to Mr. Sanfon, who, tho' by no means approving this fcheme, was yet obliged to fubmit to it, in deference to his friend's advice his heart was with his daughter, and his whole defire to fee her, that he might know the uttermoft of his mifery, and learn fomething concerning the fate of poor Lucy, whom he earnestly wifh'd to fee and hear of: and of whom he cou'd obtain no tidings from Mr. Dookalb. CHAP. IV. Mr. Dookalb's further deceit and villainy, detected at length, Mr. Sanfon's delivery from him-his meeting with Caroline-his further anxiety, &c. TH HE meffengerfoon arrived at Mrs.Stevens's, and Mr. Dookalb's letter was convey'd to Caroline; but how great was her astonishment there to read Madam, YOUR OUR father, with myself, was coming to the place where you now are, to visit you; in our way he was taken violently ill, and oblig'd to be convey'd to the house nearest at hand, where he lies in a dreadful condition, and I fear unless you make all poffible hafte, it will be too late, and you will not have the fatisfaction to fee alive your father, who hath fo tenderly loved I am yours, you. &c. J. DooKALB! P. S. The bearer of this will direct you to the place. SCARCE had the read it, before she cried out with the utmost agony, and was preparing to arife from her bed, wringing her hands and saying "oh let me fly-let me fly to him, let me haften to my poor dying father-let me haften to him-wretch, miferable wretch as I am !" upon which Mrs. Hodfon and Mrs. Stevens restrained her, and Mr. Jaifon fnatched up the notewhich reading, he said-"be compos'd a few minutes-I will fly myself and be informed of the truth of this matter.-Pray, be compos'd a little, and I will ufe all expedition." So faying he haftened down ftairs, where ftood Mr. Donkalb's meffenger-" Come, friend, faid Mr. faifon to him quickly conduct me to the place where this gentleman is-hafte away before me, aud use all your speed.-" Upon which the fellow did not move a step, but look'd him full in the eyes, and drawl'd out-“ fir—” “Well fir, replied Mr. Jaifon- and why don't you obey my orders-no delays now-hasten this inftant, or I'll pufh you forward with this," clapping his hand upon his fword,---" I wanted a young lady, fir, faid the fellow, I was to fhew her the way and not you: her father wants her and I can't go without her: I have no business with you."-" Prithee don't tell me of business, rafcal, replied Mr. Faifon, but immediately conduct me to the place where the poor old gentleman is or depend upon it, I'll feverely compel you;" which Mr. Jaifon utter'd with fuch refolution, with a look fo ftern and frightful, and a voice fo commanding and peremptory, that the pufillanimous pandar began to tremble, and be in no small fear for his own carcafe. This was not unobserv'd by Mr. Jaifon, who more mildly faid "Come friend-don't be terrified, I want only to be shown the place, where this gentleman is, where you was to conduct the ladyfhew me in a moment and I'll reward you-" upon which he open'd the door, and the fellow taking the opportunity fled before him with all imaginable precipitancy. Mr. Jaison concluding fairly from hence that there was some notorious defraud, follow'd after equally swift, and at length overtook and caught the fugitive. Of whom he demanded the reason of all this ftrange proceeding, and threaten'd inftantly to run him thro' the body, (for which purpose he drew his fword,) unless he declared the whole mystery to him-which, intimidated by his threats and death thus hanging over him, the fellow fairly con fefs'd fefs'd, and open'd the whole truth. To which Mr. Jaifon faid nothing-but keeping his hold, conducted him to a neighbouring coffee-house, and by bribes and threats oblig'd him to write a note to Dookalb, informing him that he had fucceeded, and begg'd for a particular reafon his immediate prefence. This was no fooner written, than Mr. Jaifon ordering proper officers deliver'd the affrighted miscreant into their cuftody and dispatched the note by a porter, himself attending at a proper diftance to wait the iffue. Dookalb no fooner received the note, than a flush of uncommon transport cover'd his cheek and apologizing to Mr. Sanfon, he told him fome most urgent and particular business demanded his immediate prefence, which being but at two or three doors distance, he should dispatch in ten minutes, and wou'd then return : defiring him to excufe it, as neceffity had no law and begging him to take no resolution, till he fhou'd be again with him. So faying he departed leaving the poor old Man in great and ftrange anxiety. SOON as Mr. Jaifon, who obferved his departure, thought him at a proper diftance, he went to the House, and defir'd to speak with Mr. Sanfon which being granted, he was introduced to the wretched father of his beloved Caroline Caroline, at the fight of whom I have often heard him declare, he thought his very heart would have burst for he never beheld an object, that fo commanded and rais'd compaffion. His venerable white locks, his downcaft fettled melancholly, big tears stealing down his eyes, and his whole appearance befpeaking confummate forrow. He cou'd not help dropping a tear himself on the first view of him; and taking him by the hand, "You will be furprized, fir, faid he, perhaps at this familiarity in a ftranger, but the preffing occafion requires it- you muft afk no Questions but inftantly go with me." "Go with you, fir, faid the old man, for what, or where, or why? alas you are a perfect ftranger to me, where wou'd you hurry fuch an unhappy wretch ?" "To your excellent and best of daughters, who is in anxiety to see you, replied Mr. Jaifon; from whom I come to rescue you from this house, and to make you happy in her prefence. Indeed, fir, the time and occafion admits no delay, truft me I am your fincere friend tho' unknown trust me my designs are wholly for your happiness: afk what you will or how you will, when once from hence, only follow me now, and fay nothing." Oh there appears fomething, faid Mr. Sanfon, fo fincere and noble in your look and manner, that I cannot diftruft you and you fay, you come from my daugh |