The Vicar of Wakefield (24 page)

—And shook their chains
In transport and rude harmony.

Happiness was expanded upon every face, and even Olivia's cheek
seemed flushed with pleasure. To be thus restored to reputation, to
friends and fortune at once, was a rapture sufficient to stop the
progress of decay and restore former health and vivacity. But
perhaps among all there was not one who felt sincerer pleasure than
I. Still holding the dear-loved child in my arms, I asked my heart
if these transports were not delusion. 'How could you,' cried I,
turning to Mr Jenkinson, 'how could you add to my miseries by the
story of her death! But it matters not, my pleasure at finding her
again, is more than a recompence for the pain.'

'As to your question,' replied Jenkinson, 'that is easily
answered. I thought the only probable means of freeing you from
prison, was by submitting to the 'Squire, and consenting to his
marriage with the other young lady. But these you had vowed never
to grant while your daughter was living, there was therefore no
other method to bring things to bear but by persuading you that she
was dead. I prevailed on your wife to join in the deceit, and we
have not had a fit opportunity of undeceiving you till now.'

In the whole assembly now there only appeared two faces that did
not glow with transport. Mr Thornhill's assurance had entirely
forsaken him: he now saw the gulph of infamy and want before him,
and trembled to take the plunge. He therefore fell on his knees
before his uncle, and in a voice of piercing misery implored
compassion. Sir William was going to spurn him away, but at my
request he raised him, and after pausing a few moments, 'Thy vices,
crimes, and ingratitude,' cried he, 'deserve no tenderness; yet
thou shalt not be entirely forsaken, a bare competence shall be
supplied, to support the wants of life, but not its follies. This
young lady, thy wife, shall be put in possession of a third part of
that fortune which once was thine, and from her tenderness alone
thou art to expect any extraordinary supplies for the future.' He
was going to express his gratitude for such kindness in a set
speech; but the Baronet prevented him by bidding him not aggravate
his meanness, which was already but too apparent. He ordered him at
the same time to be gone, and from all his former domestics to
chuse one such as he should think proper, which was all that should
be granted to attend him.

As soon as he left us, Sir William very politely stept up to his
new niece with a smile, and wished her joy. His example was
followed by Miss Wilmot and her father; my wife too kissed her
daughter with much affection, as, to use her own expression, she
was now made an honest woman of. Sophia and Moses followed in turn,
and even our benefactor Jenkinson desired to be admitted to that
honour. Our satisfaction seemed scarce capable of increase. Sir
William, whose greatest leasure was in doing good, now looked round
with a countenance open as the sun, and saw nothing but joy in the
looks of all except that of my daughter Sophia, who, for some
reasons we could not comprehend, did not seem perfectly satisfied.
'I think now,' cried he, with a smile, 'that all the company,
except one or two, seem perfectly happy. There only remains an act
of justice for me to do. You are sensible, Sir,' continued he,
turning to me, 'of the obligations we both owe Mr Jenkinson. And it
is but just we should both reward him for it. Miss Sophia will, I
am sure, make him very happy, and he shall have from me five
hundred pounds as her fortune, and upon this I am sure they can
live very comfortably together. Come, Miss Sophia, what say you to
this match of my making? Will you have him?'—My poor girl seemed
almost sinking into her mother's arms at the hideous
proposal.—'Have him, Sir!' cried she faintly. 'No, Sir,
never.'—'What,' cried he again, 'not have Mr Jenkinson, your
benefactor, a handsome young fellow, with five hundred pounds and
good expectations!'—'I beg, Sir,' returned she, scarce able to
speak, 'that you'll desist, and not make me so very wretched.'—'Was
ever such obstinacy known,' cried he again, 'to refuse a man whom
the family has such infinite obligations to, who has preserved your
sister, and who has five hundred pounds! What not have him!'—'No,
Sir, never,' replied she, angrily, 'I'd sooner die first.'—'If that
be the case then,' cried he, 'if you will not have him—I think I
must have you myself.' And so saying, he caught her to his breast
with ardour. 'My loveliest, my most sensible of girls,' cried he,
'how could you ever think your own Burchell could deceive you, or
that Sir William Thornhill could ever cease to admire a mistress
that loved him for himself alone? I have for some years sought for
a woman, who a stranger to my fortune could think that I had merit
as a man. After having tried in vain, even amongst the pert and the
ugly, how great at last must be my rapture to have made a conquest
over such sense and such heavenly beauty.' Then turning to
Jenkinson, 'As I cannot, Sir, part with this young lady myself, for
she has taken a fancy to the cut of my face, all the recompence I
can make is to give you her fortune, and you may call upon my
steward to-morrow for five hundred pounds.' Thus we had all our
compliments to repeat, and Lady Thornhill underwent the same round
of ceremony that her sister had done before. In the mean time Sir
William's gentleman appeared to tell us that the equipages were
ready to carry us to the inn, where every thing was prepared for
our reception. My wife and I led the van, and left those gloomy
mansions of sorrow. The generous Baronet ordered forty pounds to be
distributed among the prisoners, and Mr Wilmot, induced by his
example, gave half that sum. We were received below by the shouts
of the villagers, and I saw and shook by the hand two or three of
my honest parishioners, who were among the number. They attended us
to our inn, where a sumptuous entertainment was provided, and
coarser provisions distributed in great quantities among the
populace.

After supper, as my spirits were exhausted by the alternation of
pleasure and pain which they had sustained during the day, I asked
permission to withdraw, and leaving the company in the midst of
their mirth, as soon as I found myself alone, I poured out my heart
in gratitude to the giver of joy as well as of sorrow, and then
slept undisturbed till morning.

The next morning as soon as I awaked I found my eldest son
sitting by my bedside, who came to encrease my joy with another
turn of fortune in my favour. First having released me from the
settlement that I had made the day before in his favour, he let me
know that my merchant who had failed in town was arrested at
Antwerp, and there had given up effects to a much greater amount
than what was due to his creditors. My boy's generosity pleased me
almost as much as this unlooked for good fortune. But I had some
doubts whether I ought in justice to accept his offer. While I was
pondering upon this, Sir William entered the room, to whom I
communicated my doubts. His opinion was, that as my son was already
possessed of a very affluent fortune by his marriage, I might
accept his offer without any hesitation. His business, however, was
to inform me that as he had the night before sent for the licences,
and expected them every hour, he hoped that I would not refuse my
assistance in making all the company happy that morning. A footman
entered while we were speaking, to tell us that the messenger was
returned, and as I was by this time ready, I went down, where I
found the whole company as merry as affluence and innocence could
make them. However, as they were now preparing for a very solemn
ceremony, their laughter entirely displeased me. I told them of the
grave, becoming and sublime deportment they should assume upon this
Mystical occasion, and read them two homilies and a thesis of my
own composing, in order to prepare them. Yet they still seemed
perfectly refractory and ungovernable. Even as we were going along
to church, to which I led the way, all gravity had quite forsaken
them, and I was often tempted to turn back in indignation. In
church a new dilemma arose, which promised no easy solution. This
was, which couple should be married first; my son's bride warmly
insisted, that Lady Thornhill, (that was to be) should take the
lead; but this the other refused with equal ardour, protesting she
would not be guilty of such rudeness for the world. The argument
was supported for some time between both with equal obstinacy and
good breeding. But as I stood all this time with my book ready, I
was at last quite tired of the contest, and shutting it, 'I
perceive,' cried I, 'that none of you have a mind to be married,
and I think we had as good go back again; for I suppose there will
be no business done here to-day.'—This at once reduced them to
reason. The Baronet and his Lady were first married, and then my
son and his lovely partner.

I had previously that morning given orders that a coach should
be sent for my honest neighbour Flamborough and his family, by
which means, upon our return to the inn, we had the pleasure of
finding the two Miss Flamboroughs alighted before us. Mr Jenkinson
gave his hand to the eldest, and my son Moses led up the other;
(and I have since found that he has taken a real liking to the
girl, and my consent and bounty he shall have whenever he thinks
proper to demand them.) We were no sooner returned to the inn, but
numbers of my parishioners, hearing of my success, came to
congratulate me, but among the rest were those who rose to rescue
me, and whom I formerly rebuked with such sharpness. I told the
story to Sir William, my son-in-law, who went out and reprove them
with great severity; but finding them quite disheartened by his
harsh reproof, he gave them half a guinea a piece to drink his
health and raise their dejected spirits.

Soon after this we were called to a very genteel entertainment,
which was drest by Mr Thornhill's cook. And it may not be improper
to observe with respect to that gentleman, that he now resides in
quality of companion at a relation's house, being very well liked
and seldom sitting at the side-table, except when there is no room
at the other; for they make no stranger of him. His time is pretty
much taken up in keeping his relation, who is a little melancholy,
in spirits, and in learning to blow the French-horn. My eldest
daughter, however, still remembers him with regret; and she has
even told me, though I make a great secret of it, that when he
reforms she may be brought to relent. But to return, for I am not
apt to digress thus, when we were to sit down to dinner our
ceremonies were going to be renewed. The question was whether my
eldest daughter, as being a matron, should not sit above the two
young brides, but the debate was cut short by my son George, who
proposed, that the company should sit indiscriminately, every
gentleman by his lady. This was received with great approbation by
all, excepting my wife, who I could perceive was not perfectly
satisfied, as she expected to have had the pleasure of sitting at
the head of the table and carving all the meat for all the company.
But notwithstanding this, it is impossible to describe our good
humour. I can't say whether we had more wit amongst us now than
usual; but I am certain we had more laughing, which answered the
end as well. One jest I particularly remember, old Mr Wilmot
drinking to Moses, whose head was turned another way, my son
replied, 'Madam, I thank you.' Upon which the old gentleman,
winking upon the rest of the company, observed that he was thinking
of his mistress. At which jest I thought the two miss Flamboroughs
would have died with laughing. As soon as dinner was over,
according to my old custom, I requested that the table might be
taken away, to have the pleasure of seeing all my family assembled
once more by a chearful fireside. My two little ones sat upon each
knee, the rest of the company by their partners. I had nothing now
on this side of the grave to wish for, all my cares were over, my
pleasure was unspeakable. It now only remained that my gratitude in
good fortune should exceed my former submission in adversity.

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