A Father's Blessing and Farewell — Evelina, Or, the History of a Young Lady's Entrance into the World

Villars writes from Berry Hill that the news is astonishing. An acknowledged daughter and heiress of Sir John Belmont is at Bristol, and his Evelina still bears the name Anville. He has never heard of a later marriage. If one existed, Miss Evelyn was the first wife, so her daughter would at least be entitled to the name Belmont. He sees only two possibilities. The affair is still incomprehensible, or some strange and most atrocious fraud has been practised. The public appearance of a Belmont daughter will revive Miss Evelyn's story. People will ask who the mother was. If another Lady Belmont is named, Evelina's birth will receive a stigma that honour, truth, and innocence may appeal against in vain, and her mother's fair fame will be blasted.

His reluctance to act gives way to the conviction that the step is proper. He will not quietly suffer the ashes of her mother to be treated with ignominy. The marriage shall be acknowledged, and the child shall bear the name that is lawfully hers. Mrs. Mirvan might conduct the affair with more delicacy than Mrs. Selwyn, but time matters more. The longer the mystery continues, the harder the explanation. He tells Evelina to set out for town as soon as she can. He encloses the letter her unhappy mother wrote and reserved for this occasion. Mrs. Clinton is to go with her. He trembles for a meeting so singular, yet he does not doubt the success of the application. The proof, he trusts, is written in her countenance.

The close of the letter is a father's blessing on the change of situation. He prays that elevation will not change her disposition, and that she will keep her simplicity, her singleness of heart, and her freedom from ostentation. Then he signs himself Arthur Villars, and the child he adopted is committed at length to the care of her real parent.