Clara Reeve

“ Edmund came forward and embraced her fervently; the starting tears, on both sides, evinced their affection. "And why," said he, "should my father forbid you to embrace your child? what have I ever done to deserve his hatred?"
"Nothing, my dear boy! you were always good and tender-hearted, and deserved the love of every body."
"It is not common," said Edmund, "for a parent to hate his first-born son without his having deserved it."
"That is true," said Oswald; "it is uncommon, it is unnatural; nay, I am of opinion it is almost impossible. ”

“ At these words Edmund changed colour and trembled; he clapped his hand upon his breast, and looked up to Heaven in silence; his dream recurred to his memory, and struck upon his heart. He related it to his attentive auditors.
"The ways of Providence are wonderful," said Oswald. "If this be so, Heaven in its own time will make it appear." ”

“ I am not worthy to be the mother of such a sweet youth as that is."
"You are not his mother, then, nor Andrew his father?"
"Oh, what shall I do?" said Margery; "Andrew will be the death of me!"
"No, he shall not," said Edmund; "you shall be protected and rewarded for the discovery."
"Goody," said Oswald, "confess the whole truth, and I will protect you from harm and from blame; you may be the means of making Edmund's fortune, in which case he will certainly provide for you ”