.
And at this the Reader will be the less inclined to wonder, if he pleases to
recollect the doubtful Phrase in which Jones first communicated his Resolution
to Mr. Partridge; and, indeed, had the Words been less ambiguous, Partridge
might very well have construed them as he did; being persuaded, as he was, that
the whole Nation were of the same Inclination in their Hearts: Nor did it
stagger him that Jones had travelled in the Company of Soldiers; for he had the
same Opinion of the Army which he had of the rest of the People.
    But however well affected he might be to James or Charles, he was still much
more attached to Little Benjamin than to either; for which Reason he no sooner
discovered the Principles of his Fellow-traveller, than he thought proper to
conceal, and outwardly to give up his own to the Man on whom he depended for the
making his Fortune, since he by no means believed the Affairs of Jones to be so
desperate as they really were with Mr. Allworthy; for as he had kept a constant
Correspondence with some of his Neighbours since he left that Country, he had
heard much, indeed more than was true, of the great Affection Mr. Allworthy bore
this young Man, who, as Partridge had been instructed, was to be that
Gentleman's Heir, and whom, as we have said, he did not in the least doubt to be
his Son.
    He imagined, therefore, that whatever Quarrel was between them, it would be
certainly made up at the Return of Mr. Jones; an Event from which he promised
great Advantages, if he could take this Opportunity of ingratiating himself with
that young Gentleman; and if he could by any Means be instrumental in procuring
his Return, he doubted not, as we have before said, but it would as highly
advance him in the Favour of Mr. Allworthy.
    We have already observed, that he was a very good-natured Fellow, and he
hath himself declared the violent Attachment he had to the Person and Character
of Jones; but possibly the Views which I have just before mentioned, might
likewise have some little Share in prompting him to undertake this Expedition,
at least in urging him to continue it, after he had discovered, that his Master
and himself, like some prudent Fathers and Sons, tho' they travelled together in
great Friendship, had embraced opposite Parties. I am led into this Conjecture,
by having remarked, that tho' Love, Friendship, Esteem, and such like, have very
powerful Operations in the human Mind; Interest
