23^ THE BEE, OR Feb. 9, 



fliips. In the focictv of Louifa, he found fenfiblHty and 

 truth ; her's was the only heart that feemed interefled in 

 his welfare. She faw the return of virtue in Sir Edward; 

 and felt the friendlhip which he Ihewed her. Sometimes; 

 Hvhen (he perceived him forrowful, her lute would leave its 

 melaticholy for more lively airs, and her countenance alTume 

 a gaiety it was not formed to wear. But her heart was 

 breaking with that anguilh which her generofity endeavour- 

 ed to conceal from him ; her frame, too delicate for the 

 ftruggle with her feelings, feemed to yield to their force ; 

 her reft forfook her ; the colour faded in her cheek •, the 

 luftre of her eyes grew dim. Sir Edward faw thefe fymp- 

 toms of decay with the deepefl remorfe. Often did he curfe 

 thofe falfe ideas of pleafure which had led him to confider 

 the ruin of an artlefs girl, who loved and trufted him, as an 

 objeft which it was luxury to attain, and pride to accom- 

 plish. Often did he wifh to blot out from his life a few 

 guilty months, to be again reftored to an opportunity of 

 giving happinefs to that family, whofe unfuipecling kind- 

 nefs he had repaid with the treachery of a robber, and the 

 cruelty of an affaflln. 



One evening, while he fat in a little parlour v;ith Louifa, 

 his mind alternately agitated and foftened with this impref- 

 fion, a hand-organ, of a remarkably fweet tone, was heard 

 in the ftreet. Louifa laid afide her lute, and liftened. The 

 airs it played were thofe of her native country ; and a tevv 

 tears, which Ihe endeavoured to hide, ftole from her cii \ 

 hearing them. Sir Edward Ordered a fervant to fetch the 

 organift into the room. He was brought in accordingly'^ 

 and feated at the door of the apartment. 



He played one or two fprightly tunes, to which Louifa 

 had often danced in her infancy : She gave herfelf up to 

 the recoUedion, and her tears flowed without controul. 

 Suddenly the mufician changed the ilop, introduced a little 

 melancholy air, of a w-ild and plaintive kind. Louifa dart- 

 ed from her feat, and rufhed up to the flranger. — He threw 

 oflF a tattered coat, and black patch. It was her father \- — 

 She would have fprung to embrace him ; he turned afide 

 for a few moments, and would not receive her into his arms. 

 Jt>ut nature at lafl overcame his refentmentj lie burll inio 

 tears, and preffed to his bofom his long-loft daughter. 



