 Opinion of
yours, and this Subject, as I said, I have never yet thought of, and perhaps
never may.«
    »Indeed, Sophy,« replied the Aunt, »this Dissimulation with me is very
foolish. The French shall as soon persuade me, that they take foreign Towns in
Defence only of their own Country, as you can impose on me to believe you have
never yet thought seriously of Matrimony. How can you, Child, affect to deny
that you have considered of contracting an Alliance, when you so well know I am
acquainted with the Party with whom you desire to contract it. An Alliance as
unnatural, and contrary to your Interest, as a separate League with the French
would be to the Interest of the Dutch! But however, if you have not hitherto
considered of this Matter, I promise you it is now high Time; for my Brother is
resolved immediately to conclude the Treaty with Mr. Blifil; and indeed I am a
sort of Guarantee in the Affair, and have promised your Concurrence.«
    »Indeed, Madam,« cries Sophia, »this is the only Instance in which I must
disobey both yourself and my Father. For this is a Match which requires very
little Consideration in me to refuse.«
    »If I was not as great a Philosopher as Socrates himself,« returned Mrs.
Western, »you would overcome my Patience. What Objection can you have to the
young Gentleman?«
    »A very solid Objection, in my Opinion,« says Sophia, - »I hate him.«
    »Will you never learn a proper Use of Words?« answered the Aunt. »Indeed
Child, you should consult Bailey's Dictionary. It is impossible you should hate
a Man from whom you have received no Injury. By Hatred, therefore, you mean no
more than Dislike, which is no sufficient Objection against your marrying of
him. I have known many Couples, who have entirely disliked each other, lead very
comfortable, genteel Lives. Believe me, Child, I know these Things better than
you. You will allow me, I think, to have seen the World, in which I have not an
Acquaintance who would not rather be thought to dislike her Husband, than to
like him. The contrary is such out-of-Fashion romantic Nonsense, that the very
Imagination of it is shocking.«
    »Indeed Madam,« replied Sophia, »I shall never marry a Man I dislike. If I
promise my Father never to consent to any Marriage contrary to his Inclinations,
I think I may hope
