Jones had at length perfectly recovered his Spirits; and as he conceived he had now an Opportunity of fatisfying Sophia, as to the Question fhe had afked him juft before Lady Bellaflon came in, he proceeded thus: Why, Madam,' anfwered he, • it was by the luckieft Chance imaginable I made this Dilcovery. I was mentioning what I had found, and the Name of the Owner, the other Night, to a Lady at the Mas querade, who told me, the believed the • knew where I might fee Mifs Western; and if I would come to her Houfe the

next Morning, fhe would inform me. I went according to her Appointment, 'but she was not at Home; nor could I

ever meet with her till this Morning, when the directed me to your Ladyfhip's 'House. I came accordingly, and did myself the Honour to ask for your Ladyfhip; and upon my faying that I had very particular Bafinefs, a Servant fhewed me into this Room; where I had not been long before the young Lady return ⚫ed from the Play.'

Upon his mentioning the Masquerade, he look'd very flyly at Lady Bellafton, withF 2

out.

out any Fear of being remarked by Sophia; for fhe was vifibly too much confounded to make any Obfervations. This Hint a little alarmed the Lady, and fhe was filent; when Jones, who faw the Agitations of Sophia's Mind, refolved to take the only Method of relieving her, which was by retiring: But before he did this, he faid, I believe, Madam, it is cuftomary to give fome Reward on thefe Occafions ;-I muft infift on a very high one for my Honefty-It is, Madam, no lefs than the Honour of being permitted to pay another • Vifit here.'.

Sir,' replied the Lady, I make no • Doubt that you are a Gentleman, and my Doors are never fhut to People of "'Fashion.'

Jones then, after proper Ceremonials, departed, highly to his own Satisfaction, and no less to that of Sophia; who was terri bly alarmed left Lady Bellafton should discover what the knew already but too well.

Upon the Stairs Jones met his old Acquaintance Mrs. Hongur, who, notwithStanding

standing all she had faid against him, was now fo well-bred to behave with great Civility. This Meeting proved indeed a lucky Circumftance, as he communica to her the House where he lodged, with which Sophia was unacquainted.

CHA P. XII.

In which the Thirteenth Book is concluded.

TH

HE elegant Lord Shaftsbury fomewhere objects to telling too much Truth By which it may be fairly inferred, that, in fome Cafes, to lie, is not only excufable but commendable.

And furely there are no Perfons who may fo properly challenge a Right to this commendable Deviation from Truth, as young Women in the Affair of Love; for which they may plead Precept, Education, and above all, the Sanction, nay, I may fay, the Neceffity of Custom, by which they are reftrained, not from fubmitting to the honeft Impulfes of Nature (for that would be a foolish Prohibition) but from owning them.

F 3

We

We are not, therefore, afhamed to fay, that our Heroine now purfued the Dictates of the abovementioned Right Honourable Philofopher. As fhe was perfectly fatisfied then, that Lady Bellafton was igno rant of the Perfon of Jones, fo fhe determined to keep her in that Ignorance, though at the Expence of a little Fibbing.

Jones had not been long gone, before Lady Bellafton cry'd, Upon my Word, a good pretty young Fellow; I wonder who he is: For I don't remember ever to have seen his Face before."

Nor I neither, Madam,' cries Sophia. I muft fay he behaved very handsomely • in relation to my Note.'

Yes; and he is a very handfome Fellow,' faid the Lady; • don't you think • fo?'

• I did not take much Notice of him,' anfwered Sophia; but I thought he feemed rather awkward and ungenteel than • otherwife.'

You are extremely right,' cries Lady Bellafon : You may fee, by his Man

• ner,

:

·

ner, that he hath not kept good Company. Nay, notwithstanding his returning your Note, and refufing the Reward, • I almost question whether he is a Gentle". man. -I have always obferved there is ⚫a Something in Perfons well-born, which ⚫ others can never acquire.I think I 'will give Orders not to be at Home to ' him.'

Nay fure, Madam,' answered Sophia, one can't fufpect after what he hath • done :--Befides, if your Ladyship ob • ferved him, there was an Elegance in his Difcourfe, a Delicacy, a Prettiness of Expreffion that, that

the

'I confefs,' faid Lady Bellafton, Fellow hath Words--And indeed, Sophia, you must forgive me, indeed you • muft.'

A

I forgive your Ladyfhip!' faid Sophia.

Yes indeed you must,' answered she laughing; for I had a horrible Suspicion ' when I first came into the Room I vow you must forgive it; but I fufpected it was Mr. Jones himself.