He had no near relations, and those
distant ones who claimed an almost forgotten kindred were not in a
condition to abandon their progeny. - The thing appeared strange to him;
but all his endeavours to give him any farther light into it being
unsuccessful; he began to imagine the parents of the children had been
compelled by necessity to expose them, and had had only wrote in this
mysterious manner to engage a better reception: he also accounted in his
mind for their being left with him, as, he being a batchelor, and having
a large estate, it might naturally be supposed there would be fewer
impediments to their being taken care of, than either where a wife was
in the case, or a narrow fortune obliged the owner to preserve a greater
oeconomy in expences.
Being at last convinced within himself that he had now explained this
seeming riddle, he took no farther trouble about whose, or what these
children were, but resolved to take care of them during their infancy,
and afterwards to put them into such a way as he should find their
genius's rendered them most fit for, in order to provide for themselves.
On his leaving the county, he ordered his housekeeper to furnish every
thing needful for them as often as they wanted it, and to take care they
were well used by the women with whom he had placed them; and delivered
these commands not in a cursory or negligent manner, but in such terms
as terrified any failure of obedience in this point would highly incur
his displeasure.
Nothing material happening during their infancy, I shall pass over those
years in silence, only saying that as often as Dorilaus went down to his
estate (which was generally two or three times a year) he always sent
for them, and expressed a very great satisfaction in finding in their
looks the charge he had given concerning them so well executed: but when
they arrived at an age capable of entertaining him with their innocent
prattle, what before was charity, improved into affection; and he began
to regard them with a tenderness little inferior to paternal; but which
still increased with their increase of years.
Having given them the first rudiments of education in the best schools
those parts afforded, he placed Louisa with a gentlewoman, who
deservedly had the reputation of being an excellent governess of youth,
and brought Horatio in his own chariot up to London, where he put him to
Westminster School, under the care of doctor Busby, and agreed for his
board in a family that lived near it, and had several other young
gentlemen on the same terms.
What more could have been expected from the best of fathers! what more
could children, born to the highest fortunes, have enjoyed! nor was
their happiness like to be fleeting: Dorilaus was a man steady in his
resolutions, had always declared an aversion to marriage, and by
rejecting every overture made him on that score, had made his friends
cease any farther importunities; he had besides (as has already been
observed) no near relations, so that it was the opinion of most people
that he would make the young Horatio heir to the greatest part of his
estate, and give Louisa a portion answerable to her way of bringing up.
What he intended for them, however, is uncertain, he never having
declared his sentiments so far concerning them; and the strange
revolutions happening afterwards in both their fortunes, preventing him
from acting as it is possible he might design.
The education he allowed them indeed gave very good grounds for the
above-mentioned conjecture. - Louisa being taught all the accomplishments
that became a maid of quality to be mistress of; and Horatio having gone
thro' all the learning of the school, was taken home to his own
house, from whence he was to go to Oxford, in order to finish his
studies in the character of a gentleman-commoner.
But when every thing was preparing for this purpose, he came one morning
into the chamber of his patron, and throwing himself on his knees -
Think me not, sir, said he, too presuming in the request I am about to
make you. - I know all that I am is yours. - That I am the creature of
your bounty, and that, without being a father, you have done more for me
than many of those, who are so, do for their most favourite sons. - I
know also that you are the best judge of what is fit for me, and have
not the least apprehensions that you will not always continue the same
goodness to me, provided I continue, as I have hitherto done, the
ambition of meriting it. - Yet, sir, pardon me if I now discover a desire
with which I long have laboured, of doing something of myself which may
repair the obscurity of my birth, and prove to the world that heaven has
endued this foundling with a courage and resolution capable of
undertaking the greatest actions.
In speaking these last words a fire seemed to sparkle from his eyes,
which sufficiently denoted the vehemence of his inward agitations.
Dorilaus was extremely surprized, but after a little pause, what is it
you request of me? said that noble gentleman, (at the same time raising
him from the posture he was in) or by what means than such as I have
already taken, can I oblige you to think that, in being my foundling,
fortune dealt not too severely with you?
Ah! sir, mistake me not, I beseech you, replied the young Horatio, or
think me wanting in my gratitude either to heaven or you.
