She Was Just Sitting Down, In Order To Form A Remonstrance Of This Kind,
When A Chariot And Six Stopping At The Door, She Was Informed The
Gentleman Who Had Sent To Her Was Come In Person, And That They Knew It
Was The Same By The Livery.
- Louisa run hastily to the window and saw a
person alight, whom, by the bulk and stature, she knew could not be the
count she so much dreaded, this having much the advantage of the other
in both.
Somewhat reassured by this sight, she ordered the master of the
hotel to desire him to walk into a parlour, and let him know she would
attend him there.
As she saw not the face of this visitor, she could not be certain
whether it were not some of those she had been acquainted with at
Venice, who having, by accident, seen her at Paris, might, according to
the freedom of the French nation, take the liberty of visiting her; - but
whoever it were, or on what score soever brought, she thought it best to
receive him in a place where, in case of any ill usage, she might
readily have assistance.
The master of the hotel perceiving her scruples, readily did as he was
ordered, and Louisa having desired that he, or some of his people, would
be within call, went down to receive this unknown gent, tho' not without
emotions, which at that moment she knew not how to account for.
But soon after she was seized with infinitely greater, when, entering
the parlour, she found it was no other than Dorilaus who had given her
this anxiety. - Surprize at the sight of a person whom, of all the world,
she could least have expected in that place, made her at first start
back; and conscious shame for having, as she thought, so ill rewarded
his goodness, mixed with a certain awe which she had for no other person
but himself, occasioned such a trembling, as rendered her unable either
to retire or move forward to salute him, as she otherwise would
have done.
He saw the confusion she was in, and willing to give it an immediate
relief, ran to her, and taking her in his arms, - my dear, dear child,
said he, am I so happy to see thee once more! - Oh! sir, returned she
disengaging herself from his embrace, and falling at his feet! - How can
I look upon you after having flown from your protection, and given you
such cause to think me the most ungrateful creature in the world!
It was heaven, answered he, that inspired you with that abhorrence of my
offers, which, had you accepted, we must both have been eternally
undone! - You are my daughter, Louisa! pursued he, my own natural
daughter! - Rise then, and take a father's blessing.
All that can be said of astonishment would be far short of what she felt
at these words: - the happiness seemed so great she could not think it
real, tho' uttered from mouth she knew unaccustomed to deceit:
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