Allworthy, "that you should never discern any symptoms of love between them, when you have seen them so often together?"-" Never in my life, as I hope to be saved," cries Western; "I never so much as zeed him kiss her in all my life ; and so far from courting her, he used rather to be more silent when she was in company than at any other time and as for the girl, she was always less civil to'n than to any young man that came to the house. As to that matter, I am not more easy to be deceived than another; I would not have you think I am, neighbour." Allworthy could scarce refrain laughter at this; but he resolved to do a violence to himself: for he perfectly well knew mankind, and had too much good breeding and good nature to offend the squire in his present circumstances. He then asked Western what he would have him do upon this occasion. To which the other answered, "That he would have him keep the rascal away from his house, and that he would go and lock up the wench; for he was resolved to make her marry Mr. Blifil in spite of her teeth. He then shook Blifil by the hand, and swore he would have no other son-in-law. Presently after which he took his leave, saying, his house was in such disorder, that it was necessary for him to make haste home, to take care his daughter did not give him the slip; and as for Jones, he swore, if he caught him at his house, he would qualify him to run for the gelding's plate.

When Allworthy and Blifil were again left together, a long silence ensued between them; all which interval the young gentleman filled up with

sighs, which proceeded partly from disappointment, but more from hatred: for the success of Jones was much more grievous to him than the loss of Sophia.

At length his uncle asked him what he was determined to do, and he answered in the following words:" Alas, Sir, can it be a question what step a lover will take, when reason and passion point different ways? I am afraid it is too certain he will, in that dilemma, always follow the latter. Reason dictates to me, to quit all thoughts of a woman who places her affections on another; my passion bids me hope she may, in time, change her inclinations in my favour. Here, however, I conceive an objection may be raised, which, if it could not fully be answered, would totally deter me from any further pursuit. I mean the injustice of endeavouring to supplant another in a heart of which he seems already in possession; but the determined resolution of Mr. Western shews that in this case I shall, by so doing, promote the happiness of every party; not only that of the parent, who will thus be preserved from Ithe highest degree of misery, but of both the others, who must be undone by this match. The lady, I am sure, will be undone in every sense : for, besides the loss of most part of her own fortune, she will be not only married to a beggar, but the little fortune which her father cannot withhold from her, will be squandered on that wench, with whom I know he yet converses. Nay, that is a trifle; for I know him to be one of the worst men in the world: for had my dear uncle known what I have hitherto endeavoured to conceal, he

must have long since abandoned so profligate a wretch."- "How," said Allworthy, "hath he done any thing worse than I already know? Tell me, I beseech you.' "No," replied Blifil, “it is now past, and perhaps he may have repented of it.""I command you, on your duty," said Allworthy, "to tell me what you mean.' -"You know, Sir," says Blifil, "I never disobeyed you; but I am sorry I mentioned it, since it may now look like revenge, whereas, I thank Heaven, no such motive ever entered my heart; and if you oblige me to discover it, I must be his petitioner to you for your forgiveness.' "I will have no conditions," answered Allworthy, "I think I have shewn tendernesss enough towards him, and more perhaps than you ought to thank me for.". "More indeed, I fear, than he deserved," cries Blifil; " for in the very day of your utmost danger, when myself and all the family were in tears, he filled the house with riot and debauchery. He drank and sung and roared; and when I gave him a gentle hint of the indecency of his actions, he fell into a violent passion, swore many oaths, called me rascal, and struck me."-" How!" cries Allworthy, "did he dare to strike you?”. "I am sure, cries Blifil, "I have forgiven him that long ago. I wish I could so easily forget his ingratitude to the best of benefactors; and yet, even that I hope you will forgive him, since he must have certainly been possessed with the devil: for that very evening, as Mr. Thwackum and myself were taking the air in the fields, and exulting in the good symptoms which then first began to discover themselves, we unluckily saw him

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engaged with a wench in a manner not fit to be mentioned. Mr. Thwackum, with more boldness than prudence, advanced to rebuke him, when (I am sorry to say it) he fell upon the worthy man, and beat him so outrageously, that I wish he may have yet recovered the bruises. Nor was I without my share of the effects of his malice, while I endeavoured to protect my tutor: but that I have long forgiven; nay, I prevailed with Mr. Thwackum to forgive him too, and not to inform you of a secret which I feared might be fatal to him. And now, Sir, since I have unadvisedly dropped a hint of this matter, and your commands have obliged me to discover the whole, let me intercede with you for him.". “O child,” said Allworthy, "I know not whether I should blame or applaud your goodness, in concealing such villany a moment. But where is Mr. Thwackum ? Not that I want any confirmation of what you say; but I will examine all the evidence of this matter, to justify to the world the example I am resolved to make of such a monster."

Thwackum was now sent for, and presently appeared. He corroborated every circumstance which the other had deposed; nay, he produced the record upon his breast, where the hand-writing of Mr. Jones remained very legible in black and blue. He concluded with declaring to Mr. Allworthy, that he should have long since informed him of this matter, had not Mr. Blifil, by the most earnest interpositious, prevented him. "He is," says he, "an excellent youth; though such forgiveness of enemies is carrying the matter too far."

In reality, Blifil had taken some pains to pre

vail with the parson, and to prevent the discovery at that time; for which he had many reasons. He knew that the minds of men are apt to be softened and relaxed from their usual severity by sickness. Besides, he imagined that if the story was told when the fact was so recent, and the physician about the house, who might have unravelled the real truth, he should never be able to give it the malicious turn which he intended. Again, he resolved to hoard up this business till the indiscretion of Jones should afford some additional complaints; for he thought the joint weight of many facts falling upon him together, would be the most likely to crush him; and he watched therefore some such opportunity as that with which fortune had now kindly presented him. Lastly, by prevailing with Thwackum to conceal the matter for a time, he knew he should confirm an opinion of his friendship to Jones, which he had greatly laboured to establish in Mr. Allworthy.

CHAP. XI.

A short chapter; but which contains sufficient matters to affect the good-natured reader.

It was Mr. Allworthy's custom never to punish any one, not even to turn away a servant, in a passion. He resolved, therefore, to delay passing sentence on Jones till the afternoon.

The poor young man attended at dinner as usual; but his heart was too much loaded to suffer him to eat. His grief too was a good deal ag