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History of Tom Jones a Foundling by Henry Fielding - Part 4/4 · Audiobooks & Scary Stories

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Speaker 1: Things indifferent. If your lordship will merit my gratitude, there
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Speaker 1: is but one way. Pardon me, divine creature, said he,
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Speaker 1: there can be none. All I can do for you
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Speaker 1: is so much your due, and will give me so
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Speaker 1: much pleasure that there is no room for your gratitude. Indeed,
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Speaker 1: my Lord answered she, you may obtain my gratitude, my
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Speaker 1: good opinion, every kind thought and wish which it is
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Speaker 1: in my power to bestow, Nay, you may obtain them
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Speaker 1: with ease. For sure, to a generous mind, it must
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Speaker 1: be easy to grant my request. Let me beseech you, then,
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Speaker 1: to cease a pursuit in which you can never have
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Speaker 1: any success. For your own sake as well as mine,
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Speaker 1: I entreat this favor. For sure. You are too noble
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Speaker 1: to have any pleasure in tormenting an unhappy creature. What
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Speaker 1: can your lordship propose but uneasiness to yourself By a
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Speaker 1: perseverance which, upon my honor, upon my soul cannot shall
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Speaker 1: not prevail with me, whatever distresses you may drive me
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Speaker 1: to here, my Lord fetched a deep sigh, and then said,
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Speaker 1: is it, then, madam, that I am so unhappy to
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Speaker 1: be the object of your dislike? And scorn, or will
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Speaker 1: you pardon me if I suspect there is some other here?
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Speaker 1: He hesitated, and Sophia answered with some spirit, my Lord,
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Speaker 1: I shall not be accountable to you for the reasons
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Speaker 1: of my conduct. I am obliged to your lordship for
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Speaker 1: the generous offer you have made I own. It is
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Speaker 1: beyond either my deserts or expectations. Yet I hope, my Lord,
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Speaker 1: you will not insist on my reasons when I declare
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Speaker 1: I cannot accept it. Lord Phelamar returned much to this
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Speaker 1: which we do not perfectly understand, and perhaps it could
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Speaker 1: not all be strictly reconciled, either to sense or grammar.
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Speaker 1: But he concluded his ranting speech with saying that if
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Speaker 1: she had pre engaged herself to any gentleman, however unhappy
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Speaker 1: it would make him, he should think himself bound in
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Speaker 1: honor to desist. Perhaps my Lord laid too much emphasis
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Speaker 1: on the word gentleman, for we cannot else well account
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Speaker 1: for the indignation with which she inspired Sophia, who, in
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Speaker 1: her answer seemed greatly to resent some affront he had
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Speaker 1: given her. While she was speaking with her voice more
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Speaker 1: raised than usual, missus Western came into the room. The
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Speaker 1: fire glaring in her cheeks and the flames bursting from
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Speaker 1: her eyes. I am ashamed, says she, my Lord, of
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Speaker 1: the reception which you have met with. I assure your
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Speaker 1: Lordship we are all sensible of the honor done us,
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Speaker 1: and I must tell you, Miss Western, the family expect
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Speaker 1: a different behavior from you. Here. My lord interfered on
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Speaker 1: behalf of the young lady, but to no purpose. The
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Speaker 1: aunt proceeded till Sophia pulled out her handkerchief, threw herself
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Speaker 1: into a chair, and burst into a violent fit of tears.
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Speaker 1: The remainder of the conversation between Missus Western and his lordship,
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Speaker 1: till the latter withdrew, consisted of bitter lamentations on his side,
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Speaker 1: and on hers, of the strongest assurances that her niece
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Speaker 1: should and would consent to all he wished. Indeed, my
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Speaker 1: Lord says she, the girl had a foolish education, neither
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Speaker 1: adapted to her fortune nor her family. Her father, I
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Speaker 1: am sorry to say it is to blame for everything.
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Speaker 1: The girl hath silly country notions of bashfulness, nothing else,
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Speaker 1: my Lord, upon my honor, I am convinced she hath
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Speaker 1: a good understanding at the bottom and will be brought
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Speaker 1: to reason. This last speech was made in the absence
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Speaker 1: of Sophia, for she had some time before left the
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Speaker 1: room with more appearance of passion than she had ever
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Speaker 1: shown on any occasion. And now his lordship, after many
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Speaker 1: expressions of thanks to Missus Western, many ardent professions of
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Speaker 1: passion which nothing could conquer, and many assurances of perseverance
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Speaker 1: which Missus Western highly encouraged, took his leave for this time.
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Speaker 1: Before we relate what now passed between Missus Western and Sophia,
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Speaker 1: it may be proper to mention an unfortunate accident which
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Speaker 1: had happened, and which had occasioned the return of Missus
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Speaker 1: Western with so much fury as we have seen. The
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Speaker 1: reader then must know that the maid who at present
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Speaker 1: attended on Sophia was recommended by Lady Bellaston, with whom
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Speaker 1: she had lived for some time in the capacity of
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Speaker 1: a combrush. She was a very sensible girl, and had
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Speaker 1: received the strictest instructions to watch her young lady very carefully.
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Speaker 1: These instructions, we are sorry to say, were communicated to
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Speaker 1: her by Missus Honor, into whose favor Lady Bellaston had
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Speaker 1: now so ingratiated herself that the violent affection which the
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Speaker 1: good waiting woman had formerly borne to Sophia was entirely
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Speaker 1: obliterated by that great attachment which she had to her
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Speaker 1: new mistress. Now, when Missus Miller was departed, Betty, for
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Speaker 1: that was the name of the girl, returning to her
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Speaker 1: young lady, found her very attentively engaged in reading a
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Speaker 1: long letter. And the visible emotions which she betrayed on
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Speaker 1: that occasion might have well accounted for some suspicions which
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Speaker 1: the girl entertained, but indeed they had yet a stronger foundation,
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Speaker 1: for she had overheard the whole scene which passed between
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Speaker 1: Sophia and Missus Miller. Missus Webber Eastern was acquainted with
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Speaker 1: all this matter by Betty, who, after receiving many commendations
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Speaker 1: and some rewards for her fidelity, was ordered that if
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Speaker 1: the woman who brought the letter came again, she should
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Speaker 1: introduce her to Missus Western herself. Unluckily, Missus Miller returned
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Speaker 1: at the very time when Sophia was engaged with his lordship. Betty,
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Speaker 1: according to order, sent her directly to the aunt, who,
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Speaker 1: being mistress of so many circumstances relating to what had
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Speaker 1: passed the day before, easily imposed upon the poor woman
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Speaker 1: to believe that Sophia had communicated the whole affair, and
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Speaker 1: so pumped everything out of her which she knew relating
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Speaker 1: to the letter and relating to Jones. This poor creature
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Speaker 1: might indeed be called simplicity itself. She was one of
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Speaker 1: that order of mortals who are apt to believe everything
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Speaker 1: which is said to them, to whom nature hath neither
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Speaker 1: indulged the offensive nor defensive weapons of deceit, and who
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Speaker 1: are consequently liable to be imposed upon by any one
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Speaker 1: who will only be at the expense of a little
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Speaker 1: foulswood that purpose. Missus Western, having drained Missus Miller of
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Speaker 1: all she knew, which indeed was but little, but which
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Speaker 1: was sufficient to make the aunt suspect a great deal,
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Speaker 1: dismissed her with assurances that Sophia would not see her,
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Speaker 1: that she would send no answer to the letter, nor
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Speaker 1: ever receive another, nor did she suffer her to depart
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Speaker 1: without a handsome lecture on the merits of an office
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Speaker 1: to which she could afford no better name than that
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Speaker 1: of procurestot. This discovery had greatly discomposed her temper. When
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Speaker 1: coming into the apartment next to that in which the
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Speaker 1: lovers were. She overheard Sophia very warmly protesting against his
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Speaker 1: lordship's addresses, at which the rage already kindled, burst forth,
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Speaker 1: and she rushed in upon her niece in a most
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Speaker 1: furious manner, as we have already described, together with what
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Speaker 1: passed at that time till his Lordship's departure. No sooner
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Speaker 1: was Lord Phelamar gone than Missus Western returned to Sophia,
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Speaker 1: whom she upbraided in the most bitter terms, for the
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Speaker 1: ill use she had made of the confidence repos her,
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Speaker 1: and for her treachery in conversing with a man with
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Speaker 1: whom she had offered but the day before to bind
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Speaker 1: herself in the most solemn oath never more to have
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Speaker 1: any conversation. Sophia protested she had maintained no such conversation.
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Speaker 1: How how, Miss Western said the Aunt, will you deny
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Speaker 1: your receiving a letter from him yesterday? A letter? Madam
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Speaker 1: answered Sophia, somewhat surprised. It is not very well bred,
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Speaker 1: miss replies the Aunt. To repeat my words. I say
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Speaker 1: a letter, and I insist upon your showing it me immediately.
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Speaker 1: I scorn a lie, Madam, said Sophia. I did receive
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Speaker 1: a letter, but it was without my desire, and indeed,
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Speaker 1: I may say against my consent. Indeed, indeed, miss cries
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Speaker 1: the aunt you ought to be ashamed of owning you
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Speaker 1: had received it at all. But where is the letter?
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Speaker 1: For I will see it. To this peremptory demand, Sophia
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Speaker 1: paused some time before she returned an answer, and at
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Speaker 1: last only excused herself by declaring she had not the
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Speaker 1: letter in her pocket, which was indeed true, upon which
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Speaker 1: her aunt, losing all manner of patience, asked her niece
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Speaker 1: this short question whether she would resolve to marry Lord
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Speaker 1: Phelamar or no, to which she received the strongest negative.
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Speaker 1: Missus Western then replied with an oath or something very
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Speaker 1: like one, that she would early the next morning deliver
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Speaker 1: her back into her father's hand. Sophia then began to
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Speaker 1: reason with her aunt in the following manner, Why Madam,
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Speaker 1: must I of necessity be forced to marry at all?
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Speaker 1: Consider how cruel you would have thought it in your
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Speaker 1: own case, and how much kinder your parents were in
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Speaker 1: leaving you to your liberty? What have I done to
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Speaker 1: forfeit this liberty? I will never marry contrary to my
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Speaker 1: father's consent, nor without asking yours. And when I ask
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Speaker 1: the consent of either improperly, it will be then time
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Speaker 1: enough to force some other marriage upon me. Can I
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Speaker 1: bear to hear this, cries Missus Western, from a girl
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Speaker 1: who hath now a letter from a murderer in her pocket.
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Speaker 1: I have no such letter, I promise you, answered Sophia.
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Speaker 1: And if he be a murderer, he will soon be
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Speaker 1: in no condition to give you any further disturbance. How
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Speaker 1: miss Western, said the aunt, have you the assurance to
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Speaker 1: speak of him in this manner, to own your affection
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Speaker 1: for such a villain to my face? Sure, madam, said Sophia,
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Speaker 1: you put a very strange construction on my words. Indeed,
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Speaker 1: Miss Western, cries the lady, I shall not bear this usage.
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Speaker 1: You have learned of your father, this manner of treating me.
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Speaker 1: He hath taught you to give me the lie. He
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Speaker 1: hath totally ruined you by this false system of education.
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Speaker 1: And please Heaven, he shall have the comfort of its fruits.
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Speaker 1: For once more, I declare to you that tomorrow morning
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Speaker 1: I will carry you back. I will withdraw all my
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Speaker 1: forces from the field, and remain henceforth like the wise
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Speaker 1: king of Prussia in a state of perfectness. Vitray, you
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Speaker 1: are both too wise to be regulated by my measures,
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Speaker 1: So prepare yourself for tomorrow morning you shall evacuate this house.
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Speaker 1: Sophia remonstrated all she could, but her aunt was deaf
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Speaker 1: to all she said in this resolution. Therefore we must
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Speaker 1: at present leave her, as there seems to be no
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Speaker 1: hopes of bringing her to change it. Chapter nine. What
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Speaker 1: happened to mister Jones in the prison? Mister Jones passed
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Speaker 1: about twenty four melancholy hours by himself, unless when relieved
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Speaker 1: by the company of Partridge, before mister Nightingale returned. Not
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Speaker 1: that this worthy young man had deserted or forgot his friend,
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Speaker 1: for indeed he had been much the greatest part of
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Speaker 1: the time employed in his service. He had heard upon
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Speaker 1: inquiry that the only persons who had seen the beginning
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Speaker 1: of the unfortunate encounter were a crew belonging to a
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Speaker 1: man of war, which then lay at Deptford. To Deptford,
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Speaker 1: therefore he went in search of this crew, where he
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Speaker 1: was informed that the men he sought after were all
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Speaker 1: gone ashore. He then traced them from place to place,
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Speaker 1: till at last he found two of them drinking together
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Speaker 1: with a third person at a hedge tavern near Aldersgate.
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Speaker 1: Nightingale desired to speak with Jones by himself, for Partridge
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Speaker 1: was in the room when he came in. As soon
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Speaker 1: as they were alone, Nightingale, taking Jones by the hand, cried, come,
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Speaker 1: my brave friend, be not too much dejected at what
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Speaker 1: I am going to tell you. I am sorry, I
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Speaker 1: am the messenger of bad news, but I think it
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Speaker 1: my duty to tell you. I guess already what that
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Speaker 1: bad news is, cries Jones. The poor gentleman then is dead,
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Speaker 1: I hope not, answered Nightingale. He was alive this morning.
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Speaker 1: Though I will not flatter you. I fear from the
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Speaker 1: accounts I could get that his wound is mortal. But
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Speaker 1: if the affair be exactly as you told it, your
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Speaker 1: own remorse would be all you would have reason to apprehend.
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Speaker 1: Let what would happen? But forgive me, my dear Tom,
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Speaker 1: if I entreat you to make the worst of your
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Speaker 1: story to your friends, if you disguise anything to us,
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Speaker 1: you will only be an enemy to yourself. What reason,
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Speaker 1: my dear Jack, have I ever given you, said Jones
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Speaker 1: to stab me with so cruel a suspicion, have patience,
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Speaker 1: cries Nightingale, And I will tell you all after the
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Speaker 1: most diligent inquiry I could make. I at last met
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Speaker 1: with two of the fellows who were present at this
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Speaker 1: unhappy accident, and I am sorry to say they do
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Speaker 1: not relate the story so much in your favor as
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Speaker 1: you yourself have told it. Why what do they say,
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Speaker 1: cries Jones. Indeed what I am sorry to repeat, as
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Speaker 1: I am afraid of the consequence of it to you.
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Speaker 1: They say that they were at too great a distance
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Speaker 1: to overhear any words that passed between you, But they
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Speaker 1: both agreed that the first blow was given by you.
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Speaker 1: Then upon my soul, answered Jones, they injure me he
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Speaker 1: not only struck me first, but struck me without the
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Speaker 1: least provocation. What should induce those villains to accuse me falsely?
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Speaker 1: Nay that I cannot guess, said Nightingale. And if you,
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Speaker 1: yourself and I, who am so heartily your friend, cannot
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Speaker 1: conceive a reason why they should belie you, what reason
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Speaker 1: will an indifferent court of justice be able to assign
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Speaker 1: why they should not believe them? I repeated the question
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Speaker 1: to them several times, and so did another gentleman who
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Speaker 1: was present, who I believe is a seafaring man, and
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Speaker 1: who really acted a very friendly part by you. For
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Speaker 1: he begged them often to consider that there was the
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Speaker 1: life of a man in the case, and asked them
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Speaker 1: over and over if they were certain, to which they
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Speaker 1: both answered that they were, and would abide by their
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Speaker 1: evidence upon oath. For Heaven's sake, my dear friend, recollect yourself,
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Speaker 1: for if this should appear to be the fact, it
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Speaker 1: will be your business to think in time of making
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Speaker 1: the best of your interest. I would not shock you,
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Speaker 1: but you know I believe the severity of the law,
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Speaker 1: whatever verbal provocation may have been given you. Alas, my
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Speaker 1: friend cries Jones, what interest hath such a wretch as I? Besides,
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Speaker 1: do you think I would even wish to live with
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Speaker 1: the reputation of a murderer? If I had any friends
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Speaker 1: as alas I have none, could I have the confidence
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Speaker 1: to solicit them to speak in the behalf of a
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Speaker 1: man condemned for the blackest crime in human nature. Believe me,
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Speaker 1: I have no such hope, but I have some reliance
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Speaker 1: on a throne still greatly superior, which will I am
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Speaker 1: certain afford me all the protection I merit. He then
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Speaker 1: concluded with many solemn and vehement protestations of the truth
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Speaker 1: of what he had at first asserted. The faith of Nightingale,
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Speaker 1: was now again staggered and began to incline to credit
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Speaker 1: his friend, when missus Miller appeared and made a sorrowful
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Speaker 1: report of the success of her embassy, which, when Jones
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Speaker 1: had heard, he cried out most heroically, Well, my friend,
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Speaker 1: I am now indifferent as to what shall happen, at
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Speaker 1: least with regard to my life, and if it be
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Speaker 1: the will of Heaven that I shall make an atonement
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Speaker 1: with that for the blood I have spilt. I hope
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Speaker 1: the divine goodness will one day suffer my honor to
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Speaker 1: be cleared, and that the words of a dying man
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Speaker 1: at least will be believed so far as to justify
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Speaker 1: his character. A very mournful scene now passed between the
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Speaker 1: prisoner and his friends, at which as few readers would
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Speaker 1: have been pleased to be present, so few I believe
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Speaker 1: will desire to hear it particularly related. We will therefore
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Speaker 1: pass on to the entrance of the turnkey, who acquainted
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Speaker 1: Jones that there was a lady without who desired to
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Speaker 1: speak with him when he was at leisure. Jones declared
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Speaker 1: his surprise at this message. He said he knew no
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Speaker 1: lady in the world whom he could possibly expect to
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Speaker 1: see there. However, as he saw no reason to decline
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Speaker 1: seeing any person, Missus Miller and mister Nightingale presently took
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Speaker 1: their leave, and he gave orders to have the lady admitted.
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Speaker 1: If Jones was surprised at the news of a visit
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Speaker 1: from a lady, how greatly was he astonished when he
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Speaker 1: discovered this lady to be no other than Missus Waters.
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Speaker 1: In this astonishment, then we shall leave him awhile in
16:09
Speaker 1: order to cure the surprise of the reader, who will,
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Speaker 1: likewise probably not a little wonder at the arrival of
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Speaker 1: this lady. Who this Missus Waters was. The reader pretty
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Speaker 1: well knows what she was. He must be perfectly satisfied.
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Speaker 1: He will therefore be pleased to remember that this lady
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Speaker 1: departed from Upton in the same coach with mister Fitzpatrick
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Speaker 1: and the other Irish gentleman, and in their company traveled
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Speaker 1: to Bath. Now there was a certain office in the
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Speaker 1: gift of mister Fitzpatrick at that time vacant, namely that
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Speaker 1: of a wife, for the lady who had lately filled
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Speaker 1: that office had resigned, or at least deserted her duty.
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Speaker 1: Mister Fitzpatrick, therefore, having thoroughly examined Missus Waters on the road,
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Speaker 1: found her extremely fit for the place, which, on their
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Speaker 1: arrival at Bath, he presently conferred upon her, and she
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Speaker 1: without any scruple, excepted as husband and wife. This gentleman
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Speaker 1: and lady continued together all the time they stayed at Bath,
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Speaker 1: and as husband and wife they arrived together in town.
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Speaker 1: Whether mister Fitzpatrick was so wise a man as not
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Speaker 1: to part with one good thing till he had secured another,
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Speaker 1: which he had at present only a prospect of regaining,
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Speaker 1: or whether Missus Waters had so well discharged her office
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Speaker 1: that he intended still to retain her as principal and
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Speaker 1: to make his wife, as is often the case, only
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Speaker 1: her deputy, I will not say, but certain it is
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Speaker 1: he never mentioned his wife to her, never communicated to
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Speaker 1: her the letter given him by Missus Western, nor ever
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Speaker 1: once hinted his purpose of repossessing his wife. Much less
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Speaker 1: did he ever mention the name of Jones, For though
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Speaker 1: he intended to fight with him wherever he met him,
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Speaker 1: he did not imitate those prudent persons who think a wife,
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Speaker 1: a mother, a sister, or sometimes a whole family the
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Speaker 1: safest seconds on these occasions. The first account, therefore, which
17:58
Speaker 1: she had of all this, was delivered to her from
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Speaker 1: his lips after he was brought home from the tavern
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Speaker 1: where his wound had been drest As mister Fitzpatrick, however,
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Speaker 1: had not the clearest way of telling a story at
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Speaker 1: any time, and was now perhaps a little more confused
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Speaker 1: than usual, it was some time before she discovered that
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Speaker 1: the gentleman who had given him this wound was the
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Speaker 1: very same person from whom her heart had received a
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Speaker 1: wound which, though not of a mortal kind, was yet
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Speaker 1: so deep that it had left a considerable scar behind it.
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Speaker 1: But no sooner was she acquainted that mister Jones himself
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Speaker 1: was the man who had been committed to the Gatehouse
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Speaker 1: for this supposed murder, than she took the first opportunity
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Speaker 1: of committing mister Fitzpatrick to the care of his nurse,
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Speaker 1: and hastened away to visit the conqueror. She now entered
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Speaker 1: the room with an air of gaiety, which received an
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Speaker 1: immediate check from the melancholy aspect of poor Jones, who
18:50
Speaker 1: started and blessed himself when he saw her, upon which
18:54
Speaker 1: she said, nay, I do not wonder at your surprise.
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Speaker 1: I believe you did not expect to see me, for
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Speaker 1: or few gentlemen are troubled here with visits from any lady,
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Speaker 1: unless a wife. You see the power you have over me,
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Speaker 1: mister Jones. Indeed, I little thought when we parted at
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Speaker 1: Upton that our next meeting would have been in such
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Speaker 1: a place. Indeed, Madam, says Jones, I must look upon
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Speaker 1: this visit as kind. Few will follow the miserable, especially
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Speaker 1: to such dismal habitations. I protest, mister Jones, says she.
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Speaker 1: I can hardly persuade myself. You are the same agreeable
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Speaker 1: fellow I saw at Upton. Why your face is more
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Speaker 1: miserable than any dungeon in the universe. What can be
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Speaker 1: the matter with you? I thought, Madam, said Jones. As
19:42
Speaker 1: you knew of my being here, you knew the unhappy reason,
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Speaker 1: Pew says she. You have pinked a man in a duel,
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Speaker 1: That's all. Jones expressed some indignation at this levity and
19:54
Speaker 1: spoke with the utmost contrition for what had happened, to
19:57
Speaker 1: which she answered, well, then, sir, if you take it
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Speaker 1: so much to heart, I will relieve you. The gentleman
20:04
Speaker 1: is not dead, and I am pretty confident is in
20:08
Speaker 1: no danger of dying. The surgeon, indeed, who first dressed him,
20:12
Speaker 1: was a young fellow, and seemed desirous of representing his
20:15
Speaker 1: case to be as bad as possible, that he might
20:18
Speaker 1: have the more honor from curing him. But the King's
20:20
Speaker 1: surgeon hath seen him since, and says, unless from a
20:23
Speaker 1: fever of which there are at present no symptoms, he
20:26
Speaker 1: apprehends not the least danger of life. Jones shewed great
20:31
Speaker 1: satisfaction in his countenance at this report, upon which she
20:34
Speaker 1: affirmed the truth of it, adding, by the most extraordinary
20:37
Speaker 1: accident in the world, I lodge at the same house
20:40
Speaker 1: and have seen the gentleman, and I promise you he
20:42
Speaker 1: doth you justice, and says, whatever be the consequence, that
20:46
Speaker 1: he was entirely the aggressor, and that you was not
20:50
Speaker 1: in the least to blame. Jones expressed the utmost satisfaction
20:54
Speaker 1: at the account which missus Waters brought him. He then
20:57
Speaker 1: informed her of many things which she well knew knew
21:00
Speaker 1: before as whom mister Fitzpatrick was the occasion of his resentment,
21:04
Speaker 1: and see he likewise told her several facts of which
21:08
Speaker 1: she was ignorant, as the adventure of the Muff, and
21:11
Speaker 1: other particulars concealing only the name of Sophia. He then
21:15
Speaker 1: lamented the follies and vices of which he had been guilty,
21:19
Speaker 1: every one of which he said, had been attended with
21:21
Speaker 1: such ill consequences, that he should be unpardonable if he
21:25
Speaker 1: did not take warning and quit those vicious courses for
21:28
Speaker 1: the future. He lastly concluded with assuring her of his
21:32
Speaker 1: resolution to sin no more lest a worse thing should
21:35
Speaker 1: happen to him. Missus Waters, with great pleasantry, ridiculed all
21:39
Speaker 1: this as the effects of low spirits and confinement. She
21:43
Speaker 1: repeated some witticisms about the devil when he was sick,
21:46
Speaker 1: and told him she doubted not but shortly to see
21:49
Speaker 1: him at liberty and as lively a fellow as ever,
21:52
Speaker 1: And then says she, I don't question, but your conscience
21:56
Speaker 1: will be safely delivered of all these qualms that it
21:58
Speaker 1: is now so sick in breeding. Many more things of
22:02
Speaker 1: this kind, she uttered, some of which it would do
22:04
Speaker 1: her no great honor in the opinion of some readers
22:07
Speaker 1: to remember. Nor are we quite certain but that the
22:10
Speaker 1: answers made by Jones would be treated with ridicule by others.
22:14
Speaker 1: We shall therefore suppress the rest of this conversation, and
22:17
Speaker 1: only observe that it ended at last with perfect innocence,
22:20
Speaker 1: and much more to the satisfaction of Jones than of
22:23
Speaker 1: the lady. For the former was greatly transported with the
22:26
Speaker 1: news she had brought him, but the latter was not
22:29
Speaker 1: altogether so pleased with the penitential behavior of a man
22:32
Speaker 1: whom she had, at her first interview conceived a very
22:36
Speaker 1: different opinion of from what she now entertained of him. Thus,
22:40
Speaker 1: the melancholy occasion by the report of mister Nightingale was
22:43
Speaker 1: pretty well effaced, but the dejection into which Missus Miller
22:46
Speaker 1: had thrown him still continued. The account she gave so
22:50
Speaker 1: well tallied with the words of Sophia herself in her letter,
22:53
Speaker 1: that he made not the least doubt, but that she
22:55
Speaker 1: had disclosed his letter to her aunt and had taken
22:58
Speaker 1: a fixed resolution to abandon him. The torments this thought
23:02
Speaker 1: gave him were to be equalled only by a piece
23:04
Speaker 1: of news which Fortune had yet in store for him,
23:07
Speaker 1: and which we shall communicate in the second chapter of
23:09
Speaker 1: the ensuing book, Book eighteen, containing about six days. Chapter one,
23:17
Speaker 1: a farewell to the reader. We are, now, reader, arrived
23:21
Speaker 1: at the last stage of our long journey. As we
23:24
Speaker 1: have therefore traveled together through so many pages, Let us
23:29
Speaker 1: behave to one another like fellow travelers in a stage
23:31
Speaker 1: coach who have passed several days in the company of
23:34
Speaker 1: each other, and who, notwithstanding any bickerings or little animosities
23:38
Speaker 1: which may have occurred on the road, generally make all
23:41
Speaker 1: up at last and mount for the last time into
23:45
Speaker 1: their vehicle with cheerfulness and good humor. Since after this
23:48
Speaker 1: one stage it may possibly happen to us, as it
23:52
Speaker 1: commonly happens to them, never to meet more. As I
23:55
Speaker 1: have here taken up this simile, give me leave to
23:58
Speaker 1: carry it a little farther. I intend, then, in this
24:02
Speaker 1: last book to imitate the good company I have mentioned
24:05
Speaker 1: in their last journey. Now it is well known that
24:08
Speaker 1: all jokes and raillery are at this time laid aside.
24:11
Speaker 1: Whatever characters any of the passengers have for the jestsake
24:15
Speaker 1: persona tad on the road, are now thrown off and
24:18
Speaker 1: the conversation is usually plain and serious. In the same manner.
24:22
Speaker 1: If I have now and then, in the course of
24:24
Speaker 1: this work indulged any pleasantry for thy entertainment, I shall
24:28
Speaker 1: here lay it down. The variety of matter, indeed, which
24:32
Speaker 1: I shall be obliged to cram into this book will
24:35
Speaker 1: afford no room for any of those ludicrous observations which
24:38
Speaker 1: I have elsewhere made, and which may sometimes perhaps have
24:42
Speaker 1: prevented THEE from taking a nap when it was beginning
24:44
Speaker 1: to steal upon THEE. In this last book, thou wilt
24:47
Speaker 1: find nothing, or at most very little of that nature.
24:52
Speaker 1: All will be plain narrative only. And indeed, when thou
24:55
Speaker 1: hast perused the many great events which this book will produce,
24:59
Speaker 1: thou wilt think the number of pages contained in its
25:01
Speaker 1: scarce sufficient to tell the story. And now, my friend,
25:06
Speaker 1: I take this opportunity, as I shall have no other
25:09
Speaker 1: of heartily wishing THEE well. If I have been an
25:12
Speaker 1: entertaining companion to THEE, I promise THEE it is what
25:15
Speaker 1: I have desired. If in anything I have offended, it
25:19
Speaker 1: was really without any intention. Some things perhaps here said,
25:24
Speaker 1: may have hit THEE or thy friends. But I do
25:26
Speaker 1: most solemnly declare they were not pointed at THEE or them?
25:30
Speaker 1: I question not, but thou hast been told, among other
25:33
Speaker 1: stories of me, that thou wotst to travel with a
25:36
Speaker 1: very scurlous fellow. But whoever told THEE so did me
25:39
Speaker 1: an injury. No man detests and despises scurrility more than myself,
25:44
Speaker 1: nor hath any man more reason, for none hath ever
25:47
Speaker 1: been treated with more, and what is a very severe fate.
25:50
Speaker 1: I have had some of the abusive writings of those
25:52
Speaker 1: very men fothered upon me, who, in other of their works,
25:56
Speaker 1: have abused me themselves with the utmost virulence. All all
26:00
Speaker 1: these works, however, I am well convinced, will be dead
26:03
Speaker 1: long before this page shall offer itself to thy perusal.
26:07
Speaker 1: For however short the period may be of my own performances,
26:10
Speaker 1: they will most probably outlive their own infirm author and
26:13
Speaker 1: the weekly productions of his abusive Contemporaries. Chapter two, containing
26:19
Speaker 1: a very tragical incident. While Jones was employed in those
26:23
Speaker 1: unpleasant meditations with which we left him tormenting himself, Partridge
26:28
Speaker 1: came stumbling into the room with his face paler than ashes,
26:31
Speaker 1: his eyes fixed in his head, his hair standing an end,
26:34
Speaker 1: and every limb trembling. In short, he looked as he
26:38
Speaker 1: would have done had he seen a specter, or had
26:40
Speaker 1: he indeed been a specter himself. Jones, who was little
26:45
Speaker 1: subject to fear, could not avoid being somewhat shocked at
26:48
Speaker 1: this sudden appearance. He did indeed himself change color and
26:53
Speaker 1: his voice a little faltered while he asked him what
26:56
Speaker 1: was the matter? I hope, sir, said Partridge, you will
27:00
Speaker 1: not be angry with me. Indeed I did not listen,
27:04
Speaker 1: but I was obliged to stay in the outward room.
27:07
Speaker 1: I am sure I wish I had been a hundred
27:09
Speaker 1: miles off rather than have heard what I have heard.
27:13
Speaker 1: Why what is the matter, said Jones. The matter, sir,
27:18
Speaker 1: oh good Heaven, answered Partridge, was that woman who has
27:22
Speaker 1: just gone out, The woman who was with you at Upton.
27:25
Speaker 1: She was Partridge, cried Jones. And did you, really, sir,
27:31
Speaker 1: go to bed with that woman? Said he trembling. I
27:34
Speaker 1: am afraid what passed between us is no secret, said Jones.
27:38
Speaker 1: Dot nay, but pray, sir, for Heaven's sake, Sir, answer me,
27:44
Speaker 1: cries Partridge. You know I did, cries Jones. Why then,
27:49
Speaker 1: the Lord, have mercy upon your soul and forgive you,
27:53
Speaker 1: cries Partridge. But as sure as I stand here alive,
27:56
Speaker 1: you have been abed with your own mother. Upon these words,
28:00
Speaker 1: Jones became, in a moment a greater picture of horror
28:02
Speaker 1: than Partridge himself. He was, indeed, for some time struck
28:07
Speaker 1: dumb with amazement, and both stood staring wildly at each other.
28:12
Speaker 1: At last his words found way, and in an interrupted voice,
28:15
Speaker 1: he said, how, how what's this you tell me? Nay, sir,
28:22
Speaker 1: cries Partridge, I have not breath enough left to tell
28:25
Speaker 1: you now, But what I have said is most certainly true. Dot.
28:28
Speaker 1: That woman who now went out is your own mother.
28:32
Speaker 1: How unlucky was it for you, sir, that I did
28:35
Speaker 1: not happen to see her at that time to have
28:37
Speaker 1: prevented it. Sure the devil himself must have contrived to
28:41
Speaker 1: bring about this wickedness, sure, cries Jones. Fortune will never
28:46
Speaker 1: have done with me till she hath driven me to distraction.
28:50
Speaker 1: But why do I blame Fortune? I am myself the
28:53
Speaker 1: cause of all my misery. All the dreadful mischiefs which
28:57
Speaker 1: have befallen me are the consequences only of my own folly.
29:00
Speaker 1: And vice. What thou hast told me, Partridge hath almost
29:05
Speaker 1: deprived me of my senses? And was Missus Waters? Then?
29:09
Speaker 1: But why do I ask? For thou must certainly know her?
29:13
Speaker 1: If thou hast any affection for me, nay, if thou
29:17
Speaker 1: hast any pity, let me beseech thee to fetch this
29:19
Speaker 1: miserable woman back again to me, O good heavens incest
29:25
Speaker 1: with a mother to what am I reserved? He then
29:29
Speaker 1: fell into the most violent and frantic agonies of grief
29:32
Speaker 1: and despair, in which Partridge declared he would not leave him.
29:36
Speaker 1: But at last, having vented the first torrent of passion,
29:39
Speaker 1: he came a little to himself, and then, having acquainted Partridge,
29:43
Speaker 1: that he would find this wretched woman in the same
29:45
Speaker 1: house where the wounded gentleman was lodged. He despatched him
29:49
Speaker 1: in quest of her. If the reader will please to
29:52
Speaker 1: refresh his memory by turning to the scene at Upton
29:55
Speaker 1: in the ninth book, he will be apt to admire
29:58
Speaker 1: the many strange accidents which, unfortun prevented any interview between
30:01
Speaker 1: Partridge and Missus Waters when she spent a whole day
30:04
Speaker 1: there with mister Jones. Instances of this kind we may
30:08
Speaker 1: frequently observe in life, where the greatest events are produced
30:12
Speaker 1: by a nice train of little circumstances. And more than
30:15
Speaker 1: one example of this may be discovered by the accurate
30:17
Speaker 1: eye in this our history. After a fruitless search of
30:21
Speaker 1: two or three hours, Partridge returned back to his master
30:25
Speaker 1: without having seen missus Waters. Jones, who was in a
30:29
Speaker 1: state of desperation at his delay, was almost raving mad
30:32
Speaker 1: when he brought him his account. He was not long, however,
30:37
Speaker 1: in this condition, before he received the following letter, s
30:40
Speaker 1: I R. Since I left you, I have seen a
30:42
Speaker 1: gentleman from whom I have learned something concerning you which
30:45
Speaker 1: greatly surprises and affects me. But as I have not
30:48
Speaker 1: at present leisure to communicate a matter of such high importance,
30:52
Speaker 1: you must suspend your curiosity till our next meeting, which
30:55
Speaker 1: shall be the first moment I am able to see you,
30:58
Speaker 1: Oh mister Jones, Little did I think when I passed
31:02
Speaker 1: that happy day at Upton, the reflection upon which is
31:05
Speaker 1: like to embitter all my future life. Who it was
31:07
Speaker 1: to whom I owed such perfect happiness? Believe me to
31:11
Speaker 1: be ever sincerely, your unfortunate j Waters p s. I
31:18
Speaker 1: would have you comfort yourself as much as possible, for
31:20
Speaker 1: mister Fitzpatrick is in no manner of danger, so that
31:23
Speaker 1: whatever other grievous crimes you may have to repent of,
31:26
Speaker 1: the guilt of blood is not among the number. Jones,
31:30
Speaker 1: having read the letter, let it drop, for he was
31:32
Speaker 1: unable to hold it, and indeed had scarce the use
31:35
Speaker 1: of any one of his faculties. Partridge took it up, and,
31:39
Speaker 1: having received consent by silence, read it likewise, nor had
31:43
Speaker 1: it upon him a less sensible effect. The pencil and
31:47
Speaker 1: not the pen should describe the horrors which appeared in
31:49
Speaker 1: both their countenances. While they both remained speechless, the turnkey
31:54
Speaker 1: entered the room, and, without taking any notice of what
31:57
Speaker 1: sufficiently discovered itself in the faces of them, both acquainted
32:01
Speaker 1: Jones that a man without desire to speak with him.
32:04
Speaker 1: This person was presently introduced, and was no other than
32:07
Speaker 1: Black George. As sights of horror were not so usual
32:11
Speaker 1: to George as they were to the turnkey, he instantly
32:14
Speaker 1: saw the great disorder which appeared in the face of Jones.
32:18
Speaker 1: This he imputed to the accident that had happened, which
32:21
Speaker 1: was reported in the very worst light in mister Western's family.
32:24
Speaker 1: He concluded, therefore, that the gentleman was dead, and that
32:28
Speaker 1: mister Jones was in a fair way of coming to
32:30
Speaker 1: a shameful end, a thought which gave him much uneasiness.
32:35
Speaker 1: For George was of a compassionate disposition, and, notwithstanding a
32:38
Speaker 1: small breach of friendship which he had been over tempted
32:41
Speaker 1: to commit, was in the main not insensible of the
32:44
Speaker 1: obligations he had formerly received from mister Jones. The poor fellow. Therefore,
32:50
Speaker 1: scarce refrained from a tear at the present sight. He
32:54
Speaker 1: told Jones he was heartily sorry for his misfortunes, and
32:57
Speaker 1: begged him to consider if he could be of any
32:59
Speaker 1: manner of so servis. Perhaps, Sir, said he, you may
33:03
Speaker 1: want a little matter of money upon this occasion. If
33:06
Speaker 1: you do, sir, what little I have is heartily at
33:09
Speaker 1: your service. Jones shook him very heartily by the hand,
33:14
Speaker 1: and gave him many thanks for the kind offer he
33:16
Speaker 1: had made, but answered he had not the least one
33:19
Speaker 1: of that kind, upon which George began to press his
33:22
Speaker 1: services more eagerly than before. Jones again thanked him with
33:27
Speaker 1: assurances that he wanted nothing which was in the power
33:29
Speaker 1: of any man living to give. Come, Come, my good master,
33:34
Speaker 1: answered George, do not take the matter so much to heart.
33:38
Speaker 1: Things may end better than you imagine. To be sure,
33:41
Speaker 1: you at the first gentleman who hath killed a man
33:43
Speaker 1: and yet come off you are white of the matter, George,
33:47
Speaker 1: said Partridge. The gentleman is not dead nor like to die.
33:52
Speaker 1: Don't disturb my master at present, for he is troubled
33:55
Speaker 1: about a matter in which it is not in your
33:57
Speaker 1: power to do him any good. We don't know what
34:00
Speaker 1: I may be able to do, mister Partridge, answered George.
34:04
Speaker 1: If his concern is about my young lady, I have
34:06
Speaker 1: some news to tell my master. What do you say,
34:10
Speaker 1: mister George, cried Jones. Hath anything lately happened in which
34:14
Speaker 1: my Sophia is concerned? My Sophia, how dares such a
34:19
Speaker 1: wretch as I mention her so profanely? I hope she
34:23
Speaker 1: will be yours? Yet, answered George, Why, yes, sir, I
34:28
Speaker 1: have something to tell you about her. Madam Western hath
34:31
Speaker 1: just brought Madame Sophia home, and there hath been a
34:34
Speaker 1: terrible to do. I could not possibly learn the very
34:38
Speaker 1: right of it. But my master he hath been in
34:40
Speaker 1: a vast, big passion, and so was Madame Western. And
34:43
Speaker 1: I heard her say, as she went out of doors
34:46
Speaker 1: into her chair, that she would never set her foot
34:48
Speaker 1: in Master's house again. I don't know what's the matter,
34:52
Speaker 1: not I, but everything was very quiet when I came out.
34:55
Speaker 1: But Robin, who waited at supper, said he had never
34:58
Speaker 1: seen the Squire for a long while, while in such
35:00
Speaker 1: good humor with young Madam, that he kissed her several
35:03
Speaker 1: times and swore she should be her own mistress, and
35:06
Speaker 1: he never would think of confining her any more. I
35:09
Speaker 1: thought this news would please you, and so I slipped out,
35:13
Speaker 1: though it was so late to inform you of it.
35:16
Speaker 1: Mister Jones assured George that it did greatly please him,
35:19
Speaker 1: for though he should never more presume to lift his
35:21
Speaker 1: eyes toward that incomparable creature, nothing could so much relieve
35:26
Speaker 1: his misery as the satisfaction he should always have in
35:29
Speaker 1: hearing of her welfare. The rest of the conversation which
35:33
Speaker 1: passed at the visit is not important enough to be
35:35
Speaker 1: here related. The reader will therefore forgive us this abrupt
35:40
Speaker 1: breaking off, and be pleased to hear how this great
35:42
Speaker 1: good will of the Squire towards his daughter was brought about.
35:46
Speaker 1: Missus Western, on her first arrival at her brother's lodging,
35:50
Speaker 1: began to set forth the great honors and advantages which
35:53
Speaker 1: would accrue to the family by the match with Lord Fellamar,
35:56
Speaker 1: which her niece had absolutely refused, in which refusal, when
35:59
Speaker 1: the Squire took the part of his daughter, she fell
36:02
Speaker 1: immediately into the most violent passion, and so irritated and
36:07
Speaker 1: provoked the Squire that neither his patience nor his prudence
36:10
Speaker 1: could bear it any longer, upon which there ensued between them,
36:13
Speaker 1: both so warm about at altercation that perhaps the regions
36:17
Speaker 1: of Billingsgate never equaled it. In the heat of this scolding,
36:21
Speaker 1: Missus Western departed, and had consequently no leisure to acquaint
36:25
Speaker 1: her brother with the letter which Sophia received, which might
36:28
Speaker 1: have possibly produced ill effects, But to say truth, I
36:31
Speaker 1: believe it never once occurred to her memory. At this time.
36:35
Speaker 1: When Missus Western was gone, Sophia, who had been hitherto
36:39
Speaker 1: silent as well indeed from necessity as inclination, began to
36:43
Speaker 1: return the compliment which her father had made her in
36:45
Speaker 1: taking her part against her aunt, by taking his likewise
36:49
Speaker 1: against the lady. This was the first time of her
36:52
Speaker 1: so doing, and it was in the highest degree acceptable
36:55
Speaker 1: to the Squire. Again he remembered that mister Allworthy had
36:59
Speaker 1: insisted on an entire relinquishment of all violent means, And indeed,
37:04
Speaker 1: as he made no doubt but that Jones would be hanged,
37:07
Speaker 1: he did not in the least question succeeding with his
37:09
Speaker 1: daughter by fair means. He now therefore once more gave
37:14
Speaker 1: a loose to his natural fondness for her, which had
37:16
Speaker 1: such an effect on the dutiful, grateful, tender and affectionate
37:20
Speaker 1: heart of Sophia, that had her honor given to Jones,
37:24
Speaker 1: and something else, perhaps in which he was concerned, been removed.
37:29
Speaker 1: I much doubt whether she would not have sacrificed herself
37:32
Speaker 1: to a man she did not like to have obliged
37:34
Speaker 1: her father. She promised him she would make it the
37:37
Speaker 1: whole business of her life to oblige him, and would
37:40
Speaker 1: never marry any man against his consent, which brought the
37:43
Speaker 1: old man so near to his highest happiness that he
37:47
Speaker 1: was resolved to take the other step and went to
37:49
Speaker 1: bed completely drunk. Chapter three, Allwood, he visits Old Nightingale
37:55
Speaker 1: with a strange discovery that he made on that occasion.
37:59
Speaker 1: The morning after these things had happened, mister Allworthy went,
38:02
Speaker 1: according to his promise to visit Old Nightingale, with whom
38:06
Speaker 1: his authority was so great, that, after having sat within
38:09
Speaker 1: three hours, he at last prevailed with him to consent
38:12
Speaker 1: to see his son. Here, an accident happened of a
38:15
Speaker 1: very extraordinary kind, one, indeed, of those strange chances. Whence,
38:19
Speaker 1: very good and grave men have concluded that Providence often
38:22
Speaker 1: interposes in the discovery of the most secret villainy in
38:26
Speaker 1: order to caution men from quitting the paths of honesty. However,
38:29
Speaker 1: warily they tread in those of vice. Mister Allworthy, at
38:33
Speaker 1: his entrance into mister Nightingale's saw Black George. He took
38:37
Speaker 1: no notice of him, nor did Black George imagine he
38:40
Speaker 1: had perceived him. However, when their conversation on the principal
38:44
Speaker 1: point was over, Allworthy asked Nightingale whether he knew one
38:48
Speaker 1: George Seagrim, and upon what business he came to his house? Yes,
38:53
Speaker 1: answered Nightingale, I know him very well, and a most
38:56
Speaker 1: extraordinary fellow he is, who, in these days hath been
39:00
Speaker 1: able to hoard up five hundred pounds from renting a
39:03
Speaker 1: very small estate of thirty pounds a year. And is
39:06
Speaker 1: this the story which he hath told you, cries Allworthy. Nay,
39:11
Speaker 1: it is true, I promise you, said Nightingale, for I
39:14
Speaker 1: have the money now in my own hands, in five
39:17
Speaker 1: bank bills, which I am to lay out either in
39:19
Speaker 1: a mortgage or in some purchase in the North of England.
39:23
Speaker 1: The bank bills were no sooner produced at Allworthy's desire
39:27
Speaker 1: than he blessed himself. At the strangeness of the discovery.
39:30
Speaker 1: He presently told Nightingale that these bank bills were formerly his,
39:34
Speaker 1: and then acquainted him with the whole affair. As there
39:38
Speaker 1: are no men who complain more of the frauds of
39:40
Speaker 1: business than highwaymen, gamesters and other thieves of that kind.
39:44
Speaker 1: So there are none who so bitterly exclaim against the
39:46
Speaker 1: frauds of gamesters and see as usurers, brokers and other
39:52
Speaker 1: thieves of this kind. Whether it be that the one
39:54
Speaker 1: way of cheating is a discountenance or reflection upon the other,
39:58
Speaker 1: or that money, which is the common misad of all cheats,
40:01
Speaker 1: makes them regard each other in the light of rivals.
40:04
Speaker 1: But Nightingale no sooner heard the story than he exclaimed
40:07
Speaker 1: against the fellow in terms much severer than the justice
40:10
Speaker 1: and honesty of Allworthy had bestowed on him. Allworthy desired
40:15
Speaker 1: Nightingale to retain both the money and the secret till
40:18
Speaker 1: he should hear farther from him, and if he should,
40:20
Speaker 1: in the meantime see the fellow, that he would not
40:23
Speaker 1: take the least notice to him of the discovery which
40:25
Speaker 1: he had made. He then returned to his lodgings, where
40:29
Speaker 1: he found Missus Miller in a very dejected condition on
40:32
Speaker 1: account of the information she had received from her son
40:35
Speaker 1: in law. Mister Allworthy, with great cheerfulness, told her that
40:39
Speaker 1: he had much good news to communicate, and with little
40:42
Speaker 1: further preface, acquainted her that he had brought mister Nightingale
40:46
Speaker 1: to consent to see his son, and did not in
40:48
Speaker 1: the least doubt to effect a perfect reconciliation between them,
40:52
Speaker 1: though he found the father more soword by another accident
40:55
Speaker 1: of the same kind which had happened in his family.
40:58
Speaker 1: He then mentioned the running away of the uncle's daughter,
41:01
Speaker 1: which he had been told by the old gentleman, and
41:03
Speaker 1: which Missus Miller and her son in law did not
41:06
Speaker 1: yet know. The reader may suppose missus Miller received this
41:10
Speaker 1: account with great thankfulness and no less pleasure. But so
41:14
Speaker 1: uncommon was her friendship to Jones that I am not
41:16
Speaker 1: certain whether the uneasiness she suffered for his sake did
41:19
Speaker 1: not overbalance her satisfaction at hearing a piece of news
41:22
Speaker 1: tending so much to the happiness of her own family,
41:26
Speaker 1: nor whether even this very news, as it reminded her
41:29
Speaker 1: of the obligations she had to Jones, did not hurt
41:32
Speaker 1: as well as please her when her grateful heart said
41:34
Speaker 1: to her, while my own family is happy, how miserable
41:38
Speaker 1: is the poor creature to whose generosity we owe the
41:41
Speaker 1: beginning of all this happiness? Allworthy, having left her a
41:45
Speaker 1: little while to chew the cut, if I may use
41:47
Speaker 1: that expression on these first tidings, told her he had
41:50
Speaker 1: still something more to impart, which he believed would give
41:53
Speaker 1: her pleasure. I think, said he, I have discovered a
41:57
Speaker 1: pretty considerable treasure belonging to the young Jen gentleman, your friend,
42:01
Speaker 1: But perhaps indeed his present situation may be such that
42:05
Speaker 1: it will be of no service to him. The latter
42:08
Speaker 1: part of the speech gave missus Miller to understand who
42:11
Speaker 1: was meant, and she answered with a sigh, I hope not, sir,
42:16
Speaker 1: I hope so too, cries Allworthy with all my heart.
42:19
Speaker 1: But my nephew told me this morning he had heard
42:21
Speaker 1: a very bad account of the affair. Good heaven, Sir,
42:26
Speaker 1: said she. Well, I must not speak, And yet it
42:30
Speaker 1: is certainly very hard to be obliged to hold one's
42:32
Speaker 1: tongue when one hears. Madam said, Allworthy, you may say
42:37
Speaker 1: whatever you please. You know me too well to think
42:39
Speaker 1: I have a prejudice against any one. And as for
42:42
Speaker 1: that young man, I assure you I should be heartily
42:44
Speaker 1: pleased to find he could acquit himself of everything, and
42:47
Speaker 1: particularly of this sad affair. You can testify the affection
42:51
Speaker 1: I have formerly borne him. The world I know censured
42:56
Speaker 1: me for loving him so much. I did not withdraw
42:59
Speaker 1: that affection from him without thinking I had the justice cause.
43:03
Speaker 1: Believe me, Missus Miller, I should be glad to find
43:06
Speaker 1: I have been mistaken. Missus Miller was going eagerly to
43:10
Speaker 1: reply when a servant acquainted her that a gentleman without
43:13
Speaker 1: desire to speak with her immediately. Allworthy then inquired for
43:18
Speaker 1: his nephew, and was told that he had been for
43:20
Speaker 1: some time in his room with the gentleman who used
43:22
Speaker 1: to come to him, and whom mister Allworthy, guessing rightly
43:25
Speaker 1: to be mister Dowling, he desired presently to speak with him.
43:30
Speaker 1: When Dowling attended, Allworthy put the case of the bank
43:33
Speaker 1: notes to him, without mentioning any name, and asked in
43:36
Speaker 1: what manner such a person might be punished, to which
43:39
Speaker 1: Dowling answered he thought he might be indicted on the
43:42
Speaker 1: Black Act, but said, as it was a matter of
43:45
Speaker 1: some nicety, it would be proper to go to council.
43:48
Speaker 1: He said he was to attend council presently upon an
43:51
Speaker 1: affair of mister Western's, and if mister Allworthy pleased, he
43:54
Speaker 1: would lay the case before them. This was agreed to,
43:58
Speaker 1: and then missus Miller opened the door, cried, I ask pardon,
44:02
Speaker 1: I did not know you had company. But Allworthy desired
44:05
Speaker 1: her to come in, saying he had finished his business,
44:09
Speaker 1: upon which mister Dowling withdrew, and Missus Miller introduced mister
44:13
Speaker 1: Nightingale the younger to return thanks for the great kindness
44:16
Speaker 1: done him by Allworthy. But she had scarce patience to
44:19
Speaker 1: let the young gentleman finish his speech before she interrupted him. Saying, oh, sir,
44:25
Speaker 1: mister Nightingale brings great news about poor mister Jones. He
44:29
Speaker 1: hath been to see the wounded gentleman, who is out
44:32
Speaker 1: of all danger of death. And what is more, declares
44:35
Speaker 1: he fell upon poor mister Jones himself and beat him.
44:39
Speaker 1: I am sure, sir, you would not have mister Jones
44:42
Speaker 1: be a coward if I was a man myself. I
44:45
Speaker 1: am sure if any man was to strike me, I
44:48
Speaker 1: should draw my sword. Do pray, my dear, tell mister Allworthy,
44:53
Speaker 1: tell him all yourself. Nightingale then confirmed what Missus Miller
44:57
Speaker 1: had said, and concluded with many hand and some things
45:00
Speaker 1: of Jones, who was, he said, one of the best
45:03
Speaker 1: natured fellows in the world, and not in the least
45:06
Speaker 1: inclined to be quarrelsome here, Nightingale was going to cease
45:10
Speaker 1: when Missus Miller again begged him to relate all the
45:13
Speaker 1: many dutiful expressions he had heard him make use of
45:15
Speaker 1: towards mister Allworthy. To say the utmost good of mister Allworthy,
45:20
Speaker 1: cries Nightingale is doing no more than strict justice, and
45:24
Speaker 1: can have no merit in it. But indeed, I must say,
45:27
Speaker 1: no man can be more sensible of the obligations he
45:30
Speaker 1: hath to so good a man than his poor Jones. Indeed, Sir,
45:35
Speaker 1: I am convinced the weight of your displeasure is the
45:37
Speaker 1: heaviest burthen he lies under. He hath often lamented it
45:41
Speaker 1: to me, and hath as often protested in the most
45:44
Speaker 1: solemn manner, he hath never been intentionally guilty of any
45:47
Speaker 1: offense towards you. Nay, he hath sworn he would rather
45:50
Speaker 1: die a thousand deaths than he would have his conscience
45:53
Speaker 1: upbraid him with one disrespectful, ungrateful, or undutiful thought towards you.
45:58
Speaker 1: But I ask pardon, Sir, I am afraid I presume
46:02
Speaker 1: to intermeddle too far in so tender a point. You
46:05
Speaker 1: have spoke no more than what a Christian ought, cries
46:08
Speaker 1: missus Miller. Indeed, mister Nightingale answered allworthy. I applaud your
46:13
Speaker 1: generous friendship, and I wish he may merit it of you.
46:17
Speaker 1: I confess I am glad to hear the report you
46:19
Speaker 1: bring from this unfortunate gentleman, and if that matter should
46:23
Speaker 1: turn out to be as you represent it, and indeed
46:26
Speaker 1: I doubt nothing of what you say, I may perhaps
46:29
Speaker 1: in time be brought to think better than lately I
46:32
Speaker 1: have of this young man, for this good gentlewoman here. Nay,
46:35
Speaker 1: all who know me can witness that I loved him
46:39
Speaker 1: as dearly as if he had been my own son. Indeed,
46:42
Speaker 1: I have considered him as a child sent by fortune
46:45
Speaker 1: to my care. I still remember the innocent, the helpless
46:49
Speaker 1: situation in which I found him. I feel the tender
46:53
Speaker 1: pressure of his little hands. At this moment he was
46:56
Speaker 1: my darling. Indeed he was at which the words he ceased,
47:01
Speaker 1: and the tears stood in his eyes. As the answer
47:04
Speaker 1: which missus Miller made may lead us into fresh matters,
47:07
Speaker 1: we will here stop to account for the visible alteration
47:10
Speaker 1: in mister Alworthy's mind and the abatement of his anger
47:13
Speaker 1: to Jones. Revolutions of this kind, it is true, do
47:17
Speaker 1: frequently occur in histories and dramatic writers for no other
47:21
Speaker 1: reason than because the history or play draws to a conclusion,
47:24
Speaker 1: and are justified by authority of authors. Yet, though we
47:28
Speaker 1: insist upon as much authority as any author whatever, we
47:31
Speaker 1: shall use this power very sparingly, and never but when
47:35
Speaker 1: we are driven to it by necessity, which we do
47:37
Speaker 1: not at present, foresee will happen in this work. This alteration, then,
47:42
Speaker 1: in the mind of mister Allworthy, was occasioned by a
47:44
Speaker 1: letter he had just received from mister Square, and which
47:47
Speaker 1: we shall give the reader in the beginning of the
47:49
Speaker 1: next chapter, chapter four, containing two letters in very different styles.
47:56
Speaker 1: My worthy friend, I informed you in my last that
47:59
Speaker 1: I was forbid bidden the use of the waters as
48:01
Speaker 1: they were found by experience, rather to increase than lessen
48:04
Speaker 1: the symptoms of my distemper. I must now acquaint you
48:08
Speaker 1: with a piece of news which I believe will afflict
48:11
Speaker 1: my friends more than it hath afflicted me. Doctor Harrington
48:15
Speaker 1: and doctor Brewster have informed me that there is no
48:18
Speaker 1: hopes of my recovery. I have somewhere read that the
48:21
Speaker 1: great use of philosophy is to learn to die. I
48:25
Speaker 1: will not therefore so far disgrace mine as to shew
48:28
Speaker 1: any surprise at receiving a lesson which I must be
48:30
Speaker 1: thought to have so long studied yet to say the truth.
48:35
Speaker 1: One page of the Gospel teaches this lesson better than
48:38
Speaker 1: all the volumes of anti end or modern philosophers. The
48:42
Speaker 1: assurance it gives us of another life is a much
48:44
Speaker 1: stronger support to a good mind than all the consolations
48:47
Speaker 1: that are drawn from the necessity of nature, the emptiness
48:50
Speaker 1: or satiety of our enjoyments here, or any other topic
48:54
Speaker 1: of those declamations, which are sometimes capable of arming our
48:58
Speaker 1: minds with a stubborn patience in bearing them thoughts of death,
49:01
Speaker 1: but never of raising them to a real contempt of it,
49:04
Speaker 1: and much less of making us think it is a
49:05
Speaker 1: real good. I would not here be understood to throw
49:09
Speaker 1: the horrid censure of atheism, or even the absolute denial
49:12
Speaker 1: of immortality on all who are called philosophers. Many of
49:17
Speaker 1: that sect, as well antientt as modern have, from the
49:20
Speaker 1: light of reason discovered some hopes of a future state.
49:23
Speaker 1: But in reality that light was so faint and glimmering,
49:26
Speaker 1: and the hopes were so incertain and precarious, that it
49:29
Speaker 1: may be justly doubted on which side their belief turned.
49:33
Speaker 1: Plato himself concludes his Phadon with declaring that his best
49:37
Speaker 1: arguments amount only to raise a probability, and Cicero himself
49:40
Speaker 1: seems rather to profess an inclination to believe than any
49:44
Speaker 1: actual belief in the doctrines of immortality, as to myself
49:48
Speaker 1: to be very sincere with you. I never was much
49:51
Speaker 1: in earnest in this faith till I was in earnest
49:53
Speaker 1: a Christian. You will perhaps wonder at the latter expression,
49:57
Speaker 1: But I assure you it hath not been till very
50:00
Speaker 1: lately that I could with truth call myself so the
50:04
Speaker 1: pride of philosophy had intoxicated my reason, and the sublimest
50:08
Speaker 1: of all wisdom appeared to me, as it did to
50:10
Speaker 1: the Greeks of old, to be foolishness. God hath, however,
50:15
Speaker 1: been so gracious to shew me my error in time,
50:18
Speaker 1: and to bring me into the way of truth before
50:20
Speaker 1: I sunk into utter darkness. Forever I find myself beginning
50:24
Speaker 1: to grow weak, I shall therefore hasten to the main
50:27
Speaker 1: purpose of this letter. When I reflect on the actions
50:31
Speaker 1: of my past life, I know of nothing which sits
50:33
Speaker 1: heavier upon my conscience than the injustice I have been
50:36
Speaker 1: guilty of to that poor wretch, your adopted son. I
50:40
Speaker 1: have indeed not only connived at the villainy of others,
50:44
Speaker 1: but been myself active in injustice towards him. Believe me,
50:48
Speaker 1: my dear friend, when I tell you on the word
50:50
Speaker 1: of a dying man, he hath been basely injured as
50:54
Speaker 1: to the principal fact, upon the misrepresentation of which you
50:57
Speaker 1: discarded him, I solemnly assure you he is innocent. When
51:02
Speaker 1: you lay upon your supposed death bed, he was the
51:04
Speaker 1: only person in the house who testified any real concern.
51:07
Speaker 1: And what happened afterwards arose from the wildness of his
51:10
Speaker 1: joy on your recovery. And I am sorry to say
51:13
Speaker 1: it from the baseness of another person, but it is
51:16
Speaker 1: my desire to justify the innocent, and to accuse none.
51:20
Speaker 1: Believe me, my friend, this young man hath the noblest
51:23
Speaker 1: generosity of heart, the most perfect capacity for friendship, the
51:27
Speaker 1: highest integrity, and indeed every virtue which can ennoble a man.
51:32
Speaker 1: He hath some faults, but among them is not to
51:34
Speaker 1: be numbered the least want of duty or gratitude towards you.
51:38
Speaker 1: On the contrary, I am satisfied when you dismissed him
51:42
Speaker 1: from your house, his heart bled for you more than
51:44
Speaker 1: for himself. Worldly motives were the wicked and base reasons
51:48
Speaker 1: of my concealing this from you so long. To reveal
51:51
Speaker 1: it now, I can have no inducement but the desire
51:54
Speaker 1: of serving the cause of truth, of doing right to
51:56
Speaker 1: the innocent, and of making all the amends in my
51:59
Speaker 1: power or past offense. I hope this declaration therefore will
52:04
Speaker 1: have the effect desired and will restore this deserving young
52:07
Speaker 1: man to your favor, the hearing of which, while I
52:10
Speaker 1: am yet alive, will afford the utmost consolation to Sir,
52:14
Speaker 1: your most obliged, obedient, humble servant, Thomas Square. The reader
52:19
Speaker 1: will after this scarce wonder at the revolution so visibly
52:23
Speaker 1: appearing in mister Allworthy, notwithstanding he received from Thlackham by
52:27
Speaker 1: the same post another letter of a very different kind,
52:30
Speaker 1: which we shall here add, as it may possibly be
52:32
Speaker 1: the last time we shall have occasion to mention the
52:35
Speaker 1: name of that gentleman, s I R. I am not
52:38
Speaker 1: at all surprised at hearing from your worthy nephew of
52:41
Speaker 1: fresh instance of the villainy of mister Square, the atheist's
52:44
Speaker 1: young eyed pupil. I shall not wonder at any murders
52:47
Speaker 1: he may commit, and heartily pray that your own blood
52:50
Speaker 1: may not seal up his final commitment to the place
52:52
Speaker 1: of wailing and gnashing of teeth. Though you cannot want
52:56
Speaker 1: sufficient calls to repentance for the many unwarrantable weaknesses exemplified
53:00
Speaker 1: in your behavior to this wretch so much to the
53:03
Speaker 1: prejudice of your own lawful family and of your character.
53:06
Speaker 1: I say, though these may sufficiently be supposed to prick
53:09
Speaker 1: and goad your conscience at this season, I should yet
53:11
Speaker 1: be wanting to my duty if I spared to give
53:15
Speaker 1: you some admonition in order to bring you to a
53:17
Speaker 1: due sense of your errors. I therefore pray you seriously
53:21
Speaker 1: to consider the judgment which is likely to overtake this
53:23
Speaker 1: wicked villain, and let it serve at least as a
53:26
Speaker 1: warning to you that you may not, for the future
53:29
Speaker 1: despise the advice of one who is so indefatigable in
53:32
Speaker 1: his prayers for your welfare, had not my hand been
53:35
Speaker 1: withheld from due correction, I had scourged much of this
53:38
Speaker 1: diabolical spirit out of a boy of whom from his
53:41
Speaker 1: infancy I discovered the devil had taken such entire possession.
53:46
Speaker 1: But reflections of this kind now come too late. I
53:49
Speaker 1: am sorry you have given away the living of Westerton
53:52
Speaker 1: so hastily. I should have applied on that occasion earlier.
53:56
Speaker 1: Had I thought you would not have acquainted me previous
53:58
Speaker 1: to the disposition that your objection to pluralities is being
54:02
Speaker 1: righteous overmuch. If there were any crime in the practice,
54:06
Speaker 1: so many godly men would not agree to it. If
54:10
Speaker 1: the Vicar of Aldergrove should die, as we hear he
54:13
Speaker 1: is in declining way, I hope you will think of me,
54:16
Speaker 1: since I am certain you must be convinced of my
54:18
Speaker 1: most sincere attachment to your highest welfare, a welfare to
54:22
Speaker 1: which all worldly considerations are as trifling as the small
54:25
Speaker 1: tithes mentioned in scripture are when compared to the weighty
54:28
Speaker 1: matters of the law. I am, sir, your faithful, humble servant,
54:33
Speaker 1: Roger Thwackum. This was the first time Thwackum ever wrote
54:37
Speaker 1: in this authoritative style to Allworthy, and of this he
54:40
Speaker 1: had afterwards sufficient reason to repent, as in the case
54:43
Speaker 1: of those who mistake the highest degree of goodness for
54:46
Speaker 1: the lowest degree of weakness. Allworthy had indeed never liked
54:50
Speaker 1: this man. He knew him to be proud and ill natured.
54:54
Speaker 1: He also knew that his divinity itself was tinctured with
54:57
Speaker 1: his temper, and such as in many respects he himself
55:00
Speaker 1: did by no means approve. But he was at the
55:02
Speaker 1: same time an excellent scholar and most indefatigable in teaching
55:06
Speaker 1: the two laths. Add to this the strict severity of
55:10
Speaker 1: his life and manners, an unimpeached honesty, and a most
55:14
Speaker 1: devout attachment to religion, so that upon the whole though
55:18
Speaker 1: Allworthy did not esteem nor love the man. Yet he
55:21
Speaker 1: could never bring himself to part with a tutor to
55:24
Speaker 1: the boys, who was both by learning and industry, extremely
55:28
Speaker 1: well qualified for his office. And he hoped that as
55:31
Speaker 1: they were bred up in his own house and under
55:33
Speaker 1: his own eye, he should be able to correct whatever
55:37
Speaker 1: was wrong. In Thwackham's Instructions, Chapter five, in which the
55:42
Speaker 1: history is continued, mister Alworthy, in his last speech, had
55:46
Speaker 1: recollected some tender ideas concerning Jones, which had brought tears
55:51
Speaker 1: into the good man's eyes. This missus Miller, observing, said yes, yes, sir,
55:57
Speaker 1: your goodness to this poor young man is known, notwithstanding
56:01
Speaker 1: all your care to conceal it. But there is not
56:03
Speaker 1: a single syllable of truth in what those villains said.
56:06
Speaker 1: Mister Nightingale hath now discovered the whole matter. It seems
56:11
Speaker 1: these fellows were employed by a lord who is a
56:13
Speaker 1: rival of poor mister Jones to have pressed him on
56:16
Speaker 1: board a ship. Dot, I assure them, I don't know
56:18
Speaker 1: who they will press next. Mister Nightingale here hath seen
56:22
Speaker 1: the officer himself, who is a very pretty gentleman, and
56:26
Speaker 1: hath told him all and is very sorry for what
56:28
Speaker 1: he undertook, which he would never have done had he
56:31
Speaker 1: known mister Jones to have been a gentleman. But he
56:33
Speaker 1: was told that he was a common, strolling vagabond. Allworthy
56:37
Speaker 1: stared at all this and declared he was a stranger
56:40
Speaker 1: to every word. She said, yes, sir, answered she, I
56:45
Speaker 1: believe you are. Dot. It is a very different story,
56:48
Speaker 1: I believe from what those fellows told this lawyer. What lawyer, madam,
56:54
Speaker 1: what is it you mean? Said Allworthy? Nay nay, said she.
56:59
Speaker 1: This is so like you to deny your own goodness.
57:01
Speaker 1: But mister Nightingale here saw him saw whom Madam answered
57:06
Speaker 1: he why your lawyer, sir, said she that you so
57:11
Speaker 1: kindly sent to inquire into the affair. I am still
57:15
Speaker 1: in the dark, upon my honor, said Allworthy, Why then
57:19
Speaker 1: do you tell him, my dear sir, cries she. Indeed, Sir,
57:24
Speaker 1: said Nightingale, I did see that very lawyer who went
57:27
Speaker 1: from you when I came into the room at an
57:29
Speaker 1: ale house in Aldersgate, in company with two of the
57:31
Speaker 1: fellows who were employed by Lord Fellamar to press mister Jones,
57:35
Speaker 1: and who were, by that means present at the unhappy
57:38
Speaker 1: encounter between him and mister Fitzpatrick. I own, sir, said
57:42
Speaker 1: missus Miller. When I saw this gentleman come into the
57:45
Speaker 1: room to you, I told mister Nightingale that I apprehended
57:48
Speaker 1: you had sent him thither to inquire into the affair.
57:52
Speaker 1: All Worthy shewed marks of astonishment in his countenance at
57:55
Speaker 1: this news, and was indeed, for two or three minutes
57:58
Speaker 1: struck dumb by it. At last, addressing himself to mister Nightingale,
58:03
Speaker 1: he said, I must confess myself, sir, more surprised at
58:07
Speaker 1: what you tell me than I have ever been before
58:09
Speaker 1: at anything in my whole life. Are you certain this
58:12
Speaker 1: was the gentleman? I am most certain, answered Nightingale. At Aldersgate,
58:18
Speaker 1: cries Allworthy, and was you in company with this lawyer
58:22
Speaker 1: and the two fellows? I was, sir, said the other,
58:26
Speaker 1: very near half an hour. Well, sir, said Allworthy, And
58:30
Speaker 1: in what manner did the lawyer behave. Did you hear
58:34
Speaker 1: all that passed between him and the fellows? No, Sir,
58:38
Speaker 1: answered Nightingale. They had been together before I came dot
58:42
Speaker 1: in my presence, the lawyer said little, But after I
58:46
Speaker 1: had several times examined the fellows, who persisted in a
58:49
Speaker 1: story directly contrary to what I had heard from mister Jones,
58:52
Speaker 1: and which I find by mister Fitzpatrick was a rank foulshood.
58:56
Speaker 1: The lawyer then desired the fellows to say nothing but
58:59
Speaker 1: what was the truth, and seemed to speak so much
59:01
Speaker 1: in favor of mister Jones, that when I saw the
59:05
Speaker 1: same person with you, I concluded your goodness had prompted
59:08
Speaker 1: you to send him thither? And did you not send
59:11
Speaker 1: him thither? Says Missus Miller dot. Indeed I did not
59:14
Speaker 1: answered allworthy, nor did I know he had gone on
59:17
Speaker 1: such an Errand till this moment I see it all,
59:21
Speaker 1: said Missus Miller, upon my soul, I see it all.
59:25
Speaker 1: No wonder they have been closeted so close lately, Son, Nightingale,
59:30
Speaker 1: let me beg you run for these fellows, immediately find
59:33
Speaker 1: them out. If they are above ground, I will go myself,
59:37
Speaker 1: dear Madam, said Allworthy, be patient, and do me the
59:40
Speaker 1: favor to send a servant upstairs to call mister Dowling
59:43
Speaker 1: hither if he be in the house, or if not,
59:46
Speaker 1: mister Blyfeld. Missus Miller went out, muttering something to herself,
59:51
Speaker 1: and presently returned with an answer that mister Dowling was gone,
59:55
Speaker 1: but that the t'other, as she called him, was coming.
59:58
Speaker 1: Allworthy was of a cooler disa position than the good woman,
1:00:01
Speaker 1: whose spirits were all up in arms in the cause
1:00:03
Speaker 1: of her friend. He was, not, however, without some suspicions
1:00:07
Speaker 1: which were near akin to hers. When Blifield came into
1:00:11
Speaker 1: the room, he asked him, with a very serious countenance,
1:00:14
Speaker 1: and with a less friendly look than he had ever
1:00:16
Speaker 1: before given him, whether he knew anything of mister Dowling's
1:00:20
Speaker 1: having seen any of the persons who were present at
1:00:23
Speaker 1: the duel between Jones and another gentleman. There is nothing
1:00:27
Speaker 1: so dangerous as a question which comes by surprise on
1:00:30
Speaker 1: a man whose business it is to conceal truth or
1:00:32
Speaker 1: to defend foulshood. For which reason, those worthy personages whose
1:00:37
Speaker 1: noble office it is to save the lives of their
1:00:39
Speaker 1: fellow creatures at the Old Bailey take the utmost care
1:00:43
Speaker 1: by frequent previous examination, to divine every question which may
1:00:47
Speaker 1: be asked their clients on the day of trial, that
1:00:49
Speaker 1: they may be supplied with proper and ready answers which
1:00:53
Speaker 1: the most fertile invention cannot supply in an instant. Besides,
1:00:58
Speaker 1: the sudden and violent impulse on the blood occasioned by
1:01:01
Speaker 1: these surprises causes frequently such an alteration in the countenance
1:01:05
Speaker 1: that the man is obliged to give evidence against himself.
1:01:09
Speaker 1: And such indeed were the alterations which the countenance of
1:01:12
Speaker 1: Blyfhild underwent from this sudden question that we can scarce
1:01:16
Speaker 1: blame the eagerness of missus Miller, who immediately cried out
1:01:19
Speaker 1: guilty upon my honor, guilty upon my soul. Mister Allworthy
1:01:25
Speaker 1: sharply rebuked her for this impetuosity, and then, turning to Blyfhil,
1:01:30
Speaker 1: who seemed sinking into the earth, he said, why do
1:01:33
Speaker 1: you hesitate, sir? At giving me an answer, you certainly
1:01:37
Speaker 1: must have employed him, for he would not of his
1:01:39
Speaker 1: own accord, I believe have undertaken such an errand and
1:01:43
Speaker 1: especially without acquainting me. Blyfild then answered, I own, sir,
1:01:48
Speaker 1: I have been guilty of an offense. Yet, may I
1:01:51
Speaker 1: hope your pardon, my pardon, said Allworthy, very angrily. Nay, Sir,
1:01:57
Speaker 1: answered Blyphil I knew you would be offended. Yet surely
1:02:01
Speaker 1: my dear uncle will forgive the effects of the most
1:02:03
Speaker 1: amiable of human weaknesses, compassion for those who do not
1:02:07
Speaker 1: deserve it. I own is a crime, and yet it
1:02:10
Speaker 1: is a crime from which you yourself are not entirely free.
1:02:14
Speaker 1: I know I have been guilty of it in more
1:02:16
Speaker 1: than one instance to this very person, and I will
1:02:18
Speaker 1: own I did send mister Dowling not on a vain
1:02:21
Speaker 1: and fruitless inquiry, but to discover the witnesses and to
1:02:24
Speaker 1: endeavor to soften their evidence. This, Sir, is the truth
1:02:29
Speaker 1: which though I intended to conceal from you, I will
1:02:32
Speaker 1: not deny. I confess, said Nightingale. This is the light
1:02:37
Speaker 1: in which it appeared to me from the gentleman's behavior. Now, Madam,
1:02:41
Speaker 1: said Allworthy, I believe you will once in your life
1:02:44
Speaker 1: own you have entertained a wrong suspicion, and are not
1:02:47
Speaker 1: so angry with my nephew as you was. Missus Miller
1:02:51
Speaker 1: was silent, for though she could not so hastily be
1:02:53
Speaker 1: pleased with Blyfhil, whom she looked upon to have been
1:02:56
Speaker 1: the ruin of Jones. Yet in this particular instance he
1:02:59
Speaker 1: had her as well as upon the rest. So entirely
1:03:03
Speaker 1: had the devil stood his friend. And indeed, I look
1:03:07
Speaker 1: upon the vulgar observation that the devil often deserts his
1:03:10
Speaker 1: friends and leaves them in the lurch, to be a
1:03:13
Speaker 1: great abuse on that gentleman's character. Perhaps he may sometimes
1:03:17
Speaker 1: desert those who are only his cup acquaintance, or who
1:03:21
Speaker 1: at most are but half his, but he generally stands
1:03:24
Speaker 1: by those who are thoroughly his servants, and helps them
1:03:26
Speaker 1: off in all extremities till their bargain expires. As a
1:03:31
Speaker 1: conquered rebellion strengthens a government, or as health is more
1:03:34
Speaker 1: perfectly established by recovery from some diseases, so anger, when removed,
1:03:39
Speaker 1: often gives new life to affection. This was the case
1:03:43
Speaker 1: of mister Allworthy, For Blyfel, having wiped off the greater suspicion,
1:03:47
Speaker 1: the lesser, which had been raised by Square's letter, sunk,
1:03:50
Speaker 1: of course, and was forgotten, And Thwackum, with whom he
1:03:54
Speaker 1: was greatly offended, bore alone. All the reflections which Square
1:03:57
Speaker 1: had cast on the enemies of Jolones. As for that
1:04:01
Speaker 1: young man, the resentment of mister Allworthy began more and
1:04:04
Speaker 1: more to abate towards him. He told Blyfhil he did
1:04:08
Speaker 1: not only forgive the extraordinary efforts of his good nature,
1:04:11
Speaker 1: but would give him the pleasure of following his example. Then,
1:04:15
Speaker 1: turning to missus Miller with a smile which would have
1:04:18
Speaker 1: become an angel, he cried, what say you, madam? Shall
1:04:22
Speaker 1: we take a Hackney coach and all of us together
1:04:25
Speaker 1: pay a visit to your friend? I promise you it
1:04:28
Speaker 1: is not the first visit I have made in a prison.
1:04:31
Speaker 1: Every reader, I believe will be able to answer for
1:04:34
Speaker 1: the worthy woman, but they must have a great deal
1:04:36
Speaker 1: of good nature and be well acquainted with friendship. Who
1:04:39
Speaker 1: can feel what she felt on this occasion? Few, I
1:04:43
Speaker 1: hope are capable of feeling what now passed in the
1:04:46
Speaker 1: mind of Blyfil. But those who are will acknowledge that
1:04:49
Speaker 1: it was impossible for him to raise any objection to
1:04:51
Speaker 1: this visit. Fortune, however, or the gentleman lately mentioned above,
1:04:57
Speaker 1: stood his friend and prevented his undergoing so great a shock,
1:05:01
Speaker 1: For at the very instant when the coach was sent
1:05:03
Speaker 1: for Partridge arrived, and, having called missus Miller from the company,
1:05:07
Speaker 1: acquainted her with the dreadful accident lately come to light, and,
1:05:11
Speaker 1: hearing mister Alworthy's intention, begged her to find some means
1:05:15
Speaker 1: of stopping him, For says he, the matter must at
1:05:18
Speaker 1: all hazards be kept a secret from him, and if
1:05:21
Speaker 1: he should now go, he will find mister Jones and
1:05:23
Speaker 1: his mother, who arrived just as I left him, lamenting
1:05:26
Speaker 1: over one another the horrid crime they have ignorantly committed.
1:05:30
Speaker 1: The poor woman, who was almost deprived of her senses
1:05:33
Speaker 1: at his dreadful news, was never less capable of invention
1:05:36
Speaker 1: than at present. However, as women are much readier at
1:05:40
Speaker 1: this than men, she bethought herself of an excuse, and,
1:05:44
Speaker 1: returning to Allworthy, said, I am sure, sir, you will
1:05:48
Speaker 1: be surprised at hearing any objection from me to the
1:05:50
Speaker 1: kind proposal you just now made, And yet I am
1:05:53
Speaker 1: afraid of the consequence of it if carried immediately into execution.
1:05:58
Speaker 1: You must imagine, sir, that all the calamities which have
1:06:01
Speaker 1: lately befallen this poor young fellow must have thrown him
1:06:04
Speaker 1: into the lowest dejection of spirits. And now, Sir, should
1:06:08
Speaker 1: we all on a sudden fling him into such a
1:06:10
Speaker 1: violent fit of joy as I know your presence will
1:06:13
Speaker 1: occasion it, may I am afraid produce some fatal mischief,
1:06:18
Speaker 1: especially as his servant, who is without, tells me he
1:06:21
Speaker 1: is very far from being well. Is his servant without
1:06:25
Speaker 1: cries Allworthy? Pray call him hither I will ask him
1:06:29
Speaker 1: some questions concerning his master. Partridge was at first afraid
1:06:33
Speaker 1: to appear before mister Allworthy, but was at length persuaded
1:06:37
Speaker 1: after Missus Miller, who had often heard his whole story
1:06:40
Speaker 1: from his own mouth, had promised to introduce him. Allworthy
1:06:44
Speaker 1: recollected Partridge the moment he came into the room, though
1:06:47
Speaker 1: many years had passed since he had seen him. Missus
1:06:50
Speaker 1: Miller therefore might have spared here a formal oration in which,
1:06:55
Speaker 1: indeed she was something prelicts for the reader. I believe
1:06:59
Speaker 1: may have observed all already that the good woman, among
1:07:01
Speaker 1: other things, had a tongue always ready for the service
1:07:04
Speaker 1: of her friends. And are you, said, Allworthy to Partridge,
1:07:08
Speaker 1: the servant of mister Jones. I can't say, sir, answered
1:07:13
Speaker 1: he that I am regularly a servant, but I live
1:07:15
Speaker 1: with him, and please your honor at present non some qualisiram,
1:07:20
Speaker 1: as your honor very well knows. Mister Allworthy then asked
1:07:25
Speaker 1: him many questions concerning Jones, as to his health and
1:07:28
Speaker 1: other matters, to all which Partridge answered, without having the
1:07:32
Speaker 1: least regard to what was, but considered only what he
1:07:35
Speaker 1: would have things appear. For a strict adherence to truth
1:07:38
Speaker 1: was not among the articles of this honest fellow's morality
1:07:41
Speaker 1: or his religion. During this dialogue, mister Nightingale took his leave,
1:07:46
Speaker 1: and presently after missus Miller left the room, when Allworthy
1:07:49
Speaker 1: likewise despatched Bliphil, for he imagined that Partridge, when alone
1:07:53
Speaker 1: with him, would be more explicit than before company. They
1:07:57
Speaker 1: were no sooner left in private together than Allworthy began,
1:08:00
Speaker 1: as in the following chapter, chapter six, in which the
1:08:05
Speaker 1: history is farther continued, sure friend said, the good man,
1:08:09
Speaker 1: you are the strangest of all human beings, not only
1:08:13
Speaker 1: to have suffered as you have formerly, for obstinately persisting
1:08:16
Speaker 1: in a foulshood, but to persist in it thus to
1:08:18
Speaker 1: the last, and to pass thus upon the world for
1:08:21
Speaker 1: a servant of your own son What interest can you
1:08:24
Speaker 1: have in all this? What can be your motive? I see, sir,
1:08:29
Speaker 1: said Partridge, falling down upon his knees, that your honor
1:08:33
Speaker 1: is prepossessed against me, and resolved not to believe anything
1:08:36
Speaker 1: I say? And therefore what signifies my protestations? But yet
1:08:42
Speaker 1: there is one above who knows that I am not
1:08:44
Speaker 1: the father of this young man? How said Alworthy? Will
1:08:48
Speaker 1: you yet deny what you was formerly convicted of upon
1:08:51
Speaker 1: such unanswerable, such manifest evidence? Nay, what a confirmation is
1:08:56
Speaker 1: your being now found with this very man of all
1:08:59
Speaker 1: which twenty years ago appeared against you. I thought you
1:09:03
Speaker 1: had left the country. Nay, I thought you had been
1:09:06
Speaker 1: long since dead. Dot in what manner did you know
1:09:10
Speaker 1: anything of this young man? Where did you meet with him?
1:09:13
Speaker 1: Unless you had kept some correspondence together? Do not deny this,
1:09:18
Speaker 1: for I promise you it will greatly raise your son,
1:09:20
Speaker 1: in my opinion, to find that he hath such a
1:09:22
Speaker 1: sense of filial duty as privately to support his father
1:09:25
Speaker 1: for so many years. If your honor will have patience
1:09:29
Speaker 1: to hear me, said Partridge, I will tell you all,
1:09:33
Speaker 1: being bid go on. He proceeded thus, when your honor
1:09:36
Speaker 1: conceived that displeasure against me. It ended in my ruin
1:09:39
Speaker 1: soon after, for I lost my little school, and the minister, thinking,
1:09:43
Speaker 1: I suppose it would be agreeable to Your Honor turn
1:09:46
Speaker 1: me out from the office of clerk, so that I
1:09:49
Speaker 1: had nothing to trust to but the barber's shop, which
1:09:52
Speaker 1: in a country place like that is a poor livelihood.
1:09:55
Speaker 1: And when my wife died, for till that time, I
1:09:57
Speaker 1: received a pension of twelve pounds a year from o
1:10:00
Speaker 1: an unknown hand, which indeed I believe was Your Honor's own,
1:10:04
Speaker 1: for nobody that ever I heard of, doth these things. Besides,
1:10:07
Speaker 1: But as I was saying, when she died, this pension
1:10:10
Speaker 1: forsook me. So that now as I owed two or
1:10:13
Speaker 1: three small debts which began to be troublesome to me,
1:10:16
Speaker 1: particularly one asterisk, which an attorney brought up by law
1:10:20
Speaker 1: charges from fifteens to near thirty pounds. And as I
1:10:24
Speaker 1: found all my usual means of living had forsook me,
1:10:27
Speaker 1: I packed up my little all as well as I could,
1:10:30
Speaker 1: and went off Asterisk. This is a fact which I
1:10:34
Speaker 1: knew happened to a poor clergyman in Dorsetshire by the
1:10:37
Speaker 1: villainy of an attorney who not contented with the exorbitant
1:10:40
Speaker 1: costs to which the poor man was put by a
1:10:42
Speaker 1: single action brought afterwards another action on the judgment, as
1:10:46
Speaker 1: it was called, a method frequently used to oppress the
1:10:49
Speaker 1: poor and bring money into the pockets of attorneys, to
1:10:53
Speaker 1: the great scandal of the law, of the nation, of Christianity,
1:10:57
Speaker 1: and even of human nature itself. The first place I
1:11:01
Speaker 1: came to was Salisbury, where I got into the service
1:11:03
Speaker 1: of a gentleman belonging to the law, and one of
1:11:06
Speaker 1: the best gentlemen that ever I knew. For he was
1:11:08
Speaker 1: not only good to me, but I know a thousand
1:11:10
Speaker 1: good and charitable acts which he did while I stayed
1:11:13
Speaker 1: with him, and I have known him often refuse business
1:11:16
Speaker 1: because it was pultry and oppressive. You need not be
1:11:20
Speaker 1: so particular, said allworthy. I know this gentleman, and a
1:11:24
Speaker 1: very worthy man he is, and an honor to his profession,
1:11:28
Speaker 1: Well Sir continued Partridge. From hence I removed to Lymington,
1:11:33
Speaker 1: where I was above three years in the service of
1:11:36
Speaker 1: another lawyer, who was likewise a very good sort of
1:11:38
Speaker 1: a man, and to be sure, one of the merriest
1:11:41
Speaker 1: gentlemen in England. Well Sir at the end of the
1:11:44
Speaker 1: three years, I set up a little school and was
1:11:47
Speaker 1: likely to do well again, had it not been for
1:11:49
Speaker 1: a most unlucky accident. Here I kept a pig, and
1:11:53
Speaker 1: one day, as though fortune would have it, this pig
1:11:56
Speaker 1: broke out and did a trespass I think they call it,
1:11:59
Speaker 1: in a garden belonging to one of my neighbors, who
1:12:02
Speaker 1: was a proud, revengeful man, and employed a lawyer, one
1:12:05
Speaker 1: one I can't think of his name, but he sent
1:12:08
Speaker 1: for a writ against me and had me to size.
1:12:12
Speaker 1: When I came there, Lord, have mercy upon me to
1:12:15
Speaker 1: hear what the councilor said. There was one that told
1:12:18
Speaker 1: my Lord a parcel of the confoundedest lies about me.
1:12:21
Speaker 1: He said that I used to drive my hogs into
1:12:23
Speaker 1: other folks gardens, and a great deal more. And at last,
1:12:26
Speaker 1: he said, he hoped I had at last brought my
1:12:29
Speaker 1: hogs to a fair market. To be sure, one would
1:12:32
Speaker 1: have thought that, instead of being owner only of one
1:12:35
Speaker 1: poor little pig, I had been the greatest hog merchant
1:12:38
Speaker 1: in England. Well, pray said, allworthy, do not be so particular.
1:12:43
Speaker 1: I have heard nothing of your son yet. Oh it
1:12:46
Speaker 1: was a great many years, answered Partridge before I saw
1:12:49
Speaker 1: my son, as you are pleased to call him Dot.
1:12:53
Speaker 1: I went over to Ireland after this and taught school
1:12:56
Speaker 1: at Cork. For that one suit ruined me again, and
1:12:59
Speaker 1: I lay seven years in Winchester jail. Well, said Allworthy,
1:13:04
Speaker 1: passed it over till your return to England. Then, Sir,
1:13:09
Speaker 1: said he. It was about half a year ago that
1:13:11
Speaker 1: I landed at Bristol, where I stayed some time, and
1:13:14
Speaker 1: not finding it due there, and hearing of a place
1:13:17
Speaker 1: between that and Gloucester where the barber was just dead,
1:13:20
Speaker 1: I went thither, and there I had been about two
1:13:22
Speaker 1: months when mister Jones came thither. He then gave Allworthy
1:13:27
Speaker 1: a very particular account of their first meeting, and of
1:13:29
Speaker 1: everything as well as he could remember, which had happened
1:13:32
Speaker 1: from that day to this, frequently interlarding his story with
1:13:36
Speaker 1: panegyrics on Jones, and not forgetting to insinuate the great
1:13:39
Speaker 1: love and respect which he had for Allworthy. He concluded
1:13:43
Speaker 1: with saying, now, Sir, I have told your honor the
1:13:46
Speaker 1: whole truth, and then repeated a most solemn protestation that
1:13:51
Speaker 1: he was no more the father of Jones than of
1:13:53
Speaker 1: the Pope of Rome and imprecated the most bitter curses
1:13:56
Speaker 1: on his head if he did not speak truth. What
1:13:59
Speaker 1: am I to think of this matter? Cries Allworthy? For
1:14:03
Speaker 1: what purpose should you so strongly deny a fact which
1:14:06
Speaker 1: I think it would be rather your interest to own? Nay, sir,
1:14:10
Speaker 1: answered Partridge, for he could hold no longer. If your
1:14:13
Speaker 1: honor will not believe me, you are like soon to
1:14:15
Speaker 1: have satisfaction enough. I wish you had mistaken the mother
1:14:19
Speaker 1: of this young man as well as you have his father. And, now,
1:14:25
Speaker 1: being asked what he meant, with all the symptoms of horror,
1:14:28
Speaker 1: both in his voice and countenance, he told Allworthy the
1:14:31
Speaker 1: whole story, which he had a little before expressed such
1:14:34
Speaker 1: desire to Missus Miller to conceal from him. Allworthy was
1:14:38
Speaker 1: almost as much shocked at this discovery as Partridge himself
1:14:41
Speaker 1: had been while he related it. Good Heavens, says he,
1:14:46
Speaker 1: in what miserable distresses do vice and imprudence involve men?
1:14:51
Speaker 1: How much beyond our designs are the effects of wickedness
1:14:54
Speaker 1: sometimes carried? He had scarce uttered these words. When Missus
1:14:58
Speaker 1: Waters came hastily and abruptly into the room, Partridge no
1:15:03
Speaker 1: sooner saw her than he cried, Here, sir, here is
1:15:06
Speaker 1: the very woman herself. This is the unfortunate mother of
1:15:10
Speaker 1: mister Jones. I am sure she will acquit me before
1:15:14
Speaker 1: your honor pray madam. Missus Waters, without paying any regard
1:15:19
Speaker 1: to what Partridge said, and almost without taking any notice
1:15:22
Speaker 1: of him, advanced to mister Allworthy. I believe, sir, it
1:15:27
Speaker 1: is so long since I had the honor of seeing
1:15:29
Speaker 1: you that you do not recollect me. Indeed, answered Allworthy,
1:15:34
Speaker 1: you are so very much altered on many accounts that
1:15:37
Speaker 1: had not this man already acquainted me who you are,
1:15:40
Speaker 1: should not have immediately called you to my remembrance. Have you, madam,
1:15:45
Speaker 1: any particular business which brings you to me? Allworthy spoke
1:15:49
Speaker 1: this with great reserve, for the reader may easily believe
1:15:52
Speaker 1: he was not well pleased with the conduct of this lady,
1:15:55
Speaker 1: neither with what he had formerly heard, nor with what
1:15:58
Speaker 1: Partridge had now delivered. Missus Waters answered, indeed, Sir, I
1:16:03
Speaker 1: have very particular business with you, and it is such
1:16:06
Speaker 1: as I can impart only to yourself. I must desire
1:16:10
Speaker 1: therefore the favor of a word with you alone, for
1:16:13
Speaker 1: I assure you what I have to tell you is
1:16:15
Speaker 1: of the utmost importance. Partridge was then ordered to withdraw,
1:16:19
Speaker 1: but before he went, he begged the lady to satisfy
1:16:22
Speaker 1: mister Allworthy that he was perfectly innocent, to which she answered,
1:16:27
Speaker 1: you need be under no apprehension, sir, I shall satisfy
1:16:30
Speaker 1: mister Allworthy very perfectly of that matter. Then Partridge withdrew,
1:16:35
Speaker 1: and that passed between mister Allworthy and Missus Waters, which
1:16:38
Speaker 1: is written in the next chapter, chapter seven continuation of
1:16:43
Speaker 1: the History. Missus Waters, remaining a few moments silent, mister
1:16:48
Speaker 1: Allworthy could not refrain from saying, I am sorry, madam,
1:16:52
Speaker 1: to perceive, by what I have since heard, that you
1:16:54
Speaker 1: have made so very ill a use, mister Allworthy, says she,
1:16:58
Speaker 1: interrupting him. I know I have faults, but ingratitude to
1:17:02
Speaker 1: you is not one of them. I never can nor
1:17:04
Speaker 1: shall forget your goodness, which I own I have very
1:17:07
Speaker 1: little deserved, but be pleased to wave all upbraiding me
1:17:10
Speaker 1: at present, as I have so important an affair to
1:17:13
Speaker 1: communicate to you concerning this young man to whom you
1:17:16
Speaker 1: have given my maiden name of Jones, Have I, then,
1:17:19
Speaker 1: said Allworthy ignorantly punished an innocent man in the person
1:17:23
Speaker 1: of him who hath just left us? Was he not
1:17:26
Speaker 1: the father of the child? Indeed he was not, said
1:17:30
Speaker 1: missus Waters. You may be pleased to remember, Sir, I
1:17:34
Speaker 1: formerly told you he should one day know, And I
1:17:37
Speaker 1: acknowledge myself to have been guilty of a cruel neglect
1:17:40
Speaker 1: in not having discovered it to you before. Indeed, I
1:17:44
Speaker 1: little knew how necessary it was, Well, Madam, said Allworthy,
1:17:49
Speaker 1: be pleased to proceed. You must remember, sir, said she,
1:17:54
Speaker 1: a young fellow whose name was Summer, very well, cries Allworthy.
1:17:59
Speaker 1: He was the son of a clergyman of great learning
1:18:01
Speaker 1: and virtue, for whom I had the highest friendship. So
1:18:05
Speaker 1: it appeared, Sir, answered she, For I believe you bred
1:18:08
Speaker 1: the young man up and maintained him at the university,
1:18:11
Speaker 1: where I think he had finished his studies. When he
1:18:14
Speaker 1: came to reside at your house, a finer man, I
1:18:17
Speaker 1: must say, the sun never shone upon, For besides the
1:18:21
Speaker 1: handsomest person I ever saw, he was so genteel, and
1:18:25
Speaker 1: had so much wit and good breeding. Poor gentleman, said Allworthy,
1:18:30
Speaker 1: he was indeed untimely snatched away, And little did I
1:18:34
Speaker 1: think he had any sins of this kind? To answer,
1:18:36
Speaker 1: for for I plainly perceive you are going to tell
1:18:38
Speaker 1: me he was the father of your child. Indeed, Sir,
1:18:42
Speaker 1: answered she, he was not, how said Allworthy to what
1:18:48
Speaker 1: then tends all this preface to a story, said she,
1:18:52
Speaker 1: which I am concerned, falls to my lot to unfold
1:18:54
Speaker 1: to you. Oh, sir, prepare to hear something which will
1:18:59
Speaker 1: surprise you. You will grieve you speak, said Allworthy. I
1:19:03
Speaker 1: am conscious of no crime and cannot be afraid to hear. Sir,
1:19:08
Speaker 1: said she, that mister Summer, the son of your friend,
1:19:12
Speaker 1: educated at your expense, who, after living a year in
1:19:15
Speaker 1: the house, as if he had been your own son,
1:19:17
Speaker 1: died there of the smallpox, was tenderly lamented by you,
1:19:20
Speaker 1: and buried as if he had been your own. That Summer, Sir,
1:19:24
Speaker 1: was the father of this child, How, said Allworthy, You
1:19:29
Speaker 1: contradict yourself that I do not, answered she. He was
1:19:34
Speaker 1: indeed the father of this child, but not by me.
1:19:37
Speaker 1: Take care, Madam, said Allworthy, do not to shun the
1:19:41
Speaker 1: imputation of any crime. Be guilty of foulshood. Remember there
1:19:45
Speaker 1: is one from whom you can conceal nothing, and before
1:19:48
Speaker 1: whose tribunal foulshood will only aggravate your guilt. Indeed, sir,
1:19:53
Speaker 1: says she, I am not his mother, nor would I
1:19:56
Speaker 1: now think myself so for the world. I know your reason,
1:20:00
Speaker 1: said Allworthy, and shall rejoice as much as you to
1:20:03
Speaker 1: find it otherwise. Yet you must remember you yourself confused
1:20:06
Speaker 1: it before me. So far what I confioust said, she
1:20:11
Speaker 1: was true that these hands conveyed the infant to your bed,
1:20:14
Speaker 1: conveyed it thither at the command of its mother, at
1:20:17
Speaker 1: her commands. I afterwards owned it, and thought myself by
1:20:20
Speaker 1: her generosity nobly rewarded both for my secrecy and my shame.
1:20:25
Speaker 1: Who could this woman be? Said Allworthy? Indeed I trembled
1:20:30
Speaker 1: to name her, answered Missus Waters. By all this preparation,
1:20:35
Speaker 1: I am to guess that she was a relation of mine,
1:20:37
Speaker 1: cried he. Indeed she was a near one, at which
1:20:42
Speaker 1: words Allworthy started, and she continued. You had a sister, sir,
1:20:47
Speaker 1: a sister, repeated he, looking aghast dot as there is
1:20:51
Speaker 1: truth in heaven, cries she, your sister, was the mother
1:20:55
Speaker 1: of that child you found between your sheets. Can it
1:20:58
Speaker 1: be possible? Cries he? Good heavens have patience, sir, said
1:21:03
Speaker 1: Missus Waters, and I will unfold to you the whole story.
1:21:08
Speaker 1: Just after your departure for London, Miss Bridget came one
1:21:11
Speaker 1: day to the house of my mother. She was pleased
1:21:14
Speaker 1: to say she had heard an extraordinary character of me,
1:21:17
Speaker 1: for my learning and superior understanding to all the young
1:21:20
Speaker 1: women there. So she was pleased to say. She then
1:21:23
Speaker 1: bid me come to her to the great house, where,
1:21:26
Speaker 1: when I attended, she employed me to read to her.
1:21:30
Speaker 1: She expressed great satisfaction in my reading, shewed great kindness
1:21:33
Speaker 1: to me, and made me many presents. At last she
1:21:37
Speaker 1: began to catechise me on the subject of secrecy, to
1:21:40
Speaker 1: which I gave her such satisfactory answers that at last,
1:21:44
Speaker 1: having locked the door of her room, she took me
1:21:46
Speaker 1: into her closet, and then locking that door. Likewise, she
1:21:51
Speaker 1: said she should convince me of the vast reliance she
1:21:53
Speaker 1: had on my integrity by communicating a secret in which
1:21:56
Speaker 1: her honor and consequently her life was concerned. She then stopped,
1:22:02
Speaker 1: and after a silence of a few minutes, during which
1:22:04
Speaker 1: she often wiped her eyes, she inquired of me if
1:22:07
Speaker 1: I thought my mother might safely be confided in I answered,
1:22:12
Speaker 1: I would stake my life on her fidelity. She then
1:22:15
Speaker 1: imparted to me the great secret which labored in her breast,
1:22:18
Speaker 1: and which I believe was delivered with more pains than
1:22:21
Speaker 1: she afterwards suffered in childbirth. It was then contrived that
1:22:26
Speaker 1: my mother and myself only should attend at the time,
1:22:28
Speaker 1: and that missus Wilkins should be sent out of the way,
1:22:31
Speaker 1: as she accordingly was to the very furthest part of
1:22:34
Speaker 1: Dorsetshire to inquire the character of a servant. For the
1:22:37
Speaker 1: lady had turned away her own maid near three months before,
1:22:41
Speaker 1: during all which time I officiated about her person upon
1:22:44
Speaker 1: trial as she said, though as she afterwards declared, I
1:22:49
Speaker 1: was not sufficiently handy for the place. This and many
1:22:53
Speaker 1: other such things which she used to say of me,
1:22:55
Speaker 1: were all thrown out to prevent any suspicion which Wilkins
1:22:58
Speaker 1: might hereafter have when I was to own the child,
1:23:01
Speaker 1: for she thought it could never be believed she would
1:23:03
Speaker 1: venture to hurt a young woman with whom she had
1:23:06
Speaker 1: entrusted such a secret. You may be assured, Sir, I
1:23:10
Speaker 1: was well paid for all these affronts, which, together with
1:23:13
Speaker 1: being informed with the occasion of them, very well contented me. Indeed,
1:23:18
Speaker 1: the lady had a greater suspicion of Missus Wilkins than
1:23:21
Speaker 1: of any other person, not that she had the least
1:23:23
Speaker 1: aversion to the gentlewoman, but she thought her incapable of
1:23:26
Speaker 1: keeping a secret, especially from you, sir, For I have
1:23:30
Speaker 1: often heard miss Bridget say that if missus Wilkins had
1:23:33
Speaker 1: committed a murder, she believed she would acquaint you with it.
1:23:37
Speaker 1: At last, the expected day came, and Missus Wilkins, who
1:23:41
Speaker 1: had been kept a week in readiness, and put off
1:23:43
Speaker 1: from time to time upon some pretense or other that
1:23:46
Speaker 1: she might not return too soon, was dispatched. Then the
1:23:50
Speaker 1: child was born in the presence only of myself and
1:23:53
Speaker 1: my mother, and was by my mother conveyed to her
1:23:55
Speaker 1: own house, where it was privately kept by her till
1:23:58
Speaker 1: the evening of your return, and I, by the command
1:24:01
Speaker 1: of miss Bridget, conveyed it into the bed where you
1:24:03
Speaker 1: found it. And all suspicions were afterwards laid asleep by
1:24:07
Speaker 1: the artful conduct of your sister in pretending ill will
1:24:11
Speaker 1: to the boy, and that any regard she shewt him
1:24:13
Speaker 1: was out of mere complaisance to you. Missus Waters then
1:24:18
Speaker 1: made many protestations of the truth of this story, and
1:24:21
Speaker 1: concluded by saying, thus, sir, you have at last discovered
1:24:25
Speaker 1: your nephew. For so I am sure you will hereafter
1:24:28
Speaker 1: think him, and I question not. But he will be
1:24:30
Speaker 1: both an honor and a comfort to you under that appellation.
1:24:33
Speaker 1: I need not, madam, said allworthy, express my astonishment at
1:24:38
Speaker 1: what you have told me. And yet surely you would
1:24:40
Speaker 1: not and could not have put together so many circumstances
1:24:44
Speaker 1: to evidence and untruth. I confess I recollect some passages
1:24:48
Speaker 1: relating to that summer, which formerly gave me a conceit
1:24:51
Speaker 1: that my sister had some liking to him. I mentioned
1:24:54
Speaker 1: it to her, for I had such a regard to
1:24:57
Speaker 1: the young man as well on his own account as
1:24:59
Speaker 1: on his fire others, that I should willingly have consented
1:25:02
Speaker 1: to a match between them. But she expressed the highest
1:25:05
Speaker 1: disdain of my unkind suspicion, as she called it, so
1:25:08
Speaker 1: that I never spoke more on the subject. Good heavens well,
1:25:14
Speaker 1: the Lord desposeth all things dot. Yet sure it was
1:25:17
Speaker 1: a most unjustifiable conduct in my sister to carry this
1:25:21
Speaker 1: secret with her out of the world, I promise you, sir,
1:25:25
Speaker 1: said missus Waters. She always professed a contrary intention, and
1:25:29
Speaker 1: frequently told me, she intended one day to communicate it
1:25:32
Speaker 1: to you. She said, indeed, she was highly rejoiced that
1:25:36
Speaker 1: her plot had succeeded so well, and that you had,
1:25:39
Speaker 1: of your own accord, taken such a fancy to the
1:25:41
Speaker 1: child that it was yet unnecessary to make any express declaration. Oh, sir,
1:25:48
Speaker 1: had that lady lived to have seen this poor young
1:25:50
Speaker 1: man turn like a vagabond from your house? Nay sir?
1:25:54
Speaker 1: Could she have lived to hear that you had yourself
1:25:56
Speaker 1: employed a lawyer to prosecute him for a murder of
1:25:58
Speaker 1: which he was not guilty. Forgive me, mister Allworthy, I
1:26:02
Speaker 1: must say it was unkind dot. Indeed, you have been abused.
1:26:06
Speaker 1: He never deserved it of you. Indeed, madam said Allworthy,
1:26:11
Speaker 1: I have been abused by the person whoever he was
1:26:13
Speaker 1: that told you so. Nay, sir, said she. I would
1:26:18
Speaker 1: not be mistaken. I did not presume to say you
1:26:20
Speaker 1: were guilty of any wrong. The gentleman who came to
1:26:24
Speaker 1: me proposed no such matter. He only said, taking me
1:26:27
Speaker 1: for mister Fitzpatrick's wife, that if mister Jones had murdered
1:26:31
Speaker 1: my husband, I should be assisted with any money I
1:26:33
Speaker 1: wanted to carry on the prosecution by a very worthy gentleman,
1:26:37
Speaker 1: who he said was well apprized what a villain I
1:26:40
Speaker 1: had to deal with. It was by this man I
1:26:43
Speaker 1: found out who mister Jones was. And this man, whose
1:26:46
Speaker 1: name is Dowling, mister Jones tells me is your steward.
1:26:50
Speaker 1: I discovered his name by a very odd accident, for
1:26:53
Speaker 1: he himself refused to tell it me. But Partridge, who
1:26:56
Speaker 1: met him at my lodgings the second time he came,
1:26:59
Speaker 1: knew him formerly at Salisbury, and did this, Mister Dowling,
1:27:03
Speaker 1: says Allworthy, with great astonishment in his countenance, tell you
1:27:07
Speaker 1: that I would assist in the prosecution. No, sir, answered she,
1:27:12
Speaker 1: I will not charge him wrongfully. He said I should
1:27:15
Speaker 1: be assisted, but he mentioned no name. Yet you must
1:27:19
Speaker 1: pardon me, sir. If from circumstances I thought it could
1:27:22
Speaker 1: be no other. Indeed, Madam says Allworthy, from circumstances, I
1:27:28
Speaker 1: am too well convinced it was another good heaven. By
1:27:33
Speaker 1: what wonderful means is the blackest and deepest villainy sometimes discovered.
1:27:37
Speaker 1: Shall I beg you, Madam, to stay till the person
1:27:40
Speaker 1: you have mentioned comes, for I expect him every minute. Nay,
1:27:44
Speaker 1: he may be, perhaps already in the house. Allworthy then
1:27:49
Speaker 1: stepped to the door in order to call a servant,
1:27:52
Speaker 1: when in came not mister Dowling, but the gentleman who
1:27:55
Speaker 1: will be seen in the next chapter, Chapter eight further continuation.
1:28:01
Speaker 1: The gentleman who now arrived was no other than mister Western.
1:28:06
Speaker 1: He no sooner saw Allworthy than without considering in the
1:28:09
Speaker 1: least the presence of missus Waters, he began to vociferate
1:28:13
Speaker 1: in the following manner, fine doings at my house a
1:28:17
Speaker 1: rare kettle of fish. I have discovered at last who
1:28:21
Speaker 1: the devil would be plagued with a daughter? What's the matter, neighbor,
1:28:25
Speaker 1: said Allworthy, matter enough, answered Western. When I thought she
1:28:30
Speaker 1: was just a coming to nay, when she had, in
1:28:32
Speaker 1: a manner promised me to do as I would ha her,
1:28:35
Speaker 1: And when I was a hope to have had nothing
1:28:36
Speaker 1: more to do than to have sent for the lawyer
1:28:38
Speaker 1: and finished all what do you think? I have found
1:28:41
Speaker 1: out that the little bee hath been playing tricks with
1:28:44
Speaker 1: me all the while, and carrying on a correspondence with
1:28:47
Speaker 1: that bastard of yours, sister Western, whom I have quarreled
1:28:52
Speaker 1: with upon her account sent me word out, and I
1:28:54
Speaker 1: ordered her pockets to be searched when she was asleep.
1:28:57
Speaker 1: And here I have got unsigned with the son of
1:28:59
Speaker 1: a HoriZone name. I have not had patience to read
1:29:03
Speaker 1: half hote, for tis longer than one of Parson's supple sermons.
1:29:06
Speaker 1: But I find plainly it is all about love, and indeed,
1:29:10
Speaker 1: what should it be else. I have packed her up
1:29:13
Speaker 1: in chamber again, and tomorrow morning down she goes into
1:29:16
Speaker 1: the country unless she consents to be married directly, And
1:29:19
Speaker 1: there she shall live in a garret upon bread and
1:29:21
Speaker 1: water all her days. And the sooner such a be
1:29:25
Speaker 1: breaks her heart, the better, though d and her that
1:29:28
Speaker 1: I believe is too tough, she will live long enough
1:29:31
Speaker 1: to plague me. Mister Western, answered Allworthy. You know I
1:29:36
Speaker 1: have always protested against force, and you yourself consented that
1:29:40
Speaker 1: none should be used. I cries he that was only
1:29:44
Speaker 1: upon condition that she would consent without what the devil
1:29:48
Speaker 1: and doctor faustus. Shan't I do what I will with
1:29:51
Speaker 1: my own daughter, especially when I desire nothing but her
1:29:54
Speaker 1: own good Well neighbor answered Allworthy, if you will give
1:29:58
Speaker 1: me leave, I will un to take once to argue
1:30:01
Speaker 1: with the young lady will you, said Western, Why that
1:30:05
Speaker 1: is kind now and neighborly, and mayhap you will do
1:30:07
Speaker 1: more than I have been able to do with her.
1:30:09
Speaker 1: For I promise you she hath a very good opinion
1:30:11
Speaker 1: of you. Well, sir, said Allworthy, If you will go
1:30:15
Speaker 1: home and release the young lady from her captivity, I
1:30:18
Speaker 1: will wait upon her within this half hour. But suppose
1:30:22
Speaker 1: said Western, she should run away with un in the meantime,
1:30:26
Speaker 1: For lawyer Dowling tells me there is no hopes of
1:30:29
Speaker 1: hanging the fellow at last, for that the man is
1:30:31
Speaker 1: alive and like to do well, and that he thinks
1:30:34
Speaker 1: Jones will be out of prison again presently, How said Allworthy,
1:30:39
Speaker 1: What did you employ him then to inquire or to
1:30:41
Speaker 1: do anything in that matter? Not, I answered Western. He
1:30:45
Speaker 1: mentioned it to me just now of his own accord.
1:30:49
Speaker 1: Just now, cries Allworthy. Why where did you see him? Then?
1:30:53
Speaker 1: I want much to see, mister Dowling. Why you may
1:30:57
Speaker 1: see on in you will presently at my lodgings, for
1:31:00
Speaker 1: there is to be a meeting of lawyers there this
1:31:02
Speaker 1: morning about a mortgage. I god, I shall lose two
1:31:07
Speaker 1: or three thousand pounds, I believe by that honest gentleman,
1:31:10
Speaker 1: mister Nightingale, well Sir, said, Allworthy. I will be with
1:31:15
Speaker 1: you within the half hour, and do for once, cries
1:31:19
Speaker 1: the Squire, take a fool's advice. Never think of dealing
1:31:22
Speaker 1: with her by gentle methods. Take my word for it.
1:31:25
Speaker 1: Those will never do. I have tried am long enough.
1:31:30
Speaker 1: She must be frightened into it. There is no other way.
1:31:33
Speaker 1: Tell her I am her father, and of the horrid
1:31:35
Speaker 1: sin of disobedience and of the dreadful punishment of it
1:31:38
Speaker 1: in tother world. And then tell her about being locked
1:31:41
Speaker 1: up all her life in a garret in this and
1:31:43
Speaker 1: being kept only on bread and water. I will do
1:31:47
Speaker 1: all I can, said Allworthy, For I promise you there
1:31:50
Speaker 1: is nothing I wish for more than an alliance with
1:31:52
Speaker 1: this amiable creature. Nay, the girl is well enough for
1:31:56
Speaker 1: matter o that cries the Squire. A man may go
1:31:59
Speaker 1: far and meet with worse meat that I may declare
1:32:02
Speaker 1: o her thought. She be my own daughter. And if
1:32:05
Speaker 1: she will but be obedient to me, there is narrow
1:32:08
Speaker 1: a father within a hundred miles, Oh the place that
1:32:11
Speaker 1: loves a daughter better than I do. But I see
1:32:13
Speaker 1: you are busy with the lady here, so I will
1:32:16
Speaker 1: go hume and expect you and sow your humble servant.
1:32:20
Speaker 1: As soon as mister Western was gone, Missus Waters said,
1:32:23
Speaker 1: I see, sir, the squire hath not the least remembrance
1:32:26
Speaker 1: of my face. I believe, mister Allworthy, you would not
1:32:30
Speaker 1: have known me neither. I am very considerably altered since
1:32:34
Speaker 1: that day when you so kindly gave me that advice,
1:32:37
Speaker 1: which I have been happy had I followed. Indeed, Madam
1:32:42
Speaker 1: cries Allworthy, it gave me great concern when I first
1:32:45
Speaker 1: heard the contrary. Indeed, Sir says she, I was ruined
1:32:49
Speaker 1: by a very deep scheme of villany, which, if you knew,
1:32:52
Speaker 1: though I pretend not to think it would justify me
1:32:55
Speaker 1: in your opinion, it would at least mitigate my offense
1:32:58
Speaker 1: and induce you to pity me. You are not now
1:33:01
Speaker 1: at leisure to hear my whole story, But this I
1:33:03
Speaker 1: assure you, I was betrayed by the most solemn promises
1:33:07
Speaker 1: of marriage. Nay, in the eye of heaven, I was
1:33:09
Speaker 1: married to him. For After much reading on the subject,
1:33:13
Speaker 1: I am convinced that particular ceremonies are only requisite to
1:33:16
Speaker 1: give a legal sanction to marriage, and have only a
1:33:20
Speaker 1: worldly use in giving a woman the privileges of a wife,
1:33:23
Speaker 1: but that she who lives constant to one man after
1:33:26
Speaker 1: a solemn private affiance, whatever the world may call her,
1:33:29
Speaker 1: hath little to charge on her own conscience. I am sorry, madam,
1:33:34
Speaker 1: said allworthy, you made so ill a use of your learning. Indeed,
1:33:38
Speaker 1: it would have been well that you had been possessed
1:33:40
Speaker 1: of much more, or had remained in a state of ignorance.
1:33:44
Speaker 1: And yet, Madam, I am afraid you have more than
1:33:47
Speaker 1: this sin to answer for during his life, answered she,
1:33:51
Speaker 1: which was above a dozen years. I most solemnly assure
1:33:54
Speaker 1: you I had not. And consider, sir, on my behalf,
1:33:59
Speaker 1: what is in the power of a woman stripped of
1:34:01
Speaker 1: her reputation and left destitute. Whether the good natured world
1:34:04
Speaker 1: will suffer such a stray sheep to return to the
1:34:06
Speaker 1: road of virtue, even if she was never so desirous.
1:34:11
Speaker 1: I protest, then I would have chosen, had it been
1:34:13
Speaker 1: in my power. But necessity drove me into the arms
1:34:16
Speaker 1: of Captain Waters, with whom, though still unmarried, I lived
1:34:20
Speaker 1: as a wife for many years, and went by his name.
1:34:24
Speaker 1: I parted with this gentleman at Worcester on his march
1:34:27
Speaker 1: against the rebels, and it was then I accidentally met
1:34:29
Speaker 1: with mister Jones, who rescued me from the hands of
1:34:32
Speaker 1: a villain. Indeed, he is the worthiest of men. No
1:34:37
Speaker 1: young gentleman of his age is I believe freer from vice,
1:34:41
Speaker 1: and few have the twentieth part of his virtues. Nay,
1:34:44
Speaker 1: whatever vices he hath had, I am firmly persuaded he
1:34:47
Speaker 1: hath now taken a resolution to abandon them. I hope
1:34:51
Speaker 1: he hath cries allworthy, and I hope he will preserve
1:34:54
Speaker 1: that resolution. I must say I have still the same
1:34:58
Speaker 1: hopes with regard to yourself. The world, I do agree,
1:35:03
Speaker 1: are apt to be too unmerciful on these occasions. Yet
1:35:06
Speaker 1: time and perseverance will get the better of this. Their disinclination,
1:35:09
Speaker 1: as I may call it, to pity, for though they
1:35:12
Speaker 1: are not, like Heaven, ready to receive a penitent sinner,
1:35:16
Speaker 1: yet a continued repentance will at length obtain mercy. Even
1:35:19
Speaker 1: with the world. This, you may be assured of, Missus Waters,
1:35:23
Speaker 1: that whenever I find you are sincere in such good intentions,
1:35:27
Speaker 1: you shall want no assistance in my power to make
1:35:29
Speaker 1: them effectual. Missus Waters fell now upon her knees before him,
1:35:34
Speaker 1: and in a flood of tears, made him many most
1:35:37
Speaker 1: passionate acknowledgments of his goodness, which, as she truly said,
1:35:41
Speaker 1: savored more of the divine than human nature. Alworthy raised
1:35:45
Speaker 1: her up and spoke in the most tender manner, making
1:35:48
Speaker 1: use of every expression which his invention could suggest to
1:35:51
Speaker 1: comfort her, when he was interrupted by the arrival of
1:35:54
Speaker 1: mister Dowling, who, upon his first entrance, seeing missus Waters,
1:35:58
Speaker 1: started and appeared in so confusion, from which he soon
1:36:01
Speaker 1: recovered himself as well as he could, and then said
1:36:05
Speaker 1: he was in the utmost haste to attend council at
1:36:08
Speaker 1: mister Western's lodgings, but however, thought it his duty to
1:36:11
Speaker 1: call and acquaint him with the opinion of counsel upon
1:36:14
Speaker 1: the case which he had before told him, which was
1:36:17
Speaker 1: that the conversion of the monies in that case could
1:36:19
Speaker 1: not be questioned in a criminal cause, but that an
1:36:23
Speaker 1: action of trover might be brought, and if it appeared
1:36:25
Speaker 1: to the jury to be the monies of plaintiff, that
1:36:28
Speaker 1: plaintiff would recover a verdict for the value. Allworthy, without
1:36:32
Speaker 1: making any answer to this, bolted the door, and then
1:36:36
Speaker 1: advancing with a stern look to Dowling, he said, whatever
1:36:39
Speaker 1: be your haste, Sir, I must first receive an answer
1:36:42
Speaker 1: to some questions. Do you know this lady? That lady?
1:36:47
Speaker 1: Sir answered Dowling with great hesitation. All Worthy, then, with
1:36:52
Speaker 1: the most solemn voice, said, look, you, mister Dowling, as
1:36:56
Speaker 1: you value my favor or your continuance a moment longer
1:36:59
Speaker 1: in my service, do not hesitate nor prevaricate, but answer
1:37:02
Speaker 1: faithfully and truly to every question. I asked, dot do
1:37:06
Speaker 1: you know this lady? Yes, sir, said Dowling, I have
1:37:10
Speaker 1: seen the lady where sir, at her own lodgings. Upon
1:37:16
Speaker 1: What business did you go thither, sir? And who sent you?
1:37:20
Speaker 1: I went, sir to inquire, sir about mister Jones, And
1:37:25
Speaker 1: who sent you to inquire about him? Who? Sir, why
1:37:30
Speaker 1: sir mister Blyfield sent me? And what did you say
1:37:34
Speaker 1: to the lady concerning that matter? Nay, sir, it is
1:37:38
Speaker 1: impossible to recollect every word? Will you please, madam, to
1:37:43
Speaker 1: assist the gentleman's memory? He told me, Sir, said missus
1:37:47
Speaker 1: Waters that if mister Jones had murdered my husband, I
1:37:51
Speaker 1: should be assisted by any money I wanted to carry
1:37:53
Speaker 1: on the prosecution by a very worthy gentleman who was
1:37:56
Speaker 1: well apprized what a villain I had to deal with.
1:38:00
Speaker 1: These I can safely swear were the very words he spoke.
1:38:04
Speaker 1: Were these the words, sir said Allworthy. I cannot charge
1:38:09
Speaker 1: my memory exactly, cries Dowling. But I believe I did
1:38:12
Speaker 1: speak to that purpose, and did mister Blyfield order you
1:38:16
Speaker 1: to say so? I am sure, sir, I should not
1:38:19
Speaker 1: have gone on my own accord nor have willingly exceeded
1:38:22
Speaker 1: my authority in matters of this kind. If I said so,
1:38:26
Speaker 1: I must have so understood mister Blyfild's instructions. Look you,
1:38:31
Speaker 1: mister Dowling, said Allworthy. I promise you before this lady
1:38:35
Speaker 1: that whatever you have done in this affair by mister
1:38:38
Speaker 1: Blyfild's order, I will forgive, provided you now tell me
1:38:41
Speaker 1: strictly the truth. For I believe what you say that
1:38:44
Speaker 1: you would not have acted of your own accord and
1:38:46
Speaker 1: without authority in this matter. Dot Mister Blyfield then likewise
1:38:50
Speaker 1: sent you to examine the two fellows at Aldersgate. He did,
1:38:55
Speaker 1: sir well, And what instructions did he then give you?
1:39:00
Speaker 1: Recollect as well as you can and tell me, as
1:39:02
Speaker 1: near as possible the very words he used. Why sir
1:39:07
Speaker 1: mister Blyfield sent me to find out the persons who
1:39:09
Speaker 1: were eye witnesses of this fight, He said he feared
1:39:13
Speaker 1: they might be tampered with by mister Jones or some
1:39:16
Speaker 1: of his friends. He said blood required blood, and that
1:39:20
Speaker 1: not only all who concealed a murderer, but those who
1:39:23
Speaker 1: omitted anything in their power to bring him to justice,
1:39:26
Speaker 1: were sharers in his guilt. He said, he found you
1:39:30
Speaker 1: was very desirous of having the villain brought to justice,
1:39:33
Speaker 1: though it was not proper, you should appear in it.
1:39:36
Speaker 1: He did so, says Allworthy, Dot yes, sir, cries Dowling.
1:39:40
Speaker 1: I should not, I am sure, have preceded such lengths
1:39:44
Speaker 1: for the sake of any other person living. But your
1:39:46
Speaker 1: worship what lengths? Sir, said Allworthy? Dot nay, Sir, cries Dowling.
1:39:53
Speaker 1: I would not have your worship think I would on
1:39:56
Speaker 1: any account be guilty of subornation of perjury. But there
1:39:59
Speaker 1: are two ways of delivering evidence. I told them therefore,
1:40:04
Speaker 1: that if any offers should be made them on the
1:40:06
Speaker 1: other side, they should refuse them, and that they might
1:40:09
Speaker 1: be assured they should lose nothing by being honest men
1:40:12
Speaker 1: and telling the truth. I said. We were told that
1:40:15
Speaker 1: mister Jones had assaulted the gentlemen first, and that if
1:40:19
Speaker 1: that was the truth, they should declare it, and I
1:40:22
Speaker 1: did give them some hints that they should be no losers.
1:40:25
Speaker 1: I think you went length. Indeed, cries Allworthy, doth nay, Sir,
1:40:30
Speaker 1: answered Dowling. I am sure I did not desire them
1:40:33
Speaker 1: to tell an untruth, Nor should I have said what
1:40:36
Speaker 1: I did unless it had been to oblige you. You
1:40:39
Speaker 1: would not have thought, I believe, says Allworthy, to have
1:40:42
Speaker 1: obliged me, had you known that this mister Jones was
1:40:45
Speaker 1: my own nephew. I am sure, sir, answered he. It
1:40:51
Speaker 1: did not become me to take any notice of what
1:40:53
Speaker 1: I thought you desired to conceal. How cries Allworthy, and
1:40:57
Speaker 1: did you know it? Then, nay, Sir, answered Dowling. If
1:41:02
Speaker 1: your worship bids me speak the truth, I am sure
1:41:04
Speaker 1: I shall do it. Dot. Indeed, Sir, I did know it,
1:41:09
Speaker 1: for they were almost the last words which Madame blyfild
1:41:12
Speaker 1: Ever spoke, which she mentioned to me as I stood
1:41:14
Speaker 1: alone by her bedside when she delivered me the letter
1:41:17
Speaker 1: I brought your worship from her? What letter, cries Allworthy
1:41:21
Speaker 1: dot bell, letter, Sir, answered Dowling, which I brought from Salisbury,
1:41:27
Speaker 1: and which I delivered into the hands of mister blyfil
1:41:30
Speaker 1: O heavens, cries Allworthy. Well, and what were the words?
1:41:35
Speaker 1: What did my sister say to you? She took me
1:41:38
Speaker 1: by the hand, answered he, And as she delivered me
1:41:41
Speaker 1: the letter, said, I scarce know what I have written.
1:41:45
Speaker 1: Tell my brother mister Jones is his nephew. He is
1:41:48
Speaker 1: my son dot bless him, says she, and then fell
1:41:52
Speaker 1: backward as if dying away. I presently called in the people,
1:41:56
Speaker 1: and she never spoke more to me, and died within
1:41:59
Speaker 1: a few minutes. After all Worthy stood a minute silent,
1:42:04
Speaker 1: lifting up his eyes, and then, turning to Dowling, said,
1:42:08
Speaker 1: how came you, sir, not to deliver me this message?
1:42:12
Speaker 1: Your Worship, answered he must remember that you was at
1:42:15
Speaker 1: that time ill in bed, and being in a violent hurry,
1:42:18
Speaker 1: as indeed I always am. I delivered the letter and
1:42:21
Speaker 1: message to mister Blyfil who told me he would carry
1:42:24
Speaker 1: them both to you, which he hath since told me
1:42:27
Speaker 1: he did, And that your Worship, partly out of friendship
1:42:30
Speaker 1: to mister Jones, and partly out of regard to your sister,
1:42:34
Speaker 1: would never have it mentioned, and did intend to conceal
1:42:37
Speaker 1: it from the world. And therefore, sir, if you had
1:42:40
Speaker 1: not mentioned it to me first, I am certain I
1:42:42
Speaker 1: should never have thought it belonged to me to say
1:42:44
Speaker 1: anything of the matter, either to your worship or any
1:42:47
Speaker 1: other person. We have remarked somewhere already that it is
1:42:51
Speaker 1: possible for a man to convey a lie in the
1:42:53
Speaker 1: words of truth. This was the case at present, for
1:42:56
Speaker 1: Blyfil had in fact told Dowling what he now related,
1:43:00
Speaker 1: but had not imposed upon him, nor indeed had imagined
1:43:03
Speaker 1: he was able so to do. In reality, the promises
1:43:07
Speaker 1: which Blyfil had made to Dowling were the motives which
1:43:09
Speaker 1: had induced him to secrecy, and as he now very
1:43:13
Speaker 1: plainly saw, Blyfild would not be able to keep them.
1:43:16
Speaker 1: He thought proper now to make this confession, which the
1:43:18
Speaker 1: promises of forgiveness joined to the threats the voice, the
1:43:22
Speaker 1: looks of Allworthy, and the discoveries he had made before
1:43:26
Speaker 1: extorted from him, who was besides taken unawares and had
1:43:30
Speaker 1: no time to consider of evasions. Allworthy appeared well satisfied
1:43:35
Speaker 1: with this relation, and having enjoined, undowling strict silence as
1:43:39
Speaker 1: to what had passed, conducted that gentleman himself to the
1:43:42
Speaker 1: door lest he should see blyfil who was returned to
1:43:45
Speaker 1: his chamber, where he exulted in the thoughts of his
1:43:47
Speaker 1: last deceit on his uncle, and little suspected what had
1:43:51
Speaker 1: since passed below stairs. As Allworthy was returning to his room,
1:43:56
Speaker 1: he met Missus Miller in the entry, who, with a
1:43:58
Speaker 1: face all pale and full of terror, said to him, Oh, Sir,
1:44:03
Speaker 1: I find this wicked woman hath been with you, and
1:44:06
Speaker 1: you know all, Yet do not on this account abandon
1:44:09
Speaker 1: the poor young man. Consider, Sir, he was ignorant, it
1:44:13
Speaker 1: was his own mother, and the discovery itself will most
1:44:16
Speaker 1: probably break his heart. Without your unkindness, madam, says Allworthy,
1:44:21
Speaker 1: I am under such an astonishment at what I have
1:44:24
Speaker 1: heard that I am really unable to satisfy you. But
1:44:27
Speaker 1: come with me into my room. Indeed, Missus Miller, I
1:44:31
Speaker 1: have made surprising discoveries, and you shall soon know them.
1:44:35
Speaker 1: The poor woman followed him, trembling, and now Allworthy, going
1:44:39
Speaker 1: up to Missus Waters, took her by the hand, and, then,
1:44:42
Speaker 1: turning to Missus Miller, said what rewards shall I bestow
1:44:46
Speaker 1: upon this gentlewoman for the services she hath done me. Oh,
1:44:50
Speaker 1: missus Miller, you have a thousand times heard me call
1:44:53
Speaker 1: the young man to whom you are so faithful a friend,
1:44:56
Speaker 1: my son. Little did I then think he was indeed
1:44:59
Speaker 1: related to me at all? Dot, Your friend, Madam, is
1:45:03
Speaker 1: my nephew. He is the brother of that wicked viper
1:45:05
Speaker 1: which I have so long nourished in my bosom. Dot.
1:45:08
Speaker 1: She will herself tell you the whole story and how
1:45:12
Speaker 1: the youth came to pass for her son. Indeed, Missus Miller,
1:45:17
Speaker 1: I am convinced that he hath been wronged, and that
1:45:19
Speaker 1: I have been abused, abused by one whom you too
1:45:22
Speaker 1: justly suspected of being a villain. He is, in truth
1:45:26
Speaker 1: the worst of villains. The joy which Missus Miller now
1:45:30
Speaker 1: felt bereft her of the power of speech, and might
1:45:33
Speaker 1: perhaps have deprived her of her senses, if not of life,
1:45:36
Speaker 1: had not a friendly shower of tears come seasonably to
1:45:39
Speaker 1: her relief. At length, recovering so far from her transport
1:45:44
Speaker 1: as to be able to speak, she cried, and is
1:45:46
Speaker 1: my dear mister Jones, than your nephew, Sir and not
1:45:49
Speaker 1: the son of this lady. And are your eyes open
1:45:52
Speaker 1: to him at last? And shall I live to see
1:45:55
Speaker 1: him as happy as he deserves? He certainly is my nephew,
1:45:59
Speaker 1: says Allworthy. And I hope all the rest. And is
1:46:04
Speaker 1: this the dear good woman the person cries? She to
1:46:08
Speaker 1: whom all this discovery is owing, She is, indeed, says Allworthy.
1:46:12
Speaker 1: Dot Why then, cried missus Miller, upon her knees, May
1:46:17
Speaker 1: Heaven shower down its choicest blessings upon her head. And
1:46:20
Speaker 1: for this one good action, forgive her all her sins,
1:46:23
Speaker 1: be they never so many. Missus Waters then informed them
1:46:27
Speaker 1: that she believed Jones would very shortly be released. For
1:46:30
Speaker 1: that the surgeon was gone in company with a nobleman
1:46:34
Speaker 1: to the justice who committed him, in order to certify
1:46:36
Speaker 1: that mister Fitzpatrick was out of all manner of danger,
1:46:39
Speaker 1: and to procure his prisoner his liberty. Allworthy said he
1:46:43
Speaker 1: should be glad to find his nephew there at his
1:46:45
Speaker 1: return home, but that he was then obliged to go
1:46:48
Speaker 1: on some business of consequence. He then called to a
1:46:52
Speaker 1: servant to fetch him a chair, and presently left the
1:46:54
Speaker 1: two ladies together. Mister Blyfeil, hearing the chair ordered, came
1:46:59
Speaker 1: down so stares to attend upon his uncle, for he
1:47:02
Speaker 1: never was deficient in such acts of duty. He asked
1:47:05
Speaker 1: his uncle if he was going out, which is a
1:47:08
Speaker 1: civil way of asking a man whither he is going to,
1:47:10
Speaker 1: which the other making no answer, he again desired to
1:47:13
Speaker 1: know when he would be pleased to return. Allworthy made
1:47:17
Speaker 1: no answer to this, neither till he was just going
1:47:20
Speaker 1: into his chair, and then turning about he said, harkey, sir,
1:47:25
Speaker 1: do you find out before my return the letter which
1:47:28
Speaker 1: your mother sent me on her deathbed. Allworthy then departed
1:47:32
Speaker 1: and left Blifield in a situation to be envied only
1:47:35
Speaker 1: by a man who is just going to be hanged.
1:47:38
Speaker 1: Chapter nine a further continuation, Allworthy took an opportunity whilst
1:47:44
Speaker 1: he was in the chair of reading the letter from
1:47:46
Speaker 1: Jones to Sophia, which Western delivered him, and there were
1:47:49
Speaker 1: some expressions in it concerning himself which drew tears from
1:47:53
Speaker 1: his eyes. At length, he arrived at mister Western's and
1:47:57
Speaker 1: was introduced to Sophia. When the first ceremonies were past
1:48:01
Speaker 1: and the gentlemen and lady had taken their chairs, a
1:48:04
Speaker 1: silence of some minutes ensued, during which the latter, who
1:48:07
Speaker 1: had been prepared for the visit by her father, sat
1:48:10
Speaker 1: playing with her fan, and had every mark of confusion,
1:48:12
Speaker 1: both in her countenance and behavior. At length, Allworthy, who
1:48:17
Speaker 1: was himself a little disconcerted, began, thus, I am afraid,
1:48:21
Speaker 1: Miss Western my family. Hath been the occasion of giving
1:48:24
Speaker 1: you some uneasiness, to which I fear I have innocently
1:48:27
Speaker 1: become more instrumental than I intended. Be assured, Madam. Had
1:48:32
Speaker 1: I at first known how disagreeable the proposals had been,
1:48:35
Speaker 1: I should not have suffered you to have been so
1:48:37
Speaker 1: long persecuted. I hope therefore you will not think the
1:48:41
Speaker 1: design of this visit is to trouble you with any
1:48:44
Speaker 1: further solicitations of that kind, but entirely to relieve you
1:48:47
Speaker 1: from them, Sir, said Sophia, with a little modest hesitation.
1:48:52
Speaker 1: This behavior is most kind and generous, and such as
1:48:55
Speaker 1: I could expect only from mister Allworthy. But as you
1:48:58
Speaker 1: have been so kind to mention in this matter, you
1:49:01
Speaker 1: will pardon me for saying it. Hath indeed given me
1:49:04
Speaker 1: great uneasiness, and hath been the occasion of my suffering
1:49:08
Speaker 1: much cruel treatment from a father who was till that
1:49:11
Speaker 1: unhappy affair, the tenderest and fondest of all parents. I
1:49:15
Speaker 1: am convinced, Sir, you are too good and generous to
1:49:19
Speaker 1: resent my refusal of your nephew. Our inclinations are not
1:49:23
Speaker 1: in our own power, and whatever may be his merit,
1:49:26
Speaker 1: I cannot force them in his favor, I assure you,
1:49:29
Speaker 1: most amiable, young lady, said Allworthy, I am capable of
1:49:33
Speaker 1: no such resentment had the person been my own son,
1:49:36
Speaker 1: and had I entertained the highest esteem for him. For
1:49:40
Speaker 1: you say, truly, Madam, we cannot force our inclinations, much
1:49:44
Speaker 1: less can they be directed by another. Oh, sir, answered Sophia.
1:49:49
Speaker 1: Every word you speak proves you deserve that good, that great,
1:49:53
Speaker 1: that benevolent character the whole world allows you. I assure you, sir,
1:49:58
Speaker 1: nothing less than the certain p prospect of future misery
1:50:01
Speaker 1: could have made me resist the commands of my father.
1:50:04
Speaker 1: I sincerely believe you, Madam, replied Allworthy, and I heartily
1:50:08
Speaker 1: congratulate you on your prudent foresight, since by so justifiable
1:50:12
Speaker 1: a resistance you have avoided misery. Indeed, you speak now,
1:50:17
Speaker 1: mister Allworthy, cries she with a delicacy which few men
1:50:21
Speaker 1: are capable of feeling. But surely, in my opinion, to
1:50:25
Speaker 1: lead our lives with one to whom we are indifferent
1:50:27
Speaker 1: must be a state of wretchedness. To perhaps that wretchedness
1:50:30
Speaker 1: would be even increased by a sense of the merits
1:50:32
Speaker 1: of an object to whom we cannot give our affections
1:50:36
Speaker 1: if I had married mister Blyfeld. Pardon my interrupting you,
1:50:39
Speaker 1: Madam answered Allworthy, But I cannot bear the supposition that
1:50:43
Speaker 1: believe me, Miss Western, I rejoice from my heart. I
1:50:46
Speaker 1: rejoice in your escape. Dot, I have discovered the wretch
1:50:49
Speaker 1: for whom you have suffered all this cruel violence from
1:50:52
Speaker 1: your father to be a villain, how, sir, cries Sophia,
1:50:57
Speaker 1: you must believe this surprises me. It hath surprised me,
1:51:01
Speaker 1: Madam answered Allworthy, and so it will the world. But
1:51:05
Speaker 1: I have acquainted you with the real truth. Nothing but truth,
1:51:09
Speaker 1: says Sophia. Can I am convinced come from the lips
1:51:13
Speaker 1: of mister Allworthy. Yet, Sir, such sudden, such unexpected news,
1:51:18
Speaker 1: DOT discovered, you say, may villainy be ever, so you
1:51:24
Speaker 1: will soon enough hear the story, cries Allworthy. At present,
1:51:27
Speaker 1: let us not mention so detested a name. Dot, I
1:51:30
Speaker 1: have another matter of a very serious nature to propose. Dot. Oh,
1:51:35
Speaker 1: Miss Western, I know your vast worth, nor can I
1:51:38
Speaker 1: so easily part with the ambition of being allied to it. Dot.
1:51:41
Speaker 1: I have a near relation, Madam, a young man whose
1:51:45
Speaker 1: character is I am convinced the very opposite to that
1:51:49
Speaker 1: of this wretch, and whose fortune I will make equal
1:51:52
Speaker 1: to what his was to have been. Could I, Madam,
1:51:55
Speaker 1: hope you would admit a visit from him? Sophia, after
1:51:59
Speaker 1: a minute's silence, answered, I will deal with the utmost
1:52:02
Speaker 1: sincerity with mister allworthy. His character and the obligation I
1:52:07
Speaker 1: have just received from him demanded. I have determined at
1:52:11
Speaker 1: present to listen to no such proposals from any person.
1:52:15
Speaker 1: My only desire is to be restored to the affection
1:52:17
Speaker 1: of my father and to be again the mistress of
1:52:20
Speaker 1: his family. This, Sir, I hope to owe to your
1:52:23
Speaker 1: good offices. Let me beseech you, Let me conjure you
1:52:28
Speaker 1: by all the goodness which I and all who know
1:52:30
Speaker 1: you have experienced. Do not the very moment, when you
1:52:34
Speaker 1: have released me from one persecution, do not engage me
1:52:37
Speaker 1: in another, as miserable and as fruitless. Indeed, Miss Western
1:52:42
Speaker 1: replied Allworthy, I am capable of no such conduct, and
1:52:46
Speaker 1: if this be your resolution, he must submit to the disappointment,
1:52:49
Speaker 1: whatever torments he may suffer under it. I must smile now,
1:52:54
Speaker 1: mister Allworthy, answered Sophia. When you mention the torments of
1:52:57
Speaker 1: a man whom I do not know, and who can
1:52:59
Speaker 1: conquer ssequently have so little acquaintance with me, Pardon me,
1:53:03
Speaker 1: dear young lady, cries Allworthy. I begin now to be
1:53:07
Speaker 1: afraid he hath had too much acquaintance for the repose
1:53:09
Speaker 1: of his future days. Since if ever man was capable
1:53:13
Speaker 1: of a sincere, violent and noble passion, such I am
1:53:17
Speaker 1: convinced is my unhappy nephews, for Miss Western a nephew
1:53:21
Speaker 1: of yours. Mister Allworthy answered Sophia, It is surely strange.
1:53:27
Speaker 1: I never heard of him before. Indeed, Madam cries Allworthy,
1:53:32
Speaker 1: it is only the circumstance of his being my nephew,
1:53:35
Speaker 1: to which you are a stranger, and which till this
1:53:38
Speaker 1: day was a secret to me. Dot mister Jones, who
1:53:41
Speaker 1: has long loved you, He he is my nephew, mister Jones,
1:53:46
Speaker 1: your nephew, sir, cries Sophia, can it be possible? He is, indeed, Madam,
1:53:54
Speaker 1: answered allworthy. He is my own sister son. As such
1:53:57
Speaker 1: I shall always own him. Nor am I ashamed of him.
1:54:01
Speaker 1: I am much more ashamed of my past behavior to him,
1:54:04
Speaker 1: But I was as ignorant of his merit as of
1:54:06
Speaker 1: his birth. Indeed, Miss Western, I have used him cruelly.
1:54:11
Speaker 1: Indeed I have here. The good man wiped his eyes, and,
1:54:15
Speaker 1: after a short pause, proceeded, I never shall be able
1:54:18
Speaker 1: to reward him for his sufferings without your assistance. Dot
1:54:21
Speaker 1: Believe me, most amiable young lady, I must have a
1:54:24
Speaker 1: great esteem of that offering which I make to your worth.
1:54:28
Speaker 1: I know he hath been guilty of false but there
1:54:30
Speaker 1: is great goodness of heart at the bottom. Believe me, Madam,
1:54:35
Speaker 1: there is here. He stopped, seeming to expect an answer,
1:54:39
Speaker 1: which he presently received from Sophia, after she had a
1:54:42
Speaker 1: little recovered herself from the hurry of spirits into which
1:54:45
Speaker 1: so strange and sudden information had thrown her. I sincerely
1:54:48
Speaker 1: wish you joy, sir, of a discovery in which you
1:54:51
Speaker 1: seem to have such satisfaction. I doubt not, but you
1:54:55
Speaker 1: will have all the comfort you can promise yourself from it.
1:54:59
Speaker 1: The young gentleman hath certainly a thousand good qualities, which
1:55:02
Speaker 1: makes it impossible he should not behave well to such
1:55:05
Speaker 1: an uncle. I hope, Madam, said Allworthy. He hath those
1:55:09
Speaker 1: good qualities which must make him a good husband. Dot.
1:55:12
Speaker 1: He must, I am sure, be of all men, the
1:55:16
Speaker 1: most abandoned. If a lady of your marriage should condescend,
1:55:19
Speaker 1: you must pardon me, Mister Allworthy answered Sophia. I cannot
1:55:23
Speaker 1: listen to a proposal of this kind. Mister Jones. I
1:55:27
Speaker 1: am convinced hath much merit. But I shall never receive
1:55:30
Speaker 1: mister Jones as one who is to be my husband
1:55:33
Speaker 1: upon my honor. I never will pardon me, Madam, cries Allworthy.
1:55:39
Speaker 1: If I am a little surprised after what I have
1:55:42
Speaker 1: heard from mister Western, I hope the unhappy young man
1:55:45
Speaker 1: hath done nothing to forfeit your good opinion, if he
1:55:47
Speaker 1: had ever the honor to enjoy it. Dot. Perhaps he
1:55:50
Speaker 1: may have been misrepresented to you as he was to me.
1:55:54
Speaker 1: The same villany may have injured him everywhere. Dot. He
1:55:58
Speaker 1: is no murderer, I assure you, as he hath been called.
1:56:02
Speaker 1: Mister Allworthy answered Sophia, I have told you my resolution.
1:56:07
Speaker 1: I wonder not at what my father hath told you.
1:56:10
Speaker 1: But whatever his apprehensions or fears have been, if I
1:56:13
Speaker 1: know my heart, I have given no occasion for them,
1:56:16
Speaker 1: since it hath always been a fixed principle with me
1:56:19
Speaker 1: never to have married without his consent. This is, I think,
1:56:23
Speaker 1: the duty of a child to a parent, and this
1:56:26
Speaker 1: I hope nothing could ever have prevailed with me to
1:56:29
Speaker 1: swerve from. I do not, indeed conceive that the authority
1:56:33
Speaker 1: of any parent can oblige us to marry in direct
1:56:36
Speaker 1: opposition to our inclinations. To avoid a force of this kind,
1:56:40
Speaker 1: which I had reason to suspect, I left my father's
1:56:43
Speaker 1: house and sought protection elsewhere. This is the truth of
1:56:47
Speaker 1: my story. And if the world or my father carry
1:56:50
Speaker 1: my intentions any farther, my own conscience will acquit me.
1:56:55
Speaker 1: I hear you, Miss Western cries allworthy with admiration. I
1:57:00
Speaker 1: admire the justness of your sentiments, But surely there is
1:57:03
Speaker 1: more in this. I am cautious of offending you, young lady.
1:57:07
Speaker 1: But am I to look on all which I have
1:57:09
Speaker 1: hitherto heard or seen as a dream only? And have
1:57:13
Speaker 1: you suffered so much cruelty from your father on the
1:57:15
Speaker 1: account of a man to whom you have been always
1:57:17
Speaker 1: absolutely indifferent. I beg, mister Allworthy, answered Sophia, you will
1:57:23
Speaker 1: not insist on my reasons. Yes, I have suffered. Indeed,
1:57:26
Speaker 1: I will not, mister Allworthy, conceal. I will be very
1:57:30
Speaker 1: sincere with you. I own I had a great opinion
1:57:33
Speaker 1: of mister Jones. I believe, I know I have suffered
1:57:36
Speaker 1: from my opinion. I have been treated cruelly by my
1:57:39
Speaker 1: aunt as well as by my father. But that is
1:57:42
Speaker 1: now past. I beg I may not be farther pressed.
1:57:45
Speaker 1: For whatever hath been, my resolution is now fixed. Your nephew,
1:57:50
Speaker 1: Sir hath many virtues. He hath great virtues. Mister Allworthy,
1:57:56
Speaker 1: I question not, but he will do you honor in
1:57:58
Speaker 1: the world and make you happy. I wish I could
1:58:02
Speaker 1: make him so, Madam, replied Allworthy. But that I am
1:58:06
Speaker 1: convinced is only in your power. It is that conviction
1:58:09
Speaker 1: which hath made me so earnest a solicitor in his favor.
1:58:13
Speaker 1: You are deceived. Indeed, Sir, you are deceived, said Sophia.
1:58:19
Speaker 1: I hope not by him. It is sufficient to have
1:58:22
Speaker 1: deceived me. Mister Allworthy, I must insist on being pressed
1:58:26
Speaker 1: no farther on this subject. I should be sorry, Nay,
1:58:30
Speaker 1: I will not injure him in your favor. I wish
1:58:33
Speaker 1: mister Jones very well. I sincerely wish him well, and
1:58:38
Speaker 1: I repeat it again to you, whatever demerit he may
1:58:40
Speaker 1: have to me, I am certain he hath many good qualities.
1:58:45
Speaker 1: I do not disown my former thoughts, but nothing can
1:58:48
Speaker 1: ever wakle them. At present. There is not a man
1:58:51
Speaker 1: upon earth whom I would more resolutely reject than mister Jones,
1:58:55
Speaker 1: nor would the addresses of mister Blyfeld himself be less
1:58:57
Speaker 1: agreeable to me. West have been long impatient for the
1:59:01
Speaker 1: event of this conference, and was just now arrived at
1:59:04
Speaker 1: the door to listen. When having heard the last sentiments
1:59:07
Speaker 1: of his daughter's heart, he lost all temper, and, bursting
1:59:11
Speaker 1: open the door in a rage, cried out, it is
1:59:14
Speaker 1: a lie, it is a d nd lie. It is
1:59:18
Speaker 1: all owing to that d N D rascal Jolones. And
1:59:21
Speaker 1: if she could get it on, she'd ha on any
1:59:23
Speaker 1: hour of the day. Here Allworthy interposed, and addressing himself
1:59:28
Speaker 1: to the squire with some anger in his look, he said,
1:59:31
Speaker 1: mister Western, you have not kept your word with me.
1:59:34
Speaker 1: You promised to abstain from all violence. Why so I did,
1:59:40
Speaker 1: cries Western, as long as it was possible. But to
1:59:43
Speaker 1: hear a wench telling such confounded lies zounds. Doth she
1:59:47
Speaker 1: think if she can make volse of other volk, she
1:59:50
Speaker 1: can make one of me? No? No, I know her
1:59:53
Speaker 1: better than thee dost I am sorry to tell you, sir,
1:59:57
Speaker 1: answered Allworthy. It doth not appear, by your behavior to
2:00:01
Speaker 1: this young lady that you know her at all. I
2:00:04
Speaker 1: ask pardon for what I say, But I think our intimacy,
2:00:07
Speaker 1: your own desires, and the occasion justify me. She is
2:00:11
Speaker 1: your daughter, mister Western, and I think she doth honor
2:00:14
Speaker 1: to your name. If I was capable of envy, I
2:00:18
Speaker 1: should sooner envy you on this account than any other man.
2:00:21
Speaker 1: Whatever O drabbit, it cries the Squire. I wish she
2:00:25
Speaker 1: was thine with all my heart wouldst soon be glad
2:00:28
Speaker 1: to be rid of the trouble oh her. Indeed, my
2:00:32
Speaker 1: good friend, answered Allworthy, You yourself are the cause of
2:00:35
Speaker 1: all the trouble. You complain of. Place that confidence in
2:00:39
Speaker 1: the young lady which she so well deserves, And I
2:00:41
Speaker 1: am certain you will be the happiest father on earth.
2:00:45
Speaker 1: I confidence in her, cries the squire, Splood, what confidence
2:00:50
Speaker 1: can I place in her when she won't do as
2:00:52
Speaker 1: I would ha her? Let her GI but her consent
2:00:56
Speaker 1: to marry as I would ha her, And I'll place
2:00:58
Speaker 1: as much confidence in her as woulds top me. You
2:01:02
Speaker 1: have no right, neighbor, answered Allworthy to insist on any
2:01:06
Speaker 1: such consent. A negative voice your daughter allows you, and
2:01:10
Speaker 1: God and nature have thought proper to allow you no more.
2:01:14
Speaker 1: A negative voice, cries the Squire. I I I'll show
2:01:20
Speaker 1: you what a negative voice I hadot. Go along, Go
2:01:22
Speaker 1: into your chamber, Go you stubborn indeed, mister Western, said Allworthy.
2:01:28
Speaker 1: Indeed you use her cruelly. I cannot bear to see this.
2:01:32
Speaker 1: You shall you must behave to her in a kinder manner.
2:01:36
Speaker 1: She deserves the best of treatment. Yes, yes, said the Squire,
2:01:41
Speaker 1: I know what she deserves. Now she's gone, I'll show
2:01:44
Speaker 1: you what she deserves. See here, sir, Here is a
2:01:48
Speaker 1: letter from my cousin, my Lady Bellaston, in which she
2:01:51
Speaker 1: is so kind to gi me to understand that the
2:01:54
Speaker 1: fellow is got out of prison again. And here she
2:01:56
Speaker 1: advises me to take all the care I can owe
2:01:59
Speaker 1: the wench odd Zukers, neighbor Allworthy, you don't know what
2:02:04
Speaker 1: it is to govern a daughter. The Squire ended his
2:02:07
Speaker 1: speech with some compliments to his own sagacity, and then Allworthy,
2:02:11
Speaker 1: after a formal preface, acquainted him with the whole discovery
2:02:15
Speaker 1: which he had made concerning Jones, with his anger to Blyfil,
2:02:19
Speaker 1: and with every particular which hath been disclosed to the
2:02:21
Speaker 1: reader in the preceding chapters. Men over violent in their dispositions,
2:02:26
Speaker 1: are for the most part, as changeable in them. No
2:02:30
Speaker 1: sooner than was Western informed of mister Allworthy's intention to
2:02:33
Speaker 1: make Jones his heir, than he joined heartily with the
2:02:36
Speaker 1: uncle in every commendation of the nephew, and became as
2:02:39
Speaker 1: eager for her marriage with Jones as he had before
2:02:42
Speaker 1: been to couple her to Blyfhil. Here, mister Allworthy was
2:02:46
Speaker 1: again forced to interpose and to relate what had passed
2:02:49
Speaker 1: between him and Sophia, at which he testified great surprise.
2:02:53
Speaker 1: The Squire was silent a moment, and looked wild with
2:02:56
Speaker 1: astonishment at this account. At last he cried out, why,
2:03:00
Speaker 1: what can be the meaning of this neighbor Alworthy? Vond
2:03:04
Speaker 1: oh un She was that I'll be sworn to dot
2:03:07
Speaker 1: odd zukers. I have hit ote as sure as a gun.
2:03:12
Speaker 1: I have hit oh the very right oat. It's all
2:03:15
Speaker 1: the long o sister. The girl hath got a hankering
2:03:19
Speaker 1: after this son of a whore of a lord I
2:03:22
Speaker 1: found m together at my cousin, my lady Bellaston's. He
2:03:26
Speaker 1: hath turned the head O her, that's certain, but d
2:03:30
Speaker 1: and me if he shall ha her, I'll han no
2:03:32
Speaker 1: lords nor courtiers in my family. Allworthy now made a
2:03:36
Speaker 1: long speech in which he repeated his resolution to avoid
2:03:40
Speaker 1: all violent measures, and very earnestly recommended gentle methods to
2:03:44
Speaker 1: mister Western as those by which he might be assured
2:03:46
Speaker 1: of succeeding best with his daughter. He then took his
2:03:50
Speaker 1: leave and returned back to missus Miller, but was forced
2:03:53
Speaker 1: to comply with the earnest entreaties of the squire in
2:03:56
Speaker 1: promising to bring mister Jones to visit him that afternoon,
2:03:59
Speaker 1: that he might, as he said, make all matters up
2:04:02
Speaker 1: with the young gentleman. At mister Alworthy's departure, Western promised
2:04:07
Speaker 1: to follow his advice in his behavior to Sophia, saying,
2:04:10
Speaker 1: I don't know how tis but d and me Allworthy,
2:04:14
Speaker 1: if you don't make me, always do just as you please.
2:04:17
Speaker 1: And yet I have as good an estate as you
2:04:19
Speaker 1: and am in the commission of the peace, as well
2:04:21
Speaker 1: as yourself. Chapter ten, wherein the history begins to draw
2:04:26
Speaker 1: towards a conclusion. When Alworthy returned to his lodgings, he
2:04:30
Speaker 1: heard mister Jones was just arrived before him. He hurried
2:04:35
Speaker 1: therefore instantly into an empty chamber. Whether he ordered mister
2:04:38
Speaker 1: Jones to be brought to him alone, it is impossible
2:04:42
Speaker 1: to conceive a more tender or moving scene than the
2:04:44
Speaker 1: meeting between the uncle and nephew. For missus Waters, as
2:04:48
Speaker 1: the reader may well suppose, had at her last visit,
2:04:51
Speaker 1: discovered to him the secret of his birth. The first
2:04:54
Speaker 1: agonies of joy, which were felt on both sides, are
2:04:57
Speaker 1: indeed beyond my power to describe. I shall not therefore attempted.
2:05:02
Speaker 1: After Allworthy had raised Jones from his feet where he
2:05:05
Speaker 1: had prostrated himself, and received him into his arms. O,
2:05:08
Speaker 1: my child, he cried, How have I been to blame?
2:05:12
Speaker 1: How have I injured you? What amends can I ever
2:05:15
Speaker 1: make you for those unkind, those unjust suspicions which I
2:05:19
Speaker 1: have entertained, and for all the sufferings they have occasioned
2:05:22
Speaker 1: to you. Am I not now made amends? Cries Jones.
2:05:27
Speaker 1: Would not my sufferings, if they had been ten times greater,
2:05:30
Speaker 1: have been now richly repaid. Oh, my dear uncle, this goodness,
2:05:35
Speaker 1: this tenderness, overpowers unman's destroys me. I cannot bear the
2:05:40
Speaker 1: transports which flow so fast upon me to be again
2:05:44
Speaker 1: restored to your presence, to your favor, to be once
2:05:47
Speaker 1: more thus kindly received by my great, my noble, my
2:05:51
Speaker 1: generous benefactor. Indeed, child, cries allworthy. I have used you cruelly.
2:05:58
Speaker 1: He then explain, alaiming to him all the treachery of blyfel,
2:06:02
Speaker 1: and again repeated expressions of the utmost concern for having
2:06:05
Speaker 1: been induced by that treachery to use him. So ill,
2:06:09
Speaker 1: Oh talk not so, answer Jones. Indeed, sir, you have
2:06:13
Speaker 1: used me nobly. The wisest man might be deceived as
2:06:17
Speaker 1: you were, and under such a deception the best must
2:06:21
Speaker 1: have acted just as you did. Your goodness displayed itself
2:06:24
Speaker 1: in the midst of your anger, just as it then seemed.
2:06:28
Speaker 1: I owe everything to that goodness of which I have
2:06:31
Speaker 1: been most unworthy. Do not put me on self accusation
2:06:35
Speaker 1: by carrying your generous sentiments too far. Alas Sir, I
2:06:40
Speaker 1: have not been punished more than I have deserved, and
2:06:43
Speaker 1: it shall be the whole business of my future life
2:06:45
Speaker 1: to deserve that happiness you now bestow on me. For
2:06:48
Speaker 1: believe me, my dear uncle, my punishment hath not been
2:06:52
Speaker 1: thrown away upon me. Though I have been a great
2:06:55
Speaker 1: I am not a hardened sinner. I thank Heaven. I
2:06:58
Speaker 1: have had time to reflect on my past life, where
2:07:01
Speaker 1: though I cannot charge myself with any gross villany, yet
2:07:04
Speaker 1: I can discern follies and vices more than enough to
2:07:07
Speaker 1: repent and to be ashamed of follies which have been
2:07:09
Speaker 1: attended with dreadful consequences to myself, and have brought me
2:07:14
Speaker 1: to the brink of destruction. I am rejoiced, my dear child,
2:07:18
Speaker 1: answered allworthy to hear you talk thus sensibly, For as
2:07:21
Speaker 1: I am convinced. Hypocrisy, good Heaven, How have I been
2:07:25
Speaker 1: imposed on by it in others? Was never among your faults?
2:07:29
Speaker 1: So I can readily believe all you say. You now
2:07:32
Speaker 1: see tom to what dangers in prudence alone may subject
2:07:36
Speaker 1: virtue for virtue I am now convinced you love in
2:07:40
Speaker 1: a great degree. Prudence is indeed the duty which we
2:07:43
Speaker 1: owe to ourselves. And if we will be so much
2:07:46
Speaker 1: our own enemies as to neglect it, we are not
2:07:48
Speaker 1: to wonder if the world is deficient in discharging their
2:07:51
Speaker 1: duty to us. For when a man lays the foundation
2:07:54
Speaker 1: of his own ruin, others will, I am afraid, be
2:07:57
Speaker 1: too apt to build upon it. You say, however, you
2:08:01
Speaker 1: have seen your errors and will reform them. I firmly
2:08:05
Speaker 1: believe you, my dear child, And therefore from this moment
2:08:09
Speaker 1: ye shall never be reminded of them by me. Remember
2:08:12
Speaker 1: them only yourself, so far as for the future to
2:08:15
Speaker 1: teach you the better to avoid them. But still remember
2:08:18
Speaker 1: for your comfort that there is this great difference between
2:08:21
Speaker 1: those faults which candor may construe into imprudence and those
2:08:24
Speaker 1: which can be deduced from villainy. Only the former perhaps
2:08:29
Speaker 1: are even more apt to subject a man to ruin.
2:08:31
Speaker 1: But if he reform his character will at length be
2:08:35
Speaker 1: totally retrieved. The world, though not immediately, will in time
2:08:39
Speaker 1: be reconciled to him. And he may reflect not without
2:08:42
Speaker 1: some mixture of pleasure on the dangers he hath escaped,
2:08:45
Speaker 1: But villany, My boy, when once discovered, is irretrievable. The
2:08:50
Speaker 1: stains which this leaves behind no time will wash away.
2:08:54
Speaker 1: The censures of mankind will pursue the wretch. Their scorn
2:08:57
Speaker 1: will abash him in public, And if shamed drives him
2:09:00
Speaker 1: into retirement, he will go to it with all those
2:09:03
Speaker 1: terrors with which a weary child who is afraid of
2:09:05
Speaker 1: hobgoblins retreats from company to go to bed alone. Here,
2:09:11
Speaker 1: his murdered conscience will haunt him, dot repose, like a
2:09:14
Speaker 1: false friend, will fly from him. Wherever he turns his eyes,
2:09:19
Speaker 1: horror presents itself. If he looks backward, unavailable repentance treads
2:09:23
Speaker 1: on his heels, if forward, incurable despair stares him in
2:09:26
Speaker 1: the face, till like a condemned prisoner confined in a dungeon,
2:09:30
Speaker 1: he detests his present condition, and yet dreads the consequence
2:09:34
Speaker 1: of that hour which is to relieve him from it.
2:09:37
Speaker 1: Comfort yourself, I say, my child, that this is not
2:09:40
Speaker 1: your case, and rejoice with thankfulness to him who hath
2:09:43
Speaker 1: suffered you to see your errors before they have brought
2:09:46
Speaker 1: on you that destruction to which a persistence in even
2:09:48
Speaker 1: those errors must have led you. You have deserted them,
2:09:52
Speaker 1: and the prospect now before you is such that happiness
2:09:55
Speaker 1: seems in your own power. At these words, Jones fetched
2:09:59
Speaker 1: a deep sens upon which, when Allworthy remonstrated, he said, Sir,
2:10:04
Speaker 1: I will conceal nothing from you. I fear there is
2:10:07
Speaker 1: one consequence of my vices I shall never be able
2:10:09
Speaker 1: to retrieve. Oh, my dear uncle, I have lost a treasure.
2:10:16
Speaker 1: You need say no more, answered, Allworthy, I will be
2:10:19
Speaker 1: explicit with you. I know what you lament. I have
2:10:21
Speaker 1: seen the young lady and have discoursed with her concerning you.
2:10:26
Speaker 1: This I must insist on as an earnest of your
2:10:28
Speaker 1: sincerity in all you have said, and of the steadfastness
2:10:31
Speaker 1: of your resolution, that you obey me in one instance,
2:10:35
Speaker 1: to abide entirely by the determination of the young lady,
2:10:38
Speaker 1: whether it shall be in your favor or no. She
2:10:42
Speaker 1: hath already suffered enough from solicitations which I hate to
2:10:45
Speaker 1: think of. She shall owe no further constraint to my family.
2:10:48
Speaker 1: I know her father will be as ready to torment
2:10:50
Speaker 1: her now on your account as he hath formerly been
2:10:53
Speaker 1: on another's. But I am determined she shall suffer no
2:10:56
Speaker 1: more confinement, no more violence. No more uneasy hours, Oh
2:11:01
Speaker 1: my dear uncle, answer Jones, lay, I beseech you some
2:11:05
Speaker 1: command on me in which I shall have some merit
2:11:08
Speaker 1: in obedience. Believe me, sir, the only instance in which
2:11:12
Speaker 1: I could disobey you would be to give an uneasy
2:11:14
Speaker 1: moment to my Sophia. No, sir, if I am so
2:11:19
Speaker 1: miserable to have incurred her displeasure beyond all hope of forgiveness,
2:11:22
Speaker 1: that alone, with the dreadful reflection of causing her misery,
2:11:26
Speaker 1: will be sufficient to overpower me To call Sophia mine
2:11:30
Speaker 1: is the greatest and now the only additional blessing which
2:11:33
Speaker 1: Heaven can bestow. But it is a blessing which I
2:11:36
Speaker 1: must owe to her alone. I will not flatter you, child,
2:11:40
Speaker 1: cries allworthy. I fear your case is desperate. I never
2:11:44
Speaker 1: saw strong remarks of an unalterable resolution in any person
2:11:47
Speaker 1: than appeared in her vehement declarations against receiving your addresses,
2:11:51
Speaker 1: for which perhaps you can account better than myself. Oh, sir,
2:11:57
Speaker 1: I can account too well, answered, Joam, I have sinned
2:12:01
Speaker 1: against her beyond all hope of pardon, and guilty as
2:12:04
Speaker 1: I am, my guilt unfortunately appears to her in ten
2:12:07
Speaker 1: times blacker than the real colors. Oh, my dear uncle,
2:12:12
Speaker 1: I find my follies are irretrievable, and all your goodness
2:12:15
Speaker 1: cannot save me from perdition. A servant now acquainted them
2:12:19
Speaker 1: that mister Western was below stairs, for his eagerness to
2:12:22
Speaker 1: see Jones could not wait till the afternoon, upon which Jones,
2:12:27
Speaker 1: whose eyes were full of tears, begged his uncle to
2:12:30
Speaker 1: entertain Western a few minutes till he a little recovered himself,
2:12:33
Speaker 1: to which the good man consented, and, having ordered mister
2:12:37
Speaker 1: Western to be shown into a parlor, went down to him.
2:12:41
Speaker 1: Missus Miller no sooner heard that Jones was alone, for
2:12:44
Speaker 1: she had not yet seen him since his release from prison,
2:12:47
Speaker 1: than she came eagerly into the room, and, advancing towards Jones,
2:12:51
Speaker 1: wished him heartily joy of his new found uncle and
2:12:53
Speaker 1: his happy reconciliation, adding, I wish I could give you
2:12:57
Speaker 1: joy on another account, my dear child, but anything so
2:13:01
Speaker 1: inexorable I never saw. Jones, with some appearance of surprise,
2:13:06
Speaker 1: asked her what she meant. Why, then, says she, I
2:13:10
Speaker 1: have been with your young lady and have explained all
2:13:13
Speaker 1: matters to her as they were told to meet by
2:13:15
Speaker 1: my son Nightingale. She can have no longer any doubt
2:13:19
Speaker 1: about the letter of that I am certain, for I
2:13:22
Speaker 1: told her my son Nightingale was ready to take his
2:13:24
Speaker 1: oath if she pleased, That it was all his own
2:13:27
Speaker 1: invention and the letter of his inditing. I told her
2:13:31
Speaker 1: the very reason of sending the letter ought to recommend
2:13:33
Speaker 1: you to her, the more as it was all upon
2:13:35
Speaker 1: her account, and a plain proof that you was resolved
2:13:38
Speaker 1: to quit all your profligacy for the future, that you
2:13:41
Speaker 1: had never been guilty of a single instance of infidelity
2:13:44
Speaker 1: to her since your seeing her in town. I am
2:13:46
Speaker 1: afraid I went too far there, but Heaven forgive me.
2:13:50
Speaker 1: I hope your future behavior will be my justification. I
2:13:54
Speaker 1: am sure I have said all I can, but all
2:13:57
Speaker 1: to no purpose. She remains in flexible. She says she
2:14:02
Speaker 1: had forgiven many faults on account of youth, but expressed
2:14:05
Speaker 1: such detestation of the character of a libertine that she
2:14:08
Speaker 1: absolutely silenced me. I often attempted to excuse you, but
2:14:13
Speaker 1: the justness of her accusation flew in my face upon
2:14:17
Speaker 1: my honor. She is a lovely woman, and one of
2:14:20
Speaker 1: the sweetest and most sensible creatures. I ever saw, I
2:14:24
Speaker 1: could have almost kissed her. For one expression she made
2:14:27
Speaker 1: use of it was a sentiment worthy of Seneca or
2:14:30
Speaker 1: of a bishop. I once fancied, Madam, and she I
2:14:35
Speaker 1: had discovered great goodness of heart in mister Jones. And
2:14:39
Speaker 1: for that I own I had a sincere esteem. But
2:14:41
Speaker 1: an entire profligacy of manners will corrupt the best heart
2:14:44
Speaker 1: in the world. And all which a good natured libertine
2:14:47
Speaker 1: can expect is that we should mix some grains of
2:14:50
Speaker 1: pity with our contempt and abhorrence. She is an angelic creature,
2:14:54
Speaker 1: That is the truth. Aunt, Oh, missus Miller, answered Jones.
2:14:59
Speaker 1: Can I bear think that I have lost such an
2:15:01
Speaker 1: angel lost? No cries missus Miller. I hope you have
2:15:06
Speaker 1: not lost her yet resolved to leave such vicious courses,
2:15:10
Speaker 1: and you may yet have hopes, Nay, if she would
2:15:13
Speaker 1: remain inexorable. There is another young lady, a sweet, pretty
2:15:17
Speaker 1: young lady, and a swinging fortune, who is absolutely dying
2:15:20
Speaker 1: for love of you. I heard of it this very morning,
2:15:24
Speaker 1: and I told it to Miss Western. Nay, I went
2:15:27
Speaker 1: a little beyond the truth again, for I told her
2:15:29
Speaker 1: you had refused her. But indeed I knew you would
2:15:31
Speaker 1: refuse her, and here I must give you a little comfort.
2:15:35
Speaker 1: When I mentioned the young lady's name, who is no
2:15:38
Speaker 1: other than the pretty widow Hunt, I thought she turned pale.
2:15:41
Speaker 1: But when I said you had refused her, I will besworn.
2:15:43
Speaker 1: Her face was all over scarlet in an instant, and
2:15:46
Speaker 1: these were her very words. I will not deny but
2:15:50
Speaker 1: that I believe he has some affection for me. Here
2:15:53
Speaker 1: The conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Western, who
2:15:57
Speaker 1: could no longer be kept out of the room, even
2:15:59
Speaker 1: by the authority of Allworthy himself, though this, as we
2:16:02
Speaker 1: have often seen, had a wonderful power over him. Western
2:16:06
Speaker 1: immediately went up to Jones, crying out, my old friend Tom,
2:16:10
Speaker 1: I am glad to see THEE. With all my heart.
2:16:13
Speaker 1: All past must be forgotten. I could not intend any
2:16:16
Speaker 1: affront to THEE, because, as Allworthy here knows, nay dost
2:16:21
Speaker 1: know it thyself, I took THEE for another person. And
2:16:24
Speaker 1: where a body means no harm, what signifies a hasty
2:16:27
Speaker 1: word or two? One Christian must forget and forgive another.
2:16:32
Speaker 1: I hope, sir, said Jones. I shall never forget the
2:16:35
Speaker 1: many obligations I have had to you. But as for
2:16:38
Speaker 1: any offense towards me, I declare I am an utter stranger,
2:16:42
Speaker 1: eight says Western. Then give me thy fist ate, as
2:16:45
Speaker 1: hearty an honest cock as any in the kingdom. Come
2:16:49
Speaker 1: along with me. I'll carry thee to thy mistress. This
2:16:51
Speaker 1: moment here all Worthy interposed, and the Squire, being unable
2:16:56
Speaker 1: to prevail either with the uncle or nephew, was after
2:16:59
Speaker 1: some litigation, obliged to consent to delay introducing Jones to
2:17:03
Speaker 1: Sophia till the afternoon, at which time Allworthy, as well,
2:17:08
Speaker 1: in compassion to Jones, as in compliance with the eager
2:17:11
Speaker 1: desires of Western, was prevailed upon to promise to attend
2:17:14
Speaker 1: at the tea table. The conversation which now ensued was
2:17:18
Speaker 1: pleasant enough, and with which, had it happened earlier in
2:17:21
Speaker 1: our history, we would have entertained our reader. But as
2:17:24
Speaker 1: we have now leisure only to attend to what is
2:17:26
Speaker 1: very material, it shall suffice to say that matters being
2:17:30
Speaker 1: entirely adjusted as to the afternoon visit, mister Western again
2:17:33
Speaker 1: returned home. Chapter eleven, The history draws nearer to a conclusion.
2:17:40
Speaker 1: When mister Western was departed, Jones began to inform mister
2:17:43
Speaker 1: Allworthy in Missus Miller, that his liberty had been procured
2:17:46
Speaker 1: by two noble lords, who, together with two surgeons and
2:17:49
Speaker 1: a friend of mister Nightingale's, had attended the magistrate, by
2:17:53
Speaker 1: whom he had been committed, and by whom, on the
2:17:55
Speaker 1: surgeon's oaths, that the wounded person was out of all
2:17:59
Speaker 1: manner of danger from his wound, he was discharged. One
2:18:03
Speaker 1: only of these lords, he said, he had ever seen before,
2:18:07
Speaker 1: and that no more than once, but the other had
2:18:09
Speaker 1: greatly surprised him by asking his pardon for an offense
2:18:12
Speaker 1: he had been guilty of towards him. Occasioned, he said,
2:18:15
Speaker 1: entirely by his ignorance who he was now. The reality
2:18:20
Speaker 1: of the case, with which Jones was not acquainted till afterwards.
2:18:23
Speaker 1: Was this the lieutenant whom Lord Phelamar had employed, according
2:18:27
Speaker 1: to the advice of Lady Bellaston, to press Jones as
2:18:30
Speaker 1: a vagabond into the sea service. When he came to
2:18:33
Speaker 1: report to his lordship the event which we have before seen,
2:18:37
Speaker 1: spoke very favorably of the behavior of mister Jones on
2:18:40
Speaker 1: all accounts, and strongly assured that lord that he must
2:18:43
Speaker 1: have mistaken the person, for that Jones was certainly a gentleman,
2:18:47
Speaker 1: insomuch that his lordship, who was strictly a man of
2:18:50
Speaker 1: honor and would by no means have been guilty of
2:18:52
Speaker 1: an action which the world in general would have condemned,
2:18:56
Speaker 1: began to be much concerned for the advice which he
2:18:58
Speaker 1: had taken. Within a day or two after this, Lord
2:19:02
Speaker 1: Fellamar happened to dine with the Irish peer, who, in
2:19:05
Speaker 1: a conversation upon the duel, acquainted his company with the
2:19:08
Speaker 1: character of Fitzpatrick, to which indeed he did not do
2:19:12
Speaker 1: strict justice, especially in what related to his lady. He
2:19:16
Speaker 1: said she was the most innocent, the most injured woman alive,
2:19:20
Speaker 1: and that from compassion alone he had undertaken her cause.
2:19:24
Speaker 1: He then declared an intention of going the next morning
2:19:27
Speaker 1: to Fitzpatrick's lodgings in order to prevail with him, if possible,
2:19:31
Speaker 1: to consent to a separation from his wife, who the
2:19:34
Speaker 1: peer said was in apprehensions for her life if she
2:19:37
Speaker 1: should ever return to be under the power of her husband.
2:19:41
Speaker 1: Lord Phelammar agreed to go with him, that he might
2:19:44
Speaker 1: satisfy himself more concerning Jones and the circumstances of the duel,
2:19:48
Speaker 1: for he was by no means easy concerning the part
2:19:50
Speaker 1: he had acted. The moment his lordship gave a hint
2:19:54
Speaker 1: of his readiness to assist in the delivery of the lady.
2:19:57
Speaker 1: It was eagerly embraced by the other nobleman, who did
2:20:00
Speaker 1: depended much on the authority of Lord Fellamar, as he
2:20:03
Speaker 1: thought it would greatly contribute to auf Fitzpatrick into a compliance,
2:20:06
Speaker 1: and perhaps he was in the right for the poor irishman.
2:20:10
Speaker 1: No sooner saw these noble peers had undertaken the cause
2:20:13
Speaker 1: of his wife than he submitted, and articles of separation
2:20:16
Speaker 1: were soon drawn up and signed between the parties. Fitzpatrick,
2:20:21
Speaker 1: who had been so well satisfied by Missus Waters concerning
2:20:24
Speaker 1: the innocence of his wife with Jones at Upton, or
2:20:27
Speaker 1: perhaps from some other reasons, was now become so indifferent
2:20:31
Speaker 1: to that matter that he spoke highly in favor of
2:20:33
Speaker 1: Jones to Lord Fellamar, took all the blame upon himself,
2:20:37
Speaker 1: and said the other had behaved very much like a
2:20:40
Speaker 1: gentleman and a man of honor. And upon that Lord's
2:20:42
Speaker 1: further inquiry concerning mister Jones, Fitzpatrick told him he was
2:20:46
Speaker 1: nephew to a gentleman of very great fashioned fortune. Which
2:20:50
Speaker 1: was the account he had just received from Missus Waters
2:20:52
Speaker 1: after her interview with Dowling. Lord Fellamar now thought it
2:20:56
Speaker 1: behold him to do everything in his power to make
2:20:59
Speaker 1: satisfaction to a gentleman whom he had so grossly injured,
2:21:02
Speaker 1: and without any consideration of rivalship, for he had now
2:21:05
Speaker 1: given over all thoughts of Sophia, determined to procure mister
2:21:09
Speaker 1: Jones's liberty. Being satisfied as well from Fitzpatrick as his
2:21:13
Speaker 1: surgeon that the wound was not mortal, he therefore prevailed
2:21:18
Speaker 1: with the Irish peer to accompany him to the place
2:21:20
Speaker 1: where Jones was confined, to whom he behaved as we
2:21:23
Speaker 1: have already related. When Allworthy returned to his lodgings, he
2:21:27
Speaker 1: immediately carried Jones into his room, and then acquainted him
2:21:31
Speaker 1: with the whole matter, as well what he had heard
2:21:33
Speaker 1: from Missus Waters as what he had discovered from mister Dowling.
2:21:37
Speaker 1: Jones expressed great astonishment and no less concern at this account,
2:21:41
Speaker 1: but without making any comment or observation upon it. And
2:21:45
Speaker 1: now a message was brought from mister Blyfild, desiring to
2:21:48
Speaker 1: know if his uncle was at leisure, that he might
2:21:50
Speaker 1: wait upon him allworthy started and turned pale, and then,
2:21:54
Speaker 1: in a more passionate tone than I believe he had
2:21:57
Speaker 1: ever used before, bid the servant tell blyfil he knew
2:22:00
Speaker 1: him not. Consider, dear Sir, cries Jones in a trembling voice.
2:22:06
Speaker 1: I have considered answered allworthy, and you yourself shall carry
2:22:10
Speaker 1: my message to the villain. No one can carry him
2:22:13
Speaker 1: the sentence of his own ruin so properly as the
2:22:16
Speaker 1: man whose ruin he hath so villainously contrived. Pardon me,
2:22:20
Speaker 1: dear sir, said Jones a moment's reflection, Will I am
2:22:24
Speaker 1: sure convince you of the contrary what might perhaps be
2:22:28
Speaker 1: but justice from another tongue would from mine be insult
2:22:32
Speaker 1: and to whom my own brother and your nephew. Nor
2:22:36
Speaker 1: did he use me so barbarously? Indeed, that would have
2:22:39
Speaker 1: been more inexcusable than anything he hath done. Fortune may
2:22:43
Speaker 1: tempt men of no very bad dispositions to injustice, but
2:22:46
Speaker 1: insults proceed only from black and rancorous minds, and have
2:22:50
Speaker 1: no temptations to excuse them. Let me beseech you, sir,
2:22:54
Speaker 1: to do nothing by him, in the present height of
2:22:56
Speaker 1: your anger. Consider, my dear uncle, I was not myself
2:23:01
Speaker 1: condemned unheard, Allworthy stood silent a moment, and then embracing Jones,
2:23:07
Speaker 1: he said, with tears gushing from his eyes, oh, my child,
2:23:11
Speaker 1: to what goodness have I been so long? Blind? Missus
2:23:15
Speaker 1: Miller entering the room at that moment after a gentle
2:23:18
Speaker 1: rap which was not perceived, and seeing Jones in the
2:23:21
Speaker 1: arms of his uncle, the poor woman, in an agony
2:23:24
Speaker 1: of joy, fell upon her knees and burst forth into
2:23:27
Speaker 1: the most ecstatic thanksgivings to Heaven for what had happened. Then,
2:23:31
Speaker 1: running to Jones, she embraced him eagerly, crying, my dearest friend,
2:23:36
Speaker 1: I wish you joy a thousand and a thousand times
2:23:39
Speaker 1: of this blessed day. And next mister Allworthy himself received
2:23:43
Speaker 1: the same congratulations, to which he answered, indeed, indeed, Missus Miller,
2:23:49
Speaker 1: I am beyond expression happy. Some few more raptures having
2:23:53
Speaker 1: passed on all sides, Missus Miller desired them both to
2:23:57
Speaker 1: walk down to dinner in the parlor, where she said
2:23:59
Speaker 1: there were a very happy set of people assembled, being
2:24:02
Speaker 1: indeed no other than mister Nightingale and his bride, and
2:24:05
Speaker 1: his cousin Harriet with her bridegroom. Allworthy excused himself from
2:24:10
Speaker 1: dining with the company, saying he had ordered some little
2:24:13
Speaker 1: thing for him and his nephew in his own apartment,
2:24:15
Speaker 1: for that they had much private business to discourse of,
2:24:18
Speaker 1: but would not resist promising the good woman that both
2:24:21
Speaker 1: he and Jones would make part of her society. At supper.
2:24:25
Speaker 1: Missus Miller then asked what was to be done with
2:24:27
Speaker 1: Blyfel For indeed, says she, I cannot be easy while
2:24:32
Speaker 1: such a villain is in my house. All Worthy answered
2:24:36
Speaker 1: he was as uneasy as herself on the same account. Oh,
2:24:40
Speaker 1: cries she. If that be the case, leave the matter
2:24:43
Speaker 1: to me. I'll soon show him the outside out of
2:24:45
Speaker 1: my doors. I warrant you here are two or three
2:24:49
Speaker 1: lusty fellows below stairs. There will be no need of
2:24:52
Speaker 1: any violence, cries Allworthy. If you will carry him a
2:24:55
Speaker 1: message from me, he will. I am convinced to part
2:24:59
Speaker 1: of his own accord will, I, said Missus Miller. I
2:25:03
Speaker 1: never did anything in my life with a better will.
2:25:06
Speaker 1: Here Jones interfered and said he had considered the matter
2:25:09
Speaker 1: better and would if mister Allworthy pleased, be himself the
2:25:13
Speaker 1: messenger I know, says he already enough of your pleasure sir,
2:25:18
Speaker 1: and I beg leave to acquaint him with it by
2:25:20
Speaker 1: my own words. Let me beseech you, sir, added he
2:25:25
Speaker 1: to reflect on the dreadful consequences of driving him to
2:25:28
Speaker 1: violent and sudden despair. How unfit alas is this poor
2:25:33
Speaker 1: man to die in his present situation. This suggestion had
2:25:38
Speaker 1: not the least effect on missus Miller. She left the
2:25:41
Speaker 1: room crying, you are too good, mister Jones, infinitely too
2:25:46
Speaker 1: good to live in this world. But it made a
2:25:49
Speaker 1: deeper impression on allworthy, my good child, said he. I
2:25:53
Speaker 1: am equally astonished at the goodness of your heart and
2:25:56
Speaker 1: the quickness of your understanding. Heaven indeed for bid that
2:26:00
Speaker 1: this wretch should be deprived of any means or time
2:26:03
Speaker 1: for repentance. That would be a shocking consideration. Indeed, go
2:26:08
Speaker 1: to him therefore, and use your own discretion. Yet do
2:26:11
Speaker 1: not flatter him with any hopes of my forgiveness, for
2:26:14
Speaker 1: I shall never forgive Villa any farther than my religion
2:26:17
Speaker 1: obliges me, and that extends not either to our bounty
2:26:20
Speaker 1: or our conversation. Jones went up to Blyfel's room, whom
2:26:24
Speaker 1: he found in a situation which moved his pity, though
2:26:27
Speaker 1: it would have raised a less amiable passion in many beholders.
2:26:31
Speaker 1: He cast himself on his bed where he lay, abandoning
2:26:34
Speaker 1: himself to despair, and drowned in tears. Not in such
2:26:38
Speaker 1: tears as flow from contrition and wash away guilt from
2:26:41
Speaker 1: minds which have been seduced or surprised into it unawares
2:26:44
Speaker 1: against the bent of their natural dispositions, as will sometimes
2:26:48
Speaker 1: happen from human frailty, even to the good. No, these
2:26:52
Speaker 1: tears were such as the fright thief sheds in his cart,
2:26:55
Speaker 1: and are indeed the effects of that concern which the
2:26:58
Speaker 1: most savage natures are seldom to efficient in feeling for themselves.
2:27:02
Speaker 1: It would be unpleasant and tedious to paint this scene
2:27:05
Speaker 1: in full length. Let it suffice to say that the
2:27:09
Speaker 1: behavior of Jones was kind to excess. He omitted nothing
2:27:13
Speaker 1: which his invention could supply to raise and comfort the
2:27:16
Speaker 1: drooping spirits of blyphil Before he communicated to him the
2:27:20
Speaker 1: resolution of his uncle that he must quit the house
2:27:22
Speaker 1: that evening, he offered to furnish him with any money
2:27:26
Speaker 1: he wanted, assured him of his hearty forgiveness of all
2:27:29
Speaker 1: he had done against him, that he would endeavor to
2:27:31
Speaker 1: live with him hereafter as a brother, and would leave
2:27:34
Speaker 1: nothing unattempted to effectuate a reconciliation with his uncle. Blyphil
2:27:39
Speaker 1: was at first sullen and silent, balancing in his mind
2:27:42
Speaker 1: whether he should yet deny all, but finding at last
2:27:45
Speaker 1: the evidence too strong against him, he betook himself at
2:27:48
Speaker 1: last to confession. He then asked pardon of his brother
2:27:52
Speaker 1: in the most vehement manner, prostrated himself on the ground,
2:27:55
Speaker 1: and kissed his feet. In short, he was now as
2:27:58
Speaker 1: remarkably mean as he had been before. Remarkably wicked. Jones
2:28:02
Speaker 1: could not so far check his disdain, but that it
2:28:05
Speaker 1: a little discovered itself in his countenance. At this extreme servility,
2:28:09
Speaker 1: he raised his brother the moment he could from the ground,
2:28:12
Speaker 1: and advised him to bear his afflictions more like a man,
2:28:15
Speaker 1: repeating at the same time his promises that he would
2:28:19
Speaker 1: do all in his power to lessen them, for which Blifil,
2:28:22
Speaker 1: making many professions of his unworthiness, poured forth a profusion
2:28:25
Speaker 1: of thanks. And then he, having declared he would immediately
2:28:30
Speaker 1: depart to another lodging, Jones returned to his uncle. Among
2:28:34
Speaker 1: other matters, all Worthy now acquainted Jones with the discovery
2:28:38
Speaker 1: which he had made concerning the five hundred pounds bank notes.
2:28:42
Speaker 1: I have said he already consulted a lawyer, who tells me,
2:28:46
Speaker 1: to my great astonishment, that there is no punishment for
2:28:49
Speaker 1: a fraud of this kind. Indeed, when I consider the
2:28:53
Speaker 1: black ingratitude of this fellow toward you, I think a
2:28:56
Speaker 1: highwayman compared to him, is an innocent person. Good Heaven,
2:29:01
Speaker 1: says Jones. Is it possible? I am shocked beyond measure
2:29:06
Speaker 1: at this news. I thought there was not an honester
2:29:09
Speaker 1: fellow in the world. Dot the temptation of such a
2:29:12
Speaker 1: sum was too great for him to withstand, for smaller
2:29:15
Speaker 1: matters have come safe to me through his hand. Indeed,
2:29:19
Speaker 1: my dear uncle, you must suffer me to call it
2:29:21
Speaker 1: weakness rather than ingratitude. For I am convinced the poor
2:29:24
Speaker 1: fellow loves me and hath done me some kindnesses which
2:29:28
Speaker 1: I can never forget. Nay, I believe he hath repented
2:29:31
Speaker 1: of this very act, for it is not above a
2:29:33
Speaker 1: day or two ago, when my affairs seemed in the
2:29:36
Speaker 1: most desperate situation, that he visited me in my confinement
2:29:40
Speaker 1: and offered me any money I wanted. Consider sir, what
2:29:45
Speaker 1: a temptation to a man who hath tasted such bitter
2:29:48
Speaker 1: distress it must be to have a sum in his
2:29:50
Speaker 1: possession which must put him and his family beyond any
2:29:53
Speaker 1: future possibility of suffering. The like child cries, allworthy you
2:29:58
Speaker 1: carry this for giving temper tou. Such mistaken mercy is
2:30:02
Speaker 1: not only weakness, but borders on injustice, and is very
2:30:06
Speaker 1: pernicious to society, as it encourages vice. The dishonesty of
2:30:11
Speaker 1: this fellow I might perhaps have pardoned, but never his ingratitude.
2:30:16
Speaker 1: And give me leave to say, when we suffer any
2:30:19
Speaker 1: temptation to atone for dishonesty itself, we are as candid
2:30:22
Speaker 1: and merciful as we ought to be, And so far
2:30:25
Speaker 1: I confess I have gone. For I have often pitted
2:30:28
Speaker 1: the fate of a highwayman when I have been on
2:30:30
Speaker 1: the grand jury, and have more than once applied to
2:30:33
Speaker 1: the judge on the behalf of such as have had
2:30:35
Speaker 1: any mitigating circumstances in their case. But when dishonesty is
2:30:39
Speaker 1: attended with any blacker crime, such as cruelty, murder, ingratitude,
2:30:44
Speaker 1: or the like, compassion and forgiveness then become false. I
2:30:48
Speaker 1: am convinced the fellow is a villain, and he shall
2:30:51
Speaker 1: be punished, at least as far as I can punish him.
2:30:54
Speaker 1: This was spoken with so stern a voice that Jones
2:30:57
Speaker 1: did not think proper to make any reply. Besides, the
2:31:01
Speaker 1: hour appointed by mister Western now drew so near that
2:31:04
Speaker 1: he had barely time left to dress himself. Here therefore
2:31:08
Speaker 1: ended the present dialog, and Jones retired to another room,
2:31:11
Speaker 1: where Partridge attended according to order with his clothes. Partridge
2:31:16
Speaker 1: had scarce seen his master since the happy discovery. The
2:31:20
Speaker 1: poor fellow was unable either to contain or express his transports.
2:31:25
Speaker 1: He behaved like one frantic and made almost as many
2:31:28
Speaker 1: mistakes while he was dressing Jones as I have seen
2:31:31
Speaker 1: made by Harlequin in dressing himself on the stage. His memory, however,
2:31:36
Speaker 1: was not in the least deficient. He recollected now many
2:31:40
Speaker 1: omens and presages of this happy event, some of which
2:31:43
Speaker 1: he had remarked at the time, but many more he
2:31:45
Speaker 1: now remembered, nor did he omit the dreams he had
2:31:48
Speaker 1: dreamt the evening before his meeting with Jones, and concluded
2:31:51
Speaker 1: with saying, I always told your honor, something boded in
2:31:55
Speaker 1: my mind that you would, one time or other have
2:31:57
Speaker 1: it in your power to make my fortune. Jones assured
2:32:01
Speaker 1: him that this boding should as certainly be verified with
2:32:03
Speaker 1: regard to him, as all the other omens had been
2:32:05
Speaker 1: to himself, which did not a little add to all
2:32:08
Speaker 1: the raptures which the poor fellow had already conceived on
2:32:11
Speaker 1: account of his master. Chapter twelve, approaching still nearer to
2:32:16
Speaker 1: the end, Jones, being now completely dressed, attended his uncle
2:32:21
Speaker 1: to mister Western's. He was indeed one of the finest
2:32:26
Speaker 1: figures ever beheld, and his person alone would have charmed
2:32:29
Speaker 1: the greater part of womankind. But we hope it hath
2:32:31
Speaker 1: already appeared in this history, that Nature, when she formed him,
2:32:35
Speaker 1: did not totally rely, as she sometimes doth, on this merit,
2:32:40
Speaker 1: only to recommend her work. Sophia, who angry as she was,
2:32:45
Speaker 1: was likewise set forth to the best advantage for which
2:32:48
Speaker 1: I leave my female readers to account, appeared so extremely
2:32:52
Speaker 1: beautiful that even Allworthy, when he saw her, could not
2:32:55
Speaker 1: forbear whispering Western that he believed she was the finest
2:32:58
Speaker 1: creature in the world, to which Western answered in a
2:33:02
Speaker 1: whisper overheard by all present. So much the better for Tom,
2:33:06
Speaker 1: for d and me if he shan't ha the towsling her.
2:33:10
Speaker 1: Sophia was all over scarlet at these words, while Tom's
2:33:14
Speaker 1: countenance was altogether as pale, and he was almost ready
2:33:17
Speaker 1: to sink from his chair. The tea table was scarce
2:33:21
Speaker 1: removed before Western lugged Allworthy out of the room, telling
2:33:24
Speaker 1: him he had business of consequence to impart and must
2:33:27
Speaker 1: speak to him that instant in private before he forgot it.
2:33:31
Speaker 1: The lovers were now alone and at will I question
2:33:34
Speaker 1: not appear strange to many readers that those who had
2:33:37
Speaker 1: so much to say to one another when danger and
2:33:39
Speaker 1: difficulty attended their conversation, and who seemed so eager to
2:33:43
Speaker 1: rush into each other's arms when so many bars lay
2:33:46
Speaker 1: in their way, now that with safety they were at
2:33:49
Speaker 1: liberty to say or do whatever they pleased, should both
2:33:52
Speaker 1: remain for some time silent and motionless, insomuch that a
2:33:55
Speaker 1: stranger of moderate sagacity might have well concluded they were
2:33:58
Speaker 1: mutually indifferent. But so it was, however strange it may seem,
2:34:03
Speaker 1: both sat with their eyes cast downwards on the ground,
2:34:06
Speaker 1: and for some minutes continued in perfect silence. Mister Jones.
2:34:11
Speaker 1: During this interval attempted once or twice to speak, but
2:34:14
Speaker 1: was absolutely incapable, muttering only or rather sighing out some
2:34:19
Speaker 1: broken words. When Sophia at length, partly out of pity
2:34:22
Speaker 1: to him, and partly to turn the discourse from the
2:34:26
Speaker 1: subject which she knew well enough he was endeavoring to open,
2:34:29
Speaker 1: said sure, sir, you are the most fortunate man in
2:34:32
Speaker 1: the world in this discovery. And can you, really, Madam,
2:34:36
Speaker 1: think me so fortunate, said Jones, sighing, while I have
2:34:40
Speaker 1: incurred your displeasure. Nay, sir, says she, as to that
2:34:46
Speaker 1: you best know whether you have deserved it. Indeed, Madam
2:34:50
Speaker 1: answered he, you yourself are as well apprized of all
2:34:53
Speaker 1: my demerits. Missus Miller hath acquainted you with the whole truth.
2:34:58
Speaker 1: Oh my, so am, I never to hope for forgiveness,
2:35:03
Speaker 1: I think, mister Jones said she, I may almost depend
2:35:08
Speaker 1: on your own justice and leave it to yourself to
2:35:10
Speaker 1: pass sentence on your own conduct. Alas Madam answered he,
2:35:16
Speaker 1: it is mercy and not justice which I implore at your hands.
2:35:21
Speaker 1: Justice I know must condemn me dot yet not for
2:35:24
Speaker 1: the letter I sent to Lady Bellaston. Of that I
2:35:27
Speaker 1: most solemnly declare you have had a true account. He
2:35:31
Speaker 1: then insisted much on the security given him by Nightingale,
2:35:34
Speaker 1: of a fair pretense for breaking off if contrary to
2:35:37
Speaker 1: their expectations, her ladyship should have accepted his offer, but
2:35:41
Speaker 1: confious that he had been guilty of a great indiscretion
2:35:43
Speaker 1: to put such a letter as that into her power,
2:35:47
Speaker 1: which said he I have dearly paid for in the
2:35:50
Speaker 1: effect it has upon you. I do not. I cannot,
2:35:54
Speaker 1: says she believe otherwise of that letter than you would
2:35:57
Speaker 1: have me my conduct. I think, Chowes you clearly, I
2:36:01
Speaker 1: do not believe there is much in that. And yet,
2:36:04
Speaker 1: mister Jones, have I not enough to resent after what
2:36:08
Speaker 1: passed at Upton? So soon to engage in anew amour
2:36:11
Speaker 1: with another woman while I fancied, and you pretended your
2:36:15
Speaker 1: heart was bleeding for me? Indeed you have acted strangely.
2:36:20
Speaker 1: Can I believe the passion you have professed to me
2:36:22
Speaker 1: to be sincere? Or if I can, what happiness can
2:36:26
Speaker 1: I assure myself of with a man capable of so
2:36:29
Speaker 1: much inconstancy? Oh, my Sophia cries He do not doubt
2:36:34
Speaker 1: the sincerity of the purest passion that ever inflamed the
2:36:37
Speaker 1: human breast, think most adorable creature of my unhappy situation,
2:36:43
Speaker 1: of my despair. Could I, my Sophia, have flattered myself
2:36:48
Speaker 1: with the most distant hopes of being ever permitted to
2:36:50
Speaker 1: throw myself at your feet in the manner I do now?
2:36:53
Speaker 1: It would not have been in the power of any
2:36:54
Speaker 1: other woman to have inspired a thought which the severest
2:36:57
Speaker 1: chastity could have condemned in constancy. To you, Oh Sophia,
2:37:03
Speaker 1: if you can have goodness enough to pardon what is past,
2:37:06
Speaker 1: do not let any cruel future apprehensions shut your mercy
2:37:10
Speaker 1: against me. No repentance was ever more sincere. Oh, let
2:37:16
Speaker 1: it reconcile me to my heaven in this dear bosom
2:37:19
Speaker 1: sincere repentance, mister Jones answered, she will obtain the pardon
2:37:24
Speaker 1: of a sinner, But it is from one who is
2:37:26
Speaker 1: a perfect judge of that sincerity a human mind may
2:37:29
Speaker 1: be imposed on. Nor is there any infallible method to
2:37:33
Speaker 1: prevent it. You must expect, however, that if I can
2:37:37
Speaker 1: be prevailed on by your repentance to pardon you, I
2:37:39
Speaker 1: will at least insist on the strongest proof of its sincerity.
2:37:43
Speaker 1: Name any proof in my power, answered Jones eagerly, Time
2:37:48
Speaker 1: replied She time alone, mister Jones can convince me that
2:37:52
Speaker 1: you are a true penitent and have resolved to abandon
2:37:55
Speaker 1: these vicious courses, which I should detest you, for if
2:37:58
Speaker 1: I imagined you capable of person in them. Do not
2:38:02
Speaker 1: imagine it, cries Jones, on my knees. I entreat I
2:38:06
Speaker 1: implore your confidence, a confidence which it shall be the
2:38:09
Speaker 1: business of my life to deserve. Let it, then, said she,
2:38:13
Speaker 1: be the business of some part of your life to
2:38:15
Speaker 1: shew me you deserve it. I think I have been
2:38:18
Speaker 1: explicit enough in assuring you that when I see you
2:38:21
Speaker 1: merit my confidence, you will obtain it. After what is past, Sir,
2:38:26
Speaker 1: can you expect I should take you upon your word,
2:38:30
Speaker 1: he replied, don't believe me upon my word. I have
2:38:33
Speaker 1: a better security, a pledge for my constancy which it
2:38:36
Speaker 1: is impossible to see and to doubt. What is that,
2:38:39
Speaker 1: said Sophia, a little surprised. I will show you, my
2:38:44
Speaker 1: charming angel, cried Jones, seizing her hand and carrying her
2:38:48
Speaker 1: to the glass. There behold it there, in that lovely figure,
2:38:52
Speaker 1: in that face, that shape, those eyes, that mind which
2:38:56
Speaker 1: shines through these eyes. Can the man who shall be
2:38:59
Speaker 1: in possession of these inconstant impossible, my Sophia, They would
2:39:05
Speaker 1: fix a dormant a Lord Rochester. You could not doubt
2:39:08
Speaker 1: it if you could see yourself with any eyes but
2:39:11
Speaker 1: your own. Sophia blushed and half smiled, but forcing again
2:39:16
Speaker 1: her brow into a frown. If I am to judge,
2:39:19
Speaker 1: said she of the future by the past, my image
2:39:22
Speaker 1: will no more remain in your heart when I am
2:39:24
Speaker 1: out of your sight than it will in this glass
2:39:26
Speaker 1: when I am out of the room. By Heaven, by
2:39:29
Speaker 1: all that is sacred, said Jones, it never was out
2:39:33
Speaker 1: of my heart. The delicacy of your sex cannot conceive
2:39:36
Speaker 1: the grossness of ours, nor how little one sort of
2:39:39
Speaker 1: a mour has to do with the heart. I will
2:39:42
Speaker 1: never marry a man, replied Sophia, very gravely. Who shall
2:39:46
Speaker 1: not learn refinement enough to be as incapable as I
2:39:49
Speaker 1: am myself of making such a distinction. I will learn it,
2:39:53
Speaker 1: said Jones. I have learnt it already. The first moment
2:39:58
Speaker 1: of hope that my Sophia might be my wife taught
2:40:00
Speaker 1: at me at once, and all the rest of her
2:40:02
Speaker 1: sex from that moment became as little the objects of
2:40:05
Speaker 1: desire to my sense as of passion to my heart. Well,
2:40:09
Speaker 1: says Sophia. The proof of this must be from time.
2:40:13
Speaker 1: Your situation, mister Jones, is now altered, and I assure
2:40:17
Speaker 1: you I have great satisfaction in the alteration. You will
2:40:21
Speaker 1: now want no opportunity of being near me and convincing
2:40:24
Speaker 1: me that your mind is altered too. Oh, my angel,
2:40:29
Speaker 1: cries Jones. How shall I thank thy goodness? And are
2:40:33
Speaker 1: you so good to own that you have a satisfaction
2:40:35
Speaker 1: in my prosperity? Believe me, Believe me, madam. It is
2:40:40
Speaker 1: you alone have given a relish to that prosperity, since
2:40:43
Speaker 1: I owe to it the dear hope. Oh, my Sophia,
2:40:47
Speaker 1: let it not be a distant one. Dot. I will
2:40:49
Speaker 1: be all obedience to your commands. I will not dare
2:40:53
Speaker 1: to press anything further than you permit me. Yet, let
2:40:56
Speaker 1: me entreat you to appoint a short trial. Oh tell
2:41:01
Speaker 1: me when I may expect you will be convinced of
2:41:03
Speaker 1: what is most solemnly true. When I have gone voluntarily
2:41:07
Speaker 1: thus far, mister Jones said, she I expect not to
2:41:10
Speaker 1: be pressed. Nay, I will not. Oh, don't look unkindly, Thus,
2:41:17
Speaker 1: my Sophia cries, He I do not. I dare not
2:41:21
Speaker 1: press you. Dot, yet permit me at least once more
2:41:24
Speaker 1: to beg you would fix the period. Oh, consider the
2:41:28
Speaker 1: impatience of love. A twelvemonth, perhaps, said she. Oh, my Sophia,
2:41:36
Speaker 1: cries he. You have named an eternity. Perhaps it may
2:41:40
Speaker 1: be something sooner, says she. I will not be teased.
2:41:44
Speaker 1: If your passion for me be what I would have it.
2:41:46
Speaker 1: I think you may now be easy. Easy, Sophia, call
2:41:51
Speaker 1: not such an exulting happiness as mine by so cold
2:41:54
Speaker 1: a name, Dot, Oh, transporting thought, Am I not assured
2:42:00
Speaker 1: that the blessed day will come when I shall call
2:42:02
Speaker 1: you mine? When fears shall be no more? When I
2:42:04
Speaker 1: shall have that dear, that vast, that exquisite, ecstatic delight
2:42:08
Speaker 1: of making my Sophia happy? Indeed, sir, said she, that
2:42:14
Speaker 1: day is in your own power. Oh, my dear, my
2:42:19
Speaker 1: divine angel, cried he. These words have made me mad
2:42:22
Speaker 1: with joy. Dot, But I must I will thank those
2:42:25
Speaker 1: dear lips which have so sweetly pronounced my bliss. He
2:42:29
Speaker 1: then caught her in his arms and kissed her with
2:42:32
Speaker 1: an ardor he had never ventured before. At this instant
2:42:35
Speaker 1: Western who had stood some time listening, burst into the room,
2:42:39
Speaker 1: and with his hunting voice and phrase, cried out to
2:42:42
Speaker 1: her boy, to her, go to her dot that's it,
2:42:46
Speaker 1: little honeys, Oh, that's it? Well, what is it all over?
2:42:52
Speaker 1: Hath she appointed the day boy? What shall it be
2:42:56
Speaker 1: to morrow or next day? It shan't be put off
2:43:00
Speaker 1: a minute longer than next day. I am resolved. Let
2:43:03
Speaker 1: me beseech you, sir, says Jones. Don't let me be
2:43:07
Speaker 1: the occasion beseech Mina, cries Western. I thought thou hadst
2:43:11
Speaker 1: been a lad of higher mettle than to give way
2:43:13
Speaker 1: to a parcel of maidenish trickstat I tell thee tis
2:43:16
Speaker 1: all flimflam zodikers. She'd have the wedding to night with
2:43:22
Speaker 1: all her heart? Would'st not? Sophie? Come confess and be
2:43:27
Speaker 1: an honest girl? For once? What art dumb? Why dost
2:43:33
Speaker 1: not speak? Why should I confess, sir, says Sophia, Since
2:43:37
Speaker 1: it seems you are so well acquainted with my thoughts.
2:43:41
Speaker 1: That's a good girl, cries he. And dost consent? Then no, indeed, sir,
2:43:47
Speaker 1: says Sophia, I have given no such consent, dash and
2:43:51
Speaker 1: want not ha and then tomorrow nor next day, says
2:43:55
Speaker 1: western Dot. Indeed, sir says she. I have no such intention,
2:44:00
Speaker 1: But I can tell thee, replied he. Why hast not
2:44:04
Speaker 1: only because thou dost love to be disobedient and to
2:44:07
Speaker 1: plague and vex thy father, pray, Sir, said Jones, interfering.
2:44:12
Speaker 1: I tell THEE thou art a puppy, cries he. When
2:44:16
Speaker 1: I borbid her, then it was all nothing but sighing
2:44:18
Speaker 1: and whining and languishing and writing. Now I amvore thee.
2:44:22
Speaker 1: She is against thee all the spirit of contrary. That's all.
2:44:27
Speaker 1: She is above being guided and governed by her father.
2:44:30
Speaker 1: That is the whole truth. Aunt. It is only to
2:44:33
Speaker 1: disoblige and contradict me. What would my Papa have me do?
2:44:38
Speaker 1: Cries Sophia. What would I haw THEE do? Says he?
2:44:42
Speaker 1: Why g I on thy hand this moment? Well, sir,
2:44:46
Speaker 1: says Sophia. I will obey you. Dot. There is my hand,
2:44:50
Speaker 1: mister Jones. Well, and will you consent to ha untomorrow morning,
2:44:55
Speaker 1: says western Dot. I will be obedient to you, sir,
2:45:00
Speaker 1: cries she Dot. Why then tomorrow morning be the day?
2:45:03
Speaker 1: Cries he? Why then tomorrow morning shall be the day, Papa,
2:45:08
Speaker 1: since you will have it, so says Sophia. Jones then
2:45:11
Speaker 1: fell upon his knees and kissed her hand in an
2:45:14
Speaker 1: agony of joy, while Western began to caper and dance
2:45:17
Speaker 1: about the room, presently crying out where the devil is allworthy?
2:45:22
Speaker 1: He is without now a talking with that d d
2:45:25
Speaker 1: lawyer Dowling, when he should be minding other matters. He
2:45:29
Speaker 1: then sallied out in quest of him, and very opportunely
2:45:32
Speaker 1: left the lovers to enjoy a few tender minutes alone.
2:45:36
Speaker 1: But he soon returned with Allworthy, saying, if you won't
2:45:39
Speaker 1: believe me, you may ask her yourself. Hast not jin
2:45:43
Speaker 1: th consent Sophie to be married tomorrow. Such are your commands, sir,
2:45:48
Speaker 1: cries Sophia, and I dare not be guilty of disobedience.
2:45:53
Speaker 1: I hope, Madam, cries Allworthy. My nephew will merit so
2:45:57
Speaker 1: much goodness and will be always as sensible as my
2:46:00
Speaker 1: of the great honor you have done my family. An
2:46:03
Speaker 1: alliance with so charming and so excellent a young lady
2:46:06
Speaker 1: would indeed be an honor to the greatest in England. Yes,
2:46:10
Speaker 1: cries Western. But if I had suffered her to stand shill,
2:46:13
Speaker 1: I shall I dilly dally? You might not have had
2:46:16
Speaker 1: that honor yet, awhile I was forced to use a
2:46:18
Speaker 1: little fatherly authority to bring her to I hope not, Sir,
2:46:23
Speaker 1: cries Allworthy. I hope there is not the least constraint.
2:46:27
Speaker 1: Why there, cries Western. You may bid her unsay all again,
2:46:31
Speaker 1: if you will dost repent heartily of thy promise. Dost not, Sophia. Indeed,
2:46:38
Speaker 1: Papa cries she, I do not repent, nor do I
2:46:41
Speaker 1: believe I ever shall of any promise in favor of
2:46:44
Speaker 1: mister Jones. Then, nephew cries Allworthy. I felicitate you most heartily,
2:46:50
Speaker 1: for I think you are the happiest of men, And Madam,
2:46:55
Speaker 1: you will give me leave to congratulate you on this
2:46:57
Speaker 1: joyful occasion. Indeed, I am convinced you have bestowed yourself
2:47:01
Speaker 1: on one who will be sensible of your great merit,
2:47:03
Speaker 1: and who will at least use his best endeavors to
2:47:05
Speaker 1: deserve it. His best endeavors, cries Western, that he will.
2:47:10
Speaker 1: I warrant on hark ye, Allworthy, I'll bet thee five
2:47:14
Speaker 1: pounds to a crown. We have a boy to morrow
2:47:16
Speaker 1: nine months but Prithee, tell me what what ha? What
2:47:20
Speaker 1: ha Burgundy, Champagne or what for? Please Jupiter will make
2:47:25
Speaker 1: a night aunt. Indeed, Sir said Allworthy, you must excuse me.
2:47:30
Speaker 1: Both my nephew and I were engaged before I suspected
2:47:33
Speaker 1: this near approach of his happiness. Engaged quote the Squire
2:47:38
Speaker 1: never tell me, Dot, I won't part with THEE to
2:47:40
Speaker 1: night upon any occasion. Shalt supp here, please the Lord
2:47:44
Speaker 1: Harry you must pardon me, my dear neighbor, answered Allworthy,
2:47:50
Speaker 1: I have given a solemn promise, and that you know
2:47:52
Speaker 1: I never break Why Prithee, who art engaged to cries
2:47:57
Speaker 1: the Squire. Dot Allworthy then informed him as likewise of
2:48:00
Speaker 1: the company. Dot Adzuker's answered the Squire, I will go
2:48:04
Speaker 1: with THEE, and so shall Sophie, for I won't part
2:48:08
Speaker 1: with THEE to night, and it would be barbarous to
2:48:10
Speaker 1: part Tom and the girl. This offer was presently embraced
2:48:14
Speaker 1: by Allworthy, and Sophia consented, having first obtained a private
2:48:18
Speaker 1: promise from her father that he would not mention a
2:48:20
Speaker 1: syllable concerning her marriage. Chapter the last in which the
2:48:25
Speaker 1: history is concluded. Young Nightingale had been that afternoon by
2:48:30
Speaker 1: appointment to wait on his father, who received him much
2:48:33
Speaker 1: more kindly than he expected. There likewise he met his uncle,
2:48:37
Speaker 1: who was returned to town in quest of his new
2:48:40
Speaker 1: married daughter. This marriage was the luckiest incident which could
2:48:44
Speaker 1: have happened to the young gentleman, for these brothers lived
2:48:47
Speaker 1: in a constant state of contention about the government of
2:48:49
Speaker 1: their children, both heartily despising the method which each other took.
2:48:54
Speaker 1: Each of them therefore now endeavored as much as he
2:48:57
Speaker 1: could to palliate the offense which his own child, dad committed,
2:49:00
Speaker 1: and to aggravate the match of the other. This desire
2:49:04
Speaker 1: of triumphing over his brother, added to the many arguments
2:49:07
Speaker 1: which Allworthy had used, so strongly operated on the old
2:49:10
Speaker 1: gentleman that he met his son with a smiling countenance
2:49:13
Speaker 1: and actually agreed to sup with him that evening at
2:49:16
Speaker 1: missus Miller's. As for the other, who really loved his
2:49:20
Speaker 1: daughter with the most immoderate affection, there was little difficulty
2:49:23
Speaker 1: in inclining him to a reconciliation. He was no sooner
2:49:27
Speaker 1: informed by his nephew where his daughter and her husband were,
2:49:30
Speaker 1: than he declared he would instantly go to her, and
2:49:34
Speaker 1: when he arrived there he scarce suffered her to fall
2:49:36
Speaker 1: upon her knees before he took her up and embraced
2:49:39
Speaker 1: her with a tenderness which affected all who saw him,
2:49:41
Speaker 1: and in less than a quarter of an hour was
2:49:43
Speaker 1: as well reconciled to both her and her husband as
2:49:46
Speaker 1: if he had himself joined their hands. In this situation
2:49:50
Speaker 1: were affairs when mister Allworthy and his company arrived to
2:49:53
Speaker 1: complete the happiness of missus Miller, who no sooner saw
2:49:56
Speaker 1: Sophia than she guessed everything that had happened. And so
2:49:59
Speaker 1: great was her friendship to Jones, that it added not
2:50:02
Speaker 1: a few transports to those she felt on the happiness
2:50:05
Speaker 1: of her own daughter. There have not, I believe, been
2:50:09
Speaker 1: many instances of a number of people met together where
2:50:12
Speaker 1: every one was so perfectly happy as in this company,
2:50:16
Speaker 1: amongst whom the father of young Nightingale enjoyed the least
2:50:19
Speaker 1: perfect content, for, notwithstanding his affection for his son, notwithstanding
2:50:24
Speaker 1: the authority and the arguments of Allworthy, together with the
2:50:27
Speaker 1: other motive mentioned before, he could not so entirely be
2:50:30
Speaker 1: satisfied with his son's choice, And perhaps the presence of
2:50:35
Speaker 1: Sophia herself tended a little to aggravate and heighten his
2:50:38
Speaker 1: concern as a thought now and then suggested itself that
2:50:41
Speaker 1: his son might have had that lady, or some other such.
2:50:45
Speaker 1: Not that any of the charms which adorned either the
2:50:48
Speaker 1: person or mind of Sophia created the uneasiness. It was
2:50:51
Speaker 1: the contents of her father's coffers which set his heart
2:50:54
Speaker 1: a longing. These were the charms which he could not
2:50:57
Speaker 1: bear to think his son had sacrificed to the daughter
2:50:59
Speaker 1: of Missus Miller. The brides were both very pretty women,
2:51:03
Speaker 1: but so totally were they eclipsed by the beauty of Sophia,
2:51:07
Speaker 1: that had they not been two of the best tempered
2:51:09
Speaker 1: girls in the world, it would have raised some envy
2:51:12
Speaker 1: in their breasts. For neither of their husbands could long
2:51:15
Speaker 1: keep his eyes from Sophia, who sat at the table
2:51:18
Speaker 1: like a queen receiving homage, or rather like a superior being,
2:51:22
Speaker 1: receiving adoration from all around her. But it was an
2:51:26
Speaker 1: adoration which they gave, not which she exacted, for she
2:51:30
Speaker 1: was as much distinguished by her modesty and affability as
2:51:33
Speaker 1: by all her other perfections. The evening was spent in
2:51:37
Speaker 1: much true mirth. All were happy, but those the most
2:51:40
Speaker 1: who had been most unhappy before their former sufferings and
2:51:44
Speaker 1: fears gave such a relish to their felicity as even
2:51:47
Speaker 1: love and fortune in their fullest flow could not have
2:51:51
Speaker 1: given without the advantage of such a comparison. Yet, as
2:51:55
Speaker 1: great joy, especially after a sudden change and revolution of circumstances,
2:52:00
Speaker 1: is apt to be silent and dwells rather in the
2:52:02
Speaker 1: heart than on the tongue, Jones and Sophia appeared the
2:52:05
Speaker 1: least merry of the whole company, which Western observed with
2:52:08
Speaker 1: great impatience, often crying out to them, why dost not talk, boy?
2:52:14
Speaker 1: Why dost look so grave? Hast lost thy tongue? Girl?
2:52:19
Speaker 1: Drink another glass of wine, shot, drink another glass, and
2:52:24
Speaker 1: the more. To enliven her, he would sometimes sing a
2:52:26
Speaker 1: merry song which bore some relation to matrimony and the
2:52:30
Speaker 1: loss of a maidenhead. Nay, he would have proceeded so
2:52:34
Speaker 1: far on that topic as to have driven her out
2:52:36
Speaker 1: of the room if mister Allworthy had not checked him,
2:52:39
Speaker 1: sometimes by looks, and once or twice by a figh.
2:52:43
Speaker 1: Mister Western he began, indeed, once to debate the matter
2:52:48
Speaker 1: and assert his right to talk to his own daughter
2:52:51
Speaker 1: as he thought fit, but as nobody seconded him, he
2:52:54
Speaker 1: was soon reduced to order. Notwithstanding this little restraint, he
2:52:59
Speaker 1: was so pleased with the cheerfulness and good humor of
2:53:01
Speaker 1: the company that he insisted on their meeting the next
2:53:04
Speaker 1: day at his lodgings. They all did so, and the
2:53:08
Speaker 1: lovely Sophia, who was now in private, become a bride too,
2:53:12
Speaker 1: officiated as the mistress of the ceremonies, or, in the
2:53:15
Speaker 1: polite phrase, did the honors of the table. She had
2:53:19
Speaker 1: that morning given her hand to Jones in the chapel
2:53:22
Speaker 1: at Doctor's Commons, where mister Allworthy, mister Western, and Missus
2:53:26
Speaker 1: Miller were the only persons present. Sophia had earnestly desired
2:53:31
Speaker 1: her father that no others of the company who were
2:53:33
Speaker 1: that day to dine with him should be acquainted with
2:53:36
Speaker 1: her marriage. The same secrecy was enjoined to Missus Miller,
2:53:40
Speaker 1: and Jones undertook for Allworthy. This somewhat reconciled the delicacy
2:53:45
Speaker 1: of Sophia to the public entertainment, which, in compliance with
2:53:49
Speaker 1: her father's will, she was obliged to go to greatly
2:53:52
Speaker 1: against her own inclinations. In confidence of this secrecy, she
2:53:56
Speaker 1: went through the day pretty well till the Squire, who
2:53:59
Speaker 1: was now now advanced into the second bottle, could contain
2:54:02
Speaker 1: his joy no longer, but filling out a bumper drank
2:54:05
Speaker 1: a health to the bride. The health was immediately pledged
2:54:09
Speaker 1: by all present, to the great confusion of our poor
2:54:12
Speaker 1: blushing Sophia, and the great concern of Jones upon her account.
2:54:17
Speaker 1: To say truth, there was not a person present made
2:54:20
Speaker 1: wiser by this discovery, for Missus Miller had whispered it
2:54:23
Speaker 1: to her daughter, her daughter to her husband, her husband
2:54:26
Speaker 1: to his sister, and she to all the rest. Sophia
2:54:30
Speaker 1: now took the first opportunity of withdrawing with the ladies,
2:54:33
Speaker 1: and the Squire sat into his cups, in which he
2:54:36
Speaker 1: was by degrees deserted by all the company, except the
2:54:39
Speaker 1: uncle of young Nightingale, who loved his bottle as well
2:54:42
Speaker 1: as Western himself. These two therefore sat stoutly to it
2:54:47
Speaker 1: during the whole evening and long after that happy hour
2:54:50
Speaker 1: which had surrendered the charming Sophia to the eager arms
2:54:53
Speaker 1: of her enraptured Jones. Thus, reader, we have at length
2:54:58
Speaker 1: brought our history to a conclusion in which, to our
2:55:01
Speaker 1: great pleasure, though contrary perhaps to thy expectation. Mister Jones
2:55:06
Speaker 1: appears to be the happiest of all human kind. For
2:55:09
Speaker 1: what happiness this world affords equal to the possession of
2:55:11
Speaker 1: such a woman as Sophia, I sincerely own. I have
2:55:14
Speaker 1: never yet discovered as to the other persons who have
2:55:18
Speaker 1: made any considerable figure in this history. As some may
2:55:21
Speaker 1: desire to know a little more concerning them, we will
2:55:24
Speaker 1: proceed in as few words as possible to satisfy their curiosity.
2:55:29
Speaker 1: Allworthy hath never yet been prevailed upon to see blyfel,
2:55:33
Speaker 1: but he hath yielded to the importunity of Jones, backed
2:55:36
Speaker 1: by Sophia, to settle two hundred pounds eight year upon him,
2:55:40
Speaker 1: to which Jones hath privately added a third upon this income.
2:55:44
Speaker 1: He lives in one of the northern counties, about two
2:55:47
Speaker 1: hundred miles distant from London, and lays up two hundred
2:55:50
Speaker 1: pounds a year out of it in order to purchase
2:55:52
Speaker 1: a seat in the next Parliament from a neighboring borough,
2:55:55
Speaker 1: which he has bargained for with an attorney there. He
2:55:58
Speaker 1: is also lately turned mestayist in hopes of marrying a
2:56:01
Speaker 1: very rich widow of that sect, whose estate lies in
2:56:04
Speaker 1: that part of the Kingdom Square died soon after he
2:56:08
Speaker 1: writ the before mentioned letter, and as to Thwackham, he
2:56:11
Speaker 1: continues at his vicarage. He hath made many fruitless attempts
2:56:16
Speaker 1: to regain the confidence of Allworthy, or to ingratiate himself
2:56:19
Speaker 1: with Jones, both of whom he flatters to their faces
2:56:22
Speaker 1: and abuses behind their backs. But in his stead mister
2:56:27
Speaker 1: Allworthy hath lately taken mister Abraham Adams into his house,
2:56:31
Speaker 1: of whom Sophia is grown immoderately fond, and declares he
2:56:34
Speaker 1: shall have the tuition of her children. Missus Fitzpatrick is
2:56:38
Speaker 1: separated from her husband and retains the little remains of
2:56:41
Speaker 1: her fortune. She lives in reputation at the polite end
2:56:45
Speaker 1: of the town, and is so good an economist that
2:56:48
Speaker 1: she spends three times the income of her fortune without
2:56:51
Speaker 1: running into debt. She maintains a perfect intimacy with the
2:56:55
Speaker 1: lady of the Irish peer, and in acts of friendship
2:56:58
Speaker 1: to her, repays all obligations she owes her husband. Missus
2:57:02
Speaker 1: Western was soon reconciled to her niece Sophia, and hath
2:57:05
Speaker 1: spent two months together with her in the country. Lady
2:57:09
Speaker 1: Bellaston made the latter a formal visit at her return
2:57:12
Speaker 1: to town, where she behaved to Jones as a perfect stranger,
2:57:15
Speaker 1: and with great civility wished him joy on his marriage.
2:57:20
Speaker 1: Mister Nightingale Hath purchased an estate for his son in
2:57:22
Speaker 1: the neighborhood of Jones, where the young gentleman, his lady,
2:57:26
Speaker 1: Missus Miller, and her little daughter reside, and the most
2:57:29
Speaker 1: agreeable intercourse subsists between the two families as to those
2:57:34
Speaker 1: of lower account. Missus Waters returned into the country, had
2:57:38
Speaker 1: a pension of sixty pounds a year settled upon her
2:57:40
Speaker 1: by mister Allworthy, and is married to Parson Supple, on
2:57:43
Speaker 1: whom at the instance of Sophia Western Hath bestowed a
2:57:47
Speaker 1: considerable living Black George, hearing the discovery that had been made,
2:57:52
Speaker 1: ran away and was never since heard of, And Jones
2:57:55
Speaker 1: bestowed the money on his family, but not in equal proportions,
2:57:59
Speaker 1: for Molly had much the greatest share. As for Partridge Jones,
2:58:03
Speaker 1: Hath settled fifty pounds a year on him, and he
2:58:06
Speaker 1: Hath again set up a school in which he meets
2:58:09
Speaker 1: with much better encouragement than formerly, and there is now
2:58:12
Speaker 1: a treaty of marriage on foot between him and Miss
2:58:14
Speaker 1: Molly Seagrim, which, through the mediation of Sophia, is likely
2:58:18
Speaker 1: to take effect. We now return to take leave of
2:58:22
Speaker 1: mister Jones and Sophia, who, within two days after their
2:58:26
Speaker 1: marriage attended mister Western and mister Alwardy into the country.
2:58:30
Speaker 1: Western Hath resigned his family seat and the greater part
2:58:33
Speaker 1: of his estate to his son in law, and Hath
2:58:36
Speaker 1: retired to a lesser house of his in another part
2:58:38
Speaker 1: of the country, which is better for hunting. Indeed, he
2:58:42
Speaker 1: is often as a visitant with mister Jones, who, as
2:58:46
Speaker 1: well as his daughter Hath an infinite delight in doing
2:58:49
Speaker 1: everything in their power to please him, And this desire
2:58:52
Speaker 1: of theirs is attended with such success that the old
2:58:55
Speaker 1: gentleman declares he was never happy in his life till
2:58:58
Speaker 1: now He hath here a parlor and ante chamber to himself,
2:59:02
Speaker 1: where he gets drunk with whom he pleases, and his
2:59:04
Speaker 1: daughter is still as ready as formerly to play to
2:59:07
Speaker 1: him whenever he desires it. For Jones, Hath assured her
2:59:10
Speaker 1: that as next to pleasing her, one of his highest
2:59:13
Speaker 1: satisfactions is to contribute to the happiness of the old man.
2:59:17
Speaker 1: So the great duty which she expresses and performs to
2:59:21
Speaker 1: her father, renders her almost equally dear to him with
2:59:24
Speaker 1: the love which she bestows on himself. Sophia hath already
2:59:28
Speaker 1: produced him two fine children, a boy and a girl,
2:59:31
Speaker 1: of whom the old gentleman is so fond that he
2:59:34
Speaker 1: spends much of his time in the nursery, where he
2:59:36
Speaker 1: declares the tattling of his little granddaughter, who is above
2:59:39
Speaker 1: a year and a half old, is sweeter music than
2:59:42
Speaker 1: the finest cry of dogs in England. Alworthy was likewise
2:59:46
Speaker 1: greatly liberal to Jones on the marriage, and hath omitted
2:59:49
Speaker 1: no instance of shewing his affection to him and his lady,
2:59:52
Speaker 1: who love him as a father. Whatever in the nature
2:59:55
Speaker 1: of Jones had a tendency to vice, has been corrected
2:59:58
Speaker 1: by continual conversation with this good man, and by his
3:00:02
Speaker 1: union with the lovely and virtuous Sophia. He hath also,
3:00:06
Speaker 1: by reflection on his past follies, acquired a discretion and
3:00:09
Speaker 1: prudence very uncommon in one of his lively parts. To conclude,
3:00:14
Speaker 1: as there are not to be found a worthier man
3:00:16
Speaker 1: and woman than this fond couple, so neither can any
3:00:19
Speaker 1: be imagined more happy. They preserve the purest and tenderest
3:00:23
Speaker 1: affection for each other, an affection daily increased and confirmed
3:00:27
Speaker 1: by mutual endearments and mutual esteem. Nor is their conduct
3:00:32
Speaker 1: towards their relations and friends less amiable than towards one another.
3:00:36
Speaker 1: And such is their condescension, their indulgence, and their beneficence
3:00:40
Speaker 1: to those below them, that there is not a neighbor,
3:00:43
Speaker 1: a tenant, or a servant who doth not most gratefully
3:00:46
Speaker 1: bless the day when mister Jones was married to his Sophia.
3:00:50
Speaker 1: The end