to tell him that he was sure his young master had suffered enough, even had he committed sins, but his crimes were an excess of virtue, and did not deserve such severe punishment. Sir William was of Jarvis's opinion; he disclosed himself to his nephew, freely forgave him all his errors, and increased his happiness by the assurance of Miss Richland's love, and her readiness to accept his hand. Honeywood, not daring to believe the extent of his joy, informed his uncle of Mr. Lofty's pretensions, and was surprised to learn the character of this would be great man, whose falsehood was soon made known; he was scouted from society, and soon dwindled into his own original obscurity. Sir William, whose life was one continued series of good works, interfered in the happiness of Leontine and Olivia, who could not be prevailed upon to quit her chamber, till his persuasion drew her thence. He had been in his youth the intimate friend of her father; had heard her story when in Paris, and went to demand her from the convent, but the bird was already flown; since his return to England he had gained much valuable information respecting her fortune, and had demanded from her villanous guardian a full and ample restitution. He told her story to Mr. Croaker, who at first was very reluctant to give up Miss Richland's fortune, greatly superior to Miss Woodville's; but finding the happiness of all parties at stake, he listened to the arguments of Sir William, and gave his consent. Leontine and Honeywood were easily reconciled, the two weddings took place on the same day, and even Mr. Croaker was seen to smile for near a minute, and look with pleasure on the happiness by which he was surrounded. Honeywood saw his errors in time to retrieve them; blessed with the affection of Miss Richland, and the friendship of Sir William, he learned to distinguish between the approbation of wise people and of fools; he limited his bounty to those who deserved it; he traced the difference between generosity and profusion; between good nature and weakness: his faults were so nearly allied to excellence, that Sir William had almost despaired of being able to weed the vice without eradicating the virtue, but he did succeed. Miss Richland had long in secret loved him, and it was great joy to him to find, that his system of "universal benevolence," whatever perplexities it had involved him in, had at least secured one dear and estimable friend. He had first attracted Miss Richland's notice by his good nature at a ball, in singling out a young person as a partner so remarkably ugly that she had been totally neglected, till Honeywood paid her attention; it was a trait which certainly bespoke benevolence of character and secured for him the lasting esteem of a lovely and virtuous woman, who never had cause to repent her alliance with "THE GOOD-NATURED MAN." Benevolence, thine offices are sweet, And all is hush'd in gentle harmony: So thou,-bless'd with remembrance of thy generous deeds As angels feel, and Heaven alone can judge. SHAKSPEARE! the voice of praise, so long and loud, I tread upon the threshold of thy greatness, A beam before a blaze!-A star before ‘gild refined gold," nor “paint the lily;" Nor" throw a perfume on the violet ;" Nor" smooth the ice ;"-nor "add another hue Attempt "the beautious eye of Heaven to garnish.' ? To light and guard me on my dubious way Gone to be married! gone to swear a peace! I have a king's oath to the contrary. Or, if thou teach me to believe this sorrow, Teach thou this sorrow how to make me die; Lewis marry Blanch! Oh, boy, then where art thou? THUS in bitterness of sorrow, the afflicted Lady Constance addressed William Longsword, Earl of Salisbury*, who had been deputed by the confederate Kings-Philip of France, and John of England, to bear to her the heavy tidings of a projected marriage between the Lady Blanch of Spain and Lewis, Dauphin of France; an arrangement, which, as it terminated all differences between the monarchs, so did it crush all hope of redress for her orphan son, *Son of Rosamond Clifford, commonly called Fair Rosamond, mistress of Henry the Second, who was poisoned at Woodstock by Queen Eleanor. |