 good, only inclining a little too much to be
fat. She had been married young by her Relations to an old Turkey Merchant, who
having got a great Fortune, had left off Trade. With him she lived without
Reproach, but not without Pain, in a State of great Self denial, for about
twelve Years; and her Virtue was rewarded by his dying, and leaving her very
rich. The first Year of her Widowhood was just at an End, and she had past it in
a good deal of Retirement, seeing only a few particular Friends, and dividing
her Time between her Devotions and Novels, of which she was always extremely
fond. Very good Health, a very warm Constitution, and a good deal of Religion
made it absolutely necessary for her to marry again; and she resolved to please
herself in her second Husband, as she had done her Friends in the first. From
her the following Billet was brought to Jones.
 
        »Sir,
            From the first Day I saw you I doubt my Eyes have told you too
        plainly, that you were not indifferent to me; but neither my Tongue nor
        my Hand should have ever avowed it, had not the Ladies of the Family
        where you are lodged given me such a Character of you, and told me such
        Proofs of your Virtue and Goodness, as convince me you are not only the
        most agreeable, but the most worthy of Men. I have also the Satisfaction
        to hear from them, that neither my Person, Understanding or Character
        are disagreeable to you. I have a Fortune sufficient to make us both
        happy, but which cannot make me so without you. In thus disposing of
        myself I know I shall incur the Censure of the World, but if I did not
        love you more than I fear the World I should not be worthy of you. One
        only Difficulty stops me: I am informed you are engaged in a Commerce of
        Gallantry with a Woman of Fashion. If you think it worth while to
        sacrifice that to the Possession of me, I am yours; if not forget my
        Weakness, and let this remain an eternal Secret between you and
                                                                 Arabella Hunt.«
 
At the reading of this Jones was put into a violent Flutter. His Fortune was
then at a very low Ebb, the Source being stopt from which hitherto he had been
supplied. Of all he had received from Lady Bellaston not above five Guineas
remained, and that very Morning he had been dunned by a Tradesman for twice that
Sum. His honourable Mistress was in the Hands of her Father, and he had scarce
any Hopes ever to get her
