to doubt whether the breaking the Laws of God and Man, the corrupting and ruining a poor Girl, be Guilt? I own, indeed, it doth lie principally upon you, and ſo heavy it is, that you ought to expect it ſhould cruſh you.’
‘Whatever may be my Fate,’ ſays Tom, ‘let me ſucceed in my Interceſſions for the poor Girl. I confeſs I have corrupted her; but whether ſhe ſhall be ruined depends on you. For Heaven’s Sake, Sir, revoke your Warrant, and do not ſend her to a Place whicih muſt unavoidably prove her Deſtruction.’
Allworthy bid him immediately call a Servant. Tom anſwered, there was no Occaſion; for he had luckily met them at the Gate, and relying upon his Goodneſs, had brought them all back into his Hall, where they now waited his final Reſolution, which, upon his Knees, he beſought him might be in favour of the Girl; that ſhe might be permitted to go home to her Parents, and not be expoſed to a greater Degree of Shame and Scorn than muſt neceſſarily fall upon her. ‘I know,’ ſaid he, ‘tha tis too much. I know I am the wicked Occaſion of it. I will endeavour to make Amends, if poſſible, and‘if
