le, and clasping me in his arms, "my son! my son! have I
found thee again? do I hold thee in my embrace, after having lost and
despaired of seeing thee so long?" So saying, he fell upon my neck, and
wept aloud with joy; while the power of nature operating strongly in my
breast. I was lost in rapture, and while he pressed me to his heart, let
fall a shower of tears in his bosom. His utterance was choked up a
good while by the agitation of his soul; at length he broke out into
"Mysterious Providence!--O my dear Charlotte, there yet remains a pledge
of our love! and such a pledge!--so found! O infinite Goodness, let me
adore thy all-wise decrees!" Having thus expressed himself, he kneeled
upon the floor, lifted up his eyes and hands to heaven, and remained
some minutes in silent ecstacy of devotion. I put myself in the
same posture, adored the all-good Dispenser in a prayer of mental
thanksgiving: and when his ejaculation was ended, did homage to my
father, and craved his paternal blessing. He hugged me again with
unutterable fondness, and having implored the protection of Heaven upon
my head, raised me from the ground, and presented me as his son to the
company, who wept in concert over this affecting scene. Among the rest,
my uncle did not fail to discover the goodness and joy of his heart.
Albeit unused to the melting mood, he blubbered with great tenderness,
and wringing my father's hand, cried, "Brother Random, I'm rejoiced
to see you--God be praised for this happy meeting!" Don Rodrigo,
understanding that he was his brother-in-law, embraced him
affectionately, saying, "Are you my Charlotte's brother? Alas! unhappy
Charlotte! but why should I repine? we shall meet again, never more to
part! Brother, you are truly welcome. Dear son, I am transported with
unspeakable joy! This day is a jubilee--my friends and servants shall
share my satisfaction."

While he dispatched messengers to the gentlemen in the neighbourhood, to
announce this event, and gave orders for a grand entertainment, I was
so much affected with the tumults of passion, which assailed me on this
great, sudden, and unexpected occasion, that I fell sick, fevered,
and in less than three hours became quite delirious: so that the
preparations were countermanded, and the joy of the family converted
into grief and despair. Physicians were instantly called, I was
plentifully blooded in the foot, my lower extremities were bathed in a
decoction of salutiferous herbs