CHA P. III.

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

WR

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 the now discovered. In which Meditation fhe had not long exercised her Imagination, before the following Conceit fuggefted itself: That could fhe poffibly become the Means of preferving Sophia from this Man, and of reftoring her to her Father, she should, in all human Probability, by fo great a Service to the Family, reconcile to herself both her Uncle and her Aunt Western, w

As this was one of her most favourite Wishes, fo the Hope of Success seemed so reasonable, that nothing remained but to confider of proper Methods to accomplish her Scheme: To attempt to reason the Cafe with Sophia, did not appear to her one of thofe Methods: For as Betty had reported from Mrs. Honour, that Sophia had

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a violent Inclination to Jones, fhe conceived, that to diffuade her from the Match, was an Endeavour of the fame Kind as it would be, very heartily and earnestly 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 Houfe of Mrs. Western, 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, she 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 prudent Lady, who had often ridiculed romantic Love, and indiscreet Marriages, in her Converfation, would very readily concur in her Sentiments concerning this Match, and would lend her utmost Affiftance to prevent it.

This

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

Mrs. Fitzpatrick made many Apologies for this early, abrupt Vifit, at an Hour when,' fhe faid, the fhould not have, thought of disturbing her Ladyfhip, but upon Bufinefs of the utmoft Confequence.' She then opened the whole Affair, told all she had heard from Betty; and did not forget the Vifit which Jones had paid to her felf 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? For Etoff entertain'ed me laft Night almoft 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

Truth is that Mrs. Etoff who had the Ho. nour to pin and unpin the Lady Bellaf ton, 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 fhe was undreffing; on which Accounts he had been detained in her Office above the Space of an Hour and half.

The Lady indeed, though 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 conceive 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 spoken in Difpraife of his Birth, Character and Fortune.

When Lady Bellafton had heard the whole, fhe answered gravely,

• Indeed • Madam,

Madam, this is a Matter of great Confe quence. Nothing can certainly be more ⚫ commendable than the Part you act, and I fhall be very glad to have my Share in the Prefervation of a young Lady of fo • much Merit, and for whom I have fo 'much Efteem.

Doth not your Ladyfhip think, fays • Mrs. Fitzpatrick eagerly, that it would be the belt Way to write immediately to my Uncle, and acquaint him where my • Coufin is'?

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The Lady pondered a little upon this, and thus anfwered Why, no, Madam, I think not. Di Western hath defcribed 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 Monster to his own Wife; for he is one of those Wretch es who think they have a Right to tyran'nize over us, and from fuch I fhall ever ⚫ esteem 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 he will

have