 Allworthy presently called for his Coach, and carried off
the two Combatants.
    Such was the Conclusion of this Adventure of the Bird, and of the Dialogue
occasioned by it, which we could not help recounting to our Reader, though it
happened some Years before that Stage, or Period of Time, at which our History
is now arrived.
 

                                   Chapter V

                 Containing Matter accommodated to every Taste.
 
Parva leves capiunt Animos, »Small Things affect light Minds,« was the Sentiment
of a great Master of the Passion of Love. And certain it is, that from this Day
Sophia began to have some little Kindness for Tom Jones, and no little Aversion
for his Companion.
    Many Accidents from time to time improved both these Passions in her Breast;
which, without our recounting, the Reader may well conclude, from what we have
before hinted of the different Tempers of these Lads, and how much the one
suited with her own Inclinations more than the other. To say the Truth, Sophia,
when very young, discerned that Tom, though an idle, thoughtless, rattling
Rascal, was no-body's Enemy but his own; and that Master Blifil, though a
prudent, discreet, sober young Gentleman, was at the same Time strongly attached
to the Interest only of one single Person; and who that single Person was, the
Reader will be able to divine without any Assistance of ours.
    These two Characters are not always received in the World with the different
Regard which seems severally due to either; and which one would imagine Mankind,
from Self-interest, should shew towards them. But perhaps there may be a
political Reason for it: In finding one of a truly benevolent Disposition, Men
may very reasonably suppose, they have found a Treasure, and be desirous of
keeping it, like all other good Things, to themselves. Hence they may imagine,
that to trumpet forth the Praises of such a Person, would, in the vulgar Phrase,
be crying Roast-meat; and calling in Partakers of what they intend to apply
solely to their own Use. If this Reason doth not satisfy the Reader, I know no
other Means of accounting for the little Respect which I have commonly seen paid
to a Character which really doth great Honour to Human Nature, and is productive
of the highest Good to Society. But it was otherwise with Sophia. She honoured
Tom Jones, and scorned Master Blifil, almost as soon as she knew the Meaning of
those two Words.
    Sophia had been absent upwards of three Years with her Aunt; during all
which Time she had seldom seen either of
