 
 <« rable ftranger) 5 if within my power 
 *' to oblige you, fuch fweetnefs fhall 
 ^' not alk in vain." 
 
 ^' I AM going, Sir, (replied fhe with 
 «^ an enchanting fmile) to be very in- 
 
 " quifitive.
 
 The hermit. xiy 
 
 y quifitlve. In the firft place, will you 
 *' condefcend to inform us to what na- 
 " tion you belong ? for I imagine you 
 " are not a native of this kingdom." 
 
 He fmiled at her furmife. — " I have 
 " never (returned he) {cQn any other 
 " kingdom ; but I can eafily account, 
 *' Madam, for your miftake. My 
 ^* uncommon habit, and this length 
 *' of hair (pointing to his chin) muft 
 " make me appear extremely ftrange 
 " to people who are converfant with 
 " the world : but as I am not obliged 
 " to ftudy its fashions, my only care is 
 " to provide the abfolute neceffaries of 
 " life. You will fcarce credit me (con- 
 '^ tinned he) when I tell you, that, ex- 
 " cept yourfelves and three other per- 
 ** fons, I have not feen a human face 
 *' thefe five years." 
 
 " Where,
 
 tjt The hermit. 
 
 "Where, fsiid Lavipiia -y Where, 
 ** faid Maria j can you have been all 
 *^ this time fequeftered ?" 
 
 " Before I difcover that, (he re- 
 *^ phed) you muft give me a folemn 
 " promife never to difclofe it without 
 *' my permiflion. On thefe condi- 
 *' tions, to-morrow, when you return, 
 '^ I will lead you to my retreat." 
 
 " We fubfcribe to them with plea- 
 ** fure," faid they : " Though (added 
 *' Mifs Coventry) I now perceive the 
 ** boon I intended to afk muft be givea 
 ^* up. I was going (purfued (he) to 
 " petition you would go with us to my 
 *' father's. He is a good man -, he re- 
 " veres good men : how would he be 
 *' delighted with your company! If you 
 " fhouid then weep, his tears would 
 *' fall with yours ; he has loft a wife, 
 
 "la
 
 The hermit. 119 
 
 «^ I a mother, for whom they will ever 
 « flow." 
 
 " Your father has loft a wife, you 
 *' fay, my good young Lady: I too 
 ** have loft one, the pattern of every 
 ** virtue, every excellence. Perhaps fo 
 *' was his 5 but has he loft children, 
 *' friends, fortune, all that in this life 
 *' is defirable ? O no ! he has not 5 
 ** you are his daughter. What a blef- 
 *' fing, what a treafure has he ftill 
 " left ! How unfit for companions ! 
 " Whenever we fat down to enumerate 
 ** our misfortunes, his tale of woe 
 ** would foon be told, whilft mine 
 " would laft from morn to eve, from 
 " eve to morn, a fummer^s day." 
 
 The compaffionate tear quivered 
 in the bright eyes of Lavinia and Ma- 
 ria : they longed to know what thofe 
 
 mif-
 
 «20 The hermit. 
 
 misfortunes were, and why he had 
 baniflied himfelf from mankind ; but 
 were forced to fufpend their curiofity, 
 as the night made fuch fwift ap- 
 proaches. 
 
 After renewing their promife of 
 fecrecy, alfo of meeting early the fol- 
 lowing day, they parted ; the Ladies 
 regained their carriage, whilft the 
 flranger ftruck into the thickefl part of 
 the woods. 
 
 It is impoflible to fay how much 
 they wiflied for the next afternoon : 
 they thought nor talked of any thing 
 but their late adventure, till arrived 
 within a mile of Weatly^ when it was 
 banifhed the bread of Lavinia by the 
 fight of Sir JVilUa?n More^ feated in 
 his Phaeton, but indebted to a fervant 
 from undergoing the fame fate with 
 
 tha^t
 
 The hermit. 121 
 
 that prefumptuous youth whofe name 
 his carriage bore ; the Baronet's head 
 being nearly as giddy with claret, as 
 the' offspring of Apollo was with am- 
 bition. 
 
 Passing the chariot where fat his 
 miftrefs, he attempted to fpeak ) but 
 it was only an attempt. 
 
 " Heavens \ ((aid Mifs Coventry) 
 ^ what a bead: is that which has juft 
 " paifed us ! Lord help me ! Why, my 
 " dear Mifs Gilford^ do you change 
 '* colour?" 
 
 '' Ah Madam! (replied Lavinia) 
 '^ that is the detefted Sir William^ re- 
 *^ turned to make me miferable. All 
 ** my reliance now is on Sir Francis ^ 
 " who has affured me he will no more 
 " intereft himfelf in his favour." 
 
 Vol. L G ^« Well
 
 I2^ The HERMIT. 
 
 " Well then, my dear, why are 
 *^ you apprehenfive ?" 
 
 " I CERTAINLY ought not to alarm 
 *^ my felf (returned Mifs Gilford) \ but 
 " in his very appearance there is a 
 <' fomething to me ftrajigely terrify- 
 
 ing. 
 
 The remainder of their journey flie 
 feemed fo much flattered, and fo very 
 uneafy, that Mifs Cove?2try^ who thought 
 it poffible fhe might meet Sir William 
 if fhe returned to the Grange^ obhged 
 her to pafs the night at Hartly-Row^ 
 after fending an excufe to Lady G//- 
 Jof^d by the fervant who attended 
 them, informing her Ladyfliip Lavinia 
 would fpend the next day with Mifs 
 Coventry, 
 
 When
 
 The hermit. 123 
 
 When the chariot ftopped at the 
 •door, dodor Edgcome prefented his 
 hand, and helped the Ladies to alight. 
 
 I OUGHT to alk my readers pardon 
 for not introducing this worthy gentle- 
 man to them fince the death of Mrs. Co- 
 vef2try\ efpecially as he had been a great 
 affiftant to his patron in forming the 
 mind of his amiable daughter. The love 
 he bore that young Lady was little in- 
 ferior to what might be felt by a pa- 
 rent : this he fhewed in refufing a va- 
 luable living, which, had he accepted, 
 muft have divided him from the deareft 
 of his friends. 
 
 Doctor Edgco77ie\ converfation 
 
 foftened many uneafy refle(5lions in the 
 
 breaft of Mr. Coventry ^ his difpoiition 
 
 being extremely chearful^ which 
 
 G 2 chear-
 
 124 The HERMIT. 
 
 chearfulnefs he derived from an ap- 
 proving heart. His glafs had few re- 
 maining fands to run: already he 
 attained an honourable old age, yet 
 hitherto fuch a favourite of Provi- 
 dence, that he had not groaned under 
 any of its pains and inconveniences* 
 
 CHAP.
 
 The hermit. ti^ 
 
 CHAP. XI. 
 
 TV/TR. Coventry y as his daughter did 
 not return till the clock had 
 ftruck nine, began to be alarmed, fear- 
 ing fome accident ; but when fhe en- 
 tered the room, and flew into his pa- 
 rental arms, expanded to receive her, 
 every uneaij' fenfation vaniihed. 
 
 " Is this the way (faid docSor Edg- 
 " come, fmiling) that you punifh our 
 " runaway ? Your daughter would be 
 ** fpoiled, was it not for me." 
 
 " Indeed, Sir, (cried Maria) you 
 
 " really frightened me ; but I fiiould 
 
 G 3 " have
 
 126 The HERMIT. 
 
 *' have known, if my dear Fapa had 
 •' been difpleafed with his girl, you 
 •* would not have told me fo with that 
 " ferenity of countenance." 
 
 *' Love you ! (interrupted the face- 
 " tious old gentleman) Really, my 
 " friend, (turning to Mr. Cove?itry) I 
 ** was in hopes we might have pafled 
 " fome years longer together ; but that 
 " will be now impoffible ; for after a 
 " young fellow hke me is difcovered 
 " to be a lover, the v/orld will talk, 
 *^ whilft he continues in the fame houfe 
 ** with the objed of his paffion." 
 
 *' Upon my honour, (faid Mr. C?- 
 ** ventrf) as you ftate the matter, Doc- 
 " tor, I know not how to advife. Mifs 
 ** Gilfordy what is your opinion?"
 
 The hermit. 127 
 
 ** Why really, Sir, fince I mud 
 '* fpeak, though I iliould be forry to 
 ^* fill you with lufpicions, I believe if 
 ** the dcdlor leaves you, there is foine 
 " danger of Lavinias eloping with 
 '* him ; for by what I have obferved, 
 ** their paffion feems to be mutual." 
 
 " Miss Gilford fays true, Sir (re- 
 *^ plied Maria laughing). You had bet- 
 '* ter, my dear Papa, confider on this 
 " matter, or a trip to Scotland may be 
 ** the confequence; for though the 
 " good dodor is of age, yet as I am 
 " hardly eighteen, I cannot difpofe of 
 ^' myfelf without your confent." 
 
 Never was an evening m^ore agreea- 
 bly paffed, or a company more de- 
 lighted with each other. Mr. Coven- 
 try's fpirits, though never in the higheft 
 key, may be called fweetly in tune; 
 G 4 not
 
 t28 The HERMIT. 
 
 not unlike that kind of harmony, 
 which gently vibrates on the ear, and 
 never fails to lull the mind into a plcaf- 
 ing calm, without raifing thofe lively 
 ideas which are infpired by more 
 fprighdy notes. 
 
 The do6lor was propofing a party 
 at v^hift, when a fervant entered with 
 a letter, which juQ: then came from 
 the Office. 
 
 " Lord L — r faid Mr. Coventry, 
 looking at the fuperfcription. 
 
 The dodlor, who had laid afide his 
 pipe to engage at cards, now relighted 
 it, and the Ladies in a lov^ voice were 
 talking of their next day's excurfion, 
 when Mr. Coventry having perufed the 
 letter gave it to his daughter, faying, 
 
 ^' Lord L , my dear, has given 
 
 ' us a nevv relatio n."
 
 The hermit. i2(^ 
 
 " Not a wife, I hope," cried doc- 
 tor £^<;c;;;^, throwing down his pipe; 
 and being anfwered in the affirmative-, 
 " If that is the cafe, (continued he) 
 ** even I cannot be fafe ; for fince that 
 '' knave Cufid has with his feathers 
 " tickled the heart of a batchelor of 
 " fifty-five, may not fourfcore be in 
 " equal danger ? — I proteft, my little 
 " cherub, (to Maria) thi& piece of 
 " news has amazingly difcompofed me) 
 " Well, I believe I muft run from you 
 " at lafi;^ 
 
 ** Supposing I tell you, friend, (faid 
 *' Mr. Coveiifrjy fmiling at his humour) 
 
 ** that Lord L never intended to 
 
 *' live a batchelor, and has been long 
 " enaged to the Lady he now married, 
 " their union only delayed from family 
 " reafons." 
 
 G 5 " I A.vi
 
 ijo Th:b hermit. 
 
 " I AM fatisfied, (he replied) and 
 '^ now will venture to afk what kind 
 ** of woman he has made choice of/^ 
 
 " One (returned Mr» Coventry) 
 *^ every wa)? calculated to make him 
 *' happy. — What think you of the ami- 
 " able Lady Mary Hajlings ?" 
 
 "I AM not acquainted with hef 
 LadylTiip (anfwered the dodlor) ; but 
 common Fame, I know, has been 
 ** very loud in her praifes." 
 
 <c 
 
 " Common Fame (faid Mr. Coven- 
 " try) is called a common Liar: but 
 *' you fhall be a judge if fhe has not 
 *' told truth in regard to Lady Mary. 
 ** I e:q3ed: her Ladyiliip v/ith her Lord 
 *' next week : their coming will make 
 ** me vaftly happy, as my dear child 
 " confines herfelf too much with me/^ 
 
 '' O SAY
 
 The hermit. 131 
 
 *^ O SAY not this/' cried the amiable 
 Maria, who had jnft then finifhed 
 reading the letter : *' Was I to devote 
 " every hour, nay every minute of 
 " my life, would it be too much for 
 *' fuch a father?" 
 
 ** My deareft child, (faid the en- 
 ** raptured parent, hugging her to his 
 " breaft) fuch duty and goodnefs were 
 *' certainly fent to compenfate for the 
 ** lofs of thy blefled mother.'* 
 
 Doctor Edgcome not approving the 
 turn this converfation feemed likely to 
 take, prudently gave it another, by 
 alking if Lord and Lady L — brought 
 any company with them. 
 
 Mr. Coventry replied, that Mr, Stor- 
 
 mont and Mils Hajiings were propofed 
 
 of the party j the former a ward of 
 
 G 6 his
 
 132 The HERMIT. 
 
 his Lordfhip, the latter related to his 
 Lady. 
 
 " Mr. Stormoj2t! (faid the dodlor) 
 *' I fancy I was acquainted with his 
 *' father. Can you tell mc if his far 
 ** mily are of Worcejler ?" 
 
 Being anfwered affirmatively, " I 
 " know nothing (purfued he) of this 
 *' young branch, but will aver the old 
 " flock is as good and honed as any in 
 " the kingdom. Nay, let me tell my 
 ** Primrofe and Daffodil, they mufl 
 ** keep a flrid guard at the door of 
 *' their hearts : fhould he be half fo 
 ** handfome as his father, they will 
 " elfe play them a runaway trick." 
 
 Both Ladies promiiing to take his 
 advice, the converfation continued 
 chearful and entertaining till that hour 
 
 arrived
 
 The hermit. 133 
 
 arrived at which they retired for the 
 night. 
 
 Miss Covefttry and Lavhtia being 
 now at Hberty to chat with freedom, 
 began to talk over the occurrences of 
 the pafTed day, and again wilhed for 
 the hour which was to carry them to 
 the Woods, 
 
 Here I will fuppofe my reader, 
 efpecially if a female, not to be fo void 
 of curiofity as to regret my paffing 
 over the neceflary orders given by Mifs 
 Coventry for the reception of her noble 
 relations 5 a morning-vifit from Mifs 
 Jones'sy or their thoufand profeflrons 
 of friendship to Maria r, in order to 
 bring that Lady and Mifs Gilford once 
 more to the place of rendezvous- 
 
 Being
 
 134 Thi hermit. 
 
 Being arrived at the narrow lanc> 
 Mifs Coventry ordered the fervants to 
 wait, as they had done the preceding 
 day ', and entering the woods found 
 there the venerable Sage, leaning on a 
 ftafF, and fo deeply buried in contem- 
 plation, that he never lifted his eyes 
 from the ground, or knew any thing 
 of their approach, till they fpoke, 
 which roufed him from his reverie. 
 
 After anfwering their inquiries for 
 his health, he faid they were very 
 punctual to their appointment. 
 
 *« We would not have made you 
 " wait, Sir, (replied Lavinia) for the 
 ** univerfe ; but we are not to ftay 
 " here : you laft night was fo good to 
 ** fay, you would condud us to your 
 t[ houfe." 
 
 "To
 
 The hermit. 135 
 
 " To my houfe ! (he repeated) Yes, 
 " fo I will ; but you muft not expedl, 
 " my children, the edifice noble, rooms 
 " lofty, or fretted roofs : yet he who 
 *' built it can, at his own pleafure, 
 " make even the meaneftcct more defi-» 
 " rable than the moft fplendid palace."^ 
 
 Having faid this, he led them 
 through feveral intricate paths, and 
 at length ftruck into one fo extremely 
 narrow, as made it difficult to pafs, 
 the end of which they did not gain 
 for many minutes, and wereth^n un- 
 utterably furprifed to find it terminate 
 in a rock : nor could they perceive any 
 way by which to proceed. They 
 looked on each other, and for the firft 
 time began to entertain thoughts not in 
 favour of their condudor, which were 
 ftrengthened by his obferving a ftrid: 
 filence. 
 
 What
 
 136 The HERMIT. 
 
 What would they have now given 
 to have been at Weatly ! blaming them- 
 felves, no doubt, for having ralhly 
 ventured to fo retired a place with a 
 perfon they had never ittn but once 
 before. His venerable aipedl, that 
 goodnefs which they imagined io con- 
 fpicuous in every look and word, fhould 
 not, ought not, to have been fo much 
 relied on : — Appearances often deceive : 
 — How eafy for a villain to put on the 
 mafk of virtue ! 
 
 Unable to communicate their 
 dreadful apprehenfions to each other, 
 they were finking with fear, when the 
 perfon who raifed it taking a key from 
 his pocket, applied it to the rock, whicb 
 opened, as if by enchantment, fuffi- 
 cient for two to enter. *' O my God \ 
 *' (cried Maria in a low voice) what 
 tl is to become of us !"
 
 The hermit. 137 
 
 " Let us rely on Heaven," whifpered 
 Mifs Gilford, She could add no more : 
 the ftranger offered her his hand, 
 faying he would return in an inftant 
 and fetch her friend. 
 
 Lavinia knew that refiftance could 
 be of no fervice : they were now too 
 much in his power, and even to ihew 
 a diftruft would be impolitic -, for 
 which reafon fhe fuftered him to lead 
 her, though with trembling fteps* 
 
 Miss Coventry faw her enter the 
 dreadful cavern ! What at that mo- 
 ment was her emotion! Affrighted, 
 terrified, fhe looked on every fide to 
 fee if there was no way to efcape j but 
 none appeared, except the litde path 
 by which they came j the wood being 
 fo thick on either hand, that it was ab- 
 folutely impofQble to penetrate it. She 
 
 had
 
 13S The HERMIT. 
 
 had once thoughts of trying the fwift- 
 nefs of her feet, nay, had adually re- 
 trad:ed fome fteps, when the voice of 
 Friendfhip bid her return. *' Could 
 ** file leave ( it aiked) in that fhocking 
 " place her dear Lavinia ?" This 
 fingle queftion determined her 5 fhe 
 came back, refolved to (hare the fame 
 fate v^ith her friend, and offered up a 
 fervent prayer to the Almighty for his 
 protection. The petition came from 
 a heart too pure to be rejeded. Whilft 
 her lovely eyes were looking to that 
 heaven from whence fhe expeded 
 fuccour, half her fears vanifhed ; and 
 when the old gentleman again ap- 
 proached her, fhe did not feel thofe 
 perturbations fhe had done a few mi- 
 nutes fince. 
 
 ** Come, my child, (faid he, with 
 " ineffable benignity) condefcend to 
 
 «* enter
 
 The hermit. 159 
 
 " enter my humble cell. This is my 
 " houfe. I bad you not exped a lofty 
 *' dome. The head of Ambition has 
 " never yet entered my dwelling. Be- 
 ** lieve me, Madam, the parade and 
 '* buftle we muft neceiTarily meet in 
 " the world, though ever fo fortunate^ 
 " eannot compenfate for the tranquil 
 " eafe I here enjoy." 
 
 Miss Coventry^ who had now loft 
 fight of every fear, liftened whilft he 
 fpoke with reverential pleafure 5 and 
 by his affiftance reached the laft of 
 about twenty fleps, that were either 
 worn by Time, or hewn by Art, to an 
 eafy declivity, which led to a fmall 
 neat room, whofe craggy fides were 
 covered with the bark of trees, floored 
 with the fame materials. 
 
 A COUCH,
 
 I40 The HERMIT. 
 
 A COUCH, three chairs, a little ta- 
 ble and a book-cafe, compleated the 
 furniture. 
 
 Here the Ladies were again re-unlt- 
 cdi they gazed on each other with 
 aftonifhment ; they appeared to won- 
 der ; but their furprife was unattended 
 by fufpicion. 
 
 As foon as the Hermit had feated 
 his fair guefts, he prefented them with 
 cake and fwect-meats ; nor was a glafs 
 of excellent Madeira, which he'in- 
 fifted on their drinking, at all unfea- 
 fonable, having lately fuffered fo much 
 from their timidity : but with all their 
 engaging rhetoric, they could not pre- 
 vail on their abftemious hoft to tafte 
 the wine. 
 
 " I WOULD
 
 The hermit. 141 
 
 " I WOULD oblige you, (faid he) 
 " was it in my power ; but that is an 
 *' indulgence I never allow myfelf, un- 
 *' lefs my health or fpirits abfolutely 
 *' require it, which is not now the 
 " cafe : on the contrary, my heart feels 
 " a lightnefs to which it has been long 
 " unaccuftomed." 
 
 " Pardon me, my dear young 
 " Lady, (to Lavinia) I find myfelf 
 " ftrangely impatient for the fequel of 
 " your pretty narrative. I intreat you 
 *' will remove the cloud which feems 
 *' to hang over the condudt of your 
 *' lover. Methinks I am interefted in 
 " his favour. To me he appears de- 
 " ferving. He muft not, cannot be 
 ^^ unamiable." 
 
 Miss Gilforct^ eyes iparkled the 
 approbation of her foul, at the praifes 
 
 given
 
 14^ The HERMIT. 
 
 given Mr. Gore by this good old man 5 
 and without waiting to be folicited a 
 fecond time, fhe began to fatisfy his 
 curiolity in the following manner. 
 
 .^/ \.A. A.-' \^'\. • \/\A'./ \/ V •'•./ \/ \/ \y*' / \/\ A..'\ 
 
 CHAP. XIL 
 
 " T Left off yefterday at my recciv* 
 " ing a letter from Mr, Gore by the 
 " hands of Sally ; the contents fo un- 
 " expelled, and I then thought fo ex- 
 *' tremely cruel, thati will not attempt 
 *' to tell you what I felt on this occa- 
 ** lion. I fuppreffed my tears be- 
 *' fore my mother and brother : but 
 " when alone, they were my only con- 
 [' folation. 
 
 " I OFTEN
 
 The hermit. 143 
 
 " I OFTEN afked Sally if fhe had 
 ** heard nothing of Mr. Gore-, which 
 " file was fure to anfwer in the nega- 
 " tive. Indeed, I have fince wondered 
 " at my blind nefs : the leaft penetra- 
 *^ tion might have difcovered that ihe 
 " was now more in Sir Willi ants in- 
 " tereft than in mine : but m)^ eyes 
 " were not open to her bafenefs, till 
 " her own confcience could no longer 
 " keep the horrid fecret. 
 
 " One evening my fpirits being ex- 
 " tremely low, I went to my room 
 *' as foon as the cloth was removed ; 
 " and taking up a volumd of Shake^ 
 '■'fpear^ I opened it to his excellent 
 *^ play intitled Much Ado about No- 
 " thing, 
 
 " Hero's diftrefs affeded me: I 
 " wept as I read it. — Sally, who I had 
 
 " em-
 
 1-44 The HERMIT. 
 
 ** employed about fome work of which 
 *^ I was grown tired, begged I would 
 *' put down my book : " I am fure, 
 *^ Madam, (faid ihe) it muft be a mife- 
 *^ table melancholy one to make you 
 ** cry fo. I could never in my born 
 *^ days endure to read (lories of ghofts 
 " and murders ; they fo befrighten 
 " me, that for all the goo4 in the 
 " world I fhould fee them when I go 
 t' to bed." 
 
 *' Smiling at her ignorant fimpli- 
 ** city, I replied, ** It is neither one 
 " or the other, Sal/y ; yet it affedls 
 *' me more than if I had read a relation 
 *' of all the ghofts that have appeared 
 [^ the laft hundred years." 
 
 " Lord, Madam ! (faid fhe) if it 
 *^ would not be making too bold, I 
 *' fliould furely alk what it was about." 
 
 " Think-
 
 The hermit. 145 
 
 *^ Thinking no more than juft to 
 " amufe myfelf with the remarks of 
 " fuch a perfon, I began to relate the 
 *' heads of what I had been reading, 
 " to which I obferved (he liftened 
 " with great attention, and really 
 " made fome judicious remarks on 
 " the whimfical characSlers oi Benedict 
 " and Beatrice : but when I came to 
 " that part where Margaret is pitched 
 "on by Don Joh?i to reprefent Hero 
 " to the deceived ClaudiOy a death- 
 " like palenefs overfpread her face, 
 " the work dropped from her hand, 
 " and (he cried out with eyes flaring 
 " as if fhe had really feen a fpeftre, 
 *' I am guilty ! You have difcovered 
 ** me, Madam ! I cannot hope for 
 *' your forgivenefs !" and down fhe 
 " fell on her knees before me. 
 
 Vol. I. H "What
 
 146 The HER^^T't 
 
 «* What is the mattev ! {ixci^im- 
 ** ed I) what ails the girl ?" though in- 
 ♦« deed I was fcarrce ever more terrified. 
 
 cc 
 
 .n 
 
 The matter, Mifs Lavhtia! (faid 
 ^^ the confcious wretch, fobbing) To 
 *' be fure you know it already, or could 
 ** never have told my wicked plot to 
 *' deceive Mr. Gore, Aye, aye, Ma- 
 *' dam, I knew who you meant by 
 *' Margaret,'* 
 
 *' Good God ! I fhuddered with bor- 
 " ror and amazement 3 but perceiving 
 *M muft owe her confeflion to a fup- 
 '* pofition that I was before acquainted 
 *' with her crimes, I bad her in a ftern 
 " voice get up, and if fhe hoped for 
 ** my pardon to tell me every particular 
 *' of her bufinefs, and who it was that 
 *' made her commit fo black a tranf- 
 ** adioii. 
 
 « Ah !
 
 The hermit. 147 
 
 *< Ah ! what a fcene of iniquity 
 «^ had fhe to difclole ! I fhall faulter 
 *' in a repetition." 
 
 '* Proceed, my dear child," faid 
 the Sage. An aflenting nod pre- 
 vented the fame requeli from Mifs 
 Coventry, 
 
 " I WAS obh'ged (continued Lavi- 
 '^^ nia) to repeat my commands feveral 
 " times before I could get her from 
 " her knees : fhe then trembled fo as 
 *^ to be forced to fupport herfelf a* 
 *^ gainfl: the back of a chair. 
 
 " I AM ignorant, Madam, (faid the 
 " agitated creature) who can have be- 
 *^ trayed me to you j but this I am fure, 
 *^ I have never had my right mind fince 
 " Sir William More overcame my 
 ** honefly," 
 
 H 2 *^ What!
 
 143 The HERMIT. 
 
 ^' What ! (cried I, not mifunder- 
 '* {landing her words, but as it feems 
 " mifapplying them) poor wretch ! 
 *^ haft thou then fallen a vidlim to that 
 *' vileft of men ! O Sally, Sally! and 
 *' Sir WilUam More has really feduced 
 ^' thee ! This I did not know before." 
 
 " God be thanked ! God be thank- 
 *^ ed ! (replied fhe fobbing) I ben't 
 " what I believe you take me to be, 
 ^* Madam. No, no, I have preferved 
 *' my vartue ; though I did, I did, I 
 '^ did, to be fure, lofe my name, when 
 «' I confented to betray and ruin fo 
 " fweet a young Lady." 
 
 " A MINUTE fince I trembled for 
 the poor wretch : now every fear re- 
 doubled on my own account. 
 
 
 " Speak,
 
 The hermit. 149 
 
 *^ Speak, (cried I) explain yourfelf ; 
 " but firft reach me fome water." She 
 ** tottered to the ftand, and bringing 
 " me the bottle, I fwallowed a mouth« 
 *' full, which probably kept me from 
 *^ fainting. " Now (Taid I) go on, 
 " conceal nothing from me, and per* 
 
 haps I may forgive you." 
 
 u 
 
 " I COULD not prevent her from 
 ** again falling on her knees, to blcfs 
 ** me for what I had half promifed • 
 " and I really believe flie was a very 
 ** fmcere penitent. 
 
 " Seeing my impatience, and be- 
 *' ing often ordered to rife, fhe refumed 
 " her place at the back of my chair, 
 " and proceeded thus : 
 
 " You may remember. Madam, 
 
 ** that the laft afternoon you ever font 
 
 H 3 '' mc
 
 150 The HERMIT. 
 
 " me to Mr. Willaces^ I brought back 
 ** a letter from Mr. GorCy which made 
 ** you very ill ; and I thought then, if fo 
 " be as how I fliould have the whole 
 " univarfe to do you harm, I would 
 ** not have earned it : but alackaday \ 
 ** I verily believe James muft have 
 *' given love-powder to bewitch mQ^ 
 *' or I fhould never have turned about 
 '* to be of another mind^ To be fare, 
 " Madam, I had a little kindnefs for 
 ** Mr. James ; but never thought as 
 •* how he had any for me, becaufe he 
 " was very often kiffing Sufan the 
 '* dairy-maid, and fhe made her brags 
 " all about that he was her fweet* 
 '' heart.'* 
 
 ** Prithee, girl,, (faid I) teize me 
 ^* no longer with affairs of which I 
 " want not to be informed." 
 
 ^* My
 
 The hermit. 151 
 
 " My dear Lady, pray fuffer me to 
 •* fpcak ibr myfelf (replied flie), or 
 *' you will mayhap think me more 
 " bcifer than I am." 
 
 ** I FOUND (lie would go on in her 
 *^ own way, fo I bid her proceed. 
 
 *' The night you was taken ill, 
 " Mr. James^ after I had put my 
 ** Lady to bed, brought me a letter : 
 " at the fame time he told me as how, 
 ** Don't be a fool, my dear Sally ; I 
 •* love you better than any earthly crea- 
 ** ture : but we can never marry tiT 
 *' we have got a little money before- 
 <' hand ^ therefore you muft do as his 
 *' Honour defires.'' 
 
 '* To be fure I was glad to hear him 
 
 «' fpeak fo kindly , but before I could 
 
 ** alk him if he meant me true, he 
 
 H 4^ •^ was 
 
 ■^^
 
 152 The HERMIT. 
 
 ** was gone out of the room ; and, 
 " God be thanked ! being brought 
 '* pretty well to my pen, I opened the 
 " letter he left, and was quite bewil- 
 '' dered to find it come from fo great a 
 *' gentleman as Sir William, 
 
 " I READ it over and over, and at 
 " laft underftood that if I would fet 
 ** out and come to him dire(£tly, he 
 " would make it worth my while. 
 ** So when I came to this part, I faid 
 " to myfelf, I would not go on any 
 " confideration, as his Honour could 
 " not want me for good : but reading 
 " and reading on, I found he did not 
 " intend me any hurt, becaufe he faid 
 " as how he knew Mr. James was my 
 " fweet-heart, and had defired him to 
 " come along with me, becaufe I 
 " fhould not have any doubts about 
 ** myvartue" 
 
 '' So
 
 The hermit. 153 
 
 " So you went (faid I) at this fum- 
 " mons, did you, Sally ?" 
 
 •' Indeed, indeed, I refolved not 
 '* to go, Madam ; for ivhyy I knew 
 " you thought his Honour a very bad 
 "man: but Mr. fames coming juft 
 ** then v/as very angry, and faid as 
 ** how if that was the cafe, and I 
 " would not go, he would give rny 
 ** Lady warning the next day. 
 
 " What could 1 do, Madam ? — 
 " What could I do? (faid the weeping 
 " criminal) If fames had gone away, 
 " I ihould never have had a minute's 
 ** heart's eafe afterwards : fo I did — I 
 ** did — I did i^X^ him,^that if fo be 
 " as how he would not give warning, 
 *' I would go.** 
 
 " Well, and you did go ?" 
 
 H5 "Yes,
 
 1.54 The HERMIT. 
 
 " Yes, Madam, I cannot fay but I 
 '' did/' 
 
 «' Lord help met (faid I) but 
 " proceed ; and again I charge you, 
 " hide nothing from me. 
 
 *' I HELD by yames all the way, 
 " As you chufe, Madam, to have me 
 *' particular, upon my word, and in-- 
 ^* deed, I will be very particular. 
 " Yet though Mr. Jafnes was with me, 
 *' and I held by his arm, I fhook 
 *' all over with fear 5 and every now 
 " and then fancied I h^ ghoftess^ tho* 
 " I fuppole there is no fuch things in 
 ** thefe parts. And though it is but 
 ** a fhort mile to Sir Willi am\ houfe, I 
 *' thought as how the road grew longer 
 " and longer, and was ready to die 
 *« when James let me in through the 
 " great gate.'* 
 
 *' His
 
 The hermit. 15s 
 
 *' His Honour was fitting at a ta- 
 ** ble fprcad ail over with golden gui- 
 " neas. 
 
 " Though I was but a fervant he 
 ** got up, and was fo good-humoured 
 *' as to kiis me, and fliook my fweet- 
 ** heart by the hand, faying, whilft 
 " w^e bowed and curtfied, "I am glad, 
 " to fee you, Mr. yames, efpecially 
 " as you have brought your pretty 
 " Sa//y with you 3'' and his Honour 
 *' fwore we were a comely couple, 
 ^' and then was fo kind to fay he would 
 *^ ftand up for our firft boy. 
 
 ** I WISH, (faid James, whilft I to 
 ** be fure, Madam, was quite daunted, 
 »' and bluHied like any thing) I wifli 
 '• it was come to that : but vour Wor- 
 •* {hip muft know I am but a poor 
 ** man, and farzi'ce is no inheritance : 
 H 6 '' and
 
 256 The hermit. 
 
 *« and tho' I love Sally as my life, yet 
 '* before we marry, I am afraid I 
 " fhall be forced to accept of the offer 
 " Squire Jojtes made me yefterday." 
 
 " What was that ?" alked his 
 Honour. 
 
 " It was (faid James) to go to An- 
 ^' tigua for ten years, for which I am 
 ** to have five hundred pounds." 
 
 " O MY dear injured Lady ! (con- 
 *^ tinued the poor creature) I thought 
 " thofe dreadful words would have 
 " been my death : indeed, I could not 
 " help crying, though. I hid it with 
 " my apron, which Sir Williayn took 
 ** from my face, and faid, *' Indeed, 
 " James^ you are to blame to let fuch 
 " pretty eyes weep for you." 
 
 " James
 
 The hermit. 157 
 
 " James wiped his eyes too, and 
 *^ faid he wifhed as how he could help 
 " it. 
 
 " Come, come, (cried his Honour) 
 *' let us try, Mrs. Sally, if you and I 
 *' can prevent honeft 'James from go- 
 " ing over fea. Now tell me, child, 
 " what would you do to keep him at 
 ** home 'y and, what is more, marry 
 " and live comfortably with him ?" 
 
 " I SAii>, I faid, I cannot deny it, 
 " Madam, I faid I would do any thing 
 " in my power y for I thought as how 
 '* I already faw him on the cruel 
 " ocean. 
 
 ** Well, then, it is in your power 
 *^ to keep him always with you (faid 
 ** his Honour, taking one of my hands, 
 \\ whilft James held the other) -, and 
 
 " this
 
 155 The HERMIT. 
 
 *' this gold (pointing to the table) is all 
 " your own, my girl, if you will affift 
 ^' me in a good turn." 
 
 " Oh heaven ! (cried I) Take care, 
 " take care, Sally, that you repeat 
 *' every wcrd this vile Sir William laid, 
 " when he told the black affair you 
 " was to execute/' 
 
 " All this time the creature wept 
 *' very plentifully, and wiping her 
 •' eyes told me, flie had not forgot ^ 
 " word his Honour had faid, and would 
 ** tell me juft as he fpoke them. 
 
 " Sally, (faid he) you know I am 
 «* very foon to marry your young Lady : 
 " you know too that Gore pretends to 
 " difpute her heart withme. Now by 
 ** fome means or other he has difco-' 
 [^ veredthat 'Thurfday is fixed upon hf 
 
 '' Ladv
 
 The hermit. 159 
 
 " Lady Gilford and Sir Fra72cis for my 
 " nuptials with Lavinia^ and this af- 
 ** ternoon he fent for me. " Kill," or 
 *' be killed," was the word. Having 
 ^* no inclination to either, I would have 
 '' argued the cafe ; but as nothing 
 *' would content the fellow, I was 
 *' forced to forge an inftant falfliood. 
 *' I faid, Mifs Gilford was not worth 
 '' our fwords or refentment, and that 
 •* laft evening Idifcovered her perfidy ^ 
 *^ that fhe had another lover, and ac- 
 *' tually met him every night at a little 
 ** window which looked into the 
 *' grove." 
 
 *^ O GOOD your Honour! (faid I) 
 *' how could you fay fuch a thing ? 
 ** Sure my Lady never met a Chriftian 
 " man in that place in her born days.*' 
 
 ^ ** I KNOW
 
 i6o The HERMIT. 
 
 '« I KNOW it, Sally (replied he); 
 " but this is not now the matter. Tho' 
 " it was a long while before Gore would 
 ** give the leaft credit to my tale, he 
 " now begins to believe it -, for I have 
 " abfolutely promised, that to-morrow- 
 *' night at eleven, the time I told him 
 ** when I was informed they generally 
 *' met, his eyes, his ears, fliould con- 
 ** vince him how little worthy fhe was 
 " of his or my regard. Now it re- 
 ** mains on you, Sally^ to help me to 
 ** fulfil this engagement. At the time 
 *• and place appointed do you be there, 
 ** dreffed in your Lady's crimfon hat 
 *' and cloak: lean out at the window ; 
 ^^ James fhall be under; but fpeak 
 ** low, that your voice may not be dif- 
 ** covered. He will fay to you, *^ My 
 *' deareft Mifs Gilford^ why am I not 
 " in a rank of life to appear openly 
 
 •' your
 
 The hermit. i6j 
 
 " your lover ?" — Then anfwer him, 
 ** that you would prefer him to a 
 " prince, even if he was ten times 
 *' meaner than he is. Say, that you 
 " pretend a paflion for Gore only to 
 ** hide your love to him ; and fay alfo, 
 *' you hate, you defpife me. Call me 
 *^ a villain, or any other bad name 5 
 '* but be fure, Sally^ you do not for-» 
 f * get to fpeak all this extremely foft." 
 
 CHAP,
 
 •i62 The HERMIT. 
 
 ^^^ V \ ••• \y' '•%y •'../ V" V ■••-••• ••../ •••./ '\ ^ \/ •••. .' •'•./•• / 'V* 'V '••w-N 
 
 CHAP. XIII. 
 
 ERE Lamnia was interrupted 
 by a voice whicH exclaimed^ 
 *' Vile ! inexorable ! plotting villain !** 
 At the fame time a man of about five- 
 and-tw^enty appeared before them, and 
 flung himfelf at the feet of Mifs Gil- 
 ford^ who, as foon as fhe heard, or 
 rather faw him, gave a violent fcream, 
 and fell to the ground. 
 
 H 
 
 Maria, though terrified almofl: to 
 a degree of frenzy, flew to fupport her 
 fallen lifelefs friend : but fhe was al- 
 ready in the arms of him who had 
 occafioned this diforder. He wept over 
 her; he intreated, asifflieftill heard 
 
 him.
 
 The hermit. 163 
 
 him, that ihe would live -, that (he 
 would forgive his weak credulity. — 
 Thefe and fome other words to the 
 fame effed: convinced Mifs Coventry^ 
 the perfon whom flie now faw was the 
 identical Mr. Gore. 
 
 His eyes exprelTed generofity, {qh^ 
 fibility, tendernefs : the laft all fhow* 
 ered on Lavhiia, who was by this^ 
 time laid upon the couch, and fo mucb 
 recovered as to be able to blefs her 
 tranfported lover with io fweet a look, 
 as would have repay ed him for ten 
 years of anguiili. 
 
 As for the old gentleman, he rub- 
 bed his hands, flroked his beard, and 
 once more produced that fame bottle of 
 Madeira which made its appearance in 
 a former chapter. 
 
 "Come,
 
 1^4 Thk hermit. 
 
 *^ Come, my children, (faid the 
 ** good man) after the fright my ne- 
 ^* phew has occafioned you, another 
 y glafs will be abfolutely neceffary." 
 
 " Your nephew ! Mr. Gore your 
 ** nephew ! (repeated Lavinia) Hea- 
 " ven and earth ! what new wonders ! 
 " Certainly (cried Mifs Coventry) we 
 ** are tranfported into Fairy land: every 
 " thing we hear and fee is ftrange and 
 *' furprifing." 
 
 " Indeed, my dear Mifs Gilfofdy 
 *' (faid Mr. Gore) this venerable, this 
 *' good man is my uncle. It is to him 
 " I am indebted for every fentiment 
 " deferving approbation. It is by his 
 " advice that I have been with-held 
 ** from many aftions which would 
 " have given me pain, when I came to 
 « refle(a on them 5 yet there is one 
 
 " debt
 
 The hermit. 165 
 
 ^' debt greater than the reft, which I 
 ** mention laft : It is to him I owe my 
 *' prefent happinefs. Had it not been for 
 " him, I fhould ftill have thought you 
 *' falfe, blinded by the Machiavelian 
 ** art of a curfed contriver 3 but Sir 
 " William More ftill lives.'* 
 
 " And ftill iTiall live, if his God 
 *' permit (interrupted the uncle of 
 " Mr. Go7'e)\ but we will talk on this 
 ** topick fome other time. — You broke 
 *' in upon us, young gentleman, at a 
 ** very interefting part of Mifs Gilford'^ 
 ** narrative, nor will I pardon you, 
 *' unlefs you prevail on her to proceed.'* 
 
 " I FEAR, Sir, (faid Mr. Gore) her 
 ** fpirits are too much weakened by 
 '^ the late fliock they have fuftained ; 
 ^* but with Mifs Gilford's permiffion, 
 ^* though it will be greatly to your dif- 
 
 " advan-
 
 i6S The hermit. 
 
 ** advantage, I will fatisfy you as far 
 ^^ as is in my power. This propofal 
 " met a general approbation ; Lavim'a 
 " in particular feemed highly pleafed, 
 
 ** It has already appeared but too 
 *' plain (faid he) that Sally could not 
 ** withftand the united powers of love 
 *' and affluence ; it is certain fhe did 
 ** not by whatfollowed ; for atthe fixed 
 " time Sir William called on me, and 
 *' we went to the place appointed, 
 " where I thought I faw the bed, the 
 " mod deferving of her fex changed 
 ** into a falfe, perfidious ingrate. I 
 ^* heard the very words which aS^//v re- 
 ** peated to her Lady ; I faw the wretch 
 ** lean forward to her accomplice ; and 
 ^' my tranfports of rage were fo un- 
 •* governable, that I would have fal- 
 *' len inftantly on my fuppofed rival, if 
 ** his vile employer, who I now regard- 
 
 ** ed
 
 The hermit^. iSj 
 
 ** ed as my beft friend, had not with- 
 " held me. 
 
 " What can I fay in defence of 
 " my ftupidity ? only diat I was blind- 
 " ed by infatuation, and that the'glim- 
 " mering light from a moon in its de- 
 '^ cline helped to deceive me. 
 
 *^ After fuppofing myfelf con- 
 *^ vinced of your perfidy, I wasimpa- 
 ** tient to leave the hated fpot j Let us 
 " (faid I) let us go from this falfe, this 
 *' fickle woman, whom I now deipife." 
 
 " Sir William faid every thing he 
 " could devife to heighten my jealoufy, 
 " if that had been poflible. 
 
 " We returned together to Mr. 
 *' Willacey who was fhocked at the al- 
 " teration a few hours had made in 
 
 " me.-—
 
 i68 The HERMIT. 
 
 " me. — He begged to know the caufei 
 " I refufed to fatisfy him, ftill anxious 
 " for the reputation of one I had once 
 " fo truly, fo ardently loved; whom 
 " yet I could not avoid loving. I even 
 " made Sir Williamy who had folemn- 
 " ly aflured me he would never ad- 
 ^' drefs Mifs Gilford^ as folemnly pro- 
 " mile to keep her folly a fecret. 
 
 " Unable to ftay at JVeatly, where 
 *' I was every day fubjed: to fee my 
 " ftill dear, and as I thought falfe. La- 
 " vinia^ I took my leave of Mr. Wil- 
 ^^ laccy firfl fending a note not to up- 
 « braid Mifs Gilford^ but to let her 
 " know I was no ftranger to her infi^ 
 «' delity. 
 
 " On my going from Weatly, I had 
 ^' fome thoughts of proceeding to Lo?i' 
 *' don ) but changed them in favour of 
 
 " my
 
 The hermit. 169 
 
 ** my own houfe, about three miles 
 ** from this place, which I preferred 
 ** for the fatisfadion of feeing and re- 
 '^ ceiving advice and confolation from 
 *' the beft of men. 
 
 " Notwithstanding my uncle 
 *^ did andfaid every thing to make me 
 " conquer a paffion which appeared to 
 " be fo ill placed, yet he found it a taik 
 " not to be accompliflied : your idea 
 " followed me every whrere. 
 
 " It is impoffible to fay what I felt 
 '* when my uncle this morning related 
 " to me his interview with you the 
 " preceding evening ; but how were 
 *' my tranfports encreafed, upon being 
 " told I (hould fee you in a few hours. 
 " My revered diredor thought I had 
 " beft conceal myfelf, where I could 
 " hear the remainder of your ftory. I 
 
 Vol. I. I ^* fub«
 
 170 The HERMIT. 
 
 " mitted ; you came ^ I favv you enter, 
 " and felt emotions fuch as cannot be 
 " defcribed. 
 
 " Oh ! I could for ever have liftened 
 *' to the mufic of your voice, had you 
 " not fixed my whole attention on the 
 " villainy of thatdetefled wretch, who 
 *' had poifoned my foul with fufpi- 
 " cion. You ihewed me what^a fool, 
 *' what a dupe, I had been. I could 
 " not fupprefs a fudden gufi: of paffion. 
 '^ My abrupt appearance was the con- 
 ** fequence, by which my deareftjL^- 
 " 'vtTiia and her charming friend were 
 " fo greatly terrified. And now, ma- 
 " dam (taking the hand of his amiable 
 *' miftrefs, with eyes expreffing the 
 '* very foul of contrition), Vv^ill you, can 
 " you forgive a crime unpremeditated ? 
 ** Can you forget that I have contami- 
 
 '' nated
 
 The hermit. 171 
 
 " nated the purity of your mind with 
 " dark, injurious fufpicions ? " 
 
 *' Indeed (faid Mifs Gilford, in the 
 <' fweeteft voice imaginable) I ought 
 *' not to forgive you -, for had I not 
 *' flood on a very tottering bafis, fuch 
 " a wretch as Sir William More would 
 " not fo eafily have puilied me from 
 " your good opinion : yet his uncom- 
 ^* mon arts muft, I think, plead in 
 *^ your favour.'* 
 
 ** Exalted goodnefs ! (replied Mr. 
 ^' Gore) every hour of my life will be 
 *' too little " 
 
 " Stop, Sir (interrupting him) your 
 " pardon is not yet pa/Ted my lips, 
 *' though I can affure you it has long 
 " been made out in my heart. Com- 
 
 ,^' ply w^ith one requeft, and— " 
 
 I 2 ^f Oh
 
 172 The hermit. 
 
 '' Oh name it, my beloved Mifs 
 ^' Gilford (cried Mr. Gore)^ and hate 
 " me if I deny it." 
 
 *^ Pray, Sir (faid Maria) will you 
 '' pardon me if I prefume to make 
 *' another?'* 
 
 *' You do me honour, madam," 
 faid he, 
 
 '' Well, but firft (continued Mifs 
 '* Coventry) let Lavinia make her's ; 
 *^ and, as her friend, I (liall afterwards 
 '* venture to deliver mine." 
 
 " I WILL then ; and remember, Sir, 
 *^ you bad me hate you, if I find my 
 *' boon difregarded. Promife me that 
 " you will never challenge the worft 
 *' of men, and that no behaviour of 
 *' his fliall ever make you forget that 
 y promife." 
 
 " What
 
 The hermit. 173 
 
 ** What hard conditions ! " replied 
 Mr. Gore. 
 
 *' Such as you fhould accept with 
 " pleafure (interrupted his venerable 
 •* uncle) i and fuch as your heart ought 
 *' to have fuggefted, had this lady 
 " never mentioned them." 
 
 ** But v^hat will the world fay, 
 ** {hould I let him go unpunilhed ? 
 ** You know, my dear Sir, I am paf- 
 *' fionate : how then can I rein in my 
 ** juft refentment ? " 
 
 ** I WILL put you in a way to com- 
 ** mand it (returned he), if you liften 
 ** to my advice. In the place of re- 
 " fentment fubftitute pity : look on 
 ** him as below the former, and only 
 " worthy of the latter, as he is a fellow- 
 ^* creature, (lamped with the image of 
 I 2 "his
 
 174 The HERMIT. 
 
 *' his Divine Creator, though he has to 
 ** vilely debafed it. Let this one cx)n- 
 " fideration inftantly banifli every 
 * ' thought of revenge : for if his God, 
 *' whom he has much higher of- 
 " fended, permits him to live, perhaps 
 ** to repent, fhall you try to fhorten 
 •* thofe days his goodnefs has allowed 
 " him ? Refled: a moment : in that 
 " moment fuppofe this miferable'crea- 
 *' ture, at the laft day, upbraiding you 
 ** for thofe torments denounced againft 
 ** him : But for you, he will then fay, 
 ** I might now have been happy 5 you 
 *' cut me off when my fins were at 
 ** the higheft." 
 
 *' I OWN all you fay, Sir (replied 
 ** Mr. Gore) to be extremely juft^ but 
 " fhould fuch a man, for fuch a crime, 
 ** go unpunifhed, what next may he 
 *« not attempt ? Shall none revenge 
 
 '' the
 
 The hermit. 175 
 
 " the wrongs of thofe he renders mi- 
 "ferable?" 
 
 " Yes (returned the fage), there is 
 " one, and only one, who has a right 
 " to do it. 
 
 ** Has any perfon a greater (faid 
 ** Mr. Gore^ colouring) than myfelf ? 
 " Prove but this, and I fwear from 
 ** that inftant his life fliall be fafe as 
 " the dearefl of my friends." 
 
 " Agreed (cried the elder Mr. 
 ** Gore), Thofe ladies (addrefiing L<^-. 
 <* 'uinia and Maria) fliall be our um- 
 *' pires. How, young gentleman, ap- 
 ^* ply you thofe words, Vengea72ce is 
 ** mine, fays the Lordy and I will re- 
 ^'payit:\ 
 
 I 4 ': I
 
 176 The HERMIT. 
 
 ** I WILL not (faid his nephew, 
 ** with the moft ineffable grace) aflc 
 ** to hear the decifion of cur fair 
 *' judges, bat confefs myfelf con- 
 ** vinced, and that I (hould have done 
 ** a very unwarrantable action. Here 
 ** then I fincerely promife my dear 
 *' Lavinia, and you, Sir, never to pur- 
 <* fue Sir William with a thought of 
 ** revenge.'* 
 
 Miss Gilford both by words and 
 looks expreffed the joy this declara- 
 tion gave her \ every feature appeared 
 newly animated 5 the rofe, which had 
 been for fome months faded, feemed 
 at this inftant to receive a fecond 
 birth; it fprang up fpontaneous ; the 
 beauteous glow and infant fv^eet- 
 jiefs of the bud fpoke in her blufh- 
 ing cheek. 
 
 Mr.
 
 The hermit. i^^ 
 
 Mr. Gore\ pkafare is only to be 
 fuppofed by thofe in a fimilar iituation \ 
 his uncle's was not lefs exquifite, tho' 
 more ferene and tranquil j whilft Mife 
 Coventry^ was little inferior to either, 
 feeing the friend £he loved fo unex- 
 pededly reftored to the man her heart 
 approved. 
 
 Lavinia's curiofity was lulled afieep 
 by the prefence of heriover; but it 
 was not the fame with Maria, who 
 now reminded Mr. Gore^ he had not 
 yet granted her requeft, nor permitted 
 her to make it. 
 
 He afked her pardon, and faid flie 
 need only mention her commands to 
 have them inftantly obeyed. 
 
 '* I DARE not command (replied fhe, 
 
 ^* with an air of the utmoft fprightli- 
 
 I 5 " nefs)
 
 178 The hermit. 
 
 ** ne&) ^ I am the humbleft fuppliant 
 *' in the world, and fue for your inte- 
 " reft with this moft revered of men, 
 " that he will condefcend to tell us 
 " why he flies from fociety ? why he 
 '' buries himfelf in this fubterraneous 
 "dwelling?" 
 
 *' My deareft child (replied the 
 *' elder Mr. Gore), you fhall not need 
 '^ my nephew's interceffion ; I am 
 " ready to fatisfy your curiofity, after I 
 " have led you through my little ha- 
 '' bitation." 
 
 Lavinia's lover having defired the 
 honour of her hand, '' Come, my 
 *' good young lady (continued he), will 
 " you accept the hand of an old 
 ^J man r " to Maria, 
 
 " Gladly,
 
 The hermit. 179 
 
 " Gladly, Sir ((lie replied) ; and 
 " with the fame confidence I would 
 " my father's. Indeed, your fenti- 
 " ments are fo like my dear parent's, 
 *^ that I cannot help looking on you 
 *' with reverential duty." 
 
 '' Harry (fald he, applying to his 
 " nephew), could you have thought 
 *' vanity would have found its way to 
 *' this humble rock ? But I now find 
 " walls of flint will not exclude it. 
 " Look round, my charming gueft : 
 *' what fee you here to make me vain? 
 " yet I feel I really am fo ; nay, per- 
 S' haps more, and v/ith greater caufe^ 
 " than a monarch on his throne. Has 
 " not this deferving young creature 
 " (faid he) regarded me with duty ? But 
 " fay, my fweet child, will you per* 
 ** mit me to love you with a father's 
 "fondnefs.E" 
 
 I 6 " Will.
 
 i8o The HERMIT; 
 
 " Will I (repeated the delighted 
 " Maria) ! O Heavens, how you op- 
 " prefs me with goodnefs ! My dear, 
 " dear Sir, from this hour look on mc 
 " with a paternal eye. How happy 
 " in two fuch parents! '* 
 
 " Charming excellence (v/iping 
 *' away the tears that fell on his fur- 
 *' rowed cheek) ! Yes, you are,' you 
 " Ihall be my adopted daughter. Yet, 
 " alas ! I have no inheritance to be- 
 •* queath you : all my poffeffions are 
 ** forrows/' 
 
 " Ah, my dear father, deny me not 
 ** a child's part; give me a portion out 
 " of thofe forrows. This I entreat the 
 ** more, as I have really none of my 
 V own." 
 
 •* Gracious
 
 The hermit. i8i 
 
 " Gracious Heaven (replied the 
 ** fage) has at laft looked on me with 
 " a pitying eye : it fends me another 
 *' child : again I am a father. And 
 " you will fometimes, my deareft Af<:z- 
 " ria^ vifit me ? Your natural parent 
 " would not deny me to fhare with him 
 " this comfort, did he know how I 
 ** have been deprived of every other/* 
 
 Miss Coventry replied, there fhould 
 pafs but few days in which (lie would 
 not vifit him, and petition his blefljng. 
 
 CHAR
 
 j82 The HERMIT. 
 
 ^<'^^ooooooe«ooooo«eoeooe«oooooeoi^eooocoooooooeoo«<io«*oo««ew»^^S» 
 
 CHAP. XIV. 
 
 TTERE they were joined hy Lavi^ 
 nia and Mr. Gore, The latter, 
 feeing Mifs Coventry and his uncle en- 
 gaged in converfation, had gently- drawn 
 the objed: of his wi(hes to the farther 
 end of the cell, and there whifpered a 
 thoufand vows of conftancy, far from 
 difpleafing to his fair miftrefs, if her 
 countenance correiponded with her 
 heart. 
 
 They now quitted the firft apart- 
 ment, by a door which the ladies had 
 not before perceived, each of their 
 conductors a candle in his hand^ a 
 caution abfolutely neceflary, as this 
 
 cavity
 
 The hermit. 183 
 
 cavity had no light Hke the outer 
 room, to which it was conveyed by a 
 fky-light fo curioully contrived, as 
 not to be vifible on the outfide. 
 
 After proceeding about forty yards> 
 they could plainly diftinguifli the found 
 of waters ; and exprefling their fur- 
 prife, the elder Mr. Gore told them 
 they were within twenty yards of a 
 river; *' the moil beautiful, perhaps, 
 ** (added he) in Europe: nay, I quef- 
 ** tion if my daughter and Mifs Gil- 
 ^^ford will not, at firft, imagine they 
 " are byfome magic conveyed to-M^;c- 
 " ico or Peru. — But (continued he) let 
 " me beg my dear children will in- 
 ** dulge an old man's requeft, and 
 " fuffer me to lead them a few fteps 
 y with their eyes blinded/' 
 
 They
 
 i84 The HERMIT. 
 
 They confented to this propofal, 
 and in lefs than a minute were told 
 they might look about them. 
 
 Who can defcribe their aftoniih- 
 ment to fee the roof, which was in the 
 fhape of a dome, hung with ten 
 thoufand fparkling gems : diamonds, 
 emeralds, and rubies, appeared 
 above, below, on eveiy fide. — What 
 flill added to the amazing beauty of 
 this place, was a tranfparent river, 
 that ran on one fide, whofe clearnefs 
 refembled chryfliaL 
 
 Lavinia and Maria having ex- 
 preflTed their furprife and pleafure, began 
 to examine more minutely thofe daz- 
 zling gems which met their fight. — 
 " Was ever any thing fo charming 
 y (faid Mifs Coventry) as that emerald 
 
 « crefcent !
 
 The hermit. 185 
 
 " crefcent ! It makes me wifli to be a 
 ** follower of Diana, to have it placed 
 " upon my forehead." 
 
 *' Indeed, it is very charming (re- 
 " plied Mifs Gilford) ; yet I confefs 
 *' that diamond which reprefents a 
 ** heart pleafes me infinitely more. But 
 *' pray, gentlemen, (faid they both) 
 " fay by what ignis fatum thefe things 
 " appear to us as they do ?'* 
 
 cc 
 
 You call this deception by a 
 proper name (replied their venerable 
 *' guide); it is an ignis fatum that 
 " deceives you : a falfc light dazzles 
 " the opticks of your fight." 
 
 Saying this he extinguifhed the 
 candles, and opening a fmall door, 
 the fun, which had been for two hours 
 excluded, again faluted them; but 
 
 fcarce
 
 i85 The HERMIT. 
 
 fcarce could its enlivening rays hiakea- 
 mends for the beautiful profped: that 
 vanifhed at its approach: — the dia- 
 monds, rubies, and emeralds were 
 now metamorphofed into congealed 
 drops, which by the nature of the 
 cavern petrified ere they could de- 
 fcend : the crefcent and heart were dill 
 vifible, tho* no longer defirable orna- 
 ments. 
 
 The Ladies had not time given them 
 to make many reflections on this fud- 
 denand furprifing change ; new beau- 
 ties waited their attention : the prof- 
 pedl, indeed, was not extenfive, yet 
 every thing that could charm the fight, 
 or pleafe the imagination, feemed col- 
 leiled into this one little Ipot. 
 
 What delighted them in a parti- 
 cular manner was the river, which 
 
 had
 
 The hermit. 187 
 
 had Its rife in the cavern, continued 
 through a fmall but beautiful plain, 
 where Nature had been lavifh of her 
 choiceft gifts. To congratulate it on 
 leaving its dark prifon, flowers and 
 flirubs were here planted by her hand 
 in fuch abundance, that it might not 
 improperly have been termed a wil- 
 dernefs of fweets. Through thefe it 
 playfully wandered till a morofe wood, 
 envious of the happinefs of its fituation, 
 allured it to its gloomy abode, where 
 being once arrived, it was foon ob- 
 fcured from the fight. 
 
 Their fage Conductor having fat- 
 tened the door through which they en- 
 tered the plain, proceeded to a fmall 
 houfe, which the Ladies had not per- 
 ceived, being planted thick on each 
 fide with trees. As they came near, 
 they were met by a man of about fifty, 
 
 who
 
 lU The hermit. 
 
 who was fo ftruck with feeing Lavinid 
 and Mifs Coventry , that for fome time 
 he could not utter a fyllable. 
 
 ** Honest Simon, (faid Mr. Gore) 
 " we are come upon you a httle ab- 
 "ruptlyj but no matter: let us fee 
 " what the houfe affords. Come, is 
 " Betfy within ?" 
 
 " No, and pleafe your Honour," 
 he replied, fomewhat recovered from 
 his furprife by the manner in which 
 his old mafter accofted him; ** Betty \% 
 <* gone to the Wink to fill the tea-ket- 
 " tie ; tho' it wants more than an hour 
 ** of your Honour's ufual time." 
 
 <( 
 
 ** It does fo (faid the good Her- 
 mit); but we are willing to fhew 
 << thefe Ladies we are not fo very fa^ 
 *^ vage as our firfl appearance befpoke 
 « us." This
 
 The hermit. 189 
 
 This hint was enough for Simoriy 
 who, after making half a fcore bows 
 to their ladyfhips, condudted them into 
 a parlour : but without that appellation 
 it might have been miflaken for a 
 bower of jeffamines and woodbines, the 
 walls being entirely covered with their 
 luxuriant branches, which being now 
 in full bloom, exhaled a fragrance 
 hardly to be rivalled in either Ltdia, 
 
 Mr. Harry Gore took a hand of 
 each fair damfel, and feated them in 
 a window which overlooked a parterre 
 of flowers ending in a green flope, 
 which ferved as a velvet margin to that 
 river I have juft defcribed, 
 
 " What a paradife, Mr. Gore 
 ^' (faid both Ladies), have you brought 
 '^ us to! Was ever any thing fo hea- 
 '* venly ! Ah (continued Mifs G/A 
 
 ''ford
 
 ipo The hermit. 
 
 *^fordW\\h inimitable fweetnefs)! one 
 *^ would think this day was deter- 
 " mined to make me remember it 
 *' with pleafure to the end of my 
 <* life." 
 
 The entrance of his uncle did not 
 prevent this tranfported lover from 
 preffing to his faithful heart the hand 
 of his Lavinia. 
 
 Miss Coventry % attention was now 
 engaged by a pretty playful fquirrel, 
 j.faftened by a fmall chain to the win- 
 dow; which the elder gentleman ob- 
 ferving, immediately giving freedom 
 to the little animal, prefented it to his 
 adopted daughter. 
 
 This prefent, though of no real va- 
 lue, yet as it came from the perfon 
 flie revered next to her father, fhe re- 
 ceived
 
 The hermit. 191 
 
 ceived with delighted acknowledge- 
 ments. 
 
 Betty now entered with tea, fol- 
 lowed by Simon with fruit, wine, and 
 cakes ; and as foon as the former was 
 removed, the old gentleman did not 
 wait to be reminded of giving them the 
 particulars, which he doubted not had 
 greatly raifed their curioiity, and ad- 
 dreifed them in the following words : 
 
 " I KNOW not, my dear children, 
 ^^ what right I have to give you un- 
 " eafinefs ; yet if you infift on the 
 " formance of my promife, I am now 
 '* ready to fulfil it." 
 
 ^' By no means would we requeft 
 *' it (anfwered Mifs Gilford) if the re- 
 " cital will renew your grief" 
 
 ** That it cannot do (he rejoin- 
 ** ed} ; my unhappinefs is but too frefh 
 
 " in
 
 192 The HERMIT. 
 
 *' in my memory -, it is ever before 
 ** me 3 it is interwoven with my very 
 " exiftence ; nor can I for a moment 
 " lofe fight of my forrows, till I 
 ** am called to that place from 
 " whence they will be fhut out. I 
 •' diftrefe you, Ladies! Wipe off thofe 
 «* fympathetick drops, or I cannot 
 *' think of proceeding." 
 
 The fnowy cambrick, though not 
 more dazzling white than their com- 
 plexions, was now applied to their 
 eyes, by the affiftance of which the 
 heavenly azure and fparkling jet were 
 again reftored to their native luftre j and 
 Mr. Gore entered upon his hiftory, as 
 will be found in the next volume. 
 
 END of the FIRST VOLUME,