 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Tom Jones by Henry Fielding, Chapter 4, in which Sophia is delivered from her confinement. The squire and the parson, for the landlord was now otherwise engaged, were smoking their pipes together when the arrival of the lady was first signified. The squire no sooner heard her name than he immediately ran down to usher her upstairs, for he was a great observer of such ceremonials, especially to his sister, of whom he stood more in awe than of any other human creature, though he never would own this, nor did he perhaps know it himself. Mrs. Western, on her arrival in the dining room, having flung herself into a chair, began this to her ang. Well, surely no one ever had such an intolerable journey. I think the roads, since so many turnpike acts, are grown worse than ever. La, brother, how could you get into this oddest place? No person of condition I dare swear ever set foot here before. I don't know, Aquarius the Squire. I think they do well enough. It was landlord recommended them. I thought, as he knew most of the quality, he could best show me where to get among them. Well, and where's my niece? said the lady. Have you been to wait upon Lady Belaston yet? Aye aye, crisis squire. Your niece is safe enough. She is upstairs in chamber. How? answered the lady. Is my niece in this house, and does she not know of my being here? No, no, a body can well get to her, says the squire, for she is under lock and key. I have her safe. I have etched her for my lady, because on the first night I came into town, and I have taken care of her ever since. She is secure as a fox in a bag, I promise you. Good Evan. Return, Mrs. Western. What do I hear? I thought, what a fine piece of work would be the consequence of my consent to your coming to town yourself. Nay, it was indeed your own headstrong will, nor can I charge myself with having ever consented to it. Did not you promise me, brother, that you would take none of these headstrong measures? Was it not by these headstrong measures that you forced my niece to run away from you in the country? Have you mind to oblige her to take such another step? Zoons and a devil, cries the squire, dashing his pipe on the ground. Did ever mortal hear the like, when I expected you, would have commended me for all I've done to be fallen upon in this manner. How, brother, said the lady, have I ever given you the least reason to imagine I should commend you for locking up your daughter? Have I not often told you that women in a free country are not to be treated with such arbitrary power? We just freeze the men, and I hardly wish I could not say we deserve that freedom better. If you expect I should stay a moment longer in this wretched house, or that I should ever own you again as my relation, or that I should ever trouble myself again with the affairs of your family, I insist upon it that my niece be set at liberty this instant. This she spoke with so commanding an air, standing with her back to the fire, with one hand behind her, and a pinch of snuff in the other, that I questioned with her, Thalestrus, at the end of the Albansons, ever made a more tremendous figure. It is no wonder, therefore, that the poor squire was not proof against the awe which she inspired. There, he cried, throwing down the key. There it is. Do whatever you please. I only intended to have kept her up till Blythyl came to town, which can't be long, and now if any harm happens in the meantime, remember who it is to be blamed for it. I will answer it with my life, Prad-Mrs. Western, but I shall not intermeddle at all, unless upon one condition, and that is that you will commit the whole entirely to my care without taking one measure yourself, unless I shall eventually appoint you to act. If you ratify these preliminaries, brother, I yet will endeavour to preserve the honour of your family. If not, I shall continue in a neutral state. I pray you good, sir, said the parson. Permit yourself this once to be admonished by her ladyship, for her adventure by communing with young Madame Sophia she will effect more than you have been able to perpetrate by more rigorous measures. What? Does they open up on me? cries the squire. If they dost begin to babble, I shall whip thee in presently. Fine, brother, answered the lady. Is this language to a clarity, man? Mr. Suppler's a man of sense, and gives you the best advice, and the whole world, I believe, will concur in his opinion. But I must tell you, I expect an immediate answer to my categorical proposals. Either seed your daughter to my disposal, or take her wholly to your own surprising discretion, and then I here, before Mr. Supple, evacuate the garrison, and renounce you and your family forever. I pray you let me be a mediator, cries the parson. Let me supplicate you. Why? There lies the key on the table, cries the squire. She may tighten up if she pleases who enters her. No, brother. Answered the lady. I insist on the formality of its being delivered to me, with the full ratification of all the concessions stipulated. Why? Then I will deliver it to you. Here it is, cries the squire. I am sure, sister. You can accuse me of ever denying to trust my daughter to you. She asked I lived with you a whole year in war to a time without my ever seeing her. And it would have been happy for her. Answered the lady. If she had always lived with me, nothing of this kind would have ever happened under my eye. I certainly, cries the squire. I only am to blame. Why? You are to blame, brother. Answered she. I have been often obliged to tell you so, and shall always be obliged to tell you so. However, I hope you will now amend and gather so much experience from past errors as not to defeat my wise machinations from your blunders. Indeed, brother, you were not qualified for these negotiations. All your whole scheme of politics is wrong. I once more therefore insist that you do not intermeddle. Remember only what is past. Zones and blood, sister, cries the squire. What would you have me say? You are enough to provoke the devil. There now, so she, just according to the old system I see, brother, there is no talking to you. I will appeal to Mr. Supple, who is a man of sense. If I said anything which could put any human creature into a passion, but you are so wrongheaded everywhere. Let me beg you, madam, said the person, not to irritate his worship. Irritate him, said the lady. Sure, you are as great a fool as himself. Well, brother, since you have promised not to interfere, I will once more undertake the management of my niece. Lord have mercy upon all affairs which are under the directions of men. The head of one woman is worth a thousand of yours. Now, having summoned a servant to show her to Sophia, she departed, bearing the key with her. She was no sooner gone than the squire, having first shut the door, ejaculated twenty bitches, and as many hearty curses against her, not sparing himself for having ever thought of her estate, but added, Now, oneth been a slave for so long, it would be pity to lose it at last, for one of holding out a little longer. The witch can't live forever, and I know I am down for it upon the will. The person greatly commended the resolution, and now the squire, having ordered another bottle, which was his usual method when anything either pleased or vexed him, did, by drinking plentifully of this medicinal julep, so totally washed away as choler, that his temper was become perfectly placid and serene, and the queen, Mrs. Western, returned with Sophia into the room. The young lady had on her hat and cappuccine, and the aunt acquainted Mr. Western, that she intended to take a niece with her to her own lodgings. For indeed, brother, these rooms are not fit to receive a Christian soul in. Very well, madam, quote Western. Whatever you please. A girl can never be in better hands than yours, and the person here can do me the justice to say that I have said fifty times behind your back that you was one of the most sensible women in the world. To this, cries the person, I am ready to bear testimony. Nay, brother, said Mrs. Western. I have always, I'm sure, given you as favourable a character. You must own you have a little too much hastiness in your temper, but when you allow yourself time to reflect, I never knew a man more reasonable. Why then, sister, if you think so, said the squire, here's your good elf with all my art. I am a little passionate sometimes, but I score in the bear any malice. Sophie, do you be a good girl, and do everything your aunt orders you? I have not the least out of her, and said Mrs. Western. Yes, I had already an example before her eyes in the behaviour of that wretch, her cousin Ariant, who ruined herself by neglecting my advice. Oh, brother, what thank you. You was hardly gone out of hearing when you set out for London. When who should arrive with that impudent fellow with the odious Irish name that fits Patrick? He broke in abruptly upon me without notice, or I would not have seen him. He ran on a long, unintelligible story about his wife, to which he forced me to give him a hearing, but I made him very little answer, and delivered him the letter from his wife, which I bid him answer himself. I suppose the wretch will endeavour to find us out, but I beg you, we'll not see her, for I am determined I will not. Is there, answered the squire? You need not fear me. I'll get no encouragement to such undutiful wenches. It is well for the fellow, Urusmund. I was not at home, or drab at it. He should have taken a dance through the horse-band. I promise on you. You see, Zofi, what undutifulness brings folks to. You have an example in your own family. Brother. Christ the ant. You need not shock my niece by such odious repetitions. Why will you not leave everything entirely to me? Well, I will, I will, I will, said the squire. And now Mrs. Western, luckily for Sophia, putting into the conversation by ordering chairs to be called. I say luckily, for had it continued much longer, fresh matter of dissension would, most probably, have arisen between the brother and the sister, between whom education and sex made the only different. For both were equally violent and equally positive. They both had a vast affection for Sophia and both a sovereign contempt for each other. Chapter 5, in which Jones receives a letter from Sophia and goes to a play with Mrs. Miller in Partridge. The arrival of Black George in town and the good offices which that grateful fellow had promised to do for his old benefactor, greatly comforted Jones in the midst of all anxiety and uneasiness, which he had suffered on the account of Sophia, from whom, by the means of the said George, he received the following answer to his letter, which Sophia, to whom the use of pen and pen paper was restored with her liberty, wrote the very evening when she departed from her confidant. Sir, as I do not doubt your sincerity in what you write, you'll be pleased to hear that some of my afflictions are at an end by the arrival of my aunt Western, with whom I am at present and with whom I enjoy all the liberty I can desire. One promise my aunt has insisted on my making, which is that I will not see or converse with any person without her knowledge and consent. This promise I have most solemnly given and shall most inviolably keep, and though she hath not expressly forbidden me writing, yet that must be an omission from forgetfulness, or this perhaps is included in the words conversing. However, as I cannot but consider this as a breach of her generous confidence in my honour, you cannot expect that I shall, after this, continue to write myself or to write letters without her knowledge. A promise is with me a very sacred thing and to be extended to everything understood from it, as well as to what is expressed by it, and by this consideration may, perhaps on reflection, afford you some comfort. But why should I mention a comfort to you of this kind, for though there is one thing in which I can never comply with the best of fathers, yet am I firmly resolved never to act in defiance of him, or to take any step of consequence without his consent. A firm persuasion of this must teach you to divert your thoughts from what fortune hath perhaps made impossible. This, your own interest, persuade you. This may reconcile, I hope, Mr. Allworthy to you, and, if it will, you have my injuctions to pursue it. Accidents have laid some obligations on me and your good intentions probably more. Fortune may, perhaps, be some time kinder to us both than at present. Believe this, that I shall always think of you as I think you deserve, and am, sir, your obliged humble servant, Sophia Western. I charge you, write to me no more, at present at least, and accept this, which is now of no service to me, which I know you must want, and think you owe the trifle only to that fortune by which you found it. Meaning perhaps the bankpill for a hundred. A child who hath just learned his letters would have spelt this letter out in less time than Jones took in reading it. The sensations at occasion were a mixture of joy and grief, somewhat like what divide the mind of a good man when he pursues the will of his deceased friend, and which a large legacy which his distresses make and more welcome is bequeathed to him. Upon the whole, however, he was more pleased than displeased, and indeed the reader may probably wonder that he was displeased at all. But the reader is not quite so much in love as was poor Jones, and love is a disease which, though it may in some instances resemble a consumption, which it sometimes causes, in others proceeds in direct opposition to it, and particularly in this that it never flattens itself or sees any one symptom in a favourable light. One thing gave him complete satisfaction, which was that his mistress had regained her liberty, and was now with a lady where she might at least assure herself of a decent treatment. Another comfortable circumstance was the reference which he made to her promise of never marrying any other man. For however disinterested he might imagine his passion and notwithstanding all the generous overtures made in his letter, I very much question whether he could have heard a more afflicting piece of news than that Sophia was married to another. The match had been never so great and never so likely to end in making her completely happy. That refined degree of platonic eviction is absolutely detached from the flesh and is indeed entirely and purely spiritual as a gift confined to the female part of the creation, many of whom I have heard declare, and doubtless with great truth, that they would with the utmost readiness resign a lover to a rival when such resignation was proved to be necessary for the temporal interest of such lover. Hence, therefore, I conclude that this affection is in nature. Though I cannot pretend to say I have ever seen an instance of it. Mr Jones, having spent three hours in reading and kissing the aforesaid letter and being at last in a state of good spirits from the last mentioned considerations, he agreed to carry an appointment which he had before made into execution. This was to attend Mrs Miller and her younger daughter into the gallery at the playhouse and to admit Mr Partridge as one of the company. For as Jones had really that taste for humour which may affect, he expected to enjoy much entertainment in the criticisms of Partridge from whom he expected the simple dictates of nature unimproved indeed but likewise unadulterated by art. In the first throw then of the first gallery did Mr Jones, Mrs Miller, her youngest daughter and Partridge take their places. Partridge immediately declared it was the finest place he had ever been in. When the first music was played, he said, It is of wonder how so many fiddlers could play at one time without putting one another out. While the fellow was lighting the opera candles, he cried out to Mrs Miller, Look, look, madame, the very picture of the man in the end of the Common Prayer Book of the gunpowder trees in service. Nor could he help observing with a sigh when all the candles were lighted that here were candles enough burnt in one night to keep an honest poor family for a whole twelve months. As soon as the play, which was hamlet Prince of Denmark began, Partridge was all attention, nor did he break silence till the entrance of the ghosts. Upon which he asked Jones, What man that was in this strange dress? Something, he said, Like what I have seen in a picture. Sure, it is not armour, is it? Jones answered, That is the ghost. To which Partridge replied with a smile. Pursuade me that you serve, you can. Though I can't say I have actually saw a ghost in my life, yet I am certain I should know one if I saw him better than that comes to. No, no, sir, ghosts don't appear in such dresses as that neither. In this mistake, which caused much laughter in the neighbourhood of Partridge, he was suffered to continue till the scene between the ghost and hamlet when Partridge gave that credit to Mr. Garrick, which he had denied to Jones and fell into so violent a trembling that his knees knocked against each other. Jones asked him what was the matter and whether he was afraid of the warrior upon the stage. Oh, la, sir, said he. I perceive now it is what you told me. I am not afraid of anything, for I know it is but a play. And if it was really a ghost, he could do what no harm at such a distance and in so much company. And yet if I was frightened, I am not the only person. Why, who, Christ Jones, dost thou take to be such a coward as here besides thyself? Nay, you may call me coward if you will, but if that little man there upon the stage is not frightened, I never saw any man frightened in my life. Aye, aye, go along with you. Aye, to be sure, who's fooled in it, will you? Lunt have mercy upon such foolhardiness. Whatever happens, it is good enough for you. Follow you? I'd follow the devil as soon. Nay, perhaps it is the devil, for they say he can put on what likeness he pleases. Oh, the here he is again. No, Father, no, you have gone far enough already farther than I have gone for all the king's dominions. Jones offered to speak, and the Partridge cried, Hush, hush, dear sir, don't you hear him? And during the whole speech of the ghost he sat with his eyes fixed partly on the ghost and partly on Hamlet and with his mouth open. The same passions suited each other in Hamlet, succeeding likewise in him. When the scene was over, Jones said, Why, Partridge, you exceed my expectations, you enjoy the play more than I conceive possible. Nay, sir, answered Partridge, if you are not afraid of the devil I can't help it. But to be sure it is natural to be surprised at such things, though I know there is nothing in them, nor that it was the ghost that surprised me neither, for I should have known that to have been only a man in a strange dress, but when I saw the little man so frightened himself, it was that which took hold of me. And does thou imagine, then, Partridge, Christ Jones, that he was really frightened? Nay, sir, answered Partridge, if you are not afraid of the devil I can't help it. But to be sure it is natural to be surprised at such things, though I know there is nothing in them, not that it was the ghost that surprised me neither, for I should have known that to have been only a man in a strange dress, but when I saw the little man so frightened himself, it was that which took hold of me. And does thou imagine, then, Partridge, Christ Jones, that he was really frightened? Nay, sir, said Partridge, did not yourself observe afterwards, that when he found it was his own father's spirit, and how he was murdered in the garden, how his fear forsook him by degrees, and he was struck dumb with sorrow as it were, just as I should have been, had it been my own case. And hush! Oh, la, what noise is that? Here he is again! Well, to be certain, though I know there is nothing at all in it, I am glad I am not down yonder when those men are, then turning his eyes again upon Hamlet. Aye, you may draw your sword, what signifies a sword against the power of the devil. During the second act, Partridge made very few remarks. He greatly admired the finest of the dresses, nor could he help observing the king's countenance. Well, said he, how people may be deceived by faces. No la fides fronte is, I find it true, saying who would think by looking in the king's face that he had ever committed a murder. He then inquired after the ghost, but Jones, who intended he should be surprised, gave him no other satisfaction than that he might possibly see him again soon, and in a flash of fire. Partridge sat in fearful expectation of this, and now, when the ghost made his next appearance, Partridge cried out, There, sir, now, what say you now? Is he frightened now or no? As much frightened as you think me, and to be sure nobody can help some fears. I would not be in so bad a condition as, what's his name? Square Hamlet is there for all the world. Bless me, what's become of his spirit? As I am a living soul, I thought I saw him sink into the earth. Indeed, you saw right, answered Jones. Well, well, Christ Partridge, I know it is only a play, and besides, if there was anything in all this, Madam Miller would not laugh so, for as to you, sir, you would not be afraid. I believe if the devil was here in person, ah, there, there, I, no wonder you in such a passion, shake the vile wicked wretch to pieces. If she was my own mother I would serve her so, to be sure all duty to her mother is forfeited by such wicked doings. I go about your business, I hate the sight of you. Our critic was now pretty silent till the play, which Hamlet introduced before the king. This he did not at first understand, till Jones explained it to him, but he no sooner entered into the spirit of it, that he began to place himself, that he had never committed murder. Then turning to Mrs. Miller, he asked her, if she did not imagine the king looked as if he was touched, though he is, said he, a good actor and doth only can to hide it. Well, I would not have so much to answer for, as that wicked man there hath, to sit upon a much higher chair than he sits upon. No wonder he ran away, for your sake I'll never trust an innocent face again. The grave digging scene next engaged the intention of Partridge, who expressed much surprise at the number of skulls thrown upon the stage, to which Jones answered, that it was one of the most famous burial places around town. No wonder then, cries Partridge, that the place is haunted, but I never saw in my life a worse grave digger. I had a sexton, when I was a clock, that should have dug three graves while he is digging one. That fellow handles the spade, as if it was the first time he had ever had one in his hand. Ah, yeah, you may sing. You had rather sing than work, I believe. Upon Hamlet's ticking up the skull, he cried out, Well, it is strange to see how fearless some men are. I never could bring myself to touch anything belonging to a dead man, on any account. He seemed frightened enough to, the ghost. I thought Nemo Omnibus Oris Sabit. Little more worth remembering occurred during the play, at the end of which Jones asked him, which of the players he had liked best. To this he answered with some appearance of indignation at the question, The King, no doubt. Indeed, Mr. Partridge, said Mr. Miller, You are not of the same opinion with the town, for they are all agreed that Hamlet is acted by the best player who ever was on the stage. He, the best player, cries Partridge with a contemptuous sneer. Why, I could act as well as he myself. I am sure if I had seen a ghost, I should have looked in the very same manner and done just as he did, and then to be sure in that scene as you called it between him and his mother, where you told me he acted so fine, while Lord help me, any man that is, any good man, that had such a mother, would have done exactly the same. I know you are only joking with me, but indeed madam, though I was never to play in London, yet I have seen acting before in the country and the King for my money. He speaks all his words distinctly, half as loud again as the other, anybody may see he as an actor. While Mrs. Miller was thus engaged in conversation with Partridge, a lady came up to Mr. Jones, who he immediately knew to be Mrs. Patrick. She said she had seen him from the other part of the gallery and had taken that opportunity of speaking to him, as she had something to say which might be of great service to himself. She then acquainted him with her lodgings and made him an appointment the next day in the morning, which upon recollection, she presently changed to the afternoon at which time Jones promised to attend her. Thus ended the adventure at the playhouse where Partridge had offered great math, not only to Jones and Mrs. Miller, but all who sat within hearing, who were more attentive to what he said than to anything that passed on the stage. He dursed not go to bed all that night for fear of the ghost, and many nights after, sweated two or three hours before he went to sleep with the same apprehensions and waked several times in great horrors, crying out, Lord have mercy upon us! There it is! Chapter 6 in which the history is obliged to look back it is almost impossible for the best pair to observe an exact impartiality to his children, even though no superior man should bias his affection. But sure, a parent can hardly be blamed when that superiority determines his preference. As I regard all the personages of this history in the light of my children, so I must confess the same inclination of partiality to Sophia, and for that I hope the reader will allow me the same excuse from the superiority of her character. This extraordinary tenderness, which I have for my heroine, suffers me to quit her any long time without an utmost reluctance. I could now therefore return impatiently to inquire what has happened to this lovely creature since her departure from her father's, but that I am obliged first to pay a short visit to Mr. Blythol. Mr. Western, in the first confusion into which his mind was cast upon, the sudden news he received of his daughter, and in the first hurry to go after her had not once thought of sending any account of the discovery to Blythol. He had not gone far, however, before he recollected himself and accordingly stopped at the very first in he came to and dispatched away a messenger to acquaint Blythol with his having found Sophia and with his firm resolution to marry her to him immediately if he would come up after him to town. As the love which Blythol had for Sophia was of that violent kind which nothing but the loss of her fortune or some such accident could lessen, his inclination to the match was not at all altered by her having run away though he was obliged to lay this to his own account. He very readily therefore embraced this offer. Indeed, he now proposed the gratification of a very strong passion besides avarice by marrying this young lady and this was hatred for he concluded that matrimony offered an equal opportunity of satisfying either hatred or love and this opinion is very probably verified by much experience. To say the truth, if we are to judge by the ordinary behaviour of married persons to each other, we shall perhaps be apt to conclude that the generalities seek the indulgence of the former passion only in their union of everything but of hearts. There was one difficulty however in his way and this arose from Mr Alworthy, that good man when he found by the departure of Sophia for neither that nor the cause of it could be concealed from him the greater version which he had for his nephew began to be seriously concerned that he had been deceived into carrying matters so far. He by no means concurred with the opinion of those parents who think it is immaterial to consult the inclinations of their children in the affair of marriage as to solicit the good pleasure of their servants when they intend to take a journey and who are by law or decency at least withheld often from using absolute force. On the contrary, as he esteemed the institution to be one of the most sacred kind he thought every preparatory caution necessary to preserve it wholly and inviolate and very wisely concluded that the surest way to affect this was by laying the foundation in previous affection. Blithful indeed soon cured his uncle of all anger on the score of deceit by many vows and protestations that he had been deceived himself with which the many declarations of western very well tallied but now to persuade all worthy to consent to the renewing the addresses was a matter of such apparent difficulty that the very appearance was sufficient to have deterred a less enterprising genius. But this young gentleman so well knew his own talents that nothing within the province of Conning seemed to him hard to be achieved. Here then he represented the violence of his own affection and the hopes of subduing a version in The Lady by Perseverance. He begged that in an affair on which depended all his future oppose he might at least be at liberty to try all fair means for success. Heaven forbid, he said, that he should ever think of prevailing by any other than the most gentle methods. Besides sa, said he, if they fail you may then which will be surely time enough to deny your consent. He urged the great and eager desire which Mr Western had for the match and lastly he made great use of the name of Jones to whom he imputed all that had happened and from whom he said to preserve so valuable a young lady was even an act of charity. All these arguments were well seconded by Thwackam who dwelt a little stronger on the authority of parents than Mr Bliffle himself had done. He ascribed the measures which Mr Bliffle was desirous to make Christian motives. And though, said he, the good young gentleman hath mentioned charity last, I am almost convinced it is his first and principal consideration. Square, possibly, had impugned present would have sung to the same tune though in a different key and would have discovered much more of fitness in the proceedings but he was now going to Bath for the recovery of his health. Worthy, though not without reluctance, at last yielded to the desires of his nephew. He said he would accompany him to London where he might be at liberty to use every honest endeavor to gain the lady. But I declare, said he, I will never give my consent to any absolute force being put on her inclinations nor shall you ever have her unless she can be brought freely to compliance. Thus did the affection of all worthy for his nephew betray the superior understanding to be triumphed over by the inferior and thus is the prudence of the best of heads often defeated by the tenderness of the best of hearts. Bluthal, having obtained this unhopeful acquiescence in his uncle, raced it not till he carried his purpose into execution. And as no immediate business required, Mr. Allworthy's presence in the country and little preparation is necessary to mend for a journey, they set out the very next day and arrived in town that evening as we have seen him was diverting himself with partridge to the play. The morning after his arrival, Mr. Bluthal waited on Mr. Winston by whom he was most kindly and graciously received and from whom he had every possible assurance perhaps more than was possible that he should very shortly be as happy as Sophia could make him. Nor would the squire suffer the young gentleman to return to his uncle till he had almost against his will carried him to his daughter. End of Book 16, chapters 4 to 6 Recording by Andy from Inveranan M-E-A-Y-S Dot W-S Section 58 of Tom Jones This is a LibriVox recording All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVoxL-I-B-R-I-V-O-X Dot org Tom Jones by Henry Fielding Book 16, chapters 7 to 10 Chapter 7 in which Mr. Western pays a visit to his sister in company with Mr. Bluthal Mrs. Western was reading a lecture on prudence and matrimonial politics to her niece when her brother and Bluthal broke in with less ceremony than the laws of visiting require Sophia no sooner saw Bluthal pale and almost lost the use of all her faculties but her aunt on the contrary waxed red and having all her faculties at command began to exert her tongue on the square Brother, said she I am astonished at your behaviour will you never learn any regard to decorum will you still look upon every apartment as your own or as belonging to one of your country tenants do you think yourself at liberty to the abysses of women of condition without the least east to your notice why what apox is the matter now quote the square one would think I had caught you it none of your brutality sir I beseech you answer she you've surprised my poor niece so that she can hardly I see support herself cool my dear retire and endeavor to recruit your spirits for I see you have occasion in which words Sophia who never received a more welcome command hastily with true to be sure sister cries the square you are mad when I have brought Mr. Bluthal here to court her to force her away sure brother you are worse than mad when you know in what situation affairs are to I am sure I ask Mr. Bluthal's pardon but he knows very well to whom to impute so disagreeable reception I am sure I shall always be very glad to see Mr. Bluthal but his own good sense would not have suffered him to receive so abruptly had you not compelled him to it Bluthal bowed and stammered and looked like a fool but western without giving him time to form a speech for the purpose answered well well I am to blame if you will I always am certainly but come let the girl be fetched back again or let Mr. Bluthal go to her he's come up on purpose and there is no time to be lost brother Mr. Bluthal I am confident understands himself better than to think of seeing my niece any more this morning after what has happened women are of a nice and our spirits when disorders are not to be recomposed in a moment had you suffered Mr. Bluthal to have sent his compliments to my niece and to have desired the favour of waiting on her in the afternoon I should possibly have prevailed on her to have seen him but now I despair of bringing about any such matter I am very sorry madam cried Bluthal that Mr. Worston's extraordinary kindness to me which I can never enough acknowledge should have occasioned indeed sir said she interrupting him you need make no apologies we all know my brother so well I don't care what anyone knows of me answered the squirrel but when must he come to see her or consider I tell you he has come up on purpose and so is all worthy brother said she whatever message Mr. Bluthal thinks proper to send to my niece should be delivered to her and I suppose she will want no instructions to make a proper answer she will not refuse to see Mr. Bluthal at a proper time the devil she won't answer the squirrel odds blood don't we know I say nothing but some voker wiser than all the world if I might have had my will she had not run away before and now I expect to hear every moment she is gone again for as great a fool as some voker think me I know very well she hates no matter brother replied Mrs. Western I will not hear my niece abused it is a reflection on my family she is an honoured to it and she will be an honoured to it I promise you I will pawn my whole reputation in the world on her conduct I shall be glad to see you brother in the afternoon for I have somewhat of importance to mention to you at present Mr. Bluthal as well as you must excuse me for I am in haste address well but I will not turn to the squirrel due upon a time indeed said she I can appoint no time I tell you I will see you in the afternoon what the devil would you have me do cries the squirrel turning to Bluthal I can no more turn her than a beagle can turn an old air perhaps she will be in a better humour in the afternoon I am condemned I see sir to misfortune I shall always earn my obligations to you then he took a ceremoniously Mrs. Weston who was altogether a ceremonious on her part and then they departed the squire muttering to himself with a note that Bluthal should see his daughter in the afternoon if Mr. Weston was little pleased with this interview Bluthal was less as to the former he imputed the whole behaviour of his sister to her humour only and to her dissatisfaction the mission of ceremony in the visit but Bluthal saw a little deeper into things he suspected somewhat of more consequence from two or three words which dropped from the lady and to say the truth he suspected right as will appear when I've unfolded the several matters which will be contained in the following chapters Chapter 8 Schemes of Lady Belaston for the ruin of Jones Love had taken too deep a root and of Lord Falomar to be plucked up by the ardued hands of Mr. Weston in the heat of resentment he had indeed given a commission to Captain Eglyn which the captain had far exceeded in the execution nor had it been executed at all had his wardship been able to find the captain after he had seen Lady Belaston which was in the afternoon of the day after he had received the affront but so industrious was the captain in charge of his duty that having after a long inquiry found out the squire's lodgings very late in the evening he sat up all night at a tavern that he might not miss the squire in the morning and by that means missed the revocation which my lord had sent to his lodgings the afternoon then next after the intended rape of Sophia his lordship as we have said made a visit to Lady Belaston who laid open so much of the character of the squire that his lordship plainly saw the absurdity he had been guilty of in taking any offence at his words especially as he had those honourable designs on his daughter he then unbuzzened the violence of his passion to Lady Belaston who readily undertook the cause and encouraged him with certain assurance a most favourable reception from all the elders of the family and from the father himself when he should be sober she made acquainted with the nature of the offer made to his daughter the only danger she said lay in the fellow she had formally mentioned who though a beggar and a vagabond had by some means or other she knew not what procured himself tolerable clothes and a past for a gentleman now says she as I have for the sake of my cousin made it my business to inquire after this fellow I have luckily found out his lodgings with which she then acquainted his lordship I am thinking my lord for this fellow is too mean for your personal resentment whether it would not be possible for your lordship to contrive some method of having impressed and set on board a ship neither law nor conscience forbid this project for the fellow I promise you however well dressed is but a vagabond and as proper as any fellow in the streets into the service and as for the conscientious part surely the preservation of a young lady from Satru and is a most meritorious act nay with regard to the fellow himself unless he could succeed which heaven forbid with my cousin may probably be the means of preserving him from the gallows and perhaps may make his fortune in an honest way Lord Falomar very heartily thanked her for the leadership for the part which she was pleased to take in the affair upon the success of which his whole future happiness entirely depended he said he saw at present no objection to the pressing scheme and would consider of putting it in execution he then most earnestly recommended to her leadership to do him the honour of immediately mentioning his proposal to the family to whom he said he offered a carte blanche and would settle his fortune in almost any manner they should require and after uttering many ecstasies and raptures concerning Sophia he took his leave and departed but not before he had received the strongest charge to be aware of Jones and to lose no time in securing his person where he should no longer be in a capacity of making any attempts to the ruin of the young lady the moment Mrs Weston was arrived in her lodgings a card was dispatched with her compliments to Lady Belaston who no sooner received it than with the impatience of a lover she flew to her cousin rejoiced at this fair opportunity which beyond her hopes offered itself for she was much better pleased with the prospect of making the proposals to a woman of sense and who knew the world than to a gentleman whom she honored with the appellation of Houghton taught though indeed from him she apprehended no danger or refusal the two ladies being met after very short previous ceremonials fell to business which was indeed almost as soon concluded as begun for Mrs Weston no sooner heard the name of Lord Felamar than her cheeks glowed with pleasure but when she was acquainted with the eagerness of his passion the earnestness of his proposals and the generosity of his offer she declared her full satisfaction in the most explicit terms in the progress of their conversation their discourse turned to Jones and both cousins very pathetically lamented the unfortunate attachment which both agreed Sophia had to that young fellow and Mrs Weston entirely attributed it to the folly of her brother's management she concluded however at last was declaring her confidence in the good understanding of her niece who though she would not give up her affection in favour of Bliffle will I doubt not says she soon be prevailed upon to sacrifice his simple inclination to the addresses of a fine gentleman who brings her both a title and a large estate for indeed added she I must do Sophie the justice to confess this Bliffle is but a hideous kind of fellow as you know Belaston all country gentlemen are and has nothing but his fortune to recommend him named said lady Belaston I don't then so much wonder my cousin for I promise you this Jones is a very agreeable fellow and has one virtue which the men say is a great recommendation to us what do you think Mrs Weston I shall certainly make you laugh nay I can hardly tell you myself for laughing but you believe that fellow has had the assurance to make love to me but if you should be inclined to disbelieve it here is evidence enough his own handwriting I assure you she then delivered her cousin a letter with the proposals of marriage which if the reader has a desire to see he will find already on record in the fifteenth book of this history upon my word I am astonished said Mrs Weston this is indeed a masterpiece of assurance with your leave I may possibly make some use of this letter you have my full liberty cries lady Belaston to apply it to one purpose you'd please however I would not have it shown to anybody this Weston nor to her unless you find occasion well and how did you use the fellow return Mrs Weston not as a husband said the lady I'm not married I promise you my dear you know Bel I have tried the comforts once already and once I think is enough for any reasonable woman this letter lady Belaston thought would certainly turn the balance against Jones in the mind of Sophia and she was emboldened to give it up partly by her hopes of having him instantly dispatched out of the way and partly by having secured the evidence of honour who upon sounding her she saw sufficient reason to imagine was prepared to testify whatever she pleased but perhaps the reader may wonder Belaston who in her heart hated Sophia should be so desirous of promoting a match which was so much to the interest of the young lady now I would desire such readers to look carefully into human nature page almost the last and there you will find in scarce legible characters that women notwithstanding the preposterous behaviour of mothers aunts etc in matrimonial matters do in reality think it's so great a misfortune to have inclinations in love thwarted that they imagine they ought never to carry enmity higher than upon these disappointments again you will find it written much about the same place that a woman who has once been pleased with the possession of a man will go above halfway to the devil to prevent any other woman from enjoying the same if he will not be contented with these reasons I freely confess I see no other motive to the actions of that lady unless we will conceive she was bribed by lord fellamar which for my own part I see no cause to suspect now this was the affair which mrs. weston was preparing to introduce to Sophia by some prefatory discourse on the folly of love and on the wisdom of legal prostitution for hire when her brother and bliffle broke abruptly in upon her and hence arose all that coldness in her behaviour to bliffle which though the affair as was usual with him imputed to a wrong cause infused into bliffle himself he being a much more cunning man a suspicion of the real truth chapter nine in which jones pays a visit to mrs. Fitzpatrick the reader may now perhaps be pleased to return with us to mr. jones who at the appointed hour attended on mrs. Fitzpatrick but before we relate the conversation which now passed it may be proper according to our method to return a little back and to account for so great an alteration of behaviour in this lady that from changing her lodging principally to avoid mr. jones she had now industriously as has been seen sought this interview and here we shall need only to resort to what happened the preceding day when hearing from lady belaston that mr. weston was arrived in town she went to pay her duty to him at his lodgings at piccadilly where she was received with many scurvy compilations too coarse to be repeated and was even threatened to be kicked out outdoors from hence an old servant of her aunt western with whom she was well acquainted conducted her to the lodgings of that lady who treated her not more kindly but more politely or to say the truth with rudeness in another way in short she returned from both plainly convinced not only that her scheme of reconciliation had proved abortive but that she must forever give over all thoughts of bringing it about by any means whatever from this moment desire of revenge only filled her mind and in this temper meeting jones to play an opportunity seemed to her to occur of affecting this purpose the reader must remember that he was acquainted by mrs. fitspatrick in the account she gave her own story with the fondness mrs. weston had formally shown for mr. fitspatrick at bath from the disappointment of which mrs. fitspatrick derived the great bitterness her aunt had expressed towards her she had therefore no doubt that the good lady would as easily listen to the addresses of mr. jones as she had before done to the other for the superiority of charms was clearly on the side of mr. jones and the advance which her aunt had since made in age she concluded how justly i will not say was an argument rather in favour of her project than against it therefore when jones attended after previous declaration of her desire of serving him arising as she said from a firm assurance of how much she should by so doing oblige sophia and after some excuses for her former disappointment and after acquainting mr. jones in whose custody his mistress was of which she thought him ignorant she very explicitly mentioned her scheme to him and advised him to make sham addresses to the older lady in order to procure an easy access to the younger informing him at the same time of the successes which mr. fitspatrick had formally owed to the same strategy mr. jones expressed great gratitude to the lady for the kind intentions towards him which she had expressed and indeed testified by this proposal but besides intimating some diffidence of success from the lady's knowledge of his love to her niece which had not been the case in regard to mr. fitspatrick he said he was afraid miss western would never agree to an imposition of this kind as well from her utter detestation of all fallacy as from her avowed duty to her aunt mrs. fitspatrick was a little nestled at this and indeed if it may not be called elapsed of the tongue it was a small deviation from politeness in jones and into which he's scarce would have fallen had not the delight he felt in praising sofia hurried him out of all reflection for this commendation of one cousin was more than a tasted rebuke on the other indeed sir answered the lady with some warmth i cannot think there is anything easier than to cheat an old woman with a profession of love when her complexion is amours and though she is my aunt i must say there never was a more licorice one than her ladyship can't you pretend that the despair of possessing her niece from her being promised a bliffle has made you turn your thoughts towards her as to my cousin sofia i can't imagine her to be such a simpleton as to have the least scruple on such an account or to conceive any harm in punishing one of these hags for the many misuse they bring upon families by their tragic comic passions for which i think it is a pity they are not punishable by law i had no such scruple in myself and yet i hope my cousin sofia will not think it and at front when i say she cannot attest every real specious of falsehood more than her cousin Fitzpatrick my aunt indeed i pretend no juicy nor does she deserve any however sir i have given you my advice and if you decline pursuing it i shall have the less opinion of your understanding that's all jones now clearly saw the error he had committed and exerted his utmost power to rectify it but he only faltered and stuttered into nonsense and contradiction to say the truth it is often safer to abide by the consequences of the first blunder than to endeavour to rectify it for by such endeavours we generally plunge deeper instead of extricating ourselves and few persons will on such occasions have the good nature which mrs. Fitzpatrick displayed to jones by saying with a smile i accept no more excuses for i can easily forgive a real lover whatever is the effect of fondness for his mistress she then renewed her proposal and very fervently recommended it admitting no argument which her invention could suggest on the subject for she was so violently incest against her aunt that scarce anything was capable of affording her equal pleasure was exposing her and like a true woman she would see no difficulties in the execution of a favourite scheme jones however persisted in declining the undertaking which had not indeed the least probability of success he easily perceived the motives which induced mrs. Fitzpatrick to be so eager impressing her advice he said he would not deny the tender and passionate regard he had for so fear but was so conscious of the inequality of their situations that he could never flatter himself so far as to hope so divine a young lady would condescend to think on so unworthy a man nay he protested he could scarce bring himself to wish he should he concluded with a profession of generous sentiments which we have not at present pleasure to answer there are some fine women for i dare not here speak in two general terms with whom self is so predominant that they never detach it from any subject and as vanity is with them a ruling principle they are apt to lay hold of whatever praise they meet with and though the property of others convey it to their own use in the company of these ladies it is impossible to say anything handsome of another woman which they will not apply to themselves nay they often improve the praise they seize as for instance if her beauty her wit, her gentility her good humour deserves so much commendation what do I deserve who possess those qualities in so much more eminent a degree for these ladies a man often recommends himself while he is commending another woman and while he is expressing ardour and generous sentiments for his mistress they are considering what a charming love of this man would make to them who can feel all this tenderness for an inferior degree of merit of this strange as it may seem I have seen many instances beside mrs. Fitzpatrick to whom all this really happened and now we began to feel somewhat for mr. Jones the symptoms of which he much soon understood than poor Sophia had formally done to see the truth perfect beauty in both sexes is a more irresistible object than it is generally thought for notwithstanding some of us are contended with more homely lots and learn by rote as children to repeat what gives them no idea to despise outside and devalue more solid charms yet I have always observed at the approach of consummate beauty that these more solid charms only shine with that kind of lustre which the stars have after the rising of the sun when Jones had finished his exclamations many of which would have become the mouth of Oradates himself mrs. Fitzpatrick heaved a deep sigh and taking her eyes off from Jones on whom they had been sometimes fixed and dropping them on the ground she cried indeed mr. Jones I pay to you but it is the curse of such tenderness to be thrown away on those who are insensible of it I know my cousin better than you mr. Jones and I must say any woman who makes no return to such a passion and such a person is unworthy of both sure madam said Jones you can't mean mean I know not what I mean there is something I think in true tenderness bewitching few women ever meet with it in men and fewer still know how to value it when they do I never heard such truly noble sentiments and I can't tell how it is but you force want to believe you sure she must be the most contemptible of women who can overlook such tenderness the manner in look with which all this was spoke infused a suspicion to Jones which we don't care to convey indirect words to the reader instead of making any answer he said I'm afraid madam I have made too tiresome a visit and offered to take his leave not at all sir answered mrs. Fitzpatrick indeed I piss you mr. Jones indeed I do but if you are going to mention I'm convinced you will approve it and let me see you again as soon as I can tomorrow morning if you will or at least sometime tomorrow I shall be at home all day Jones then after many expressions of thanks very respectfully retired nor could mrs. Fitzpatrick for bear making him a present of a look at parting by which if he had understood nothing he must have no understanding in the language of the eyes in reality confirmed his resolution in returning to her no more for faulty as he hath hitherto appeared in this history his whole thoughts were now so confined to his Sophia that I believe no women upon earth could have now drawn him into an act of inconstancy fortune however was not his friend resolved as he intended to give her no second opportunity to make the best of this and accordingly produce the tragical incident which we are now in sorrowful notes to record chapter 10 the consequence of the preceding visit Mr. Fitzpatrick having received the letter before mentioned for mrs. Weston and being by that means acquainted with the place to which his wife was retired returned directly to Bath and thence the day after set forward to London the reader hath been already often informed of the jealous temper of this gentleman he may likewise be pleased to remember the suspicion which he had conceived of Jones at Upton upon his finding him in the room with mrs. Waters and those sufficient reasons that afterwards appeared entirely to clear up that suspicion yet now the reading so handsome a character of mr. Jones from his wife caused him to reflect that she likewise was in the at the same time and jumbled together such a confusion of circumstances in a head which was naturally none of the clearest that the whole produced that green eyed monster mentioned by Shakespeare in his tragedy of a thrill and now as he was inquiring in the street after his wife and had just received directions to the door unfortunately mr. Jones was issuing from it. Fitzpatrick did not yet recollect the face of Jones overseeing a young well-dressed fellow coming from his wife he made directly up to him and asked him what he had been doing in that house for I am sure said he you must have been in it and I saw you come out of it Jones answered very modestly that he had been visiting a lady there to which Fitzpatrick replied what this have you with the lady upon which Jones who now perfectly remember the voice features and indeed coat of the gentleman tried out ha my good friend give me your hand I hope there is no ill blood remaining between us upon a small mistake which happened so long ago upon my soul sir said Fitzpatrick I don't know your name nor your face indeed sir said Jones neither have I the pleasure of knowing your name but face I very well remember to have seen before often where foolish quarrel happened between us which if it is not made up yet who now make up over a bottle at Opton tried the other ha upon my soul I believe your name is Jones indeed answered he it is Oh upon my soul cries Fitzpatrick you are the very man I wanted to meet upon my soul I will drink a bottle with you presently but first I will give you a great knock over the pace there is for you you rascal upon my soul if you do not give me satisfaction for that blow I will give you another and then drawing his sword put himself in a posture of defense which was the only science he understood Jones was a little staggered by the blow which came somewhat unexpectedly but presently recovering himself he also drew and though he understood nothing of fencing pressed on so boldly upon Fitzpatrick that he beat down his guard and sheath one half of the sword in the body of the said gentleman who had no sooner received it than he stepped backwards dropped the point of his sword and leaning upon it cried I have satisfaction enough I'm a dead man I hope not cries Jones but whatever be the consequence you must be sensible you have drawn it upon yourself at this instance a number of fellows rushed in and seized Jones who told him he should make no resistance and beg some of them at least would take care of the wounded gentleman I cries one of the bells the wounded gentleman will be taking care enough on or I suppose he has not many hours to live as for you sir you have a month at least good yet dead me Jack said another he has prevented his voyage is bound to another port now and many other such Josts was our poor Jones made the subject of by these fellows who were indeed the gang employed by Lord Felimar and had dogged him into the house of mrs. Fitzpatrick waiting for him at the corner of the street when this unfortunate accident happened the officer who commanded this gang very wisely concluded that his business was now to deliver his prisoner to the hands of a civil magistrate he ordered him therefore to be carried to a public house where having sent for constable he delivered him to his custody the constable seeing mrs. Jones very well dressed and hearing that the accident happened in a duel treated his prisoner with great civility and at his request dispatched a messenger to inquire after the wounded gentleman who is now at a town under the surgeon's hands the report brought back was that the wound was certainly mortal and there were no hopes of life upon which the constable informed Jones that he must go before justice he answered whatever you please I'm indifferent as to what happens to me for though I am convinced I'm not guilty of murder in the eye of the law yet the weight of blood I find intolerable upon my mind Jones was now conducted before the justice where the surgeon who dressed mrs. Fitzpatrick appeared and opposed that he believed the wound to be mortal upon which the prisoner was committed to the gate house very late at night so that Jones would not sin for partridge till next morning and as he never showed his eyes till 7 so it was near 12 before the poor fellow who was greatly frightened at not hearing from his master so long received a message which almost deprived him of his being where he heard it he went to the gate house with trembling knees and a beating heart and was no sooner arrived in the presence of Jones than he lamented the misfortune that had fallen him with many tears looking all the while frequently about him in great terror for as the news now arrived that mr. Fitzpatrick were astaid the poor fellow apprehended every minute that his ghost would enter the room at last he delivered him a letter which he had like to forgot and which came from Sophia from the hands of black George Jones presently dispatched everyone out of the room and having eagerly broke open the letter read as follows you owe the hearing from me again to an accident which I own surprises me my aunt has just now shown me a letter from you to lady Belaston which contains a proposal of marriage I am convinced it is your own hand and what more surprises me is that it is dated at the very time when you would have me imagine you was under such concern on my account I leave you to comment on this fact all I desire is that your name may never more be mentioned to estival you of the present situation of mr. Jones' mind and of the pangs with which he was now tormented we cannot give the reader a better idea than by saying his misery was such that even thwack him would almost have petted him but bad as it is we shall at present leave him in it as his good genius if he really had any seems to have done and here we put an end to the 16th book of our history end of section 58 recording by Andy from Inver Arnen section 59 of Tom Jones this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Anna Simon Tom Jones by Henry Fielding book 17 containing three days chapter 1 containing a portion of introductory writing when a comic writer had made his principal characters as happy as he can or when a tragic writer had brought them to the highest pitch of human misery they both conclude their business to be done and that their work has come to a period had we been of the tragic complexion the reader must now allow we were very nearly arrived at this period since it would be difficult for the devil or any of his representatives on earth to have contrived much greater toolments for poor Jones than those in which we left him in the last chapter and as for Sophia a good-natured woman would hardly wish more uneasiness to a rival than what she must at present be supposed to feel what then remains to complete the tragedy but a murder or two and a few moral sentences but to bring our favorites out of their present anguish and distress and to lend them at last on the shore of happiness seems a much harder task a task indeed so hard that we do not undertake to execute it in regard to Sophia it is more than probable that we shall somewhere or other provide a good husband for her in the end either Bliffle or my lord or somebody else but as to poor Jones such are the calamities in which he is at present involved owing to his imprudence by which if a man does not become felon to the world he is at least a fellow to say so destitute is he now a friend and so persecuted by enemies that we almost despair of bringing him to any good and if I read at the lights and seeing executions I think he ought not to lose any time in taking a first row at Tyburn this I faithfully promise that notwithstanding any affection which we may be supposed to have for this rogue whom we have unfortunately made our hero we will lend him none of that supernatural assistance with which we are entrusted upon condition that we use it only on very important occasions if he doth not therefore find some natural means of fairly extricating himself from all his distresses we will do no violence to the truth and dignity of history for his sake for we had rather relate that he was hanged at Tyburn which may very probably be the case and then forfeit our integrity or shocked the faith of our reader in this the ancients had a great advantage over the moderns their mythology which was at that time more firmly believed by the vulgar than any religion is at present gave them always an opportunity of delivering a favourite hero their deities were always ready at the writers elbow to execute any of his purposes and the more extraordinary the invention was the greater was the surprise and the light of the credulous reader those writers could with greater ease have conveyed a hero from one country to another, nay from one world to another and have brought him back again then a poor circumscribed modern can deliver him from a jail the Arabians and Persians had an equal advantage in writing their tales from the genii and fairies which they believe in as an article of their faith upon the authority of the Quran itself but we have none of these helps to natural means alone we are confined let us try therefore what by these means may be done for poor Jones though to confess the truth something whispers me in the ear that he doth not yet know the worst of his fortune and that a more shocking piece of news than any he had yet heard remains for him in the unopened leaves of fate chapter 2 the generous and grateful behaviour of Mrs. Miller Mr. Allworthy and Mrs. Miller were just sat down to breakfast when Bliffle had gone out very early that morning returned to make one of the company he had not been long seated before he began as follows good lord my dear uncle what do you think has happened? I vow I am afraid of telling it to you for fear of shocking you with the remembrance of ever having shown any kindness to such a villain what is the matter child? said the uncle I fear I have shown kindness in my life to the end worthy more than once but charity doth not adopt the vices of its objects oh sir returned Bliffle it is not without the secret direction of providence that you mention the word adoption your adopted son sir that Jones that wretch whom you nourished in your bosom has proved one of the greatest villains upon earth by all that sacred it is false Mr. Jones is no villain he is one of the worthiest creatures breathing and if any other person had called him a villain I would have thrown all this boiling water in his face Mr. Allworthy looked very much amazed at this behaviour but she did not give him leave to speak before turning to him she cried she was angry with me I would not offend you sir for the world but indeed I could not bear to hear him called so I must own madam said Allworthy very gravely I am a little surprised to hear you so warmly defend a fellow you do not know oh I do know him Mr. Allworthy said she indeed I do I should be the most ungrateful of all wretches if I denied it oh he hath preserved me and my little family we have all reason to bless him while we live and I pray heaven to bless him and turn the hearts of his malicious enemies I know I find I see he hath such you surprise me madam still more said Allworthy sure you must mean some other it is impossible you should have any such obligations to the man my nephew mentions too surely answered she I have obligations to him of the greatest and tenderest kind he hath been the preserver of me and mine believe me sir he hath been abused grossly abused to you I know he hath or you whom I know to be all goodness and honour would not after the many kind and tender things I've heard you say if this poor helpless child hath so disdainfully called him fellow indeed my best of friends he deserves a kinder appellation from you had you heard the good the kind the grateful things which I've heard him utter of you he never mentions your name but with a sort of admiration in this very room I've seen him on his knees imploring all the blessings of heaven upon your head I do not love that child there better than he loves you I see sir now the bliffle with one of those grinning sneers with which the devil marks his best beloved Mrs. Miller really doth know him I suppose you will find she is not the only one of your acquaintance to whom he hath exposed you as for my character I perceive by some hints she hath thrown out he hath been very free with it but I forgive him and the Lord forgive you sir said Mrs. Miller we have all sinned enough to stand in need of his forgiveness upon my word Mrs. Miller said all worthy I do not take this behaviour of yours to my nephew kindly and I do assure you as any reflections which you cast upon him must come only from that wickedest of man they would only serve if that were possible to heighten my resentment against him for I must tell you Mrs. Miller the young man who now stands before you hath ever been the warmest advocate for the ungrateful wretch who's called you as Paus this I think when you hear it from my own mouth will make you wonder at so much baseness and ingratitude you are deceived sir answered Mrs. Miller if they were the last words which were to issue for my lips I would say you were deceived and I once more repeated the Lord forgive those who have deceived you I do not pretend to say the young man is without faults but they are all the faults of wildness and of youth faults which he may may which I certainly will relinquish and if he should not they are vastly overbalanced by one of the most humane tender honest hearts that ever man was blessed with indeed Mrs. Miller said all worthy had this been related of you I should not have believed it indeed sir answered she you will believe everything I've said I'm sure you will and when you have heard the story which I shall tell you for I will tell you all you'll be so far from being offended that you will own I know your justice so well that I must have been the most despicable and most ungrateful of wretches if I had acted any other part than I have well madam said all worthy I shall be very glad to hear any good excuse for a behavior which I must confess I think once an excuse and now madam will you be pleased to let my nephew proceed in his story without interruption he would not have introduced a matter of slight consequence with such a preface perhaps even this story will cure you of your mistake Mrs. Miller gave tokens of submission and then Mr. Bliffle began thus I'm sure sir if you don't think proper to resent the ill usage of Mrs. Miller I shall easily forgive what affects me only I think your goodness have not deserved this indignity at her hands well child said all worthy but what is this new instance what have you done of late what Christ Bliffle not withstanding all Mrs. Miller had said I'm very sorry to relate and what you should never have heard from me had it not been a matter impossible to conceal from the whole world in short he had killed a man I will not say murdered for perhaps it may not be so construed in law and I hope the best for his sake all worthy looked shocked and blessed himself and then turning to Mrs. Miller he cried well madam what say you now why I say sir answered she that I never was more concerned at anything in my life but if the fact be true I'm convinced the man whoever he is was in fault heaven knows there are many villains in this town who may get their business to provoke young gentlemen nothing but the greatest provocation could happen for all the gentlemen I ever had in my house I never saw one so gentle and so sweet tempered he was beloved by everyone in the house and everyone who came near it whilst she was thus running on a violent knocking at the door interrupted their conversation and prevented her from proceeding further or from receiving any answer for as she concluded this was a visitor to Mr. all worthy she hastily retired taking with her her little girl whose eyes were all over beloved at the melancholy news she heard of Jones who used to call her as little wife and I'll only gave her many play things but spent whole hours in playing with her himself some readers may perhaps be pleased with these minute circumstances in relating of which we follow the example of Plutarch one of the best of our brother historians and others to whom they may appear trivial will we hope at least pardon them as we're never prolix on such occasions Chapter 3 The Arrival of Mr. Weston with some matters concerning the paternal authority Mrs. Miller had not long left the room when Mr. Weston ended but not before a small wrangling bow that passed between him and his chairman for the fellows who had taken up their burden at the Hercules Pillars had conceived no hopes of having any future good customer in the squire and they were moreover further encouraged by his generosity for he'd given them of his own accord sixpence more fair they therefore very boldly demanded another shilling which so provoked the squire that he not only bestowed many hearty curses on them at the door but retained his temper after he came into the room swearing that all the Londoners were like the court and thought of nothing but plundering country gentlemen damn me says he if I won't walk in the rain rather than get into one of their hand powers again they've jolted me more in a mile than brown best within a long foxchase when his wrath on this occasion was a little appeased he resumed the same passionate tone on another there says he there's fine business forwards now the hounds have changed at last and when we imagined we had a fox to deal with odd-radded it turns out to be a badger at last pray my good neighbor said all with you drop your metaphors and speak a little plainer why then says the squire to tell you plainly we've been all this time afraid of a son of a whore of a bastard of somebody's I don't know who's not I and now here's a confounded son of a whore of a Lord who may be a bastard too for what I know or care for he shall never have a daughter of mine by my consent they have begottenation but they shall never begot me my land shall never be sent over to Hanover you surprise me much my good friend said all with you why zoons I'm surprised myself answered the squire I went to see sister Weston last night according to her own appointment and there I was head into a whole room full of women there was my lady cousin bellison and my lady Betty and my lady Catherine and my lady I don't know who damn me if ever you catch me among such a kennel of hoop pettico bitches damn me I'd rather be run by my own dogs as one acting was that the storybook says was turned into a hair and its own dogs killed in an Aden all rabid it no mortal was ever run in such a manner if I doubted one way one at me if I offered to clap back another snapped me Oh certainly one of the greatest matches in the land says one cousin here he attempted to mimic them a very advantageous offer indeed cries another cousin for you must know they'll be all my cousins though I never see half of them before truly says that fat ass bitch my lady bellison cousin you must be out of your wits to think of refusing such an offer now I begin to understand says all with you some person I've made proposals to miss Weston which is related to the family approve but is not to your liking set Western how the devil should it I tell you it is a Lord and those are always vokes when you know I always resolve to have nothing to do with dead and I refuse a matter of 40 years purchase now for a bit of land which one had of mine to put into a park only because I would have no dealings with Lords and thus think I would marry my daughter Sue besides then I engaged to you and did I ever go off any bargain when I had promised as to that point neighbor said all with you I entirely release you from any engagement no contract can be binding between parties who have not a full power to make it at the time nor ever afterwards acquire the power of fulfilling it slut then answered Western I tell you I have power and I will fulfill it come along with me directly to doctors comments I will get a license and I will go to sister and take away the wrench by force and she shall have or I will lock her up and keep her upon bread and water as long as she lives Mr. Western said already shall I beg you will hear my full sentiments on this matter here the high to be sure I will answer tea why then sir cries all with you I can truly say without a compliment either to you or the young lady that when this match was proposed I embrace it very readily and heartily from my regard to your both an alliance between two families so nearly neighbors and between whom there had always existed so mutual and intercourse in good harmony I thought a most desirable event and with regard to the young lady not only concurrent opinion of all who knew her but my own observation assured me that she would be an inestable treasure to a good husband I shall say nothing of her personal qualifications which certainly are admirable her good nature her charitable disposition her modesty are too well known to need any penetric but yet one quality which existed in a high degree in that best of women who is now one of the first of angels which as it is not of a glaring kind more commonly escapes observation so little indeed is it remarked that I want to word to express it I must use negatives on this occasion I never heard anything of partners or what is called repartee out of her mouth no pretends to wit much less to that kind of wisdom which is the result only of great learning and experience the affectation of which in a young woman is as absurd as any of the affectations of an ape no dictatorial sentiments no judicial opinions no profound criticisms whenever I've seen her in the company of men she had been all attention with the modesty of a learner not the forwardness of a teacher you'll pardon me for it but I want to try her only desired her opinion on a point which was controverted between Mr. Thwakum and Mrs. Square to which she answered with much sweetness you'll pardon me good Mr. Olworthy I'm sure you cannot in earnest think me capable of deciding any point in which sentiment disagree Thwakum and Square who both alike thought themselves sure of a favorable decision seconded my request she answered with the same good humor I must absolutely be excused for I will front neither so much as to give my judgment on his side indeed she always showed the highest difference to the understandings of men a quality absolutely essential to the making a good wife I shall only add that as she is most apparently void his deference must be certainly real here Blythol sighed bitterly upon which Wesson whose eyes were full of tears at the praise of Sophia blubbered out don't be chicken hearted for shatterer dammy shatterer if she was twenty times as good remember your promise sir cried Olworthy I was not to be interrupted well shattant answered the square I won't speak another word now my good friend continued Olworthy I've dwelt so long on the merit of the young lady partly as I really am in love with her character partly that fortune for the match in that light is really advantageous on my nephew's side might not be imagined to be my principal view in having so eagerly embrace the proposal indeed I heartily wished to receive so great a jewel into my family but though I may wish for many good things I would not therefore steal them or be guilty of any violence or injustice to possess myself of them now to force a woman into a marriage contrary to her consent or approbation is an act of such injustice and oppression that I wish the laws of our country could restrain it but a good conscience is never lawless in the worst requited state and will provide those laws for itself which the neglect of legislators have forgotten to supply this surely a case of that kind for is it not cruel nay impious to force a woman into that state against her will for her behaviour in which she is to be accountable to the highest and most dreadful court of judicature and to answer the peril of her soul to discharge the matrimonial duties in an adequate manner is no easy task and shall we lay this burden upon a woman while we at the same time the priver of all that assistance which may enable her to undergo it shall we tear her very hard from her while we enjoin her duties to which a whole heart is scarce equal I must speak very plainly here I think parents who act in this manner are accessories to all the guilt which their children afterwards incur and of course must before a just judge expect to partake of their punishment but if they could avoid this good heaven is there a soul who can bear the thought of having contributed to the damnation of his child for these reasons my best neighbor as I see the inclinations of this young lady are most unhappily averse to my nephew I must decline any further thoughts of the honor you intended him though I assure you I shall always retain the most grateful sense of it well sir said western the froth bursting forth from his lips the moment they were uncalled you cannot say but I've heard you out and now I expect you'll hear me and if I don't answer every word on it why then I'll consent to keep the manner up first then I desire you to answer me one question did not I beget her did not I beget her answer me that they say indeed it is a wise father that knows his own child but I'm sure I have the best title to her for I bred her up but I believe you allow me to be your father and if I be am I not to govern my own child I ask you that am I not to govern my own child and if I'm to govern her in other matters surely I'm to govern her in this which concerns her most and what am I desiring all this while am I desiring her to do anything for me to give me anything the other side that I am only desiring her to take away half my estate now and the other half when I die well what is it all for why isn't it to make her happy it's enough to make one mad to hear Vogue's talk and if I was going to marry myself then she would have reason to cry and to blubber but on the contrary hand I offered to bind down my land in such a manner that I could not marry if I would seeing as narrow woman upon earth would have me what the devil in hell can I do more I contribute to her damnation since I see all the world damn before a little finger should be heard indeed Mr. Orworthy you must excuse me but I'm surprised to hear you talk in such a manner and I must say take it how you will that I thought you had more sense Orworthy resented this reflection only with a smile nor could he if he would have endeavored it have conveyed into that smile any mixture of malice or contempt his smiles at folly were indeed such as we may suppose the angels bestow on the absurdities of mankind little now desire to be permitted to speak a few words as to using any violence on the young lady I'm sure I shall never consent to it my conscience will not permit me to use violence on anyone much less on a lady for whom however cruel she is to me I shall always preserve the purest and sincerest affection but yet I have read that women are seldom proof against perseverance why may I not hope then for such perseverance at last to gain those inclinations in which for the future I shall perhaps have no rival for as for this lord Mr. Weston is so kind to prefer me to him and sure sir you will not deny but that a parent hath at least a negative voice in these matters nay I've heard this very young lady herself say so more than once and declare that she thought children inexcusable who married in direct opposition to the will of their parents though the other ladies of the family seem to favour the pretensions of my lord I do not find the lady herself is inclined to give him any consequence alas I am too well assured she is not I am too sensible that wickedest of men remains uppermost in her heart aye aye so he does cries Weston but surely says Bliffle when she hears of this murder which he hath committed if the law should spare his life what's that? cries Weston murder? hath he committed a murder? and is there any hopes of seeing him hanged? told her all told her all here he fell a singing and capering about the room child says already this unhappy passion of yours distresses me beyond measure I heartily pity you and would do every fair thing to promote your success I desire no more cries Bliffle I am convinced my dear uncle hath a better opinion of me than to think myself would accept of moon Loki says already you have my leave to write to visit if she'll permit it but I insist on no thoughts of violence I will have no confinement nothing of that kind attempted well well crisis square nothing of that kind shall be attempted we will try a little longer what fair means will affect and if this fellow be but hanged out of the way told all the role I never heard better news in my life I warned everything goes to my mind my dear, dear or worthy, come and dine with me at the Hercules Palace I have bespoke a shoulder of mutton roasted and a spare rib of pork and a file on X-sauce there'll be nobie but ourselves unless we have a mind to have the landlord for I've sent parts and supple down to Basinstoke after my tobacco-box which I left on an inn there and I would not lose it for the world for it is an old acquaintance of above 20 years standing I can tell you the landlord is a vast comical bitch you will like unusually Mr. Orlwity at last agreed to this invitation soon after the squire went off singing and capering at the hopes of seeing the speedy, tragical end of poor Jones when he was gone Mr. Orlity resumed the aforesaid subject with much gravity he told his nephew he wished with all his heart he would endeavor to conquer a passion in which I cannot says he flatter you with any hopes of succeeding it is certainly a vulgar error that a version in a woman may be conquered by perseverance indifference may perhaps sometimes yield to it but the usual triumphs gained by perseverance in a lover are over caprice, prudence, affectation and often an exorbitant degree of levity which excites women not over warm in their constitutions to indulge their vanity by prolonging the time of courtship even when they are well enough pleased with the object and resolve if they ever resolve at all to make him a very pitiful immense in the end but a fixed dislike as I am afraid this is will rather gather strength and be conquered by time besides my dear I have another apprehension which you must excuse I am afraid this passion which you have for this fine young creature has a beautiful person too much for its object and is unworthy of the name of that love which is the only foundation of matrimonial felicity to admire, to like and to long for the possession of a beautiful woman without any regard to her sentiments towards us is I am afraid too natural but love I believe is a child of love only at least I am pretty confident that to love the creature who we are assured hates us is not in human nature examine your heart therefore thoroughly my good boy and if upon examination you have but the least suspicion of this kind I am sure your own virtue and religion will impel you to drive so vicious a passion from your heart and your good sense will soon enable you to do it without pain the reader may pretty well guess but if he should be at a loss we are not present at leisure to satisfy him as our history now hastens on to matters of higher importance and we can no longer bear to be absent from Sophia End of section 59