 satisfied of the Guilt of Jenny, from the
Reasons above shewn, it is possible Mr. Allworthy might have required some
stronger Evidence to have convicted her; but she saved her Accusers any such
Trouble, by freely confessing the whole Fact with which she was charged.
    This Confession, tho' delivered rather in Terms of Contrition, as it
appeared, did not at all mollify Mrs. Deborah, who now pronounced a second
Judgment against her, in more opprobrious Language than before; nor had it any
better Success with the Bye-standers, who were now grown very numerous. Many of
them cried out, »They thought what Madam's Silk Gown would end in;« others spoke
sarcastically of her Learning. Not a single Female was present, but found some
Means of expressing her Abhorrence of poor Jenny; who bore all very patiently,
except the Malice of one Woman, who reflected upon her Person, and, tossing up
her Nose, said, »The Man must have a good Stomach, who would give Silk Gowns for
such Sort of Trumpery.« Jenny replied to this, with a Bitterness which might
have surprized a judicious Person, who had observed the Tranquility with which
she bore all the Affronts to her Chastity; but her Patience was perhaps tired
out: For this is a Virtue which is very apt to be fatigued by Exercise.
    Mrs. Deborah, having succeeded beyond her Hopes in her Enquiry, returned
with much Triumph, and at the appointed Hour made a faithful Report to Mr.
Allworthy, who was much surprized at the Relation; for he had heard of the
extraordinary Parts and Improvements of this Girl, whom he intended to have
given in Marriage, together with a small Living, to a neighbouring Curate. His
Concern therefore on this Occasion, was at least equal to the Satisfaction which
appeared in Mrs. Deborah, and to many Readers may seem much more reasonable.
    Miss Bridget blessed herself, and said, »For her Part, she should never
hereafter entertain a good Opinion of any Woman:« For Jenny before this had the
Happiness of being much in her good Graces also.
    The prudent Housekeeper was again dispatched to bring the unhappy Culprit
before Mr. Allworthy, in order, not, as it was hoped by some and expected by
all, to be sent to the House of Correction; but to receive wholesome Admonition
and Reproof, which those who relish that kind of instructive Writing, may peruse
in the next Chapter.
 

                                  Chapter VII

  Containing such grave Matter, that the Reader cannot laugh once through the
       whole Chapter, unless peradventure he should laugh at the Author
