“ The enraptured parent mingled the tears of fond affection with those of filial gratitude; and every countenance beamed with smiles of joy. Nor was the welcome of the worthy Trueman wanting in cordiality; but when the lovely Charlotte related her rescue from the hated Sandford, the murmur of applause fell from every tongue, while the grateful father strained the gallant stranger to his heart by the endearing name of son.
The return of the worthy pastor was celebrated by the inhabitants of the parish as a sort of jubilee. Every one strove to excel his neighbour in acts of courtesy. ”

“ The conclusion of Belfont's address forcibly struck Lord Bremere, who repeated the words 'affected distress!'--Adding, with much surprise--"Are, then, your misfortunes bred by the tattle of the town."
"No, my lord," returned Belfont; "not from those contemptible beings, who eagerly busy themselves with every body's affairs, while they neglect their own, and who are only industrious in the propagation of scandal; but from myself arose the tale of my distress. ”

“ But, tell me, if I can repel, by truth indubitable, this unjust arraignment of any honour, what reward I may expect?"
"Oh! clear but thyself of these gross suspicious; appear but the man my fond wishes have formed thee, and I would reject the crowned monarch's hand to share thy honest love!"
"Then fear not, and know that I am the happy Belfont."
"Lord Belfont!"—"Yes, the rich, the happy Belfont, lives the vassal of your power. But tell me, from what envious hand didst thou receive this vile defamer of my truth?" ”

“ But do not yield to despair, The hand which inflicts distress can also bestow happiness; and, though the pitiless storm of stern adversity to-day beats hard and heavy on your defenceless roof, to-morrow prosperity's cheerful sun may raise your sinking hopes, and repair the ravages of the ruthless blast. ”

“ Trueman aceosted the youth, and offered to assist him in carrying his load; a proposal which the youngster readily accepted, telling him, at the same time, that he had been to a neighbouring farmer for cheese and butter; and that his sister had got two jugs of milk for his brothers' breakfasts.--"And what is your name?" said Trueman.--"Benley, sir; and we live in yonder cottage," pointing to a small house.
"Charlotte," said the youth, "here is a gentleman has kindly carried my basket for me; and, as you complain the jugs are too heavy for you, I dare say he will help you too." ”

“ The poor man in his hour of distress finds a friend; but the rich, when he ceases to be so, is disregarded by those whom his former bounty fed; and who have not charity enough to give to his misfortunes even the costless sigh of pity!"
In the midst of his contemplations, a servant entered the room, and announced the arrival of Lord Bremere; who, returning from a country excursion, had just heard of his friend's misfortune, and hastened to relieve his necessities. As he approached, Belfont, rising from his chair, ran to meet him. ”

“ Seated, one evening, in a box at Drury-lane theatre, he was seen by Lady Caroline Blandish, from the opposite side of the house; who, sans ceremony, immediately came round to him. "So, my lord," said she, entering the box, "what is become of your friend Belfont? Have you seen him lately ? How does he bear his misfortunes? I am really sorrow for the unfortunate youth?"
"My friend," replied Bremere, "is infinitely obliged to your ladyship for the concern you take in his distress." ”

“ For what, said I, 'is your workhouse but a dungeon; where the poor eat little, and labour hard?'—"But, sir," continued the landlord, "not only I, but the whole village, was against their going there; and the inhabitants all cheerfully spare a little towards the family's support: nay, even the labouring cottager, out of his hard earnings, throws in his mite.
"And what," inquired Trueman, "is the amount of the sum for which the unfortunate man is now confined?" ”

“ At an age when the human mind is most susceptible of, and too often imbibes, a passion for voluptuous pleasure; ere yet experienee the sage precepts had impressed, Lord Belfont inherited splendid fortune. ”

“ He invited the landlord to partake of his beverage; who, being a communicative sort of person, and one who had a considerable share of humanity interwoven in his composition, readily complied with Trueman's request, to relate the misfortunes of the worthy pastor.
"I will tell you, sir," said he, "the story of Parson Benley. You must know, sir, that he is the curate of our parish. The living, which is the gift of my Lord Belfont, belongs to a clergyman, who lives in the west; and, though it brings him in a good three hundred pounds a-year, he gives his curate only forty pounds out of it. ”

“ His rank in life, and extensive fortune, introduced him into the first families in England; and overtures of marriage were made to him by the parents and guardians of the greatest beauties of the age but Belfont, though not insensible to the charm of beauty, was not yet become the vassal of the power. ”

“ This will inform you, sir; a friend of Miss Benley advises her to be on her guard. Trueman is not what he seems; but, beneath the appearance of rustic honesty, harbours designs destructive of her peace and honour. ”

“ So that, you see, the master gets two hundred and sixty pounds for doing nothing, as one may say, while the servant, who does every thing, is obliged to be contended with scarcely a seventh part of that sum: and though the good woman, his wife, brought him a large family, he could never get any increase of salary. ”

“ I profess," continued she, “ the news of his ruin astonished me prodigously; and I assure you, I felt myself extremely hurt at it; for his lordship had paid me much attention, and I began to think I had made a conquest. ”