Tosaythetruth，Ibegintobeinthatsituationmyself；andifI
haveanyfacultyatguessing，youarenotmuchbetterpleased。I
protestitwouldbealmostcharityinmetogohomeforyoursake。\"\"I
knowbutonecharityequaltoit，\"criesJones，\"andthatistosuffermetowaitonyouhome。\"\"Sure，\"answeredthelady，\"youhaveastrangeopinionofme，toimagine，thatuponsuchanacquaintance，I
wouldletyouintomydoorsatthistimeofnight。IfancyyouimputethefriendshipIhaveshownmycousintosomeothermotive。
Confesshonestly；don’tyouconsiderthiscontrivedinterviewaslittlebetterthanadownrightassignation？Areyouused，Mr。Jones，tomakethesesuddenconquests？\"\"Iamnotused，madam，\"saidJones，\"tosubmittosuchsuddenconquests；butasyouhavetakenmyheartbysurprize，therestofmybodyhatharighttofollow；soyoumustpardonmeifIresolvetoattendyouwhereveryougo。\"Heaccompaniedthesewordswithsomeproperactions；uponwhichthelady，afteragentlerebuke，andsayingtheirfamiliaritywouldbeobserved，toldhim，\"Shewasgoingtosupwithanacquaintance，whithershehopedhewouldnotfollowher；forifyoushould，\"saidshe，\"I
shallbethoughtanunaccountablecreature，thoughmyfriendindeedisnotcensorious:yetIhopeyouwon’tfollowme；IprotestIshallnotknowwhattosayifyoudo。\"
Theladypresentlyafterquittedthemasquerade，andJones，notwithstandingthesevereprohibitionhehadreceived，presumedtoattendher。Hewasnowreducedtothesamedilemmawehavementionedbefore，namely，thewantofashilling，andcouldnotrelieveitbyborrowingasbefore。Hethereforewalkedboldlyonafterthechairinwhichhisladyrode，pursuedbyagrandhuzza，fromallthechairmenpresent，whowiselytakethebestcaretheycantodiscountenanceallwalkingafootbytheirbetters。Luckily，however，thegentrywhoattendattheOpera-houseweretoobusytoquittheirstations，andasthelatenessofthehourpreventedhimfrommeetingmanyoftheirbrethreninthestreet，heproceededwithoutmolestation，inadress，which，atanotherseason，wouldhavecertainlyraisedamobathisheels。
TheladywassetdowninastreetnotfarfromHanover-square，wherethedoorbeingpresentlyopened，shewascarriedin，andthegentleman，withoutanyceremony，walkedinafterher。
Jonesandhiscompanionwerenowtogetherinaverywell-furnishedandwell-warmedroom；whenthefemale，stillspeakinginhermasqueradevoice，saidshewassurprizedatherfriend，whomustabsolutelyhaveforgotherappointment；atwhich，afterventingmuchresentment，shesuddenlyexprestsomeapprehensionfromJones，andaskedhimwhattheworldwouldthinkoftheirhavingbeenalonetogetherinahouseatthattimeofnight？Butinsteadofadirectanswertosoimportantaquestion，Jonesbegantobeveryimportunatewiththeladytounmask；andatlengthhavingprevailed，thereappeared，notMrs。Fitzpatrick，buttheLadyBellastonherself。
Itwouldbetedioustogivetheparticularconversation，whichconsistedofverycommonandordinaryoccurrences，andwhichlastedfromtwotillsixo’clockinthemorning。Itissufficienttomentionallofitthatisanywisematerialtothishistory。AndthiswasapromisethattheladywouldendeavourtofindoutSophia，andinafewdaysbringhimtoaninterviewwithher，onconditionthathewouldthentakehisleaveofher。Whenthiswasthoroughlysettled，andasecondmeetingintheeveningappointedatthesameplace，theyseparated；theladyreturnedtoherhouse，andJonestohislodgings。
Chapter8
Containingasceneofdistress，whichwillappearveryextraordinarytomostofourreadersJoneshavingrefreshedhimselfwithafewhours’sleep，summonedPartridgetohispresence；anddeliveringhimabank-noteoffiftypounds，orderedhimtogoandchangeit。Partridgereceivedthiswithsparklingeyes，though，whenhecametoreflectfarther，itraisedinhimsomesuspicionsnotveryadvantageoustothehonourofhismaster:tothesethedreadfulideahehadofthemasquerade，thedisguiseinwhichhismasterhadgoneoutandreturned，andhishavingbeenabroadallnight，contributed。Inplainlanguage，theonlywayhecouldpossiblyfindtoaccountforthepossessionofthisnote，wasbyrobbery:and，toconfessthetruth，thereader，unlessheshouldsuspectitwasowingtothegenerosityofLadyBellaston，canhardlyimagineanyother。
Toclear，therefore，thehonourofMr。Jones，andtodojusticetotheliberalityofthelady，hehadreallyreceivedthispresentfromher，who，thoughshedidnotgivemuchintothehackneycharitiesoftheage，suchasbuildinghospitals，&c。，wasnot，however，entirelyvoidofthatChristianvirtue；andconceivedveryrightlyIthink
thatayoungfellowofmerit，withoutashillingintheworld，wasnoimproperobjectofthisvirtue。
Mr。JonesandMr。NightingalehadbeeninvitedtodinethisdaywithMrs。Miller。Attheappointedhour，therefore，thetwoyounggentlemen，withthetwogirls，attendedintheparlour，wheretheywaitedfromthreetillalmostfivebeforethegoodwomanappeared。Shehadbeenoutoftowntovisitarelation，ofwhom，atherreturn，shegavethefollowingaccount。
\"Ihope，gentlemen，youwillpardonmymakingyouwait；Iamsureifyouknewtheoccasion-Ihavebeentoseeacousinofmine，aboutsixmilesoff，whonowliesin-Itshouldbeawarningtoallpersonssaysshe，lookingatherdaughtershowtheymarryindiscreetly。
Thereisnohappinessinthisworldwithoutacompetency。ONancy！howshallIdescribethewretchedconditioninwhichIfoundyourpoorcousin？shehathscarcelaininaweek，andtherewasshe，thisdreadfulweather，inacoldroom，withoutanycurtainstoherbed，andnotabushelofcoalsinherhousetosupplyherwithfire:hersecondson，thatsweetlittlefellow，liesillofaquinzyinthesamebedwithhismother；forthereisnootherbedinthehouse。PoorlittleTommy！Ibelieve，Nancy，youwillneverseeyourfavouriteanymore；
forheisreallyveryill。Therestofthechildrenareinprettygoodhealth:butMolly，Iamafraid，willdoherselfaninjury:sheisbutthirteenyearsold，Mr。Nightingale，andyet，inmylife，I
neversawabetternurse:shetendsbothhermotherandherbrother；
and，whatiswonderfulinacreaturesoyoung，sheshowsallthechearfulnessintheworldtohermother；andyetIsawher-Isawthepoorchild，Mr。Nightingale，turnabout，andprivatelywipethetearsfromhereyes。\"HereMrs。Millerwasprevented，byherowntears，fromgoingon，andtherewasnot，Ibelieve，apersonpresentwhodidnotaccompanyherinthem；atlengthshealittlerecoveredherself，andproceededthus:\"Inallthisdistressthemothersupportsherspiritsinasurprizingmanner。Thedangerofhersonsitsheaviestuponher，andyetsheendeavoursasmuchaspossibletoconcealeventhisconcern，onherhusband’saccount。Hergrief，however，sometimesgetsthebetterofallherendeavours；forshewasalwaysextravagantlyfondofthisboy，andamostsensible，sweet-temperedcreatureitis。IprotestIwasnevermoreaffectedinmylife，thanwhenIheardthelittlewretch，whoishardlyyetsevenyearsold，whilehismotherwaswettinghimwithhertears，beghertobecomforted。’Indeed，mamma，’criedthechild，’Ishan’tdie；GodAlmighty，I’msure，won’ttakeTommyaway；letheavenbeeversofineaplace，Ihadratherstayhereandstarvewithyouandmypapa，thangotoit。’Pardonme，gentlemen，Ican’thelpit\"saysshe，wipinghereyes，\"suchsensibilityandaffectioninachild-
Andyet，perhaps，heisleasttheobjectofpity；foradayortwowill，mostprobably，placehimbeyondthereachofallhumanevils。
Thefatheris，indeed，mostworthyofcompassion。Poorman，hiscountenanceistheverypictureofhorror，andhelookslikeoneratherdeadthanalive。Ohheavens！whatascenedidIbeholdatmyfirstcomingintotheroom！Thegoodcreaturewaslyingbehindthebolster，supportingatoncebothhischildandhiswife。Hehadnothingonbutathinwaistcoat；forhiscoatwasspreadoverthebed，tosupplythewantofblankets-Whenheroseupatmyentrance，I
scarceknewhim。Ascomelyaman，Mr。Jones，withinthisfortnight，asyoueverbeheld；Mr。Nightingalehathseenhim。Hiseyessunk，hisfacepale，withalongbeard。Hisbodyshiveringwithcold，andwornwithhungertoo；formycousinsaysshecanhardlyprevailuponhimtoeat-Hetoldmehimselfinawhisper-hetoldme-Ican’trepeatit-
hesaidhecouldnotbeartoeatthebreadhischildrenwanted。Andyet，canyoubelieveit，gentlemen？inallthismiseryhiswifehasasgoodcaudleasifshelayinthemidstofthegreatestaffluence；I
tastedit，andIscarceevertastedbetter-Themeansofprocuringherthis，hesaid，hebelievedwassentbyanangelfromheaven。I
knownotwhathemeant；forIhadnotspiritsenoughtoaskasinglequestion。
\"Thiswasalove-match，astheycallit，onbothsides；thatis，amatchbetweentwobeggars。Imust，indeed，say，IneversawafonderTomJonescouple；butwhatistheirfondnessgoodfor，buttotormenteachother？\"\"Indeed，mamma，\"criesNancy，\"IhavealwayslookedonmycousinAnderson\"forthatwashername\"asoneofthehappiestofwomen。\"\"Iamsure，\"saysMrs。Miller，\"thecaseatpresentismuchotherwise；foranyonemighthavediscernedthatthetenderconsiderationofeachother’ssufferingsmakesthemostintolerablepartoftheircalamity，bothtothehusbandandwife。
Comparedtowhich，hungerandcold，astheyaffecttheirownpersonsonly，arescarceevils。Nay，theverychildren，theyoungest，whichisnottwoyearsold，excepted，feelinthesamemanner；fortheyareamostlovingfamily，and，iftheyhadbutabarecompetency，wouldbethehappiestpeopleintheworld。\"\"Ineversawtheleastsignofmiseryatherhouse，\"repliedNancy；\"Iamsuremyheartbleedsforwhatyounowtellme。\"-\"Ochild，\"answeredthemother，\"shehathalwaysendeavouredtomakethebestofeverything。Theyhavealwaysbeeningreatdistress；but，indeed，thisabsoluteruinhathbeenbroughtuponthembyothers。Thepoormanwasbailforthevillainhisbrother；andaboutaweekago，theverydaybeforeherlying-in，theirgoodswereallcarriedaway，andsoldbyanexecution。Hesentalettertomeofitbyoneofthebailiffs，whichthevillainneverdelivered-Whatmusthethinkofmysufferingaweektopassbeforeheheardofme？\"
ItwasnotwithdryeyesthatJonesheardthisnarrative；whenitwasendedhetookMrs。Millerapartwithhimintoanotherroom，and，deliveringherhispurse，inwhichwasthesumofL50，desiredhertosendasmuchofitasshethoughtpropertothesepoorpeople。
ThelookwhichMrs。MillergaveJones，onthisoccasion，isnoteasytobedescribed。Sheburstintoakindofagonyoftransport，andcryedout-\"Goodheavens！istheresuchamanintheworld？\"-Butrecollectingherself，shesaid，\"IndeedIknowonesuch；butcantherebeanother？\"\"Ihope，madam，\"criesJones，\"therearemanywhohavecommonhumanity；fortorelievesuchdistressinourfellow-creatures，canhardlybecalledmore。\"Mrs。Millerthentooktenguineas，whichweretheutmosthecouldprevailwithhertoaccept，andsaid，\"Shewouldfindsomemeansofconveyingthemearlythenextmorning；\"
adding，\"thatshehadherselfdonesomelittlematterforthepoorpeople，andhadnotlefttheminquitesomuchmiseryasshefoundthem。\"
Theythenreturnedtotheparlour，whereNightingaleexpressedmuchconcernatthedreadfulsituationofthesewretches，whomindeedheknew；forhehadseenthemmorethanonceatMrs。
Miller’s。Heinveighedagainstthefollyofmakingoneselfliableforthedebtsofothers；ventedmanybitterexecrationsagainstthebrother；andconcludedwithwishingsomethingcouldbedonefortheunfortunatefamily。\"Suppose，madam，\"saidhe，\"youshouldrecommendthemtoMr。Allworthy？Orwhatthinkyouofacollection？Iwillgivethemaguineawithallmyheart。\"
Mrs。Millermadenoanswer；andNancy，towhomhermotherhadwhisperedthegenerosityofJones，turnedpaleupontheoccasion；
though，ifeitherofthemwasangrywithNightingale，itwassurelywithoutreason。FortheliberalityofJones，ifhehadknownit，wasnotanexamplewhichhehadanyobligationtofollow，andtherearethousandswhowouldnothavecontributedasinglehalfpenny，asindeedhedidnotineffect，forhemadenotenderofanything；andtherefore，astheothersthoughtpropertomakenodemand，hekepthismoneyinhispocket。
Ihave，intruth，observed，andshallneverhaveabetteropportunitythanatpresenttocommunicatemyobservation，thattheworldareingeneraldividedintotwoopinionsconcerningcharity，whicharetheveryreverseofeachother。Onepartyseemstohold，thatallactsofthiskindaretobeesteemedasvoluntarygifts，and，howeverlittleyougiveifindeednomorethanyourgoodwishes，youacquireagreatdegreeofmeritinsodoing。Others，onthecontrary，appeartobeasfirmlypersuadedthatbeneficenceisapositiveduty，andthatwhenevertherichfallgreatlyshortoftheirabilityinrelievingthedistressesofthepoor，theirpitifullargessesaresofarfrombeingmeritorious，thattheyhaveonlyperformedtheirdutybyhalves，andareinsomesensemorecontemptiblethanthosewhohaveentirelyneglectedit。
Toreconcilethesedifferentopinionsisnotinmypower。Ishallonlyadd，thatthegiversaregenerallyoftheformersentiment，andthereceiversarealmostuniversallyinclinedtothelatter。
Chapter9
WhichtreatsofmattersofaverydifferentkindfromthoseintheprecedingchapterIntheeveningJonesmethisladyagain，andalongconversationagainensuedbetweenthem:butasitconsistedonlyofthesameordinaryoccurrencesasbefore，weshallavoidmentioningparticulars，whichwedespairofrenderingagreeabletothereader；unlessheisonewhosedevotiontothefairsex，likethatofthepapiststotheirsaints，wantstoberaisedbythehelpofpictures。ButIamsofarfromdesiringtoexhibitsuchpicturestothepublic，thatI
wouldwishtodrawacurtainoverthosethathavebeenlatelysetforthincertainFrenchnovels；verybunglingcopiesofwhichhavebeenpresentedushereunderthenameoftranslations。
JonesgrewstillmoreandmoreimpatienttoseeSophia；andfinding，afterrepeatedinterviewswithLadyBellaston，nolikelihoodofobtainingthisbyhermeansfor，onthecontrary，theladybegantotreateventhementionofthenameofSophiawithresentment，heresolvedtotrysomeothermethod。HemadenodoubtbutthatLadyBellastonknewwherehisangelwas，sohethoughtitmostlikelythatsomeofherservantsshouldbeacquaintedwiththesamesecret。
Partridgethereforewasemployedtogetacquaintedwiththoseservants，inordertofishthissecretoutofthem。
Fewsituationscanbeimaginedmoreuneasythanthattowhichhispoormasterwasatpresentreduced；forbesidesthedifficultieshemetwithindiscoveringSophia，besidesthefearshehadofhavingdisobligedher，andtheassuranceshehadreceivedfromLadyBellastonoftheresolutionwhichSophiahadtakenagainsthim，andofherhavingpurposelyconcealedherselffromhim，whichhehadsufficientreasontobelievemightbetrue；hehadstilladifficultytocombat，whichitwasnotinthepowerofhismistresstoremove，howeverkindherinclinationmighthavebeen。Thiswastheexposingofhertobedisinheritedofallherfather’sestate，thealmostinevitableconsequenceoftheircomingtogetherwithoutaconsent，whichhehadnohopesofeverobtaining。
AddtoallthesethemanyobligationswhichLadyBellaston，whoseviolentfondnesswecannolongerconceal，hadheapeduponhim；sothatbyhermeanshewasnowbecomeoneofthebest-dressedmenabouttown；andwasnotonlyrelievedfromthoseridiculousdistresseswehavebeforementioned，butwasactuallyraisedtoastateofaffluencebeyondwhathehadeverknown。
Now，thoughtherearemanygentlemenwhoverywellreconcileittotheirconsciencestopossessthemselvesofthewholefortuneofawoman，withoutmakingheranykindofreturn；yettoamind，theproprietorofwhichdothnotdeservedtobehanged，nothingis，I
believe，moreirksomethantosupportlovewithgratitudeonly；
especiallywhereinclinationpullstheheartacontraryway。SuchwastheunhappycaseofJones；forthoughthevirtuousloveheboretoSophia，andwhichleftverylittleaffectionforanyotherwoman，hadbeenentirelyoutofthequestion，hecouldneverhavebeenabletohavemadeanyadequatereturntothegenerouspassionofthislady，whohadindeedbeenonceanobjectofdesire，butwasnowenteredatleastintotheautumnoflife，thoughsheworeallthegaietyofyouth，bothinherdressandmanner；nay，shecontrivedstilltomaintaintherosesinhercheeks；butthese，likeflowersforcedoutofseasonbyart，hadnoneofthatlivelybloomingfreshnesswithwhichNature，atthepropertime，bedecksherownproductions。Shehad，besides，acertainimperfection，whichrenderssomeflowers，thoughverybeautifultotheeye，veryimpropertobeplacedinawildernessofsweets，andwhataboveallothersismostdisagreeabletothebreathoflove。
ThoughJonessawallthesediscouragementsontheoneside，hefelthisobligationsfullasstronglyontheother；nordidhelessplainlydiscerntheardentpassionwhencethoseobligationsproceeded，theextremeviolenceofwhichifhefailedtoequal，hewellknewtheladywouldthinkhimungrateful；and，whatisworse，hewouldhavethoughthimselfso。Heknewthetacitconsiderationuponwhichallherfavourswereconferred；andashisnecessityobligedhimtoacceptthem，sohishonour，heconcluded，forcedhimtopaytheprice。Thisthereforeheresolvedtodo，whatevermiseryitcosthim，andtodevotehimselftoher，fromthatgreatprincipleofjustice，bywhichthelawsofsomecountriesobligeadebtor，whoisnootherwisecapableofdischarginghisdebt，tobecometheslaveofhiscreditor。
Whilehewasmeditatingonthesematters，hereceivedthefollowingnotefromthelady:-
Averyfoolish，butaveryperverseaccidenthathhappenedsinceourlastmeeting，whichmakesitimproperIshouldseeyouanymore，ifpossible，contriveattheusualplace。Iwillsomeotherplacebyto-morrow。Inthemeantime，adieu。
Thisdisappointment，perhaps，thereadermayconcludewasnotverygreat；butifitwas，hewasquicklyrelieved；forinlessthananhourafterwardsanothernotewasbroughthimfromthesamehand，whichcontainedasfollows:-
IhavealteredmymindsinceIwrote；achangewhich，ifyouarenostrangertothetenderestofallpassions，youwillnotwonderat。Iamnowresolvedtoseeyouthiseveningatmyownhouse，whatevermaybetheconsequence。Cometomeexactlyatseven；Idineabroad，butwillbeathomebythattime。Aday，Ifind，tothosethatsincerelylove，seemslongerthanIimagined。
Ifyoushouldaccidentallybeafewmomentsbeforeme，bidthemshowyouintothedrawing-room。
Toconfessthetruth，Joneswaslesspleasedwiththislastepistlethanhehadbeenwiththeformer，ashewaspreventedbyitfromcomplyingwiththeearnestentreatiesofMr。Nightingale，withwhomhehadnowcontractedmuchintimacyandfriendship。Theseentreatiesweretogowiththatyounggentlemanandhiscompanytoanewplay，whichwastobeactedthatevening，andwhichaverylargepartyhadagreedtodamn，fromsomedisliketheyhadtakentotheauthor，whowasafriendtooneofMr。Nightingale’sacquaintance。Andthissortoffun，ourheroe，weareashamedtoconfess，wouldwillinglyhavepreferredtotheabovekindappointment；buthishonourgotthebetterofhisinclination。
Beforeweattendhimtothisintendedinterviewwiththelady，wethinkpropertoaccountforboththeprecedingnotes，asthereadermaypossiblybenotalittlesurprizedattheimprudenceofLadyBellaston，inbringingherlovertotheveryhousewhereherrivalwaslodged。
First，then，themistressofthehousewheretheselovershadhithertomet，andwhohadbeenforsomeyearsapensionertothatlady，wasnowbecomeamethodist，andhadthatverymorningwaiteduponherladyship，andafterrebukingherveryseverelyforherpastlife，hadpositivelydeclaredthatshewould，onnoaccount，beinstrumentalincarryingonanyofheraffairsforthefuture。
Thehurryofspiritsintowhichthisaccidentthrewthelady，madeherdespairofpossiblyfindinganyotherconveniencetomeetJonesthatevening；bitasshebeganalittletorecoverfromheruneasinessatthedisappointment，shesetherthoughtstowork，whenluckilyitcameintoherheadtoproposetoSophiatogototheplay，whichwasimmediatelyconsentedto，andaproperladyprovidedforhercompanion。Mrs。HonourwaslikewisedespatchedwithMrs。Etoffonthesameerrandofpleasure；andthusherownhousewasleftfreeforthesafereceptionofMr。Jones，withwhomshepromisedherselftwoorthreehoursofuninterruptedconversation，afterherreturnfromtheplacewhereshedined，whichwasatafriend’shouseinaprettydistantpartofthetown，nearheroldplaceofassignation，whereshehadengagedherselfbeforeshewaswellapprizedoftherevolutionthathadhappenedinthemindandmoralsofherlateconfidante。
Chapter10
Achapterwhich，thoughshort，maydrawtearsfromsomeeyesMr。JoneswasjustdressedtowaitonLadyBellaston，whenMrs。
Millerrappedathisdoor；and，beingadmitted，veryearnestlydesiredhiscompanybelow-stairs，todrinkteaintheparlour。
Uponhisentranceintotheroom，shepresentlyintroducedapersontohim，saying，\"This，sir，ismycousin，whohathbeensogreatlybeholdentoyourgoodness，forwhichhebegstoreturnyouhissincerestthanks。\"
Themanhadscarceentereduponthatspeech，whichMrs。Millerhadsokindlyprefaced，whenbothJonesandhe，lookingstedfastlyateachother，showedatoncetheutmosttokensofsurprize。Thevoiceofthelatterbeganinstantlytofaulter；and，insteadoffinishinghisspeech，hesunkdownintoachair，crying，\"Itisso，Iamconvinceditisso！\"
\"Blessme！what’sthemeaningofthis？\"criesMrs。Miller；\"youarenotill，Ihope，cousin？Somewater，adramthisinstant。\"
\"Benotfrighted，madam，\"criesJones，\"Ihavealmostasmuchneedofadramasyourcousin。Weareequallysurprizedatthisunexpectedmeeting。Yourcousinisanacquaintanceofmine，Mrs。
Miller。\"
\"Anacquaintance！\"criestheman——\"Oh，heaven！\"
\"Ay，anacquaintance，\"repeatedJones，\"andanhonouredacquaintancetoo。WhenIdonotloveandhonourthemanwhodaresventureeverythingtopreservehiswifeandchildrenfrominstantdestruction，mayIhaveafriendcapableofdisowningmeinadversity！\"
\"Oh，youareanexcellentyoungman，\"criesMrs。Miller:-\"Yes，indeed，poorcreature！hehathventuredeverything-Ifhehadnothadoneofthebestofconstitutions，itmusthavekilledhim。\"
\"Cousin，\"criestheman，whohadnowprettywellrecoveredhimself，\"thisistheangelfromheavenwhomImeant。Thisishetowhom，beforeIsawyou，IowedthepreservationofmyPeggy。Heitwastowhosegenerosityeverycomfort，everysupportwhichIhaveprocuredforher，wasowing。Heis，indeed，theworthiest，bravest，noblest，ofallhumanbeings。Ocousin，Ihaveobligationstothisgentlemanofsuchanature！\"
\"Mentionnothingofobligations，\"criesJoneseagerly；\"notaword，Iinsistuponit，notaword\"meaning，Isuppose，thathewouldnothavehimbetraytheaffairoftherobberytoanyperson。\"If，bythetrifleyouhavereceivedfromme，Ihavepreservedawholefamily，surepleasurewasneverboughtsocheap。\"
\"Oh，sir！\"criestheman，\"Iwishyoucouldthisinstantseemyhouse。Ifanypersonhadeverarighttothepleasureyoumention，I
amconvinceditisyourself。Mycousintellsmesheacquaintedyouwiththedistressinwhichshefoundus。That，sir，isallgreatlyremoved，andchieflybyyourgoodness——Mychildrenhavenowabedtolieon——andtheyhave——theyhave——eternalblessingsrewardyouforit！——theyhavebreadtoeat。Mylittleboyisrecovered；mywifeisoutofdanger，andIamhappy。All，allowingtoyou，sir，andtomycousinhere，oneofthebestofwomen。Indeed，sir，Imustseeyouatmyhouse-Indeedmywifemustseeyou，andthankyou-Mychildrentoomustexpresstheirgratitude——Indeed，sir，theyarenotwithoutasenseoftheirobligation；butwhatismyfeeling，whenIreflecttowhomIowethattheyarenowcapableofexpressingtheirgratitude——Oh，sir，thelittleheartswhichyouhavewarmedhadnowbeencoldasicewithoutyourassistance。\"
HereJonesattemptedtopreventthepoormanfromproceeding；butindeedtheoverflowingofhisownheartwouldofitselfhavestoppedhiswords。AndnowMrs。Millerlikewisebegantopourforththanksgivings，aswellinherownname，asinthatofhercousin，andconcludedwithsaying，\"Shedoubtednotbutsuchgoodnesswouldmeetagloriousreward。\"
Jonesanswered，\"Hehadbeensufficientlyrewardedalready。Yourcousin’saccount，madam，\"saidhe，\"hathgivenmeasensationmorepleasingthanIhaveeverknown。Hemustbeawretchwhoisunmovedathearingsuchastory；howtransportingthenmustbethethoughtofhavinghappilyactedapartinthisscene！Iftherearemenwhocannotfeelthedelightofgivinghappinesstoothers，Isincerelypitythem，astheyareincapableoftastingwhatis，inmyopinion，agreaterhonour，ahigherinterest，andasweeterpleasure，thantheambitious，theavaricious，orthevoluptuousmancaneverobtain。\"
Thehourofappointmentbeingnowcome，Joneswasforcedtotakeahastyleave，butnotbeforehehadheartilyshakenhisfriendbythehand，anddesiredtoseehimagainassoonaspossible；promisingthathewouldhimselftakethefirstopportunityofvisitinghimathisownhouse。Hethensteptintohischair，andproceededtoLadyBellaston’s，greatlyexultinginthehappinesswhichhehadprocuredtothispoorfamily；norcouldheforbearreflecting，withouthorror，onthedreadfulconsequenceswhichmusthaveattendedthem，hadhelistenedrathertothevoiceofstrictjustice，thantothatofmercy，whenhewasattackedonthehighroad。
Mrs。MillersungforththepraiseofJonesduringthewholeevening，inwhichMr。Anderson，whilehestayed，sopassionatelyaccompaniedher，thathewasoftenontheverypointofmentioningthecircumstanceoftherobbery。However，heluckilyrecollectedhimself，andavoidedanindiscretionwhichwouldhavebeensomuchthegreater，asheknewMrs。Millertobeextremelystrictandniceinherprinciples。Hewaslikewisewellapprizedoftheloquacityofthislady；andyetsuchwashisgratitude，thatithadalmostgotthebetterbothofdiscretionandshame，andmadehimpublishthatwhichwouldhavedefamedhisowncharacter，ratherthanomitanycircumstanceswhichmightdothefullesthonourtohisbenefactor。
Chapter11
InwhichthereaderwillbesurprizedMr。Joneswasratherearlierthanthetimeappointed，andearlierthanthelady；whosearrivalwashindered，notonlybythedistanceoftheplacewhereshedined，butbysomeothercrossaccidentsveryvexatioustooneinhersituationofmind。Hewasaccordinglyshownintothedrawing-room，wherehehadnotbeenmanyminutesbeforethedooropened，andincame——nootherthanSophiaherself，whohadlefttheplaybeforetheendofthefirstact；forthis，aswehavealreadysaid，beinganewplay，atwhichtwolargepartiesmet，theonetodamn，andtheothertoapplaud，aviolentuproar，andanengagementbetweenthetwoparties，hadsoterrifiedourheroine，thatshewasgladtoputherselfundertheprotectionofayounggentleman，whosafelyconveyedhertoherchair。
AsLadyBellastonhadacquaintedherthatsheshouldnotbeathometilllate，Sophia，expectingtofindnooneintheroom，camehastilyin，andwentdirectlytoaglasswhichalmostfrontedher，withoutoncelookingtowardstheupperendoftheroom，wherethestatueofJonesnowstoodmotionless-Inthisglassitwas，aftercontemplatingherownlovelyface，thatshefirstdiscoveredthesaidstatue；when，instantlyturningabout，sheperceivedtherealityofthevision:uponwhichshegaveaviolentscream，andscarcepreservedherselffromfainting，tillJoneswasabletomovetoher，andsupportherinhisarms。
Topaintthelooksorthoughtsofeitheroftheselovers，isbeyondmypower。Astheirsensations，fromtheirmutualsilence，maybejudgedtohavebeentoobigfortheirownutterance，itcannotbesupposedthatIshouldbeabletoexpressthem:andthemisfortuneis，thatfewofmyreadershavebeenenoughinlovetofeelbytheirownheartswhatpastatthistimeintheirs。
Afterashortpause，Jones，withfaulteringaccents，said-\"Isee，madam，youaresurprized。\"-\"Surprized！\"answeredshe；\"Ohheavens！
Indeed，Iamsurprized。Ialmostdoubtwhetheryouarethepersonyouseem。\"-\"Indeed，\"criesshe，\"mySophia，pardonme，madam，forthisoncecallingyouso，IamthatverywretchedJones，whomfortune，aftersomanydisappointments，hath，atlast，kindlyconductedtoyou。
Oh！mySophia，didyouknowthethousandtormentsIhavesufferedinthislong，fruitlesspursuit。\"-\"Pursuitofwhom？\"saidSophia，alittlerecollectingherself，andassumingareserveair-\"Canyoubesocrueltoaskthatquestion？\"criesJones；\"NeedIsay，ofyou？\"\"Ofme！answeredSophia:\"HathMr。Jones，then，anysuchimportantbusinesswithme？\"-\"Tosome，madam，\"criesJones，\"thismightseemanimportantbusiness\"givingherthepocket-book，\"Ihope，madam，youwillfinditofthesamevalueaswhenitwaslost。\"Sophiatookthepocket-book，andwasgoingtospeak，whenheinterruptedherthus:-\"Letusnot，Ibeseechyou，loseoneofthesepreciousmomentswhichfortunehathsokindlysentus。O，mySophia！Ihavebusinessofamuchsuperiorkind。Thus，onmyknees，letmeaskyourpardon。\"-\"Mypardon！\"criesshe；\"Sure，sir，afterwhatispast，youcannotexpect，afterwhatIhaveheard。\"-\"IscarceknowwhatIsay，\"answeredJones。
\"Byheavens！Iscarcewishyoushouldpardonme。OmySophia！
henceforthnevercastawayathoughtonsuchawretchasIam。Ifanyremembranceofmeshouldeverintrudetogiveamoment’suneasinesstothattenderbosom，thinkofmyunworthiness；andlettheremembranceofwhatpassedatUptonblotmeforeverfromyourmind。\"
Sophiastoodtremblingallthiswhile。Herfacewaswhiterthansnow，andherheartwasthrobbingthroughherstays。ButatthementionofUpton，ablusharoseinhercheeks，andhereyes，whichbeforeshehadscarceliftedup，wereturneduponJoneswithaglanceofdisdain。Heunderstoodthissilentreproach，andrepliedtoitthus:\"OmySophia！myonlylove！youcannothateordespisememoreforwhathappenedthere，thanIdomyself；butyetdomethejusticetothink，thatmyheartwasneverunfaithfultoyou。ThathadnoshareinthefollyIwasguiltyof；itwaseventhenunalterablyyours。ThoughIdespairedofpossessingyou，nay，almostofeverseeingyoumore，Idoatedstillonyourcharmingidea，andcouldseriouslylovenootherwoman。Butifmyhearthadnotbeenengaged，she，intocompanyIaccidentlyfellatthatcursedplace，wasnotanobjectofseriouslove。Believeme，myangel，Ineverhaveseenherfromthatdaytothis；andneverintendordesiretoseeheragain。\"Sophia，inherheart，wasverygladtohearthis；butforcingintoherfaceanairofmorecoldnessthanshehadyetassumed，\"Why，\"saidshe，\"Mr。Jones，doyoutakethetroubletomakeadefencewhereyouarenotaccused？IfIthoughtitworthwhiletoaccuseyou，Ihaveachargeofanunpardonablenatureindeed。\"-\"Whatisit，forheaven’ssake？\"answeredJones，tremblingandpale，expectingtohearofhisamourwithLadyBellaston。\"Oh，\"
saidshe，\"howisitpossible！caneverythingnoble，andeverythingbase，belodgedtogetherinthesamebosom？\"LadyBellaston，andtheignominiouscircumstanceofhavingbeenkept，roseagaininhismind，andstopthismouthfromanyreply。\"CouldIhaveexpected，\"
proceededSophia，\"suchtreatmentfromyou？Nay，fromanygentleman，fromanymanofhonour？Tohavemynametraducedinpublic；ininns，amongthemeanestvulgar！tohaveanylittlefavours，thatmyunguardedheartmayhavetoolightlybetrayedmetogrant，boastedofthere！nay，eventohearthatyouhadbeenforcedtoflyfrommylove！\"
NothingcouldequalJones’ssurprizeatthesewordsofSophia；butyet，notbeingguilty，hewasmuchlessembarrassedhowtodefendhimself，thanifshehadtouchedthattenderstringatwhichhisconsciencehadbeenalarmed。Bysomeexaminationhepresentlyfound，thathersupposinghimguiltyofsoshockinganoutrageagainsthislove，andherreputation，wasentirelyowingtoPartridge’stalkattheinnsbeforelandlordsandservants；forSophiaconfessedtohimitwasfromthemthatshereceivedherintelligence。Hehadnoverygreatdifficultytomakeherbelievethathewasentirelyinnocentofanoffencesoforeigntohischaracter；butshehadagreatdealtohinderhimfromgoinginstantlyhome，andputtingPartridgetodeath，whichhemorethanoncesworehewoulddo。Thispointbeingclearedup，theysoonfoundthemselvessowellpleasedwitheachother，thatJonesquiteforgothehadbeguntheconversationwithconjuringhertogiveupallthoughtsofhim；andshewasinatempertohavegiveneartoapetitionofaverydifferentnature；forbeforetheywereawaretheyhadbothgonesofar，thatheletfallsomewordsthatsoundedlikeaproposalofmarriage。Towhichshereplied，\"That，didnotherdutytoherfatherforbidhertofollowherowninclinations，ruinwithhimwouldbemorewelcometoherthanthemostaffluentfortunewithanotherman。\"Atthementionofthewordruin，hestarted，letdropherhand，whichhehadheldforsometime，andstrikinghisbreastwithhisown，criedout，\"Oh，Sophia！canIthenruinthee？No；byheavens，no！Ineverwillactsobaseapart。DearestSophia，whateveritcostsme，Iwillrenounceyou；Iwillgiveyouup；Iwilltearallsuchhopesfrommyheartasareinconsistentwithyourrealgood。MyloveIwilleverretain，butitshallbeinsilence；itshallbeatadistancefromyou；itshallbeinsomeforeignland；fromwhencenovoice，nosighofmydespair，shalleverreachanddisturbyourears。AndwhenIamdead\"-Hewouldhavegoneon，butwasstoptbyafloodoftearswhichSophialetfallinhisbosom，uponwhichsheleaned，withoutbeingabletospeakoneword。Hekissedthemoff，which，forsomemoments，sheallowedhimtodowithoutanyresistance；butthenrecollectingherself，gentlywithdrewoutofhisarms；and，toturnthediscoursefromasubjecttootender，andwhichshefoundshecouldnotsupport，bethoughtherselftoaskhimaquestionsheneverhadtimetoputtohimbefore，\"Howhecameintothatroom？\"Hebegantostammer，andwould，inallprobability，haveraisedhersuspicionsbytheanswerhewasgoingtogive，when，atonce，thedooropened，andincameLadyBellaston。
Havingadvancedafewsteps，andseeingJonesandSophiatogether，shesuddenlystopt；when，afterapauseofafewmoments，recollectingherselfwithadmirablepresenceofmind，shesaid-thoughwithsufficientindicationsofsurprizebothinvoiceandcountenance-\"I
thought，MissWestern，youhadbeenattheplay？\"
ThoughSophiahadnoopportunityoflearningofJonesbywhatmeanshehaddiscoveredher，yet，asshehadnottheleastsuspicionoftherealtruth，orthatJonesandLadyBellastonwereacquainted，soshewasverylittleconfounded；andtheless，astheladyhad，inalltheirconversationsonthesubject，entirelytakenhersideagainstherfather。Withverylittlehesitation，therefore，shewentthroughthewholestoryofwhathadhappenedattheplay-house，andthecauseofherhastyreturn。
ThelengthofthisnarrativegaveLadyBellastonanopportunityofrallyingherspirits，andofconsideringinwhatmannertoact。AndasthebehaviourofSophiagaveherhopesthatJoneshadnotbetrayedher，sheputonanairofgoodhumour，andsaid，\"Ishouldnothavebrokeinsoabruptlyuponyou，MissWestern，ifIhadknownyouhadcompany。\"
LadyBellastonfixedhereyesonSophiawhilstshespokethesewords。Towhichthatpooryounglady，havingherfaceoverspreadwithblushesandconfusion，answered，inastammeringvoice，\"Iamsure，madam，Ishallalwaysthinkthehonourofyourladyship’scompany——\"\"Ihope，atleast，\"criesLadyBellaston，\"Iinterruptnobusiness。\"-\"No，madam，\"answeredSophia，\"ourbusinesswasatanend。YourladyshipmaybepleasedtorememberIhaveoftenmentionedthelossofmypocket-book，whichthisgentleman，havingveryluckilyfound，wassokindtoreturnittomewiththebillinit。\"
Jones，eversincethearrivalofLadyBellaston，hadbeenreadytosinkwithfear。Hesatkickinghisheels，playingwithhisfingers，andlookingmorelikeafool，ifitbepossible，thanayoungboobysquire，whenheisfirstintroducedintoapoliteassembly。Hebegan，however，nowtorecoverhimself；andtakingahintfromthebehaviourofLadyBellaston，whohesawdidnotintendtoclaimanyacquaintancewithhim，heresolvedasentirelytoaffectthestrangeronhispart。Hesaid，\"Eversincehehadthepocket-bookinhispossession，hehadusedgreatdiligenceininquiringouttheladywhosenamewaswritinit；butnevertillthatdaycouldbesofortunatetodiscoverher。\"
Sophiaindeedmentionedthelossofherpocket-booktoLadyBellaston；butasJones，forsomereasonorother，hadneveroncehintedtoherthatitwasinhispossession，shebelievednotonesyllableofwhatSophianowsaid，andwonderfullyadmiredtheextremequicknessoftheyoungladyininventingsuchanexcuse。ThereasonofSophia’sleavingtheplayhousemetwithnobettercredit；
andthoughshecouldnotaccountforthemeeting。betweenthesetwolovers，shewasfirmlypersuadeditwasnotaccidental。
Withanaffectedsmile，therefore，shesaid，\"Indeed，MissWestern，youhavehadverygoodluckinrecoveringyourmoney。Notonlyasitfellintothehandsofagentlemanofhonour，butashehappenedtodiscovertowhomitbelonged。Ithinkyouwouldnotconsenttohaveitadvertised-Itwasgreatgoodfortune，sir，thatyoufoundouttowhomthenotebelonged。\"
\"Oh，madam，\"criesJones，\"itwasenclosedinapocket-book，inwhichtheyounglady’snamewaswritten。\"
\"Thatwasveryfortunateindeed，\"criesthelady:-\"Anditwasnolessso，thatyouheardMissWesternwasatmyhouse；forsheisverylittleknown。\"
Joneshadatlengthperfectlyrecoveredhisspirits；andasheconceivedhehadnowanopportunityofsatisfyingSophia，astothequestionshehadaskedhimjustbeforeLadyBellastoncamein，heproceededthus:\"Why，madam，\"answeredhe，\"itwasbytheluckiestchanceimaginableImadethisdiscovery。IwasmentioningwhatIhadfound，andthenameoftheowner，theothernighttoaladyatthemasquerade，whotoldmeshebelievedsheknewwhereImightseeMissWestern；andifIwouldcometoherhousethenextmorningshewouldinformme。Iwentaccordingtoherappointment，butshewasnotathome；norcouldIevermeetwithhertillthismorning，whenshedirectedmetoyourladyship’shouse。Icameaccordingly，anddidmyselfthehonourtoaskforyourladyship；anduponmysayingthatIhadveryparticularbusiness，aservantshowedmeintothisroom；
whereIhadnotbeenlongbeforetheyoungladyreturnedfromtheplay。\"
Uponhismentioningthemasquerade，helookedveryslilyatLadyBellaston，withoutanyfearofbeingremarkedmySophia；forshewasvisiblytoomuchconfoundedtomakeanyobservations。Thishintalittlealarmedthelady，andshewassilent；whenJones，whosawtheagitationofSophia’smind，resolvedtotaketheonlymethodofrelievingher，whichwasbyretiring；but，beforehedidthis，hesaid，believe，madam，itiscustomarytogivesomerewardontheseoccasions；-Imustinsistonaveryhighoneformyhonesty；-itis，madam，nolessthanthehonourofbeingpermittedtopayanothervisithere。\"
\"Sir，\"repliedthelady，\"Imakenodoubtthatyouareagentleman，andmydoorsarenevershuttopeopleoffashion。\"
Jones，thenafterproperceremonials，departed，highlytohisownsatisfaction，andnolesstothatofSophia；whowasterriblyalarmedlestLadyBellastonshoulddiscoverwhatsheknewalreadybuttoowell。
UponthestairsJonesmethisoldacquaintance，Mrs。Honour，who，notwithstandingallshehadsaidagainsthim，wasnowsowellbredtobehavewithgreatcivility。Thismeetingprovedindeedaluckycircumstance，ishecommunicatedtoherthehousewherehelodged，withwhichSophiawasunacquainted。
Chapter12
InwhichthethirteenthbookisconcludedTheelegantLordShaftesburysomewhereobjectstotellingtoomuchtruth:bywhichitmaybefairlyinferred，that，insomecases，tolieisnotonlyexcusable，butcommendable。
Andsurelytherearenopersonswhomaysoproperlychallengearighttothiscommendabledeviationfromtruth，asyoungwomenintheaffairoflove；forwhichtheymaypleadprecept，education，andaboveall，thesanction，nay，Imaysaythenecessityofcustom，bywhichtheyarerestrained，notfromsubmittingtothehonestimpulsesofnatureforthatwouldbeafoolishprohibition，butfromowningthem。
Wearenot，therefore，ashamedtosay，thatourheroinenowpursuedthedictatesoftheabove-mentionedrighthonourablephilosopher。Asshewasperfectlysatisfiedthen，thatLadyBellastonwasignorantofthepersonofJones，soshedeterminedtokeepherinthatignorance，thoughattheexpenseofalittlefibbing。
Joneshadnotbeenlonggone，beforeLadyBellastoncryed，\"Uptonmyword，agoodprettyyoungfellow；Iwonderwhoheis；forIdon’trememberevertohaveseenhisfacebefore。\"
\"NorIneither，madam，\"criesSophia。\"Imustsayhebehavedveryhandsomelyinrelationtomynote。\"
\"Yes；andheisaveryhandsomefellow，\"saidthelady:\"don’tyouthinkso？\"
\"Ididnottakemuchnoticeofhim，\"answeredSophia，\"butIthoughtheseemedratherawkward，andungenteelthanotherwise。\"
\"Youareextremelyright，\"criesLadyBellaston:\"youmaysee，byhismanner，thathehathnotkeptgoodcompany。Nay，notwithstandinghisreturningyournote，andrefusingthereward，Ialmostquestionwhetherheisagentleman——Ihavealwaysobservedthereisasomethinginpersonswellborn，whichotherscanneveracquire——I
thinkIwillgiveordersnottobeathometohim。\"
\"Nay，sure，madam，\"answeredSophia，\"onecan’tsuspectafterwhathehathdone；-besides，ifyourladyshipobservedhim，therewasaneleganceinhisdiscourse，adelicacy，aprettinessofexpressionthat，that——\"
\"Iconfess，\"saidLadyBellaston，\"thefellowhathwords——AndindeedSophia，youmustforgiveme，indeedyoumust。\"
\"Iforgiveyourladyship！\"saidSophia。
\"Yes，indeedyoumust，\"answeredshe，laughing；\"forIhadahorriblesuspicionwhenIfirstcameintotheroom——Ivowyoumustforgiveit；butIsuspecteditwasMr。Joneshimself。\"
\"Didyourladyship，indeed？\"criesSophia，blushing，andaffectingalaugh。
\"Yes，IvowIdid，\"answeredshe。\"Ican’timaginewhatputitintomyhead:for，givethefellowhisdue，hewasgenteelydrest；
which，Ithink，dearSophy，isnotcommonlythecasewithyourfriend。\"
\"Thisraillery，\"criesSophia，\"isalittlecruel，LadyBellaston，aftermypromisetoyourladyship。\"
\"Notatall，child，\"saidthelady；——\"Itwouldhavebeencruelbefore；butafteryouhavepromisedmenevertomarryyourfather’sconsent，inwhichyouknowisimpliedyourgivingupJones，sureyoucanbearalittlerailleryonapassionwhichwaspardonableenoughinayounggirlinthecountry，andofwhichyoutellmeyouhavesoentirelygotthebetter。WhatmustIthink，mydearSophy，ifyoucannotbearalittleridiculeevenonhisdress？Ishallbegintofearyouareveryfargoneindeed；andalmostquestionwhetheryouhavedealtingenuouslywithme。\"
\"Indeed，madam，\"criesSophia，\"yourladyshipmistakesme，ifyouimagineIhadanyconcernonhisaccount。\"
\"Onhisaccount！\"answeredthelady:\"Youmusthavemistakenme；I
wentnofartherthanhisdress；——forIwouldnotinjureyourtastebyanyothercomparison——Idon’timagine，mydearSophy，ifyourMr。
Joneshadbeensuchafellowasthis-\"
\"Ithought，\"saysSophia，\"yourladyshiphadallowedhimtobehandsome\"——
\"Whom，pray？\"criedtheladyhastily。
\"Mr。Jones，\"answeredSophia；-andimmediatelyrecollectingherself，\"Mr。Jones！-no，no；Iaskyourpardon；-Imeanthegentlemanwhowasjustnowhere。\"
\"OSophy！Sophy！\"criesthelady；\"thisMr。Jones，Iamafraid，stillrunsinyourhead。\"
\"Then，uponmyhonour，madam，\"saidSophia，\"Mr。Jonesisasentirelyindifferenttome，asthegentlemanwhojustnowleftus。\"
\"Uponmyhonour，\"saidLadyBellaston，\"Ibelieveit。Forgiveme，therefore，alittleinnocentraillery；butIpromiseyouIwillnevermentionhisnameanymore。\"
Andnowthetwoladiesseparated，infinitelymoretothedelightofSophiathanofLadyBellaston，whowouldwillinglyhavetormentedherrivalalittlelonger，hadnotbusinessofmoreimportancecalledheraway。AsforSophia，hermindwasnotperfectlyeasyunderthisfirstpracticeofdeceit；uponwhich，whensheretiredtoherchamber，shereflectedwiththehighestuneasinessandconsciousshame。Norcouldthepeculiarhardshipofhersituation，andthenecessityofthecase，atallreconcilehermindtoherconduct；fortheframeofhermindwastoodelicatetobearthethoughtofhavingbeenguiltyofafalsehood，howeverqualifiedbycircumstances。Nordidthisthoughtoncesufferhertoclosehereyesduringthewholesucceedingnight。
BOOKXIV
CONTAININGTWODAYS
Chapter1
AnessaytoprovethatanauthorwillwritethebetterforhavingsomeknowledgeofthesubjectonwhichhewritesAsseveralgentlemeninthesetimes，bythewonderfulforceofgeniusonly，withouttheleastassistanceoflearning，perhapswithoutbeingwellabletoread，havemadeaconsiderablefigureintherepublicofletters；themoderncritics，Iamtold，havelatelybeguntoassert，thatallkindoflearningisentirelyuselesstoawriter；and，indeed，nootherthanakindoffettersonthenaturalsprightlinessandactivityoftheimagination，whichisthusweigheddown，andpreventedfromsoaringtothosehighflightswhichotherwiseitwouldbeabletoreach。
Thisdoctrine，Iamafraid，isatpresentcarriedmuchtoofar:
forwhyshouldwritingdiffersomuchfromallotherarts？Thenimblenessofadancing-masterisnotatallprejudicedbybeingtaughttomove；nordothanymechanic，Ibelieve，exercisehistoolstheworsebyhavinglearnttousethem。Formyownpart，IcannotconceivethatHomerorVirgilwouldhavewritwithmorefire，if，insteadofbeingmastersofallthelearningtheirtimes，theyhadbeenasignorantasmostoftheauthorsofthepresentage。NordoI
believethatalltheimagination，fire，andjudgmentofPitt，couldhaveproducedthoseorationsthathavemadethesenateofEngland，intheseourtimes，arivalineloquencetoGreeceandRome，ifhehadnotbeensowellreadinthewritingsofDemosthenesandCicero，astohavetransferredtheirwholespiritintohisspeeches，and，withtheirspirit，theirknowledgetoo。
Iwouldnotherebeunderstoodtoinsistonthesamefundoflearninginanyofmybrethren，asCiceropersuadesusisnecessarytothecompositionofanorator。Onthecontrary，verylittlereadingis，Iconceive，necessarytothepoet，lesstothecritic，andtheleastofalltothepolitician。Forthefirst，perhaps，Byshe’sArtofPoetry，andafewofourmodernpoets，maysuffice；forthesecond，amoderateheapofplays；and，forthelast，anindifferentcollectionofpoliticaljournals。
Tosaythetruth，Irequirenomorethanthatamanshouldhavesomelittleknowledgeofthesubjectonwhichhetreats，accordingtotheoldmaximoflaw，Quamquisquenoritarteminedseexerceat。Withthisaloneawritermaysometimesdotolerablywell；and，indeed，withoutthis，alltheotherlearningintheworldwillstandhiminlittlestead。
Forinstance，letussupposethatHomerandVirgil，AristotleandCicero，ThucydidesandLivy，couldhavemetalltogether，andhaveclubbedtheirseveraltalentstohavecomposedatreatiseontheartofdancing:IbelieveitwillbereadilyagreedtheycouldnothaveequalledtheexcellenttreatisewhichMr。Essexhathgivenusonthatsubject，entitled，TheRudimentsofGenteelEducation。And，indeed，shouldtheexcellentMr。Broughtonbeprevailedontosetfisttopaper，andtocompletetheabove-saidrudiments，bydeliveringdownthetrueprinciplesofathletics，Iquestionwhethertheworldwillhaveanycausetolament，thatnoneofthegreatwriters，eitherantientormodern，haveevertreatedaboutthatnobleandusefulart。
Toavoidamultiplicityofexamplesinsoplainacase，andtocomeatoncetomypoint，Iamapttoconceive，thatonereasonwhymanyEnglishwritershavetotallyfailedindescribingthemannersofupperlife，maypossiblybe，thatinrealitytheyknownothingofit。
Thisisaknowledgeunhappilynotinthepowerofmanyauthorstoarriveat。Bookswillgiveusaveryimperfectideaofit；norwillthestageamuchbetter:thefinegentlemanformeduponreadingtheformerwillalmostalwaysturnoutapedant，andhewhoformshimselfuponthelatter，acoxcomb。
Norarethecharactersdrawnfromthesemodelsbettersupported。
VanbrughandCongrevecopiednature；buttheywhocopythemdrawasunlikethepresentageasHogarthwoulddoifhewastopaintarout，oradrum，inthedressesofTitianandofVandyke。Inshort，imitationherewillnotdothebusiness。ThepicturemustbeafterNatureherself。Atrueknowledgeoftheworldisgainedonlybyconversation，andthemannersofeveryrankmustbeseeninordertobeknown。
Nowithappensthatthishigherorderofmortalsisnottobeseen，likealltherestofthehumanspecies，fornothing，inthestreets，shops，andcoffee-house；noraretheyshown，liketheupperrankofanimals，forsomucha-piece。Inshort，thisisasighttowhichnopersonsareadmittedwithoutoneorotherofthesequalifications，viz。，eitherbirthorfortune，or，whatisequivalenttoboth，thehonourableprofessionofagamester。And，veryunluckilyx，fortheworld，personssoqualifiedveryseldomcaretotakeuponthemselvesthebadtradeofwriting；whichisgenerallyentereduponbythelowerandpoorersort，asitisatradewhichmanythinkrequiresnokindofstocktosetupwith。
Hencethosestrangemonstersinlaceandembroidery，insilksandbrocades，withvastwigsandhoops；which，underthenameoflordsandladies，strutthestage，tothegreatdelightofattorneysandtheirclerksinthepit，andofthecitizensandtheirapprenticesinthegalleries；andwhicharenomoretobefoundinreallife，thanthecentaur，thechimera，oranyothercreatureofmerefiction。Buttoletmyreaderintoasecret，thisknowledgeofupperlife，thoughverynecessaryforpreventingmistakes，isnoverygreatresourcetoawriterwhoseprovinceiscomedy，orthatkindofnovels，which，likethisIamwriting，isofthecomicclass。
WhatMr。Popesaysofwomenisveryapplicabletomostinthisstation，whoare，indeed，soentirelymadeupofformandaffectation，thattheyhavenocharacteratall，atleast，nonewhichappears。I
willventuretosaythehighestlifeismuchthedullest，andaffordsverylittlehumourorentertainment。Thevariouscallingsinlowerspheresproducethegreatvarietyofhumorouscharacters；
whereashere，exceptamongthefewwhoareengagedinthepursuitofambition，andthefewerstillwhohavearelishforpleasure，allisvanityandservileimitation。Dressingandcards，eatinganddrinking，bowingandcourtesying，makeupthebusinessoftheirlives。
Somethereare，however，ofthisrank，uponwhompassionexercisesitstryanny，andhurriesthemfarbeyondtheboundswhichdecorumprescribes；ofthese，theladiesareasmuchdistinguishedbytheirnobleintrepidity，andacertainsuperiorcontemptofreputation，fromthefrailonesofmeanerdegree，asavirtuouswomanofqualityisbytheeleganceanddelicacyofhersentimentsfromthehonestwifeofayeomanorshopkeeper。LadyBellastonwasofthisintrepidcharacter；
butletnotmycountryreadersconcludefromher，thatthisisthegeneralconductofwomenoffashion，orthatwemeantorepresentthemassuch。TheymightaswellsupposethateveryclergymanwasrepresentedbyThwackum，oreverysoldierbyensignNortherton。
Thereisnot，indeed，agreatererrorthanthatwhichuniversallyprevailsamongthevulgar，who，borrowingtheiropinionfromsomeignorantsatirists，haveaffixedthecharacteroflewdnesstothesetimes。Onthecontrary，Iamconvincedthereneverwaslessofloveintriguecarriedonamongpersonsofcondition，thannow。Ourpresentwomenhavebeentaughtbytheirmotherstofixtheirthoughtsonlyonambitionandvanity，andtodespisethepleasuresofloveasunworthytheirregard；andbeingafterwards，bythecareofsuchmothers，marriedwithouthavinghusbands，theyseemprettywellconfirmedinthejustnessofthosesentiments；whencetheycontentthemselves，forthedullremainderoflife，withthepursuitofmoreinnocent，butIamafraidmorechildishamusements，thebarementionofwhichwouldillsuitwiththedignityofthishistory。Inmyhumbleopinion，thetruecharacteristicofthepresentbeaumondeisratherfollythanvice，andtheonlyepithetwhichitdeservesisthatoffrivolous。
Chapter2
ContaininglettersandothermatterswhichattendamoursJoneshadnotbeenlongathome，beforehereceivedthefollowingletter:-
IwasnevermoresurprizedthanwhenIfoundyouwasgone。Whenyoulefttheroom，Ilittleimaginedyouintendedtohaveleftthehousewithoutseeingmeagain。Yourbehaviourisallofapiece，andconvincesmehowmuchIoughttodespiseaheartwhichcandoatuponanidiot；thoughIknownotwhetherIshouldnotadmirehercunningmorethanhersimplicity:wonderfulboth！Forthoughsheunderstoodnotawordofwhatpassedbetweenus，yetshehadtheskill，theassurance，the——whatshallIcallit？todenytomyfacethatsheknowsyou，oreversawyoubefore——Wasthisaschemelaidbetweenyou，andhaveyoubeenbaseenoughtobetrayme？——OhowIdespiseher，you，andalltheworld，butchieflymyself！for——IdarenotwritewhatIshouldafterwardsrunmadtoread；butremember，IcandetestasviolentlyasIhaveloved。
Joneshadbutlittletimegivenhimtoreflectonthisletter，beforeasecondwasbroughthimfromthesamehand；andthis，likewise，weshallsetdownintheprecisewords。
WhenyouconsiderthehurryofspiritsinwhichImusthavewrit，youcannotbesurprizedatanyexpressionsinmyformernote-Yet，perhaps，onreflection，theywererathertoowarm。AtleastIwould，ifpossible，thinkallowingtotheodiousplayhouse，andtotheimpertinenceofafool，whichdetainedmebeyondmyappointment——Howeasyisittothinkinkwellofthosewelove！——PerhapsyoudesireI
shouldthinkso。Ihaveresolvedtoseeyouto-night；socometomeimmediately。
P。S-Ihaveorderedtobeathometononebutyourself。
P。S-Mr。JoneswillimagineIshallassisthiminhisdefence；forIbelievehecannotdesiretoimposeonmemorethanIdesiretoimposeonmyself。
P。S-Comeimmediately。
TothemenofintrigueIreferthedetermination，whethertheangryorthetenderlettergavethegreatestuneasinesstoJones。
Certainitis，hehadnoviolentinclinationtopayanymorevisitsthatevening，unlesstoonesingleperson。However，hethoughthishonourengaged，andhadnotthisbeenmotivesufficient，hewouldnothaveventuredtoblowthetemperofLadyBellastonintothatflameofwhichhehadreasontothinkitsusceptible，andofwhichhefearedtheconsequencemightbeadiscoverytoSophia，whichhedreaded。
Aftersomediscontentedwalks，therefore，abouttheroom，hewaspreparingtodepart，whentheladykindlypreventedhim，notbyanotherletter，butbyherownpresence。Sheenteredtheroomverydisorderedinherdress，andverydiscomposedinherlooks，andthrewherselfintoachair，where，havingrecoveredherbreath，shesaid-\"Yousee，sir，whenwomenhavegoneonelengthtoofar，theywillstopatnone。Ifanypersonwouldhaveswornthistomeaweekago，Iwouldnothavebelieveditofmyself。\"\"Ihope，madam，\"saidJones，\"mycharmingLadyBellastonwillbeasdifficulttobelieveanythingagainstonewhoissosensibleofthemanyobligationsshehathconferreduponhim。\"\"Indeed！\"saysshe，\"sensibleofobligations！DidIexpecttohearsuchcoldlanguagefromMr。
Jones？\"\"Pardonme，mydearangel，\"saidhe，\"if，afterthelettersIhavereceived，theterrorsofyouranger，thoughIknownothowI
havedeservedit\"——\"AndhaveIthen，\"saysshe，withasmile，\"soangryacountenance？-HaveIreallybroughtachidingfacewithme？\"-
\"Iftherebehonourinman，\"saidhe，\"Ihavedonenothingtomerityouranger-Youremembertheappointmentyousentme；Iwentinpursuance\"-\"Ibeseechyou，\"criedshe，\"donotrunthroughtheodiousrecital-Answermebutonequestion，andIshallbeeasy。
Haveyounotbetrayedmyhonourtoher？\"-Jonesfelluponhisknees，andbegantoutterthemostviolentprotestations，whenPartridgecamedancingandcaperingintotheroom，likeonedrunkwithjoy，cryingout，\"She’sfound！she’sfound！-Here，sir，here，she’shere-Mrs。
Honourisuponthestairs。\"\"Stopheramoment，\"criesJones-\"Here，madam，stepbehindthebed，Ihavenootherroomnorcloset，norplaceonearthtohideyouin；sureneversodamnedanaccident。\"-\"D——n’dindeed！\"saidthelady，asshewenttoherplaceofconcealment；andpresentlyafterwardsincameMrs。Honour。\"Hey-day！\"saysshe，\"Mr。
Jones，what’sthematter？-Thatimpudentrascalyourservantwouldscarceletmecomeupstairs。IhopehehathnotthesamereasontokeepmefromyouashehadatUpton-Isupposeyouhardlyexpectedtoseeme；butyouhavecertainlybewitchedmylady。Poordearyounglady！Tobesure，Ilovesherastenderlyasifshewasmyownsister。
Lordhavemercyuponyou，ifyoudon’tmakeheragoodhusband！andtobesure，ifyoudonot，nothingcanbebadenoughforyou。\"Jonesbeggedheronlytowhisper，forthattherewasaladydyinginthenextroom。\"Alady！\"criesshe；ay，Isupposeoneofyourladies-O
Mr。Jones，therearetoomanyofthemintheworld；Ibelievewearegotintothehouseofone，formyLadyBellaston，Idarsttosay，isnobetterthansheshouldbe。\"-\"Hush！hush！\"criesJones，everywordisoverheardinthenextroom。\"-\"Idon’tcareafarthing，\"criesHonour，\"Ispeaksnoscandalofanyone；buttobesuretheservantsmakenoscrupleofsayingashowherladyshipmeetsmenatanotherplace-wherethehousegoesunderthenameofapoorgentlewoman；butherladyshippaystherent，andmany’sthegoodthingbesides，theysay，shehathofher。\"-HereJones，afterexpressingtheutmostuneasiness，offeredtostophermouth:-\"Hey-day！whysure，Mr。
Jones，youwillletmespeak；Ispeaksnoscandal，forIonlysayswhatIheardfromothers-andthinksItomyself，muchgoodmayitdothegentlewomanwithherriches，ifshecomesbyitinsuchawickedmanner。Tobesureitisbettertobepoorandhonest。\"\"Theservantsarevillains，\"criesJones，\"andabusetheirladyunjustly。\"-\"Ay，tobesure，servantsarealwaysvillains，andsomyladysays，andwon’thearawordofit。\"-\"No，Iamconvinced，\"saysJones，\"mySophiaisabovelisteningtosuchbasescandal。\"-\"Nay，I
believeitisnoscandal，neither，\"criesHonour，\"forwhyshouldshemeetmenatanotherhouse？-Itcanneverbeforanygood:forifshehadalawfuldesignofbeingcourted，astobesureanyladymaylawfullygivehercompanytomenuponthataccount:why，wherecanbethesense？\"-\"Iprotest，\"criesJones，\"Ican’thearallthisofaladyofsuchhonour，andarelationofSophia；besides，youwilldistractthepoorladyinthenextroom-Letmeentreatyoutowalkwithmedownstairs。\"-\"Nay，sir，ifyouwon’tletmespeak，Ihavedone-Here，sir，isaletterfrommyyounglady-whatwouldsomemengivetohavethis？But，Mr。Jones，Ithinkyouarenotoverandabovegenerous，andyetIhaveheardsomeservantssay——butIamsureyouwilldomethejusticetoownIneversawthecolourofyourmoney。\"HereJoneshastilytooktheletter，andpresentlyafterslippedfivepiecesintoherhand。HethenreturnedathousandthankstohisdearSophiainawhisper，andbeggedhertoleavehimtoreadherletter:shepresentlydeparted，notwithoutexpressingmuchgratefulsenseofhisgenerosity。
LadyBellastonnowcamefrombehindthecurtain。HowshallI
describeherrage？Hertonguewasatfirstincapableofutterance；butstreamsoffiredartedfromhereyes，andwellindeedtheymight，forherheartwasallinaflame。Andnow，assoonashervoicefoundway，insteadofexpressinganyindignationagainstHonourorherownservants，shebegantoattackpoorJones。\"Yousee，\"saidshe，\"whatIhavesacrificedtoyou；myreputation，myhonour-goneforever！AndwhatreturnhaveIfound？Neglected，slightedforacountrygirl，foranidiot。\"-\"Whatneglect，madam，orwhatslight，\"
criesJones，\"haveIbeenguiltyof？\"-\"Mr。Jones，\"saidshe，\"itisinvaintodissemble；ifyouwillmakemeeasy，youmustentirelygiveherup；andasaproofofyourintention，showmetheletter。\"-\"Whatletter，madam？\"saidJones。\"Nay，surely，\"saidshe，\"youcannothavetheconfidencetodenyyourhavingreceivedaletterbythehandsofthattrollop。\"-\"Andcanyourladyship，\"crieshe，\"askofmewhatI
mustpartwithmyhonourbeforeIgrant？HaveIactedinsuchamannerbyyourladyship？CouldIbeguiltyofbetrayingthispoorinnocentgirltoyou，whatsecuritycouldyouhavethatIshouldnotactthesamepartbyyourself？Amoment’sreflectionwill，Iamsure，convinceyou，thatamanwithwhomthesecretsofaladyarenotsafemustbethemostcontemptibleofwretches。\"-\"Verywell，\"saidshe-\"Ineednotinsistonyourbecomingthiscontemptiblewretchinyourownopinion；fortheinsideofthelettercouldinformmeofnothingmorethanIknowalready。Iseethefootingyouareupon。\"-Hereensuedalongconversation，whichthereader，whoisnottoocurious，willthankmefornotinsertingatlength。Itshallsuffice，therefore，toinformhim，thatLadyBellastongrewmoreandmorepacified，andatlengthbelieved，oraffectedtobelieve，hisprotestations，thathismeetingwithSophiathateveningwasmerelyaccidental，andeveryothermatterwhichthereaderalreadyknows，andwhichasJonessetbeforeherinthestrongestlight，itisplainthatshehadinrealitynoreasontobeangrywithhim。
Shewasnot，however，inherheartperfectlysatisfiedwithhisrefusaltoshowhertheletter；sodeafarewetotheclearestreason，whenitarguesagainstourprevailingpassions。Shewas，indeed，wellconvincedthatSophiapossessedthefirstplaceinJones’saffections；andyet，haughtyandamorousasthisladywas，shesubmittedatlasttobearthesecondplace；or，toexpressitmoreproperlyinalegalphrase，wascontentedwiththepossessionofthatofwhichanotherwomanhadthereversion。
ItwasatlengthagreedthatJonesshouldforthefuturevisitatthehouse:forthatSophia，hermaid，andalltheservants，wouldplacethesevisitstotheaccountofSophia；andthatsheherselfwouldbeconsideredasthepersonimposedupon。
Thisschemewascontrivedbythelady，andhighlyrelishedbyJones，whowasindeedgladtohaveaprospectofseeinghisSophiaatanyrate；andtheladyherselfwasnotalittlepleasedwiththeimpositiononSophia，whichJones，shethought，couldnotpossiblydiscovertoherforhisownsake。
Thenextdaywasappointedforthefirstvisit，andthen，afterproperceremonials，theLadyBellastonreturnedhome。
Chapter3
ContainingvariousmattersJoneswasnosooneralone，thanheeagerlybrokeopenhisletter，andreadasfollows:-
Sir，itisimpossibletoexpresswhatIhavesufferedsinceyouleftthishouse；andasIhavereasontothinkyouintendcominghereagain，IhavesentHonour，thoughsolateatnight，asshetellsmesheknowsyourlodgings，topreventyou。Ichargeyou，byalltheregardyouhaveforme，nottothinkofvisitinghere；foritwillcertainlybediscovered；nay，Ialmostdoubt，fromsomethingswhichhavedroptfromherladyship，thatsheisnotalreadywithoutsomesuspicion。Somethingfavourable，perhaps，mayhappen；wemustwaitwithpatience；butIoncemoreentreatyou，ifyouhaveanyconcernformyease，donotthinkofreturninghither。
ThisletteradministeredthesamekindofconsolationtopoorJones，whichjobformerlyreceivedfromhisfriends。BesidesdisappointingallthehopeswhichhepromisedtohimselffromseeingSophia，hewasreducedtoanunhappydilemma，withregardtoLadyBellaston；
fortherearesomecertainengagements，which，ashewellknew，doverydifficultlyadmitofanyexcuseforthefailure；andtogo，afterthestrictprohibitionfromSophia，hewasnottobeforcedbyanyhumanpower。Atlength，aftermuchdeliberation，whichduringthatnightsuppliedtheplaceofsleep，hedeterminedtofeignhimselfsick:forthissuggesteditselfastheonlymeansoffailingtheappointedvisit，withoutincensingLadyBellaston，whichhehadmorethanonereasonofdesiringtoavoid。
Thefirstthing，however，whichhedidinthemorning，was，towriteananswertoSophia，whichheinclosedinonetoHonour。HethendespatchedanothertoLadyBellaston，containingtheabove-mentionedexcuse；andtothishesoonreceivedthefollowinganswer:-
IamvexedthatIcannotseeyouherethisafternoon，butmoreconcernedfortheoccasion；takegreatcareofyourself，andhavethebestadvice，andIhopetherewillbenodanger-IamsotormentedallthismorningwiththatIhavescarceamoment’stimetowritetoyou。Adieu。
P。S-Iwillendeavourtocallonyouthisevening，atnine-Besuretobealone。
Mr。JonesnowreceivedavisitfromMrs。Miller，who，aftersomeformalintroduction，beganthefollowingspeech:-\"Iamverysorry，sir，towaituponyouonsuchanoccasion；butIhopeyouwillconsidertheillconsequencewhichitmustbetothereputationofmypoorgirls，ifmyhouseshouldoncebetalkedofasahouseofill-fame。Ihopeyouwon’tthinkme，therefore，guiltyofimpertinence，ifIbegyounottobringanymoreladiesinatthattimeofnight。Theclockhadstrucktwobeforeoneofthemwentaway。\"-\"Idoassureyou，madam，\"saidJones，\"theladywhowasherelastnight，andwhostaidthelatestfortheotheronlybroughtmealetter，isawomanofverygreatfashion，andmynearrelation。\"-\"I
don’tknowwhatfashionsheisof，\"answeredMrs。Miller；\"butIamsurenowomanofvirtue，unlessaverynearrelationindeed，wouldvisitayounggentlemanattenatnight，andstayfourhoursinhisroomwithhimalone；besides，sir，thebehaviourofherchairmenshowswhatshewas；fortheydidnothingbutmakejestsalltheeveningintheentry，andaskedMr。Partridge，inthehearingofmyownmaid，ifmadamintendedtostaywithhismasterallnight；withagreatdealofstuffnotpropertoberepeated。Ihavereallyagreatrespectforyou，Mr。Jones，uponyourownaccount；nay，Ihaveaveryhighobligationtoyouforyourgenerositytomycousin。Indeed，Ididnotknowhowverygoodyouhadbeentilllately。LittledidIimaginetowhatdreadfulcoursesthepoorman’sdistresshaddrivenhim。LittledidIthink，whenyougavemethetenguineas，thatyouhadgiventhemtoahighwayman！Oheavens！whatgoodnesshaveyoushown！Howhaveyoupreservedthisfamily！-ThecharacterwhichMr。Allworthyhathformerlygivenmeofyouwas，Ifind，strictlytrue-Andindeed，ifI
hadnoobligationtoyou，myobligationstohimaresuch，that，onhisaccount，Ishouldshowyoutheutmostrespectinmypower-Nay，believeme，dearMr。Jones，ifmydaughters’andmyownreputationwereoutofthecase，Ishould，foryourownsake，besorrythatsoprettyayounggentlemanshouldconversewiththesewomen；butifyouareresolvedtodoit，Imustbegyoutotakeanotherlodging；forIdonotmyselfliketohavesuchthingscarriedonundermyroof；butmoreespeciallyupontheaccountofmygirls，whohavelittle，heavenknows，besidestheircharacters，torecommendthem。\"JonesstartedandchangedcolouratthenameofAllworthy。\"Indeed，Mrs。
Miller，\"answeredhe，alittlewarmly，\"Idonottakethisatallkind。Iwillneverbringanyslanderonyourhouse；butImustinsistonseeingwhatcompanyIpleaseinmyownroom；andifthatgivesyouanyoffence，Ishall，assoonasIamable，lookforanotherlodging。\"-\"Iamsorrywemustpartthen，sir，\"saidshe；\"butIamconvincedMr。Allworthyhimselfwouldnevercomewithinmydoors，ifhehadtheleastsuspicionofmykeepinganillhouse。\"-\"Verywell，madam，\"saidJones-\"Ihope，sir，\"saidshe，\"youarenotangry；forIwouldnotfortheworldoffendanyofMr。Allworthy’sfamily。Ihavenotsleptawinkallnightaboutthismatter。\"-\"IamsorryIhavedisturbedyourrest，madam，\"saidJones，\"butIbegyouwillsendPartridgeuptomeimmediately\"；whichshepromisedtodo，andthenwithaverylowcourtesyretired。