The Vicar of Wakefield. 20?
„ How, madam," cried my fellow pri-
soner, „miss Sophia carried ofs by villains^
„ sare it cannot be?"
She could only answer with a fixed look
and a Rood of tears. But oneoftheprisouer's
wives, who was present, and came in with
her, gave us a more distines account: she in-
formed us that as my wife, my daughter, and
herself, were taking a walk together on the
great road a little wav out of the village, a
poR-chaise and pair drove up to them and in-
slantly ilopt. Upon which a well dreR man )
but not Mr.Thornhill, Reppingout, clasped
my daughter round the waiR, and forcing
her in, bid thepoRilion drive on, so that they
were out of sight in a moment.
„Now," cried I, „the sum of my mile-
,, lies is made up, nor is it in the power of
„ anything on earth to give me another pang.
,, What! not one left! not to leave me one!
„ the monRer! the chitd that was next my
,, heart! she had the beauty of an angel, and
„ almoR the wisdom of an angel. But sup-
„ port that woman, nor let her fall. Not to
„ leave me one!" —. „Alas myHusband,"
laid my wife, „you seern to want comfort
„ even more than 1. Our disfresses are great;
„ but I could bear this and more, if I saw
,, you but easy. They may take away my
„ children and all the world , if they leave me
„ but you.''
My Son, who was present, endeavoured
to moderate our grief; he bade us take com.
fort, for he hoped that we might Rill have
reasbn to be thankful.— „ My child," cried s,
look