ABSTRACT
Had Ned received this letter a few days or even a few hours sooner, it would not have failed to have cast a deep gloom upon his spirits, and to have rent his heart with dutiful and tender sympathy for those accumulated distresses that seemed to be gathering round the head of his virtuous and venerable parent. But the rst thought that struck him was his own power to relieve them, which the great and good Lord Ravensdale had that evening so bene cently enabled him to do. Full of this idea, he returned immediately to his lordship, and told him he took the liberty to request him to read the letter which he had just received. When his lordship had nished, and looked towards Ned, in whose eye a tear stood glistening, though pleasure glowed upon his countenance, he instantly discovered the sentiments that lled his soul; which/ fully approving and participating in, he prevented any embarrassment by thus breaking the matter himself – ‘I read in your countenance, my amiable young friend, the virtuous desire of your heart; you wish to make an o ering of the rst fruits of your fortune upon the altar of lial duty and a ection. I applaud your piety, and shall rejoice to assist in this sacri ce.’
