Page:Passions 2.pdf/486

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
474
THE SECOND MARRIAGE:

—to be to you and yours—to be the uncle and friend of you all. (speaking in a broken agitated voice.)

Sea. O no! I am unworthy to receive any thing from you—from the uncle of my much injured wife; but these children, Mr. Morgan—I am not too proud to ask you to be a friend to them.

Bea. (hastily to Sea.) Poo, man! you have no real goodness in you, if you cannot perceive that he must and will be a friend to yourself also. Come, come! give him a hand of fellowship! (putting Seabright's hand into Morgan's.) Now, God will bless you both!

Mor. If Sir Anthony will permit an old man, who has past thro' many buffetings of fortune, to draw his arm-chair by him in the evening of his life, and tell over the varied hardships he has met with, he will cheer its gloom, and make it pass more pleasantly. (Sea. presses Morgan's hand to his breast, without speaking.)

Mrs. B. (to Mor.) Well said, and gracefully said, my good uncle! did not I tell you, you would go through your part well, if you would but trust to the dictates of your own good heart?

Bea. O there is nobody, when he does what is noble and right, that does not find a way of doing it gracefully.

Mrs. B. (to Sophia, who is going up timidly to Mor.) Yes, that is right, my dear. Come, children, (leading the children up to him.) gather all about him. Yes, take hold of him; don't be afraid to