“Then, by Heaven! as I know my worth. I will renounce you for ever! and, therefore, hence with your paramour!—you shall nevermore enter my doors!”
“Be it so,” said the Duke; “mine are open to receive them! My house, my home, my fortune, all are theirs; they shall use them at their pleasure; they shall live in ease, in competence, and enjoy the pleasures of their loves: while mad ambition, insatiate avarice, and increasing pride, shall torture you with never-ceasing pangs, and embitter every future moment of your life!”
The disappointed, mercenary parent, flew, with bitter imprecations, from his tormentors: the lovers retired with their noble patron; and, after having spent several days in a fruitless attempt to gain the consent of Dalby, were united in the holy bands of wedlock. Edwin has since, from his professional merit, and the interest of his grace, attained a distinguished rank in the army; and the dislike of Mr. Dalby to his daughter’s choice has decreased, in proportion as he has risen to distinction. Several interviews have taken place, through the medium of their noble friend, and it is believed that time will root from the mind of Mr. Dalby every unfavourable impression the want of fortune in his son-in-law occasioned; and that Edwin and Laura will, at last, become the heirs of his immense property.
The union of this amiable pair has been blessed with two fine boys; and this increase of family has enlarged their happiness: they still continue to receive the notice of his grace, whom they consider as the author of their felicity, and invariably distinguished him by the appellation of The Generous Rival.
Possible sources:
Caledonian Bee, 1795 “A Select Collection, of Interesting Extracts from Modern Publications”, story labeled “By Mr. Bacon”;
Interesting anecdotes, memoirs, allegories, essays, and poetical ..., “by Mr. Addison” Volume 5, 1797 (originally 1794), sometimes misattributed to Joseph Addison (1672-1719)
For the New-York Weekly Magazine.