From the distracted expressions of his mother and sister, he learnt

by whom I had been arrested; and, late as it was, flew on the wings
of wounded affection, to the house of his false friend, and earnestly

enquired the cause of this cruel conduct. With all the calmness
of a cool deliberatevillain, he avowed his passion for Lucy;

declared her situation in life would not permit him to marry her;
but offered to release me immediately, and make any settlement on her,

if George would persuade her to live, as he impiously termed it,
a life of honour.

"Fired at the insult offered to a man and a soldier, my boy struck
the villain, and a challenge ensued. He then went to a coffee-house

in the neighbourhood and wrote a long affectionate letter to me,
blaming himself severely for having introduced Lewis into the family,

or permitted him to confer an obligation, which had brought
inevitable ruin on us all. He begged me, whatever might be the event

of the ensuing morning, not to suffer regret or unavailing sorrow
for his fate, to encrease the anguish of my heart, which he greatly

feared was already insupportable.
"This letter was delivered to me early in the morning.

It would be vain to attempt describing my feelings on the perusal
of it; suffice it to say, that a merciful Providence interposed,

and I was for three weeks sensible" target="_blank" title="a.麻木的；冷淡的">insensible to miseries almost beyond
the strength of human nature to support.

"A fever and strong delirium seized me, and my life was despaired of.
At length, nature, overpowered with fatigue, gave way to the salutary

power of rest, and a quiet slumber of some hours restored me to reason,
though the extremeweakness of my frame prevented my feeling my

distress so acutely as I otherways should.
"The first object that struck me on awaking, was Lucy sitting

by my bedside; her pale countenance and sable dress prevented
my enquiries for poor George: for the letter I had received

from him, was the first thing that occurred to my memory.
By degrees the rest returned: I recollected being arrested,

but could no ways account for being in this apartment, whither they
had conveyed me during my illness.

"I was so weak as to be almost unable to speak. I pressed
Lucy's hand, and looked earnestly round the apartment in search

of another dear object.
"Where is your mother?" said I, faintly.

"The poor girl could not answer: she shook her head in expressive silence;
and throwing herself on the bed, folded her arms about me,

and burst into tears.
"What! both gone?" said I.

"Both," she replied, endeavouring to restrain her emotions:
"but they are happy, no doubt."

Here Mr. Eldridge paused: the recollection of the scene was too
painful to permit him to proceed.

CHAPTER IV.
CHANGE OF FORTUNE.

"IT was some days," continued Mr. Eldridge, recovering himself,
"before I could venture to enquire the particulars of what had

happened during my illness: at length I assumed courage to ask
my dear girl how long her mother and brother had been dead:

she told me, that the morning after my arrest, George came home early
to enquire after his mother's health, staid with them but a few minutes,

seemed greatly agitated at parting, but gave them strictcharge to keep
up their spirits, and hope every thing would turn out for the best.

In about two hours after, as they were sitting at breakfast,
and endeavouring to strike out some plan to attain my liberty,

they heard a loud rap at the door, which Lucy running to open,
she met the bleeding body of her brother, borne in by two men

who had lifted him from a litter, on which they had brought him
from the place where he fought. Her poor mother, weakened by illness

and the struggles of the preceding night, was not able to support
this shock; gasping for breath, her looks wild and haggard,

she reached the apartment where they had carried her dying son.
She knelt by the bed side; and taking his cold hand,

'my poor boy,' said she, 'I will not be parted from thee:
husband! son! both at once lost. Father of mercies, spare me!'

She fell into a strong convulsion, and expired in about two hours.
In the mean time, a surgeon had dressed George's wounds; but they

were in such a situation as to bar the smallest hopes of recovery.
He never was sensible from the time he was brought home, and died

that evening in the arms of his sister.
"Late as it was when this event took place, my affectionate Lucy

insisted on coming to me. 'What must he feel,' said she, 'at our
apparent neglect, and how shall I inform him of the afflictions

with which it has pleased heaven to visit us?'
"She left the care of the dear departed ones to some neighbours who had

kindly come in to comfort and assist her; and on entering the house
where I was confined, found me in the situation I have mentioned.

"How she supported herself in these trying moments, I know not:
heaven, no doubt, was with her; and her anxiety to preserve the life

of one parent in some measure abated her affliction for the loss
of the other.

"My circumstances were greatly embarrassed, my acquaintance few,
and those few utterly unable to assist me. When my wife and son

were committed to their kindred earth, my creditors seized my house
and furniture, which not being sufficient to discharge all their demands,

detainers were lodged against me. No friend stepped forward to my relief;
from the grave of her mother, my beloved Lucy followed an almost

dying father to this melancholy place.
"Here we have been nearly a year and a half. My half-pay I have given

up to satisfy my creditors, and my child supports me by her industry:
sometimes by fine needlework, sometimes by painting.

She leaves me every night, and goes to a lodging near the bridge;
but returns in the morning, to chear me with her smiles,

and bless me by her duteous affection. A lady once offered
her an asylum in her family; but she would not leave me.

'We are all the world to each other,' said she. 'I thank God,
I have health and spirits to improve the talents with which nature

has endowed me; and I trust if I employ them in the support of a
beloved parent, I shall not be thought an unprofitable servant.

While he lives, I pray for strength to pursue my employment;
and when it pleases heaven to take one of us, may it give

the survivorresignation to bear the separation as we ought:
till then I will never leave him.' "

"But where is this inhuman persecutor?" said Temple.
"He has been abroad ever since," replied the old man; "but he has

left orders with his lawyer never to give up the note till the utmost
farthing is paid."

"And how much is the amount of your debts in all?" said Temple.
"Five hundred pounds," he replied.

Temple started: it was more than he expected. "But something
must be done," said he: "that sweet maid must not wear out her

life in a prison. I will see you again to-morrow, my friend,"
said he, shaking Eldridge's hand: "keep up your spirits:

light and shade are not more happily blended than are the pleasures
and pains of life; and the horrors of the one serve only to increase

the splendor of the other."
"You never lost a wife and son," said Eldridge.

"No," replied he, "but I can feel for those that have."
Eldridge pressed his hand as they went toward the door, and they

parted in silence.
When they got without the walls of the prison, Temple thanked

his friend Blakeney for introducing him to so worthy a character;
and telling him he had a particular engagement in the city,

wished him a good evening.
"And what is to be done for this distressed man," said Temple,

as he walked up Ludgate Hill. "Would to heaven I had a fortune
that would enable me instantly to discharge his debt:

what exquisitetransport, to see the expressive eyes of Lucy
beaming at once with pleasure for her father's deliverance,

and gratitude for her deliverer: but is not my fortune affluence,"
continued he, "nay superfluouswealth, when compared to the extreme

indigence of Eldridge; and what have I done to deserve ease
and plenty, while a brave worthy officer starves in a prison?

Three hundred a year is surely sufficient for all my wants and wishes:
at any rate Eldridge must be relieved."