to retire or move forward to salute him, as she otherwise would
have done.

He saw the confusion she was in, and willing to give it an immediate
relief, ran to her, and taking her in his arms,--my dear, dear child,
said he, am I so happy to see thee once more!--Oh! sir, returned she
disengaging herself from his embrace, and falling at his feet!--How can
I look upon you after having flown from your protection, and given you
such cause to think me the most ungrateful creature in the world!

It was heaven, answered he, that inspired you with that abhorrence of my
offers, which, had you accepted, we must both have been eternally
undone!--You are my daughter, Louisa! pursued he, my own natural
daughter!--Rise then, and take a father's blessing.

All that can be said of astonishment would be far short of what she felt
at these words:--the happiness seemed so great she could not think it
real, tho' uttered from mouth she knew unaccustomed to deceit:--a
hundred times, without giving him leave to satisfy her doubts, did she
cry out, My father!--my father!--my real father!--How can it be!--Is
there a possibility that Louisa owes her being to Dorilaus!

Yes, my Louisa, answered he, and flatter myself, by what I have observed
of your disposition, you have done nothing, since our parting, that
might prevent my glorying in being the parent of such a child.

The hurry of spirit she was in, prevented her from taking notice of
these last words, or at least from making any answer to them, and she
still continued crying out,--Dorilaus, my father!--Good heaven! may I
believe I am so blessed?--Who then is my mother!--Wherefore have I been