The now happy Louisa related, at her father's desire, the principal events of her life, and dwelt with affectionate minuteness on the endearing tenderness which Mr. Howard and his sister had shown towards her.

Fitzormond's heart overflowed with gratitude for their kindness to his deserted girl (as he emphatically called her), and as be folded her to his heart, regretted he could not pour forth the grateful feelings which oppressed it to those respected beings for their care of/ her. ‘But they will receive a reward far superior,’ cried he, ‘to what my thanks could possibly bestow.’

His indignation was no less strongly excited against Mr. Melford, whom he resolved to bring to condign punishment for his base conduct to Louisa. His affinity to Mr. Howard, he protested, should not protect him, as he felt well assured that excellent man would not have wished to screen him from the vengeance of an injured father, or the outraged laws of his country.

On their arrival in London, they drove to an hotel, where Fitzormond informed his daughter he should continue only till he could procure a furnished house for her reception, during their stay in town, which would probably be some months: in the mean time he requested she would purchase whatever she wished for, as he fortunately had acquired sufficient in India to support her in the rank/ she was by birth entitled to fill. ‘The wealth I possess will now be of value to me, as it will enable me to gratify the wishes and wants of my darling child. Hitherto it has been considered by me in no higher light than that of being the means of rendering me useful to the unfortunate. With regard to myself, it was only an incumbrance, and tended rather to increase my unhappiness; for what comfort, I have said, can it bestow on me, who stand alone in the world, widowed and childless! Could I share the affluence I possess with a beloved object, then I should know its value.