'd her; and I pity the poor Wretch with all my Heart.«
    Mrs. Deborah approved all these Sentiments, and the Dialogue concluded with
a general and bitter Invective against Beauty, and with many compassionate
Considerations for all honest, plain Girls, who are deluded by the wicked Arts
of deceitful Men.
 

                                   Chapter IX

               Containing Matters which will surprize the Reader.
 
Jenny returned home well pleased with the Reception she had met with from Mr.
Allworthy, whose Indulgence to her she industriously made public; partly perhaps
as a Sacrifice to her own Pride, and partly from the more prudent Motive of
reconciling her Neighbours to her, and silencing their Clamours.
    But though this latter View, if she indeed had it, may appear reasonable
enough, yet the Event did not answer her Expectation; for when she was convened
before the Justice, and it was universally apprehended, that the House of
Correction would have been her Fate; tho' some of the young Women cry'd out, »it
was good enough for her,« and diverted themselves with the Thoughts of her
beating Hemp in a Silk Gown; yet there were many others who began to pity her
Condition: But when it was known in what manner Mr. Allworthy had behaved, the
Tide turned against her. One said, »I'll assure you, Madam hath had good Luck.«
A second cry'd, »See what it is to be a Favourite.« A third, »Ay, this comes of
her Learning.« Every Person made some malicious Comment or other, on the
Occasion; and reflected on the Partiality of the Justice.
    The Behaviour of these People, may appear impolitic, and ungrateful to the
Reader, who considers the Power, and the Benevolence of Mr. Allworthy: But as to
his Power, he never used it; and as to his Benevolence, he exerted so much, that
he had thereby disobliged all his Neighbours: For it is a Secret well known to
great Men, that by conferring an Obligation, they do not always procure a
Friend, but are certain of creating many Enemies.
    Jenny was, however, by the Care and Goodness of Mr. Allworthy, soon removed
out of the Reach of Reproach; when Malice, being no longer able to vent its Rage
on her, began to seek another Object of its Bitterness, and this was no less
than Mr. Allworthy himself; for a Whisper soon went abroad, that he himself was
the Father of the foundling Child.
    This Supposition so well reconciled his Conduct to the general Opinion, that
it met with universal
