Chapter14
WhathappenedtoMr。JonesinhisjourneyfromSt。AlbansTheyweregotabouttwomilesbeyondBarnet，anditwasnowtheduskoftheevening，whenagenteel-lookingman，butuponaveryshabbyhorse，rodeuptoJones，andaskedhimwhetherhewasgoingtoLondon；
towhichJonesansweredintheaffirmative。Thegentlemanreplied，\"Ishouldbeobligedtoyou，sir，ifyouwillacceptofmycompany；
foritisverylate，andIamastrangertotheroad。\"Jonesreadilycompliedwiththerequest；andontheytravelledtogether，holdingthatsortofdiscoursewhichisusualonsuchoccasions。
Ofthis，indeed，robberywastheprincipaltopic:uponwhichsubjectthestrangerexpressedgreatapprehensions；butJonesdeclaredhehadverylittletolose，andconsequentlyaslittletofear。HerePartridgecouldnotforbearputtinginhisword。\"Yourhonour，\"saidhe，\"maythinkitalittle，butIamsure，ifIhadahundred-poundbank-noteinmypocket，asyouhave，Ishouldbeverysorrytoloseit；but，formypart，Ineverwaslessafraidinmylife；forwearefourofus，andifweallstandbyoneanother，thebestmaninEnglandcan’trobus。Supposeheshouldhaveapistol，hecankillbutoneofus，andamancandiebutonce-That’smycomfort，amancandiebutonce。\"
Besidestherelianceonsuperiornumbers，akindofvalourwhichhathraisedacertainnationamongthemodernstoahighpitchofglory，therewasanotherreasonfortheextraordinarycouragewhichPartridgenowdiscovered；forhehadatpresentasmuchofthatqualityaswasinthepowerofliquortobestow。
OurcompanywerenowarrivedwithinamileofHighgate，whenthestrangerturnedshortuponJones，andpullingoutapistol，demandedthatlittlebank-notewhichPartridgehadmentioned。
Joneswasatfirstsomewhatshockedatthisunexpecteddemand；
however，hepresentlyrecollectedhimself，andtoldthehighwayman，allthemoneyhehadinhispocketwasentirelyathisservice；andsosaying，hepulledoutupwardsofthreeguineas，andofferedtodeliverit；buttheotheransweredwithanoath，Thatwouldnotdo。Jonesansweredcoolly，hewasverysorryforit，andreturnedthemoneyintohispocket。
Thehighwaymanthenthreatened，ifhedidnotdeliverthebank-notethatmoment，hemustshoothim；holdinghispistolatthesametimeveryneartohisbreast。Jonesinstantlycaughtholdofthefellow’shand，whichtrembledsothathecouldscarceholdthepistolinit，andturnedthemuzzlefromhim。Astrugglethenensued，inwhichtheformerwrestedthepistolfromthehandofhisantagonist，andbothcamefromtheirhorsesonthegroundtogether，thehighwaymanuponhisback，andthevictoriousJonesuponhim。
Thepoorfellownowbegantoimploremercyoftheconqueror:for，tosaythetruth，hewasinstrengthbynomeansamatchforJones。
\"Indeed，sir，\"sayshe，\"Icouldhavehadnointentiontoshootyou；
foryouwillfindthepistolwasnotloaded。ThisisthefirstrobberyIeverattempted，andIhavebeendrivenbydistresstothis。\"
Atthisinstant，ataboutahundredandfiftyyards’distance，layanotherpersonontheground，roaringformercyinamuchloudervoicethanthehighwayman。ThiswasnootherthanPartridgehimself，who，endeavouringtomakehisescapefromtheengagement，hadbeenthrownfromhishorse，andlayflatonhisface，notdaringtolookup，andexpectingeveryminutetobeshot。
Inthisposturehelay，tilltheguide，whowasnootherwiseconcernedthanforhishorses，havingsecuredthestumblingbeast，cameuptohim，andtoldhimhismasterhadgotthebetterofthehighwayman。
Partridgeleaptupatthisnews，andranbacktotheplacewhereJonesstoodwithhissworddrawninhishandtoguardthepoorfellow；
whichPartridgenosoonersaw，thanhecriedout，\"Killthevillain，sir，runhimthroughthebody，killhimthisinstant！\"
Luckily，however，forthepoorwretch，hehadfallenintomoremercifulhands；forJoneshavingexaminedthepistol，andfoundittobereallyunloaded，begantobelieveallthemanhadtoldhim，beforePartridgecameup:namely，thathewasanoviceinthetrade，andthathehadbeendriventoitbythedistresshementioned，thegreatestindeedimaginable，thatoffivehungrychildren，andawifelyinginofthesixth，intheutmostwantandmisery。Thetruthofallwhichthehighwaymanmostvehementlyasserted，andofferedtoconvinceMr。Jonesofit，ifhewouldtakethetroubletogotohishouse，whichwasnotabovetwomilesoff；saying，\"Thathedesirednofavour，butuponconditionofprovingallhehadalledged。\"
Jonesatfirstpretendedthathewouldtakethefellowathiswordandgowithhim，declaringthathisfateshoulddependentirelyonthetruthofhisstory。Uponthisthepoorfellowimmediatelyexpressedsomuchalacrity，thatJoneswasperfectlysatisfiedwithhisveracity，andbegannowtoentertainsentimentsofcompassionforhim。Hereturnedthefellowhisemptypistol，advisedhimtothinkofhonestermeansofrelievinghisdistress，andgavehimacoupleofguineasfortheimmediatesupportofhiswifeandhisfamily；adding，\"hewishedhehadmoreforhissake，forthehundredpoundthathadbeenmentionedwasnothisown。\"
Ourreaderswillprobablybedividedintheiropinionsconcerningthisaction；somemayapplauditperhapsasanactofextraordinaryhumanity，whilethoseofamoresaturninetemperwillconsideritasawantofregardtothatjusticewhicheverymanoweshiscountry。
Partridgecertainlysawitinthatlight；forhetestifiedmuchdissatisfactionontheoccasion，quotedanoldproverb，andsaid，heshouldnotwonderiftherogueattackedthemagainbeforetheyreachedLondon。
Thehighwaymanwasfullofexpressionsofthankfulnessandgratitude。Heactuallydropttears，orpretendedsotodo。Hevowedhewouldimmediatelyreturnhome，andwouldneverafterwardscommitsuchatransgression:whetherhekepthiswordorno，perhapsmayappearhereafter。
Ourtravellershavingremountedtheirhorses，arrivedintownwithoutencounteringanynewmishap。OntheroadmuchpleasantdiscoursepassedbetweenJonesandPartridge，onthesubjectoftheirlastadventure:inwhichJonesexprestagreatcompassionforthosehighwaymenwhoare，byunavoidabledistress，driven，asitwere，tosuchillegalcoursesasgenerallybringthemtoashamefuldeath:\"I
mean，\"saidhe，\"thoseonlywhosehighestguiltextendsnofartherthantorobbery，andwhoareneverguiltyofcrueltynorinsulttoanyperson，whichisacircumstancethat，Imustsay，tothehonourofourcountry，distinguishestherobbersofEnglandfromthoseofallothernations；formurderis，amongstthose，almostinseparablyincidenttorobbery。\"
\"Nodoubt，\"answeredPartridge，\"itisbettertotakeawayone’smoneythanone’slife；andyetitisveryharduponhonestmen，thattheycan’ttravelabouttheirbusinesswithoutbeingindangerofthesevillains。Andtobesureitwouldbebetterthatallrogueswerehangedoutoftheway，thanthatonehonestmanshouldsuffer。Formyownpart，indeed，Ishouldnotcaretohavethebloodofanyofthemonmyhands；butitisveryproperforthelawtohangthemall。Whatrighthathanymantotakesixpencefromme，unlessIgiveithim？Isthereanyhonestyinsuchaman？\"
\"No，surely，\"criesJones，\"nomorethanthereisinhimwhotakesthehorsesoutofanotherman’sstable，orwhoappliestohisownusethemoneywhichhefinds，whenheknowstherightowner。\"
ThesehintsstoptthemouthofPartridge；nordidheopenitagaintillJones，havingthrownsomesarcasticaljokesonhiscowardice，heofferedtoexcusehimselfontheinequalityoffirearms，saying，\"A
thousandnakedmenarenothingtoonepistol；forthoughitistrueitwillkillbutoneatasingledischarge，yetwhocantellbutthatonemaybehimself？\"
BOOKXIII
CONTAININGTHESPACEOFTWELVEDAYS
Chapter1
AninvocationCome，brightloveoffame，inspiremyglowingbreast:nottheeI
call，who，overswellingtidesofbloodandtears，dostbeartheheroeontoglory，whilesighsofmillionswafthisspreadingsails；butthee，fair，gentlemaid，whomMnesis，happynympth，firstonthebanksofHebrusdidproduce。Thee，whomMaeoniaeducated，whomMantuacharmed，andwho，onthatfairhillwhichoverlookstheproudmetropolisofBritain，sat’st，withthyMilton，sweetlytuningtheheroiclyre；fillmyravishedfancywiththehopesofcharmingagesyettocome。Foretelmethatsometendermaid，whosegrandmotherisyetunborn，hereafter，when，underthefictitiousnameofSophia，shereadstherealworthwhichonceexistedinmyCharlotte，shallfromhersympatheticbreastsendforththeheavingsigh。Dothouteachmenotonlytoforesee，buttoenjoy，nay，eventofeedonfuturepraise。Comfortmebyasolemnassurance，thatwhenthelittleparlourinwhichIsitatthisinstantshallbereducedtoaworsefurnishedbox，Ishallbereadwithhonourbythosewhoneverknewnorsawme，andwhomIshallneitherknownorsee。
Andthou，muchplumperdame，whomnoairyformsnorphantomsofimaginationcloathe；whomthewell-seasonedbeef，andpuddingrichlystainedwithplums，delight:theeIcall:ofwhominatreckschuyte，insomeDutchcanal，thefatJufvrouwGelt，impregnatedbyajollymerchantofAmsterdam，wasdelivered:inGrub-streetschooldidstthousuckintheclementsofthyerudition。Herehastthou，inthymaturerage，taughtpoetrytoticklenotthefancy，buttheprideofthepatron。Comedyfromtheelearnsagraveandsolemnair；whiletragedystormsaloud，andrendsth’affrightedtheatreswithitsthunders。Tosoothethyweariedlimbsinslumber，AldermanHistorytellshistedioustale；and，again，toawakenthee，MonsieurRomanceperformshissurprizingtricksofdexterity。Norlessthywell-fedbooksellerobeysthyinfluence。Bythyadvicetheheavy，unread，foliolump，whichlonghaddozedonthedustyshelf，piecemealedintonumbers，runsnimblythroughthenation。Instructedbythee，somebooks，likequacks，imposeontheworldbypromisingwonders；whileothersturnbeaus，andtrustalltheirmeritstoagildedoutside。
Come，thoujollysubstance，withthyshiningface，keepbackthyinspiration，butholdforththytemptingrewards；thyshining，chinkingheap；thyquicklyconvertiblebank-bill，bigwithunseenriches；thyoften-varyingstock；thewarm，thecomfortablehouse；and，lastly，afairportionofthatbounteousmother，whoseflowingbreastsyieldredundantsustenanceforallhernumerousoffspring，didnotsometoogreedilyandwantonlydrivetheirbrethrenfromtheteat。
Comethou，andifIamtootastelessofthyvaluabletreasures，warmmyheartwiththetransportingthoughtofconveyingthemtoothers。
Tellme，thatthroughthybounty，thepratlingbabes，whoseinnocentplayhathoftenbeeninterruptedbymylabours，mayonetimebeamplyrewardedforthem。
Andnowthisill-yokedpair，thisleanshadowandthisfatsubstance，havepromptedmetowrite，whoseassistanceshallI
invoketodirectmypen？
First，Genius；thougiftofHeaven；withoutwhoseaidinvainwestruggleagainstthestreamofnature。Thouwhodostsowthegenerousseedswhichartnourishes，andbringstoperfection。Dothoukindlytakemebythehand，andleadmethroughallthemazes，thewindinglabyrinthsofnature。Initiatemeintoallthosemysterieswhichprofaneeyesneverbeheld。Teachme，whichtotheeisnodifficulttask，toknowmankindbetterthantheyknowthemselves。
Removethatmistwhichdimstheintellectsofmortals，andcausesthemtoadoremenfortheirart，ortodetestthemfortheircunning，indeceivingothers，whentheyare，inreality，theobjectsonlyofridicule，fordeceivingthemselves。Stripoffthethindisguiseofwisdomfromself-conceit，ofplentyfromavarice，andofgloryfromambition。Come，thouthathastinspiredthyAristophanes，thyLucian，thyCervantes，thyRabelais，thyMoliere，thyShakespear，thySwift，thyMarivaux，fillmypageswithhumour；tillmankindlearnthegood-naturetolaughonlyatthefolliesofothers，andthehumilitytogrieveattheirown。
Andthou，almosttheconstantattendantontruegenius，Humanity，bringallthytendersensations。IfthouhastalreadydisposedofthemallbetweenthyAllenandthyLyttleton，stealthemalittlewhilefromtheirbosoms。Notwithoutthesethetendersceneispainted。Fromthesealoneproceedthenoble，disinterestedfriendship，themeltinglove，thegeneroussentiment，theardentgratitude，thesoftcompassion，thecandidopinion；andallthosestrongenergiesofagoodmind，whichfillthemoistenedeyeswithtears，theglowingcheekswithblood，andswelltheheartwithtidesofgrief，joy，andbenevolence。
Andthou，OLearning！forwithoutthyassistancenothingpure，nothingcorrect，cangeniusproducedothouguidemypen。Theeinthyfavouritefields，wherethelimpid，gently-rollingThameswashesthyEtonianbanks，inearlyyouthIhaveworshipped。Tothee，atthybirchenaltar，withtrueSpartandevotion，Ihavesacrificedmyblood。
Comethen，andfromthyvast，luxuriantstores，inlongantiquitypiledup，pourforththerichprofusion。OpenthyMaeonianandthyMantuancoffers，withwhateverelseincludesthyphilosophic，thypoetic，andthyhistoricaltreasures，whetherwithGreekorRomancharactersthouhastchosentoinscribetheponderouschests:givemeawhilethatkeytoallthytreasures，whichtothyWarburtonthouhastentrusted。
Lastly，comeExperience，longconversantwiththewise，thegood，thelearned，andthepolite。Norwiththemonly，butwitheverykindofcharacter，fromtheministerathislevee，tothebailiffinhisspunging-house；fromthedutchessatherdrum，tothelandladybehindherbar。Fromtheeonlycanthemannersofmankindbeknown；towhichthereclusepedant，howevergreathispartsorextensivehislearningmaybe，hatheverbeenastranger。
Comeallthese，andmore，ifpossible；forarduousisthetaskI
haveundertaken；and，withoutallyourassistance，will，Ifind，betooheavyformetosupport。Butifyouallsmileonmylabours，I
hopestilltobringthemtoahappyconclusion。
Chapter2
WhatbefelMr。JonesonhisarrivalinLondonThelearnedDr。Misaubinusedtosay，thattheproperdirectiontohimwasToDr。Misaubin，intheWorld；intimatingthattherewerefewpeopleinittowhomhisgreatreputationwasnotknown。And，perhaps，uponaveryniceexaminationintothematter，weshallfindthatthiscircumstancebearsnoinconsiderablepartamongthemanyblessingsofgrandeur。
Thegreathappinessofbeingknowntoposterity，withthehopesofwhichwesodelightedourselvesintheprecedingchapter，istheportionoffew。Tohavetheseveralelementswhichcomposeournames，asSydenhamexpressesit，repeatedathousandyearshence，isagiftbeyondthepoweroftitleandwealth；andisscarcetobepurchased，unlessbytheswordandthepen。Buttoavoidthescandalousimputation，whileweyetlive，ofbeingonewhomnobodyknowsascandal，bythebye，asoldasthedaysofHomer*，willalwaysbetheenviedportionofthose，whohavealegaltitleeithertohonourorestate。
*SeeOdysseyII。
Fromthatfigure，therefore，whichtheIrishpeer，whobroughtSophiatotown，hathalreadymadeinthishistory，thereaderwillconclude，doubtless，itmusthavebeenaneasymattertohavediscoveredhishouseinLondonwithoutknowingtheparticularstreetorsquarewhichheinhabited，sincehemusthavebeenonewhomeverybodyknows。Tosaythetruth，soitwouldhavebeentoanyofthosetradesmenwhoareaccustomedtoattendtheregionsofthegreat；
forthedoorsofthegreataregenerallynolesseasytofindthanitisdifficulttogetentranceintothem。ButJones，aswellatPartridge，wasanentirestrangerinLondon；andashehappenedtoarrivefirstinaquarterofthetown，theinhabitantsofwhichhaveverylittleintercoursewiththehouseholdersofHanoverorGrosvenor-squareforheenteredthroughGray’s-inn-lane，soherambledaboutsometime，beforehecouldevenfindhiswaytothosehappymansionswherefortunesegregatesfromthevulgarthosemagnanimousheroes，thedescendantsofantientBritons，Saxons，orDanes，whoseancestors，beingborninbetterdays，bysundrykindsofmerit，haveentailedrichesandhonourontheirposterity。
Jones，beingatlengtharrivedatthoseterrestrialElysianfields，wouldnowsoonhavediscoveredhislordship’smansion；butthepeerunluckilyquittedhisformerhousewhenhewentforIreland；
andashewasjustenteredintoanewone，thefameofhisequipagehadnotyetsufficientlyblazedintheneighbourhood；sothat，afterasuccesslessinquirytilltheclockhadstruckeleven，JonesatlastyieldedtotheadviceofPartridge，andretreatedtotheBullandGateinHolborn，thatbeingtheinnwherehehadfirstalighted，andwhereheretiredtoenjoythatkindofreposewhichusuallyattendspersonsinhiscircumstances。
EarlyinthemorningheagainsetforthinpursuitofSophia；andmanyawearystephetooktonobetterpurposethanbefore。Atlast，whetheritwasthatFortunerelented，orwhetheritwasnolongerinherpowertodisappointhim，hecameintotheverystreetwhichwashonouredbyhislordship’sresidence；and，beingdirectedtothehouse，hegaveonegentlerapatthedoor。
Theporter，who，fromthemodestyoftheknock，hadconceivednohighideaofthepersonapproaching，conceivedbutlittlebetterfromtheappearanceofMr。Jones，whowasdrestinasuitoffustian，andhadbyhissidetheweaponformerlypurchasedoftheserjeant；ofwhich，thoughtheblademightbecomposedofwell-temperedsteel，thehandlewascomposedonlyofbrass，andthatnoneofthebrightest。WhenJones，therefore，enquiredaftertheyoungladywhohadcometotownwithhislordship，thisfellowansweredsurlily，\"Thattherewerenoladiesthere。\"Jonesthendesiredtoseethemasterofthehouse；butwasinformedthathislordshipwouldseenobodythatmorning。Andupongrowingmorepressingtheportersaid，\"hehadpositiveorderstoletnopersonin；butifyouthinkproper，\"saidhe，\"toleaveyourname，Iwillacquainthislordship；andifyoucallanothertimeyoushallknowwhenhewillseeyou。\"
Jonesnowdeclared，\"thathehadveryparticularbusinesswiththeyounglady，andcouldnotdepartwithoutseeingher。\"Uponwhichtheporter，withnoveryagreeablevoiceoraspect，affirmed，\"thattherewasnoyoungladyinthathouse，andconsequentlynonecouldhesee；\"adding，\"sureyouarethestrangestmanIevermetwith，foryouwillnottakeananswer。\"
Ihaveoftenthoughtthat，bytheparticulardescriptionofCerberus，theporterofhell，inthe6thAEneid，Virgilmightpossiblyintendtosatirizetheportersofthegreatmeninhistime；thepicture，atleast，resemblesthosewhohavethehonourtoattendatthedoorsofourgreatmen。TheporterinhislodgeanswersexactlytoCerberusinhisden，and，likehim，mustbeappeasedbyasopbeforeaccesscanbegainedtohismaster。PerhapsJonesmighthaveseenhiminthatlight，andhaverecollectedthepassagewheretheSibyl，inordertoprocureanentranceforEneas，presentsthekeeperoftheStygianavenuewithsuchasop。Jones，inlikemanner，nowbegantoofferabribetothehumanCerberus，whichafootmanoverhearing，instantlyadvanced，anddeclared，\"ifMr。Joneswouldgivehimthesumproposed，hewouldconducthimtothelady。\"Jonesinstantlyagreed，andwasforthwithconductedtothelodgingofMrs。Fitzpatrick，bytheveryfellowwhohadattendedtheladiesthitherthedaybefore。
Nothingmoreaggravatesillsuccessthanthenearapproachtogood。Thegamester，wholoseshispartyatpiquetbyasinglepoint，lamentshisbadlucktentimesasmuchashewhonevercamewithinaprospectofthegame。Soinalottery，theproprietorsofthenextnumberstothatwhichwinsthegreatprize，areapttoaccountthemselvesmuchmoreunfortunatethantheirfellow-suffers。Inshort，thesekindofhairbreadthmissingsofhappinesslookliketheinsultsofFortune，whomaybeconsideredasthusplayingtrickswithus，andwantonlydivertingherselfatourexpense。
Jones，whomorethanoncealreadyhadexperiencedthisfrolicsomedispositionoftheheathengoddess，wasnowagaindoomedtobetantalizedinthelikemanner；forhearrivedatthedoorofMrs。
FitzpatrickabouttenminutesafterthedepartureofSophia。Henowaddressedhimselftothewaiting-womanbelongingtoMrs。
Fitzpatrick，whotoldhimthedisagreeablenewsthattheladywasgone，butcouldnottellhimwhither；andthesameanswerheafterwardsreceivedfromMrs。Fitzpatrickherself。ForasthatladymadenodoubtbutthatMr。JoneswasapersondetachedfromheruncleWestern，inpursuitofhisdaughter，soshewastoogeneroustobetrayher。
ThoughJoneshadneverseenMrs。Fitzpatrick，yethehadheardthatacousinofSophiawasmarriedtoagentlemanofthatname。This，however，inthepresenttumultofhismind，neveroncerecurredtohismemory；butwhenthefootman，whohadconductedhimfromhislordship’s，acquaintedhimwiththegreatintimacybetweentheladies，andwiththeircallingeachothercousin，hethenrecollectedthestoryofthemarriagewhichhehadformerlyheard；andashewaspresentlyconvincedthatthiswasthesamewoman，hebecamemoresurprizedattheanswerwhichhehadreceived，andveryearnestlydesiredleavetowaitontheladyherself；butshepositivelyrefusedhimthathonour。
Jones，who，thoughhehadneverseenacourt，wasbetterbredthanmostwhofrequentit，wasincapableofanyrudeorabruptbehaviourtoalady。Whenhehadreceived，therefore，aperemptorydenial，heretiredforthepresent，sayingtothewaiting-woman，\"Thatifthiswasanimproperhourtowaitonherlady，hewouldreturnintheafternoon；andthathethenhopedtohavethehonourofseeingher。\"
Thecivilitywithwhichheutteredthis，addedtothegreatcomelinessofhisperson，madeanimpressiononthewaiting-woman，andshecouldnothelpanswering；\"Perhaps，sir，youmay；\"and，indeed，sheafterwardssaideverythingtohermistress，whichshethoughtmostlikelytoprevailonhertoadmitavisitfromthehandsomeyounggentleman；forsoshecalledhim。
JonesveryshrewdlysuspectedthatSophiaherselfwasnowwithhercousin，andwasdeniedtohim；whichheimputedtoherresentmentofwhathadhappenedatUpton。Having，therefore，dispatchedPartridgetoprocurehimlodgings，heremainedalldayinthestreet，watchingthedoorwherehethoughthisangellayconcealed；butnopersondidheseeissueforth，exceptaservantofthehouse，andintheeveninghereturnedtopayhisvisittoMrs。Fitzpatrick，whichthatgoodladyatlastcondescendedtoadmit。
Thereisacertainairofnaturalgentility，whichitisneitherinthepowerofdresstogive，nortoconceal。Mr。Jones，ashathbeenbeforehinted，waspossessedofthisinaveryeminentdegree。Hemet，therefore，withareceptionfromthelady，somewhatdifferentfromwhathisapparelseemedtodemand；andafterhehadpaidherhisproperrespects，wasdesiredtositdown。
Thereaderwillnot，Ibelieve，bedesirousofknowingalltheparticularsofthisconversation，whichendedverylittletothesatisfactionofpoorJones。ForthoughMrs。Fitzpatricksoondiscoveredtheloverasallwomenhavetheeyesofhawksinthosematters，yetshestillthoughtitwassuchalover，asagenerousfriendoftheladyshouldnotbetrayherto。Inshort，shesuspectedthiswastheveryMr。Blifil，fromwhomSophiahadflown；andalltheanswerswhichsheartfullydrewfromJones，concerningMr。
Allworthy’sfamily，confirmedherinthisopinion。ShethereforestrictlydeniedanyknowledgeconcerningtheplacewhitherSophiawasgone；norcouldJonesobtainmorethanapermissiontowaitonheragainthenextevening。
WhenJoneswasdeparted，Mrs。FitzpatrickcommunicatedhersuspicionconcerningMr。Blifiltohermaid；whoanswered，\"Sure，madam，heistooprettyaman，inmyopinion，foranywomanintheworldtorunawayfrom。IhadratherfancyitisMr。Jones。\"-\"Mr。Jones！\"saidthelady，\"whatJones？\"ForSophiahadnotgiventheleasthintofanysuchpersoninalltheirconversation；butMrs。Honourhadbeenmuchmorecommunicative，andhadacquaintedhersisterAbigailwiththewholehistoryofJones，whichthisnowagainrelatedtohermistress。
Mrs。Fitzpatricknosoonerreceivedthisinformation，thansheimmediatelyagreedwiththeopinionofhermaid；and，whatisveryunaccountable，sawcharmsinthegallant，happylover，whichshehadoverlookedintheslightedsquire。\"Betty，\"saysshe，\"youarecertainlyintheright:heisaveryprettyfellow，andIdon’twonderthatmycousin’smaidshouldtellyousomanywomenarefondofhim。I
amsorrynowIdidnotinformhimwheremycousinwas；andyet，ifhebesoterriblearakeasyoutellme，itisapitysheshouldeverseehimanymore；forwhatbutherruincanhappenfrommarryingarakeandabeggaragainstherfather’sconsent？I
protest，ifhebesuchamanasthewenchdescribedhimtoyou，itisbutanofficeofcharitytokeepherfromhim；andIamsureitwouldbeunpardonableinmetodootherwise，whohavetastedsobitterlyofthemisfortunesattendingsuchmarriages。\"
Hereshewasinterruptedbythearrivalofavisitor，whichwasnootherthanhislordship；andasnothingpassedatthisvisiteitherneworextraordinary，oranywaysmaterialtothishistory，weshallhereputanendtothischapter。
Chapter3
AprojectofMrs。Fitzpatrick，andhervisittoLadyBellastonWhenMrs。Fitzpatrickretiredtorest，herthoughtswereentirelytakenupbyhercousinSophiaandMr。Jones。Shewas，indeed，alittleoffendedwiththeformer，forthedisingenuitywhichshenowdiscovered。Inwhichmeditationshehadnotlongexercisedherimagination，beforethefollowingconceitsuggesteditself；thatcouldshepossiblybecomethemeansofpreservingSophiafromthisman，andofrestoringhertoherfather，sheshould，inallhumanprobability，bysogreataservicetothefamily，reconciletoherselfbothheruncleandherauntWestern。
Asthiswasoneofhermostfavouritewishes，sothehopeofsuccessseemedsoreasonable，thatnothingremainedbuttoconsiderofpropermethodstoaccomplishherscheme。ToattempttoreasonthecasewithSophiadidnotappeartoheroneofthosemethods:forasBettyhadreportedfromMrs。Honour，thatSophiahadaviolentinclinationtoJones，sheconceivedthattodissuadeherfromthematchwasanendeavourofthesamekind，asitwouldbeveryheartilyandearnestlytoentreatamothnottoflyintoacandle。
Ifthereaderwillpleasetoremember，thattheacquaintancewhichSophiahadwithLadyBellastonwascontractedatthehouseofMrs。
Western，andmusthavegrownattheverytimewhenMrs。Fitzpatricklivedwiththislatterlady，hewillwantnoinformation，thatMrs。
Fitzpatrickmusthavebeenacquaintedwithherlikewise。Theywere，besides，bothequallyherdistantrelations。
Aftermuchconsideration，therefore，sheresolvedtogoearlyinthemorningtothatlady，andendeavourtoseeher，unknowntoSophia，andtoacquaintherwiththewholeaffair。Forshedidnotintheleastdoubt，butthattheprudentlady，whohadoftenridiculedromanticlove，andindiscreetmarriages，inherconversation，wouldveryreadilyconcurinhersentimentsconcerningthismatch，andwouldlendherutmostassistancetopreventit。
Thisresolutionsheaccordinglyexecuted；andthenextmorningbeforethesun，shehuddledonhercloaths，andataveryunfashionable，unseasonable，unvisitablehour，wenttoLadyBellaston，towhomshegotaccess，withouttheleastknowledgeorsuspicionofSophia，who，thoughnotasleep，layatthattimeawakeinherbed，withHonoursnoringbyherside。
Mrs。Fitzpatrickmademanyapologiesforanearlyabruptvisit，atanhourwhen，shesaid，\"sheshouldnothavethoughtofdisturbingherladyship，butuponbusinessoftheutmostconsequence。\"Shethenopenedthewholeaffair，toldallshehadheardfromBetty；anddidnotforgetthevisitwhichJoneshadpaidtoherselftheprecedingevening。
LadyBellastonansweredwithasmile，\"Thenyouhaveseenthisterribleman，madam；pray，ishesoveryfineafigureasheisrepresented？forEtoffentertainedmelastnightalmosttwohourswithhim。Thewench，Ibelieve，isinlovewithhimbyreputation。\"Herethereaderwillbeapttowonder；butthetruthis，thatMrs。Etoff，whohadthehonourtopinandunpintheLadyBellaston，hadreceivedcompleatinformationconcerningthesaidMr。Jones，andhadfaithfullyconveyedthesametoherladylastnightorratherthatmorning
whileshewasundressing；onwhichaccountsshehadbeendetainedinherofficeabovethespaceofanhourandahalf。
Theladyindeed，thoughgenerallywellenoughpleasedwiththenarrativesofMrs。Etoffatthoseseasons，gaveanextraordinaryattentiontoheraccountofJones；forHonourhaddescribedhimasaveryhandsomefellow，andMrs。Etoff，inherhurry，addedsomuchtothebeautyofhispersontoherreport，thatLadyBellastonbegantoconceivehimtobeakindofmiracleinnature。
ThecuriositywhichherwomanhadinspiredwasnowgreatlyincreasedbyMrs。Fitzpatrick，whospokeasmuchinfavourofthepersonofJonesasshehadbeforespokenindispraiseofhisbirth，character，andfortune。
WhenLadyBellastonhadheardthewhole，sheansweredgravely，\"Indeed，madam，thisisamatterofgreatconsequence。Nothingcancertainlybemorecommendablethanthepartyouact；andIshallbeverygladtohavemyshareinthepreservationofayoungladyofsomuchmerit，andforwhomIhavesomuchesteem。\"
\"Dothnotyourladyshipthink，\"saysMrs。Fitzpatrickeagerly，\"thatitwouldbethebestwaytowriteimmediatelytomyuncle，andacquainthimwheremycousinis？\"
Theladyponderedalittleuponthis，andthusanswered-\"Why，no，madam，Ithinknot。DiWesternhathdescribedherbrothertometobesuchabrute，thatIcannotconsenttoputanywomanunderhispowerwhohathescapedfromit。Ihaveheardhebehavedlikeamonstertohisownwife，forheisoneofthosewretcheswhothinktheyhavearighttotyranniseoverus，andfromsuchIshalleveresteemitthecauseofmysextorescueanywomanwhoissounfortunatetobeundertheirpower-Thebusiness，dearcousin，willbeonlytokeepMissWesternfromseeingthisyoungfellow，tillthegoodcompanywhichshewillhaveanopportunityofmeetinghere，giveherapropererturn。\"
\"Ifheshouldfindouther，madam，\"answeredtheother，\"yourladyshipmaybeassuredhewillleavenothingunattemptedtocomeather。\"
\"But，madam，\"repliedthelady，\"itisimpossibleheshouldcomehere-thoughindeeditispossiblehemaygetsomeintelligencewheresheis，andthenmaylurkaboutthehouse-IwishthereforeIknewhisperson。Istherenoway，madam，bywhichIcouldhaveasightofhim？for，otherwise，youknow，cousin，shemaycontrivetoseehimherewithoutmyknowledge。\"
Mrs。Fitzpatrickanswered，\"Thathehadthreatenedherwithanothervisitthatafternoon，andthat，ifherladyshippleasedtodoherthehonourofcallinguponherthen，shewouldhardlyfailofseeinghimbetweensixandseven:andifhecameearliershewould，bysomemeansorother，detainhimtillherladyship’sarrival。\"-LadyBellastonreplied，\"Shewouldcomethemomentshecouldgetfromdinner，whichshesupposedwouldbebysevenatfarthest；forthatitwasabsolutelynecessarysheshouldbeacquaintedwithhisperson。Uponmyword，madam，\"saysshe，\"itwasverygoodtotakethiscareofMissWestern；butcommonhumanity，aswellasregardtoourfamily，requiresitofusboth；foritwouldbeadreadfulmatchindeed。\"
Mrs。FitzpatrickfailednottomakeaproperreturntothecomplimentwhichLadyBellastonhadbestowedonhercousin，and，aftersomelittleimmaterialconversation，withdrew；and，gettingasfastasshecouldintoherchair，unseenbySophiaorHonour，returnedhome。
Chapter4
WhichconsistsofvisitingMr。Joneshadwalkedwithinsightofacertaindoorduringthewholeday，which，thoughoneoftheshortest，appearedtohimtobeoneofthelongestinthewholeyear。Atlength，theclockhavingstruckfive，hereturnedtoMrs。Fitzpatrick，who，thoughitwasafullhourearlierthanthedecenttimeofvisiting，receivedhimverycivilly；butstillpersistedinherignoranceconcerningSophia。
Jones，inaskingforhisangel，haddroppedthewordcousin，uponwhichMrs。Fitzpatricksaid，\"Then，sir，youknowwearerelated:and，asweare，youwillpermitmetherightofinquiringintotheparticularsofyourbusinesswithmycousin。\"HereJoneshesitatedagoodwhile，andatlastanswered，\"Hehadaconsiderablesumofmoneyofhersinhishands，whichhedesiredtodelivertoher。\"Hethenproducedthepocket-book，andacquaintedMrs。Fitzpatrickwiththecontents，andwiththemethodinwhichtheycameintohishands。
Hehadscarcefinishedhisstory，whenamostviolentnoiseshookthewholehouse。Toattempttodescribethisnoisetothosewhohavehearditwouldbeinvain；andtoaimatgivinganyideaofittothosewhohaveneverheardthelike，wouldbestillmorevain:foritmaybetrulysaid——
NonacutaSicgeminantCorybantesaera。
ThepriestsofCybeledonotsorattletheirsoundingbrass。
Inshort，afootmanknocked，orratherthundered，atthedoor。Joneswasalittlesurprizedatthesound，havingneverhearditbefore；butMrs。Fitzpatrickverycalmlysaid，that，assomecompanywerecoming，shecouldnotmakehimanyanswernow；butifhepleasedtostaytilltheyweregone，sheintimatedshehadsomethingtosaytohim。
Thedooroftheroomnowflewopen，and，afterpushinginherhoopsidewaysbeforeher；enteredLadyBellaston，whohavingfirstmadeaverylowcourtesytoMrs。Fitzpatrick，andaslowaonetoMr。
Jones，wasusheredtotheupperendoftheroom。
Wementiontheseminutemattersforthesakeofsomecountryladiesofouracquaintance，whothinkitcontrarytotherulesofmodestytobendtheirkneestoaman。
Thecompanywerehardlywellsettled，beforethearrivalofthepeerlatelymentioned，causedafreshdisturbance，andarepetitionofceremonials。
Thesebeingover，theconversationbegantobeasthephraseis
extremelybrilliant。However，asnothingpastinitwhichcanbethoughtmaterialtothishistory，or，indeed，verymaterialinitself，Ishallomittherelation；therather，asIhaveknownsomeveryfinepoliteconversationgrowextremelydull，whentranscribedintobooks，orrepeatedonthestage。Indeed，thismentalrepastisadainty，ofwhichthosewhoareexcludedfrompoliteassembliesmustbecontentedtoremainasignorantastheymustoftheseveraldaintiesofFrenchcookery，whichareservedonlyatthetablesofthegreat。
Tosaythetruth，asneitheroftheseareadaptedtoeverytaste，theymightbothbeofthrownawayonthevulgar。
PoorJoneswasratheraspectatorofthiselegantscene，thananactorinit；forthough，intheshortintervalbeforethepeer’sarrival，LadyBellastonfirst，andafterwardsMrs。Fitzpatrick，hadaddressedsomeoftheirdiscoursetohim；yetnosoonerwasthenoblelordentered，thanheengrossedthewholeattentionofthetwoladiestohimself；andashetooknomorenoticeofJonesthanifnosuchpersonhadbeenpresent，unlessbynowandthenstaringathim，theladiesfollowedhisexample。
Thecompanyhadnowstaidsolong，thatMrs。Fitzpatrickplainlyperceivedtheyalldesignedtostayouteachother。ShethereforeresolvedtoridherselfofJones，hebeingthevisitanttowhomshethoughttheleastceremonywasdue。Takingthereforeanopportunityofacessationofchat，sheaddressedherselfgravelytohim，andsaid，\"Sir，Ishallnotpossiblybeabletogiveyouananswerto-nightastothatbusiness；butifyoupleasetoleavewordwhereImaysendtoyouto-morrow——\"
Joneshadnatural，butnotartificialgood-breeding。Instead，therefore，ofcommunicatingthesecretofhislodgingstoaservant，heacquaintedtheladyherselfwithitparticularly，andsoonafterveryceremoniouslywithdrew。
Hewasnosoonergone，thanthegreatpersonages，whohadtakennonoticeofhimpresent，begantotakemuchnoticeofhiminhisabsence；butifthereaderhathalreadyexcusedusfromrelatingthemorebrilliantpartofthisconversation，hewillsurelybereadytoexcusetherepetitionofwhatmaybecalledvulgarabuse；though，perhaps，itmaybematerialtoourhistorytomentionanobservationofLadyBellaston，whotookherleaveinafewminutesafterhim，andthensaidtoMrs。Fitzpatrick，atherdeparture，\"Iamsatisfiedontheaccountofmycousin；shecanbeinnodangerfromthisfellow。\"
OurhistoryshallfollowtheexampleofLadyBellaston，andtakeleaveofthepresentcompany，whichwasnowreducedtotwopersons；
betweenwhom，asnothingpassed，whichintheleastconcernsusorourreader，weshallnotsufferourselvestobedivertedbyitfrommatterswhichmustseemofmoreconsequencetoallthosewhoareatallinterestedintheaffairsofourheroe。
Chapter5
AnadventurewhichhappenedtoMr。Jonesathislodgings，withsomeaccountofayounggentlemanwholodgedthere，andofthemistressofthehouse，andhertwodaughtersThenextmorning，asearlyasitwasdecent，JonesattendedatMrs。Fitzpatrick’sdoor，wherehewasansweredthattheladywasnotathome；ananswerwhichsurprizedhimthemore，ashehadwalkedbackwardsandforwardsinthestreetfrombreakofday；andifshehadgoneout，hemusthaveseenher。Thisanswer，however，hewasobligedtoreceive，andnotonlynow，buttofiveseveralvisitswhichhemadeherthatday。
Tobeplainwiththereader，thenoblepeerhadfromsomereasonorother，perhapsfromaregardforthelady’shonour，insistedthatsheshouldnotseeMr。Jones，whomhelookedonasascrub，anymore；andtheladyhadcompliedinmakingthatpromisetowhichwenowseehersostrictlyadhere。
Butasourgentlereadermaypossiblyhaveabetteropinionoftheyounggentlemanthanherladyship，andmayevenhavesomeconcern，shoulditbeapprehendedthat，duringthisunhappyseparationfromSophia，hetookuphisresidenceeitherataninn，orinthestreet；
weshallnowgiveanaccountofhislodging，whichwasindeedinaveryreputablehouse，andinaverygoodpartofthetown。
Mr。Jones，then，hadoftenheardMr。Allworthymentionthegentlewomanatwhosehouseheusedtolodgewhenhewasintown。
Thisperson，who，asJoneslikewiseknew，livedinBond-street，wasthewidowofaclergyman，andwasleftbyhim，athisdecease，inpossessionoftwodaughters，andofacompleatsetofmanuscriptsermons。
Ofthesetwodaughters，Nancy，theelder，wasnowarrivedattheageofseventeen，andBetty，theyounger，atthatoften。
HitherJoneshaddispatchedPartridge，andinthishousehewasprovidedwitharoomforhimselfinthesecondfloor，andwithoneforPartridgeinthefourth。
Thefirstfloorwasinhabitedbyoneofthoseyounggentlemen，who，inthelastage，werecalledmenofwitandpleasureabouttown，andproperlyenough；forasmenareusuallydenominatedfromtheirbusinessorprofession，sopleasuremaybesaidtohavebeentheonlybusinessorprofessionofthosegentlementowhomfortunehadmadeallusefuloccupationsunnecessary。Play-houses，coffee-houses，andtavernswerethescenesoftheirrendezvous。Witandhumourweretheentertainmentoftheirlooserhours，andlovewasthebusinessoftheirmoreseriousmoments。Wineandthemusesconspiredtokindlethebrightestflamesintheirbreasts；nordidtheyonlyadmire，butsomewereabletocelebratethebeautytheyadmired，andalltojudgeofthemeritofsuchcompositions。
Such，therefore，wereproperlycalledthemenofwitandpleasure；
butIquestionwhetherthesameappellationmay，withthesamepropriety，begiventothoseyounggentlemenofourtimes，whohavethesameambitiontobedistinguishedforparts。Witcertainlytheyhavenothingtodowith。Togivethemtheirdue，theysoarastephigherthantheirpredecessors，andmaybecalledmenofwisdomandvertutakeheedyoudonotreadvirtue。Thusatanagewhenthegentlemenabovementionedemploytheirtimeintoastingthecharmsofawoman，orinmakingsonnetsinherpraise；ingivingtheiropinionofaplayatthetheatre，orofapoematWill’sorButton’s；thesegentlemenareconsideringthemethodstobribeacorporation，ormeditatingspeechesfortheHouseofCommons，orratherforthemagazines。Butthescienceofgamingisthatwhichaboveallothersemploystheirthoughts。Thesearethestudiesoftheirgraverhours，whilefortheiramusementstheyhavethevastcircleofconnoisseurship，painting，music，statuary，andnaturalphilosophy，orratherunnatural，whichdealsinthewonderful，andknowsnothingofNature，excepthermonstersandimperfections。
WhenJoneshadspentthewholedayinvaininquiriesafterMrs。
Fitzpatrick，hereturnedatlastdisconsolatetohisapartment。
Here，whilehewasventinghisgriefinprivate，heheardaviolentuproarbelow-stairs；andsoonafterafemalevoicebeggedhimforheaven’ssaketocomeandpreventmurder。Jones，whowasneverbackwardonanyoccasiontohelpthedistressed，immediatelyrandownstairs；whensteppingintothedining-room，whenceallthenoiseissued，hebeheldtheyounggentlemanofwisdomandvertujustbeforementioned，pinnedclosetothewallbyhisfootman，andayoungwomanstandingby，wringingherhands，andcryingout，\"Hewillbemurdered！hewillbemurdered！\"and，indeed，thepoorgentlemanseemedinsomedangerofbeingchoaked，whenJonesflewhastilytohisassistance，andrescuedhim，justashewasbreathinghislast，fromtheunmercifulclutchesoftheenemy。
Thoughthefellowhadreceivedseveralkicksandcuffsfromthelittlegentleman，whohadmorespiritthanstrength，hehadmadeitakindofscrupleofconsciencetostrikehismaster，andwouldhavecontentedhimselfwithonlychoakinghim；buttowardsJonesheborenosuchrespect:henosoonerthereforefoundhimselfalittleroughlyhandledbyhisnewantagonist，thanhegavehimoneofthosepunchesinthegutswhich，thoughthespectatorsatBroughton’samphitheatrehavesuchexquisitedelightinseeingthem，conveybutverylittlepleasureinthefeeling。
Thelustyyouthhadnosoonerreceivedthisblow，thanhemeditatedamostgratefulreturn；andnowensuedacombatbetweenJonesandthefootman，whichwasveryfierce，butshort；forthisfellowwasnomoreabletocontendwithJonesthanhismasterhadbeforebeentocontendwithhim。
Andnow，Fortune，accordingtoherusualcustom，reversedthefaceofaffairs。Theformervictorlaybreathlessontheground，andthevanquishedgentlemanhadrecoveredbreathenoughtothankMr。Jonesforhisseasonableassistance；hereceivedlikewisetheheartythanksoftheyoungwomanpresent，whowasindeednootherthanMissNancy，theeldestdaughterofthehouse。
Thefootman，havingnowrecoveredhislegs，shookhisheadatJones，and，withasagaciouslook，cried-\"Od——nme，I’llhavenothingmoretodowithyou；youhavebeenuponthestage，orI’md——nablymistaken。\"Andindeedwemayforgivethishissuspicion；forsuchwastheagilityandstrengthofourheroe，thathewas，perhaps，amatchforoneofthefirst-rateboxers，andcould，withgreatease，havebeatenallthemuffled*graduatesofMr。Broughton’sschool。
*Lestposterityshouldbepuzzledbythisepithet，IthinkpropertoexplainitbyanadvertisementwhichwaspublishedFeb。1，1747。
N。B-Mr。Broughtonproposes，withproperassistance，toopenanacademyathishouseintheHaymarket，fortheinstructionofthosewhoarewillingtobeinitiatedinthemysteryofboxing:wherethewholetheoryandpracticeofthattrulyBritishart，withallthevariousstops，blows，cross-buttocks，&c。，incidenttocombatants，willbefullytaughtandexplained；andthatpersonsofqualityanddistinctionmaynotbedeterredfromenteringintoAcourseofthoselectures，theywillbegivenwiththeutmosttendernessandregardtothedelicacyoftheframeandconstitutionofthepupil，forwhichreasonmufflesareprovided，thatwilleffectuallysecurethemfromtheinconveniencyofblackeyes，brokenjaws，andbloodynoses。
Themaster，foamingwithwrath，orderedhismanimmediatelytostrip，towhichthelatterveryreadilyagreed，onconditionofreceivinghiswages。Thisconditionwaspresentlycompliedwith，andthefellowwasdischarged。
Andnowtheyounggentleman，whosenamewasNightingale，verystrenuouslyinsistedthathisdeliverershouldtakepartofabottleofwinewithhim；towhichJones，aftermuchentreaty，consented，thoughmoreoutofcomplacencethaninclination；fortheuneasinessofhismindfittedhimverylittleforconversationatthistime。MissNancylikewise，whowastheonlyfemaletheninthehouse，hermammaandsisterbeingbothgonetotheplay，condescendedtofavourthemwithhercompany。
Whenthebottleandglasseswereonthetable，thegentlemanbegantorelatetheoccasionoftheprecedingdisturbance。
\"Ihope，sir，\"saidhetoJones，\"youwillnotfromthisaccidentconclude，thatImakeacustomofstrikingmyservants，forIassureyouthisisthefirsttimeIhavebeenguiltyofitinmyremembrance，andIhavepassedbymanyprovokingfaultsinthisveryfellow，beforehecouldprovokemetoit；butwhenyouhearwhathathhappenedthisevening，youwill，Ibelieve，thinkmeexcusable。Ihappenedtocomehomeseveralhoursbeforemyusualtime，whenIfoundfourgentlemenoftheclothatwhistbymyfire；-andmyHoyle，sir-mybestHoyle，whichcostmeaguinea，lyingopenonthetable，withaquantityofporterspiltononeofthemostmaterialleavesofthewholebook。
This，youwillallow，wasprovoking；butIsaidnothingtilltherestofthehonestcompanyweregone，andthengavethefellowagentlerebuke，who，insteadofexpressinganyconcern，mademeapertanswer，’Thatservantsmusthavetheirdiversionsaswellasotherpeople；thathewassorryfortheaccidentwhichhadhappenedtothebook，butthatseveralofhisacquaintancehadboughtthesameforashilling，andthatImightstopasmuchinhiswages，ifIpleased。’
Inowgavehimasevererreprimandthanbefore，whentherascalhadtheinsolenceto——Inshort，heimputedmyearlycominghometo——Inshort，hecastareflection——Hementionedthenameofayounglady，inamanner-insuchamannerthatincensedmebeyondallpatience，and，inmypassion，Istruckhim。\"
Jonesanswered，\"Thathebelievednopersonlivingwouldblamehim；formypart，\"saidhe，\"IconfessIshould，onthelast-mentionedprovocation，havedonethesamething。\"
Ourcompanyhadnotsatlongbeforetheywerejoinedbythemotheranddaughter，attheirreturnfromtheplay。Andnowtheyallspentaverychearfuleveningtogether；forallbutJoneswereheartilymerry，andevenheputonasmuchconstrainedmirthaspossible。
indeed，halfhisnaturalflowofanimalspirits，joinedtothesweetnessofhistemper，wassufficienttomakeamostamiablecompanion；andnotwithstandingtheheavinessofhisheart，soagreeabledidhemakehimselfonthepresentoccasion，that，attheirbreakingup，theyounggentlemanearnestlydesiredhisfurtheracquaintance。MissNancywaswellpleasedwithhim；andthewidow，quitecharmedwithhernewlodger，invitedhim，withtheother，nextmorningtobreakfast。
Jonesonhispartwasnolesssatisfied。AsforMissNancy，thoughaverylittlecreature，shewasextremelypretty，andthewidowhadallthecharmswhichcanadornawomannearfifty。Asshewasoneofthemostinnocentcreaturesintheworld，soshewasoneofthemostchearful。Sheneverthought，norspoke，norwishedanyill，andhadconstantlythatdesireofpleasing，whichmaybecalledthehappiestofalldesiresinthis，thatitscarceeverfailsofattainingitsends，whennotdisgracedbyaffectation。Inshort，thoughherpowerwasverysmall，shewasinherheartoneofthewarmestfriends。Shehadbeenamostaffectionatewife，andwasamostfondandtendermother。Asourhistorydothnot，likeanewspaper，givegreatcharacterstopeoplewhoneverwereheardofbefore，norwilleverbeheardofagain，thereadermayhenceconclude，thatthisexcellentwomanwillhereafterappeartobeofsomeimportanceinourhistory。
NorwasJonesalittlepleasedwiththeyounggentlemanhimself，whosewinehehadbeendrinking。Hethoughthediscernedinhimmuchgoodsense，thoughalittletoomuchtaintedwithtown-foppery；butwhatrecommendedhimmosttoJonesweresomesentimentsofgreatgenerosityandhumanity，whichoccasionallydroptfromhim；andparticularlymanyexpressionsofthehighestdisinterestednessintheaffairoflove。OnwhichsubjecttheyounggentlemandeliveredhimselfinalanguagewhichmighthaveverywellbecomeanArcadianshepherdofold，andwhichappearedveryextraordinarywhenproceedingfromthelipsofamodernfinegentleman；buthewasonlyonebyimitation，andmeantbynatureforamuchbettercharacter。
Chapter6
Whatarrivedwhilethecompanywereatbreakfast，withsomehintsconcerningthegovernmentofdaughtersOurcompanybroughttogetherinthemorningthesamegoodinclinationstowardseachother，withwhichtheyhadseparatedtheeveningbefore；butpoorJoneswasextremelydisconsolate；forhehadjustreceivedinformationfromPartridge，thatMrs。Fitzpatrickhadleftherlodging，andthathecouldnotlearnwhithershewasgone。Thisnewshighlyafflictedhim，andhiscountenance，aswellashisbehaviour，indefianceofallhisendeavourstothecontrary，betrayedmanifestindicationsofadisorderedmind。
Thediscourseturnedatpresent，asbefore，onlove；andMr。
Nightingaleagainexpressedmanyofthosewarm，generous，anddisinterestedsentimentsuponthissubject，whichwiseandsobermencallromantic，butwhichwiseandsoberwomengenerallyregardinabetterlight。Mrs。Millerforsothemistressofthehousewascalledgreatlyapprovedthesesentiments；butwhentheyounggentlemanappealedtoMissNancy，sheansweredonly，\"Thatshebelievedthegentlemanwhohadspoketheleastwascapableoffeelingmost。\"
ThiscomplimentwassoapparentlydirectedtoJones，thatweshouldhavebeensorryhadhepasseditbyunregarded。Hemadeherindeedaverypoliteanswer，andconcludedwithanobliquehint，thatherownsilencesubjectedtoasuspicionofthesamekind:forindeedshehadscarceopenedherlipseithernoworthelastevening。
\"Iamglad，Nanny，\"saysMrs。Miller，\"thegentlemanhathmadetheobservation；IprotestIamalmostofhisopinion。Whatcanbethematterwithyou，child？Ineversawsuchanalteration。Whatisbecomeofallyourgaiety？Wouldyouthink，sir，Iusedtocallhermylittlepratler？Shehathnotspoketwentywordsthisweek。\"
Heretheirconversationwasinterruptedbytheentranceofamaid-servant，whobroughtabundleinherhand，which，shesaid，\"wasdeliveredbyaporterforMr。Jones。\"Sheadded，\"Thatthemanimmediatelywentaway，saying，itrequirednoanswer。\"
Jonesexpressedsomesurprizeonthisoccasion，anddeclareditmustbesomemistake；butthemaidpersistingthatshewascertainofthename，allthewomenweredesirousofhavingthebundleimmediatelyopened；whichoperationwasatlengthperformedbylittleBetsy，withtheconsentofMr。Jones:andthecontentswerefoundtobeadomino，amask，andamasqueradeticket。
Joneswasnowmorepositivethaneverinasserting，thatthesethingsmusthavebeendeliveredbymistake；andMrs。Millerherselfexpressedsomedoubt，andsaid，\"Sheknewnotwhattothink。\"ButwhenMr。Nightingalewasasked，hedeliveredaverydifferentopinion。\"AllIcanconcludefromit，sir，\"saidhe，\"is，thatyouareaveryhappyman；forImakenodoubtbuttheseweresentyoubysomeladywhomyouwillhavethehappinessofmeetingatthemasquerade。\"
Joneshadnotasufficientdegreeofvanitytoentertainanysuchflatteringimagination；nordidMrs。MillerherselfgivemuchassenttowhatMr。Nightingalehadsaid，tillMissNancyhavingliftedupthedomino，acarddroptfromthesleeve；inwhichwaswrittenasfollows:-
TOMR。JONES
Thequeenofthefairiessendsyouthis；
Useherfavoursnotamiss。
Mrs。MillerandMissNancynowbothagreedwithMr。Nightingale；
nay，Joneshimselfwasalmostpersuadedtobeofthesameopinion。AndasnootherladybutMrs。Fitzpatrick，hethought，knewhislodging，hebegantoflatterhimselfwithsomehopes，thatitcamefromher，andthathemightpossiblyseehisSophia。Thesehopeshadsurelyverylittlefoundation；butastheconductofMrs。Fitzpatrick，innotseeinghimaccordingtoherpromise，andinquittingherlodgings，hadbeenveryoddandunaccountable，heconceivedsomefainthopes，thatsheofwhomhehadformerlyheardaverywhimsicalcharactermightpossiblyintendtodohimthatserviceinastrangemanner，whichshedeclineddoingbymoreordinarymethods。Tosaythetruth，asnothingcertaincouldbeconcludedfromsooddanduncommonanincident，hehadthegreaterlatitudetodrawwhatimaginaryconclusionsfromithepleased。Ashistemperthereforewasnaturallysanguine，heindulgeditonthisoccasion，andhisimaginationworkedupathousandconceits，tofavourandsupporthisexpectationsofmeetinghisdearSophiaintheevening。
Reader，ifthouhastanygoodwishestowardsme，Iwillfullyrepaythembywishingtheetobepossessedofthissanguinedispositionofmind；since，afterhavingreadmuchandconsideredlongonthatsubjectofhappinesswhichhathemployedsomanygreatpens，I
amalmostinclinedtofixitinthepossessionofthistemper；whichputsus，inamanner，outofthereachofFortune，andmakesushappywithoutherassistance。Indeed，thesensationsofpleasureitgivesaremuchmoreconstant，aswellasmuchkeener，thanthosewhichthatblindladybestows；naturehavingwiselycontrived，thatsomesatietyandlanguorshouldbeannexedtoallourrealenjoyments，lestweshouldbesotakenupbythem，astobestoptfromfurtherpursuits。Imakenomannerofdoubtbutthat，inthislight，wemayseetheimaginaryfuturechancellorjustcalledtothebar，thearchbishopincrape，andtheprimeministeratthetailofanopposition，moretrulyhappythanthosewhoareinvestedwithallthepowerandprofitofthoserespectiveoffices。
Mr。Joneshavingnowdeterminedtogotothemasqueradethatevening，Mr。Nightingaleofferedtoconducthimthither。Theyounggentleman，atthesametime，offeredticketstoMissNancyandhermother；butthegoodwomanwouldnotacceptthem。Shesaid，\"shedidnotconceivetheharmwhichsomepeopleimaginedinamasquerade；
butthatsuchextravagantdiversionswereproperonlyforpersonsofqualityandfortune，andnotforyoungwomenwhoweretogettheirliving，andcould，atbest，hopetobemarriedtoagoodtradesman。\"——\"Atradesman！\"criesNightingale，youshan’tundervaluemyNancy。Thereisnotanoblemanuponearthabovehermerit。\"\"Ofie！
Mr。Nightingale，\"answeredMrs。Miller，\"youmustnotfillthegirl’sheadwithsuchfancies:butifitwashergoodluck\"saysthemotherwithasimper\"tofindagentlemanofyourgenerouswayofthinking，Ihopeshewouldmakeabetterreturntohisgenerositythantogiveherminduptoextravagantpleasures。Indeed，whereyoungladiesbringgreatfortunesthemselves，theyhavesomerighttoinsistonspendingwhatistheirown；andonthataccountIhaveheardthegentlemensay，amanhassometimesabetterbargainwithapoorwife，thanwitharichone——Butletmydaughtersmarrywhomtheywill，Ishallendeavourtomakethemblessingstotheirhusbands:——I
beg，therefore，Imayhearofnomoremasquerades。Nancyis，Iamcertain，toogoodagirltodesiretogo；forshemustrememberwhenyoucarriedherthitherlastyear，italmostturnedherhead；andshedidnotreturntoherself，ortoherneedle，inamonthafterwards。\"
Thoughagentlesigh，whichstolefromthebosomofNancy，seemedtoarguesomesecretdisapprobationofthesesentiments，shedidnotdareopenlytoopposethem。Forasthisgoodwomanhadallthetenderness，soshehadpreservedalltheauthorityofaparent；andasherindulgencetothedesiresofherchildrenwasrestrainedonlybyherfearsfortheirsafetyandfuturewelfare，sosheneversufferedthosecommandswhichproceededfromsuchfearstobeeitherdisobeyedordisputed。Andthistheyounggentleman，whohadlodgedtwoyearsinthehouse，knewsowell，thathepresentlyacquiescedintherefusal。
Mr。Nightingale，whogreweveryminutefonderofJones，wasverydesirousofhiscompanythatdaytodinneratthetavern，whereheofferedtointroducehimtosomeofhisacquaintance；butJonesbeggedtobeexcused，\"ashiscloaths，\"hesaid，\"werenotyetcometotown。\"
Toconfessthetruth，Mr。Joneswasnowinasituation，whichsometimeshappenstobethecaseofyounggentlemenofmuchbetterfigurethanhimself。Inshort，hehadnotonepennyinhispocket；asituationinmuchgreatercreditamongtheantientphilosophers，thanamongthemodernwisemenwholiveinLombard-street，orthosewhofrequentWhite’schocolate-house。And，perhaps，thegreathonourswhichthosephilosophershaveascribedtoanemptypocket，maybeoneofthereasonsofthathighcontemptinwhichtheyareheldintheaforesaidstreetandchocolate-house。
Nowiftheantientopinion，thatmenmightliveverycomfortablyonvirtueonly，be，asthemodernwisemenjustabove-mentionedpretendtohavediscovered，anotoriouserror；nolessfalseis，I
apprehend，thatpositionofsomewritersofromance，thatamancanlivealtogetheronlove:forhoweverdeliciousrepaststhismayaffordtosomeofoursensesorappetites，itismostcertainitcanaffordnonetoothers。Those，therefore，whohaveplacedtoogreataconfidenceinsuchwriters，haveexperiencedtheirerrorwhenitwastoolate；andhavefoundthatlovewasnomorecapableofallayinghunger，thanaroseiscapableofdelightingtheear，oraviolinofgratifyingthesmell。
Notwithstanding，therefore，allthedelicacieswhichlovehadsetbeforehim，namely，thehopesofseeingSophiaatthemasquerade；onwhich，howeverill-foundedhisimaginationmightbe，hehadvoluptuouslyfeastedduringthewholeday，theeveningnosoonercame，thanMr。Jonesbegantolanguishforsomefoodofagrosserkind。
Partridgediscoveredthisbyintuition，andtooktheoccasiontogivesomeobliquehintsconcerningthebankbill；and，whenthesewererejectedwithdisdain，hecollectedcourageenoughoncemoretomentionareturntoMr。Allworthy。
\"Partridge，\"criesJones，\"youcannotseemyfortuneinamoredesperatelightthanIseeitmyself；andIbeginheartilytorepentthatIsufferedyoutoleaveaplacewhereyouwassettled，andtofollowme。However，Iinsistnowonyourreturninghome；andfortheexpenseandtroublewhichyouhavesokindlyputyourselftoonmyaccount，allthecloathsIleftbehindinyourcareIdesireyouwouldtakeasyourown。IamsorryIcanmakeyounootheracknowledgment。\"
Hespokethesewordswithsopatheticanaccent，thatPartridge，amongwhosevicesill-natureorhardnessofheartwerenotnumbered，burstintotears；andafterswearinghewouldnotquithiminhisdistress，hebeganwiththemostearnestentreatiestourgehisreturnhome。\"Forheaven’ssake，sir，\"sayshe，\"dobutconsider；whatcanyourhonourdo？-howisitpossibleyoucanliveinthistownwithoutmoney？Dowhatyouwill，sir，orgowhereveryouplease，Iamresolvednottodesertyou。Butpray，sir，consider-dopray，sir，foryourownsake，takeitintoyourconsideration；andI’msure，\"sayshe，\"thatyourowngoodsensewillbidyoureturnhome。\"
\"HowoftenshallItellthee，\"answeredJones，\"thatIhavenohometoreturnto？HadIanyhopesthatMr。Allworthy’sdoorswouldbeopentoreceiveme，Iwantnodistresstourgeme-nay，thereisnoothercauseuponearth，whichcoulddetainmeamomentfromflyingtohispresence；but，alas！thatIamforeverbanishedfrom。Hislastwordswere-O，Partridge，theystillringinmyears-hislastwordswere，whenhegavemeasumofmoney-whatitwasIknownot，butconsiderableI’msureitwas-hislastwordswere-’Iamresolvedfromthisdayforward，onnoaccount，toconversewithyouanymore。’
HerepassionstoptthemouthofJones，assurprizeforamomentdidthatofPartridge；buthesoonrecoveredtheuseofspeech，andafterashortpreface，inwhichhedeclaredhehadnoinquisitivenessinhistemper，inquiredwhatJonesmeantbyaconsiderablesum-heknewnothowmuch-andwhatwasbecomeofthemoney。
Inboththesepointshenowreceivedfullsatisfaction；onwhichhewasproceedingtocomment，whenhewasinterruptedbyamessagefromMr。Nightingale，whodesiredhismaster’scompanyinhisapartment。
Whenthetwogentlemenwerebothattiredforthemasquerade，andMr。
Nightingalehadgivenordersforchairstobesentfor，acircumstanceofdistressoccurredtoJones，whichwillappearveryridiculoustomanyofmyreaders。Thiswashowtoprocureashilling；butifsuchreaderswillreflectalittleonwhattheyhavethemselvesfeltfromthewantofathousandpounds，or，perhaps，oftenortwenty，toexecuteafavouritescheme，theywillhaveaperfectideaofwhatMr。Jonesfeltonthisoccasion。Forthissum，therefore，heappliedtoPartridge，whichwasthefirsthehadpermittedhimtoadvance，andwasthelastheintendedthatpoorfellowshouldadvanceinhisservice。Tosaythetruth，Partridgehadlatelymadenoofferofthiskind。Whetheritwasthathedesiredtoseethebank-billbrokeinupon，orthatdistressshouldprevailonJonestoreturnhome，orfromwhatothermotiveitproceeded，Iwillnotdetermine。
Chapter7
ContainingthewholehumoursofamasqueradeOurcavaliersnowarrivedatthattemple，whereHeydegger，thegreatArbiterDeliciarum，thegreathigh-priestofpleasure，presides；
and，likeotherheathenpriests，imposesonhisvotariesbythepretendedpresenceofthedeity，wheninrealitynosuchdeityisthere。
Mr。Nightingale，havingtakenaturnortwowithhiscompanion，soonlefthim，andwalkedoffwithafemale，saying，\"Nowyouarehere，sir，youmustbeataboutforyourowngame。\"
JonesbegantoentertainstronghopesthathisSophiawaspresent；
andthesehopesgavehimmorespiritsthanthelights，themusic，andthecompany；thoughtheseareprettystrongantidotesagainstthespleen。Henowaccostedeverywomanhesaw，whosestature，shape，orair，boreanyresemblancetohisangel。Toallofwhomheendeavouredtosaysomethingsmart，inordertoengageananswer，bywhichhemightdiscoverthatvoicewhichhethoughtitimpossibleheshouldmistake。Someoftheseansweredbyaquestion，inasqueakingvoice，Doyouknowme？Muchthegreaternumbersaid，Idon’tknowyou，sir，andnothingmore。Somecalledhimanimpertinentfellow；somemadehimnoansweratall；somesaid，IndeedIdon’tknowyourvoice，andIshallhavenothingtosaytoyou；andmanygavehimaskindanswersashecouldwish，butnotinthevoicehedesiredtohear。
Whilsthewastalkingwithoneoftheselastwhowasinthehabitofashepherdessaladyinadominocameuptohim，andslappinghimontheshoulder，whisperedhim，atthesametime，intheear，\"Ifyoutalkanylongerwiththattrollop，IwillacquaintMissWestern。\"
Jonesnosoonerheardthatname，than，immediatelyquittinghisformercompanion，heappliedtothedomino，beggingandentreatinghertoshowhimtheladyshehadmentioned，ifshewasthenintheroom。
Themaskwalkedhastilytotheupperendoftheinnermostapartmentbeforeshespoke；andthen，insteadofansweringhim，satdown，anddeclaredshewastired。Jonessatdownbyher，andstillpersistedinhisentreaties:atlasttheladycoldlyanswered，\"I
imaginedMr。Joneshadbeenamorediscerninglover，thantosufferanydisguisetoconcealhismistressfromhim。\"\"Isshehere，then，madam？\"repliedJones，withsomevehemence。Uponwhichtheladycries-\"Hush，sir，youwillbeobserved。Ipromiseyou，uponmyhonour，MissWesternisnothere。\"
Jones，nowtakingthemaskbythehand，felltoentreatingherinthemostearnestmanner，toacquainthimwherehemightfindSophia:
andwhenhecouldobtainnodirectanswer，hebegantoupbraidhergentlyforhavingdisappointedhimthedaybefore；andconcluded，saying，\"Indeed，mygoodfairyqueen，Iknowyourmajestyverywell，notwithstandingtheaffecteddisguiseofyourvoice。Indeed，Mrs。
Fitzpatrick，itisalittlecrueltodivertyourselfattheexpenseofmytorments。\"
Themaskanswered，\"Thoughyouhavesoingeniouslydiscoveredme，Imuststillspeakinthesamevoice，lestIshouldbeknownbyothers。Anddoyouthink，goodsir，thatIhavenogreaterregardformycousin，thantoassistincarryingonanaffairbetweenyoutwo，whichmustendinherruin，aswellasyourown？Besides，I
promiseyou，mycousinisnotmadenoughtoconsenttoherowndestruction，ifyouaresomuchherenemyastotempthertoit。\"
\"Alas，madam！\"saidJones，\"youlittleknowmyheart，whenyoucallmeanenemyofSophia。\"
\"Andyettoruinanyone，\"criestheother，\"youwillallow，istheactofanenemy；andwhenbythesameactyoumustknowinglyandcertainlybringruinonyourself，isitnotfollyormadness，aswellasguilt？Now，sir，mycousinhathverylittlemorethanherfatherwillpleasetogiveher；verylittleforoneofherfashion-
youknowhim，andyouknowyourownsituation。\"
JonesvowedhehadnosuchdesignonSophia，\"Thathewouldrathersufferthemostviolentofdeathsthansacrificeherinteresttohisdesires。\"Hesaid，\"heknewhowunworthyhewasofher，everyway，thathehadlongagoresolvedtoquitallsuchaspiringthoughts，butthatsomestrangeaccidentshadmadehimdesiroustoseeheroncemore，whenhepromisedhewouldtakeleaveofherforever。No，madam，\"concludedhe，\"myloveisnotofthatbasekindwhichseeksitsownsatisfactionattheexpenseofwhatismostdeartoitsobject。IwouldsacrificeeverythingtothepossessionofmySophia，butSophiaherself。\"
Thoughthereadermayhavealreadyconceivednoverysublimeideaofthevirtueoftheladyinthemask；andthoughpossiblyshemayhereafterappearnottodeserveoneofthefirstcharactersofhersex；yet，itiscertain，thesegeneroussentimentsmadeastrongimpressionuponher，andgreatlyaddedtotheaffectionshehadbeforeconceivedforouryoungheroe。
Theladynow，afterasilenceofafewmoments，said，\"ShedidnotseehispretensionstoSophiasomuchinthelightofpresumption，asofimprudence。Youngfellows，\"saysshe，canneverhavetooaspiringthoughts。Iloveambitioninayoungman，andIwouldhaveyoucultivateitasmuchaspossible。Perhapsyoumaysucceedwiththosewhoareinfinitelysuperiorinfortune；nay，Iamconvincedtherearewomen——butdon’tyouthinkmeastrangecreature，Mr。
Jones，tobethusgivingadvicetoamanwithwhomIamsolittleacquainted，andonewithwhosebehaviourtomeIhavesolittlereasontobepleased？\"
HereJonesbegantoapologize，andtohopehehadnotoffendedinanythinghehadsaidofhercousin-Towhichthemaskanswered，\"Andareyousolittleversedinthesex，toimagineyoucanwellaffrontaladymorethanbyentertainingherwithyourpassionforanotherwoman？Ifthefairyqueenhadconceivednobetteropinionofyourgallantry，shewouldscarcehaveappointedyoutomeetheratthemasquerade。\"
Joneshadneverlessinclinationtoanamourthanatpresent；butgallantrytotheladieswasamonghisprinciplesofhonour；andhehelditasmuchincumbentonhimtoacceptachallengetolove，asifithadbeenachallengetofight。Nay，hisverylovetoSophiamadeitnecessaryforhimtokeepwellwiththelady，ashemadenodoubtbutshewascapableofbringinghimintothepresenceoftheother。
Hebeganthereforetomakeaverywarmanswertoherlastspeech，whenamask，inthecharacterofanoldwoman，joinedthem。Thismaskwasoneofthoseladieswhogotoamasqueradeonlytoventill-nature，bytellingpeoplerudetruths，andbyendeavouring，asthephraseis，tospoilasmuchsportastheyareable。Thisgoodlady，therefore，havingobservedJones，andhisfriend，whomshewellknew，incloseconsultationtogetherinacorneroftheroom，concludedshecouldnowheresatisfyherspleenbetterthanbyinterruptingthem。Sheattackedthem，therefore，andsoondrovethemfromtheirretirement；norwasshecontentedwiththis，butpursuedthemtoeveryplacewhichtheyshiftedtoavoidher；tillMr。
Nightingale，seeingthedistressofhisfriend，atlastrelievedhim，andengagedtheoldwomaninanotherpursuit。
WhileJonesandhismaskwerewalkingtogetherabouttheroom，toridthemselvesoftheteazer，heobservedhisladyspeaktoseveralmasks，withthesamefreedomofacquaintanceasiftheyhadbeenbarefaced。Hecouldnothelpexpressinghissurprizeatthis；
saying，\"Sure，madam，youmusthaveinfinitediscernment，toknowpeopleinalldisguises。\"Towhichtheladyanswered，\"Youcannotconceiveanythingmoreinsipidandchildishthanamasqueradetothepeopleoffashion，whoingeneralknowoneanotheraswellhere，aswhentheymeetinanassemblyoradrawing-room；norwillanywomanofconditionconversewithapersonwithwhomsheisnotacquainted。Inshort，thegeneralityofpersonswhomyouseehere，maymoreproperlybesaidtokilltimeinthisplacethaninanyother；andgenerallyretirefromhencemoretiredthanfromthelongestsermon。