“My dearest child,” cried he, “I cannot bear to see thy tears;--for my sake dry them; such a sight is too much for me; think of that, Evelina, and take comfort, I charge thee!” “Say then,” cried I, kneeling at his feet, “say then that you forgive me! that you pardon my reserve,--that you will again suffer me to tell you my most secret thoughts, and rely upon my promise never more to forfeit your confidence!--my father!--my protector!--my ever-honoured,--ever-loved--my best and only friend!--say you forgive your Evelina, and she will study better to deserve your goodness!” He raised, he embraced me: he called me his sole joy, his only earthly hope, and the child of his bosom! He folded me to his heart: and while I wept from the fulness of mine, with words of sweetest kindness and consolation, he soothed and tranquillised me. Dear to my remembrance will ever be that moment when, banishing the reserve I had so foolishly planned, and so painfully supported, I was restored to the confidence of the best of men! BURNEY, _Evelina_ (3) (_The courtship of Tom Jones and Sophia Western is interrupted by the entrance of Sophia’s father, a bluff old squire._) At this instant, Western, who had stood some time listening, burst into the room, and with his hunting voice and phrase, cried out, “To her, boy, to her, go to her.---- That’s it, little honeys, O that’s it! Well! what, is it all over? Hath she appointed the day, boy? What, shall it be to-morrow or next day? It shan’t be put off a minute longer than next day, I am resolved.” “Let me beseech you, sir,” says Jones, “don’t let me be the occasion”---- “Beseech--,” cries Western. “I thought thou hadst been a lad of higher mettle than to give way to a parcel of maidenish tricks.---- I tell thee ’tis all flimflam. Zoodikers! she’d have the wedding to-night with all her heart. Would’st not, Sophy? Come, confess, and be an honest girl for once. What, art dumb? Why dost not speak?” “Why should I confess, sir?” says Sophia, “since it seems you are so well acquainted with my thoughts?”---- “That’s a good girl,” cries he, “and dost consent then?” “No, indeed, sir,” says Sophia, “I have given no such consent.”--“And wunt not ha un then to-morrow, nor next day?” says Western.---- “Indeed, sir,” says she, “I have no such intention.” “But I can tell thee,” replied he, “why hast nut; only because thou dost love to be disobedient, and to plague and vex thy father.”--“Pray, sir,” said Jones, interfering---- “I tell thee thou art a puppy,” cries he. “When I forbid her, then it was all nothing but sighing and whining, and languishing and writing; now I am vor thee, she is against thee. All the spirit of contrary, that’s all. She is above being guided and governed by her father, that