Hold, hold, my worthy friend, return'd Sir James; do you forget fourhours since how you stood listening at a gate by the road-side, saying,you could hear, tho' not see?

We must vary our hopes and inclinations, reply'd Mr. Watson.--DivineProvidence--there stopp'd;--not another word.--He stopp'd;--hegroan'd;--and was silent.--Great God! cried Mr. Powis, is my childill?--Is my child dead? frantickly echoed Mrs. Powis--Heaven forbid!exclaim'd Sir James and his Lady, arising.--Tell us, Mr. Watson;--tellus, Mr. Ruby.

When you are compos'd,--return'd the former--Then, our child isdead,--really dead! shriek'd the parents.--No, no, cried Lady Powis,clasping her son and daughter in her arms,--she is, not dead; I am sureshe is not dead.

Mr. Watson, after many efforts to speak, exclaimed in a faulteringvoice,--Consider we are christians:--let that bless'd name fortify oursouls.

Mrs. Powis fell on her knees before him,--heart-rending sight!--her captorn off,--her hair dishevell'd,--her eyes fix'd;--not a tear,--not asingle tear to relieve the bitter anguish of her soul.

Sir James had left the room;--Lady Powis was sunk almost senseless onthe sopha;--Mr. Powis kneeling by his wife, clasping her to hisbosom;--Mr. Morgan in a corner roaring out his affliction;--Mr. Watsonwith the voice of an angel speaking consolation.--I say nothing of myown feelings.--God, how great!--how inexpressible! when Mrs. Powis,still on her knees, turn'd to me with uplifted arms,--0h Mr. Risby!cried she,--can _you,_--can _you_ speak comfort to the miserable?--Thenagain addressing Mr. Watson,--Dear, saint, only say she lives:--I ask nomore; only say she lives.--My best love!--my life!--my Fanny! exclaimed Mr.Powis, lifting her to the sopha;--live,--live,--for mysake.--0h!--Risby, are _you_ the messenger?--his head fell on myshoulder, and he sobb'd aloud.