extraordinary, or any ways material to this Hiftory, we shall here put an End to this Chapter.

CHA P. III.

A Project of Mrs. Fitzpatrick, and her Vifit to Lady Bellafton.

WH

HEN Mrs. Fitzpatrick retired to Reft, her Thoughts were entirely taken up by her Coufin Sophia and Mr. Jones. She was, indeed, a little offended with the former, for the Difingenuity which fhe now difcovered. In which Meditation fhe had not long exercifed her Imagination, before the following Conceit fuggefted itfelf: That could fhe poffibly become the Means of preferving Sophia from this Man, and of reftoring her to her Father, fhe fhould, in all human Probability, by fo great a Service to the Family, reconcile to herself both her Uncle and her Aunt Western.

As this was one of her moft favourite Wishes, fo the Hope of Success feemed fo reasonable, that nothing remained but to confider of proper Methods to accomplish her Scheme. To attempt to reafon the Cafe with Sophia, did not appear to her one of thofe Methods: For as Betty had reported from Mrs. Honour, that Sophia had a violent Inclination to Janes, the conceived, that to diffuade her from the Match, was an Endeavour of the fame Kind as it would be, very heartily and earneftly to entreat a Moth not to fly into a Candle.

If the Reader will pleafe to remember, that the Acquaintance which Sophia had with Lady Bellafton, was contracted at the House of Mrs. Wef

tern,

tern, and must have grown at the very Time when Mrs. Fitzpatrick lived with this latter Lady' he will want no Information, that Mrs. Fitzpatrick must have been acquainted with her likewife. They were, befides, both equally her diftant Relations.

After much Confideration, therefore, the refolved to go early in the Morning to that Lady, and endeavour to fee her, unknown to Sophia, and to acquaint her with the whole Affair. For fhe did not in the leaft doubt, but that the pru dent Lady, who had often ridiculed romantic Love, and indifcreet Marriages, in her Converfation, would very readily concur in her Sentiments concerning this March, and would lend her utmoft Affiftance to prevent it.

This Refolution fhe accordingly executed; and the next Morning before the Sun, the huddled on her Cloaths, and at a very untashionable, unfeasonable, unvifitable Hour went to Lady Bellafton, to whom the got Access, without the leaft Knowledge or Sufpicion of Sophia, who though not afleep, lay at that Time awake in ber Bed, with Honour fnoring by her Side.

Mrs. Fitzpatrick made many Apologies for an early, abrupt Vifit, at an Hour when the faid the fhould not have thought of disturbing her Ladyfhip, but upon Bufinefs of the utmost Confequence.' She then opened the whole Affair, told all fhe had heard from Betty; and did not forget the Vifit which Jones had paid to herfelf the preceding Evening

Lady Bellafton answered with a Smile, Then you have feen this terrible Man, Madam; pray is he fo very fine a Figure as he is reprefented?

· Fer

For Etoff entertained me laft Night almoft C two Hours with him. The Wench I believe

is in Love with him by Reputation.' Here the Reader will be apt to wonder; but the Truth is that Mrs. Etoff, who had the Honour to pin and unpin the Lady Bellafton, had received complete Information concerning the faid Mr. Jones, and had faithfully conveyed the fame to her Lady laft Night (or rather that Morning) while she was undreffing; on which Accounts the had been detained in her Office above the Space of an Hour and half.

The Lady indeed, tho' generally well enough. pleased with the Narratives of Mrs. Etoff at thofe Seafons, gave an extraordinary Attention to her Account of Jones; for Honour had defcribed him as a very handsome Fellow, and Mrs. Etoff in her Hurry added so much to the Beauty of his Perfon to her Report, that Lady Bellafton began to conViceive him to be a kind of Miracle in Nature.

The Curiofity which her Woman had infpired, was now greatly increafed by Mrs. Fitzpatrick, > who spoke as much in Favour of the Perfon of Jones, as he had before fpoken in Difpraise of his Birth, Character and Fortune.

་

When Lady Bellafton had heard the whole, fhe answered gravely, Indeed, Madam, this is a Matter of great Confequence. Nothing can certainly be more commendable than the Part you act; and I fhall be very glad to have nry Share in the Prefervation of a young Lady of • fo much Merit, and for whom I have so much • Efteem.'

Doth not your Ladyfhip think," fays Mrs. Fitzpatrick eagerly, that it would be the beft • Way

6

Way to write immediately to my Uncle, and 6 acquaint him where my Coufin is?'

"

The Lady pondered a little upon this, and thus anfwered Why, no, Madam, I think not. • Di Western hath described her Brother to me to be fuch a Brute, that I cannot confent to put any Woman under his Power who hath escaped from it. I have heard he behaved like a Monfter to his own Wife; for he is one of those Wretches who think they have a Right to ty• rannize over us, and from fuch I fhall ever efteem it the Caufe of my Sex to rescue any Woman who is fo unfortunate to be under their Power. The Bufinefs, dear Coufin, will be only to keep Mifs Western from seeing this young Fellow, till the good Company, which The will have an Opportunity of meeting here, give her a properer Turn.'

If he should find her out, Madam,' answered the other, your Ladyfhip may be affured he will ⚫ leave nothing unattempted to come at her.'

But, Madam,' replied the Lady, it is im• poffible he should come here-tho' indeed it is 'poffible he may get fome Intelligence where the is, and then may lurk about the House-I wish therefore I knew his Perfon.

Is there no Way, Madam, by which I could have a Sight of him? For otherwise you know, Coufin, the may contrive to fee him here without my Knowledge.' Mrs. Fitzpatrick anfwered, That he had threatened her with another Vifit that Afternoon, and that if her Lady< fhip pleafed to do her the Honour of calling 6 upon her then, fhe would hardly fail of feeing him between Six and Seven; and if he came earlier fhe would, by fome Means or other, de

3

tain

⚫tain him till her Ladyfhip's Arrival.-Lady Bellafton replied, fhe would come the Moment fhe could get from Dinner, which the fuppofed would be by Seven at fartheft; for that it was abfolutely neceffary fhe fhould be acquainted. with his Perfon. Upon my Word, Madam,' fays fhe, it was very good to take this Care of Mifs Western; but common Humanity, as well as Regard to our Family, requires it of us both; for it would be a dreadful Match indeed."

Mrs. Fitzpatrick failed not to make a proper Return to the Compliment which Lady Bellafton had beftowed on her Coufin, and after fome little immaterial Converfation withdrew; and getting as fast as she could into her Chair, unfeen by Sophia or Honour, returned home.

MR

CHAP. IV.

Which confifts of Vifiting.

R. Jones had walked within Sight of a certain Door during the whole Day, which, though one of the fhorteft, appeared to him to be one of the longest in the whole Year. At length the Clock having ftruck Five, he returned to Mrs. Fitzpatrick, who, though it was a full Hour earlier than the decent Time of vifiting, received him very civilly; but ftill perfifted in her Ignorance concerning Sophia.

Jones, in afking for his Angel, had drop❜d the Word Coufin; upon which Mrs. Fitzpatrick faid, • Then, Sir, you know we are related; and as

we are, you will permit me the Right of enquiring into the Particulars of your Business ⚫ with my Coufin.' Here Jones hefitated a good