continued fhe, how did you proceed after your fallacious admiffion to the room where I was? (for the bailiffs fent up word to Caroline, that they had a message from Mr. Jaifon to deliver to her, and the fufpecting no wrong, had, given them leave to come in, upon which they feized her, and she immediately, through the violence of the fright, fell into a fwoon, from whence fhe did but now perfectly recover.) "Oh, madam, continued the bailiff, we did not much mind your fainting and fits, and fo on, for thefe are common tricks to gain time; but my brother and I took you in our arms; you are not very heavy you know, madam, and brought you here to my dwelling, which is not far from where we laid hold on you, and to which you are kindly welcome. Call for what you like. "Barbarous cruel treatment, indeed, faid Caroline but 'tis no matter: pray may I not be permitted the ufe of a pen and ink, to inform my friends. of this misfortune, that they may rescue me, and pay you all "No, no, quoth demands? your the bailiff's wife, no pen and ink here; Mr. Dookalb muft fee to that. Never fear, he'll take care of you But what will you have to take care of yourfelf? come, let us procure you fomething." "Pray, good woman, faid Caroline, leave me alone, and be anxious for yourself. I don't

I don't want, nor will have any thing; leave me alone, perhaps I may fleep and fo better refresh my wearied spirits." They prefied her much to the ufe of liquors, or the company of fome worthy gentlemen in the house, as well as ladies; all which Caroline refused, and perfifted in her request, that she might be left alone, which with much regret, murmuring, and discontent, was at length granted to her.

NEVER was night spent amidst more anxiety, more torture, and uneafinefs; for as fhe could not see the event of this moft dreadful action, she pictured to herself the most frightful confequences, and imagined the moft confummate deftruction. Now almoft on the brink of felicity to be fo fnatched away from that man, the reflection on whose sufferings for her fake much augmented her own, and made the bitter cup ftill more bitter : To be again in the power of a monster in iniquity, and to be totally feparated from all relief, plunged her well-nigh into despair, and rendered every thought diftracting. But above all these, the mournful and melancholy recollection of what must befal her unhappy parents, should she too be destroyed, added double weight to every woe, and rendered her agony well nigh infupportable. However, fhe firmly resolved,

(and fervently asked of heaven its gracious affiftance, to fupport her in the refolution) rather to fuffer all the fevereft miferies of life; all

That age, ach, penury, imprisonment,
Cou'd lay on nature,

than ever to comply with any thing unbecoming the ftrictest virtue, and inconfiftent with the pureft honour.

THUS ftrengthen'd, and thus determined, she waited in the most uneasy and anxious folicitude for the approach of the morning, that fhe might have fome knowledge of her fate, and the defign of this moft dreadful feizure. But when the morning came, fhe could have wished almost that darkness had reigned eternal; for the first object that presented itself to her view was no

other than Mr. Dookalb! At the very fight of

him the fainted away, and it was with great difficulty that they recovered her, weak and overfatigued as fhe was with a night of fuch dread, horror, and distress. Her illness prevented any converfation for the prefent, and Mr. Dookalb was obliged to remove her in a chair to a proper place which he had provided for her. The good people of the houfe took wonderous great care of her, and by their kind offices fhe was ere long

restored

reftored to a tolerable degree of ftrength, which being made known to Mr. Dookalb, he came with great concern and tendernefs to enquire after his coufin's welfare. Diftrefs and defpair frequently raise the foul above itself, and give a degree of boldness and refolution which at other times are not to be found in the fame perfon. It was thus with Caroline, whom, tho' made up of meekness, the fenfe of Mr. Dookalb's injuries fo much affected, and the apprehenfion of her own danger fo much aroufed, that on his entrance into the room, fhe arofe, advanced with hafty fteps towards him, and looking him full in the eyes" Base wicked man, faid fhe, as you will one day answer it before the throne of God, tell me what is your defign, and why you have laid this fnare to entrap me? are you refolved upon my ruin? Is not the deftruction of one fifter fufficient? Are you bent upon the total overthrow of a poor miferable family? monfter, I charge you difmifs me, will attend my prayers; and you good young lady, quoth he calm and fweet as fummer, why fo angry? why fo fierce and furi ous? you'll do yourself harm, my child, you'll make yourfelf ill again; I am afraid for your health; fit down, and let us talk cooly together." "Oh curfed hypocrify, cried fhe, and muft I bear

B 4

Cruel, cruel

or vengeance "Pray

bear this too-Well, fir, and what is it you would fay-let me hear-juftify yourself. Why have you robbed me of my liberty? why am I made a flave?" "You are neither robbed of liberty nor made a flave by me, miss, said he. I propose to give you liberty and to free you from flavery, if you are wife enough to accept my offers; but you have ever thwarted my endeavours, my honeft zealous endeavours for your welfare." Caroline fixed her eyes ftedfaftly upon his, fhook her head, and burst into tears. He went on

"As your parents entrusted you to my care, it behoves me to confult your intereft, and to guard against evils that threaten your ruin. You cannot but remember, that on your first coming to town you contracted a very large debt with Mr. Wilfen the apothecary, who attended you long; he was determined to have his money, and as I had no further concern, (and indeed to my great forrow did not fo much as know where you was) gained my confent to use fuch measures as he should find proper towards the recovery of his debt: 'twas on account of this, child, that you was feized and carried to a place of hold. He informed me immediately, and promised to proceed no further than was agreeable to my directions. As foon therefore as I had received the information, I haftened to deliver you from the difagreeable