Page:Tragical history of George Barnwell (2).pdf/19

This page has been validated.

( 20 )

his foot. and threw down three pots of honey, an accident which by no means helped to reſtore him to reaſon. Some time after this the illneſs of a relation cauſed the abſence of Mr and Mrs Nutting for a few days. During this time under a pretence of going to pay Mrs. Herris, the governeſs a viſit, we left the houſe, were united to each other, in bonds which only death could send aſunder. Not to tire your patience, I ſhall merely ſtate that in a few weeks our union was diſcovered: we were both rudely driven from Mr. Nutting's houſe Mr Darnwell, my only friend on earth refuſed to ſee me; and thus were the preceding five years of my life fooled away without advantage either to myſelf or benefactor. Ellinor had, while at Mrs. Herris's formed ſome acquaintance with a Mr. Brookes who was a bookſeller and publiſher in the city and with whom ſhe renewed her friendſhip by the aſſiſtance of the above lady: he found us ſufficient employ in poetry and tranſlations. Ellinor wrote a Novel, which ſucceeded well and competence was the reward of our labor We reſided in a neat dwelling at Wolworth, and only viſited the metropolis occaſionally. At the end of the firſt year, Ellinor bore me a daughter, who took her name. —— But ſee me my young friend to-morrow. — Retire now —— I am not equal to the taſk I have impoſed on myſelf and come prepared to hear a tale of horror."

Towards evening on the following day, a packet was delivered to Barnwell: he retired to his chamber, and haſtily broke the ſeal on a ſlip of paper was written theſe lines: "An event which has occurred this day drives me from a retreat, in which I had hoped to die. I ſhall ſee you no more till we meet in London I ſhall diſcover your abode. and will not fail to call on you In the mean time, I have penned for your peruſal the ſequel of my ſtory ——you