 the short Interval before the Peer's Arrival, Lady Bellaston
first, and afterwards Mrs. Fitzpatrick, had addressed some of their Discourse to
him; yet no sooner was the noble Lord entered, than he engrossed the whole
Attention of the two Ladies to himself; and as he took no more Notice of Jones
than if no such Person had been present, unless by now and then staring at him,
the Ladies followed his Example.
    The Company had now staid so long, that Mrs. Fitzpatrick plainly perceived
they all designed to stay out each other. She therefore resolved to rid herself
of Jones, he being the Visitant, to whom she thought the least Ceremony was due.
Taking therefore an Opportunity of a Cessation of Chat, she addressed herself
gravely to him, and said, »Sir, I shall not possibly be able to give you an
Answer To-night, as to that Business; but if you please to leave Word where I
may send to you To-morrow -«
    Jones had natural, but not artificial good Breeding. Instead therefore of
communicating the Secret of his Lodgings to a Servant, he acquainted the Lady
herself with it particularly, and soon after very ceremoniously withdrew.
    He was no sooner gone, than the great Personages who had taken no Notice of
him present, began to take much Notice of him in his Absence; but if the Reader
hath already excused us from relating the more brilliant Part of this
Conversation, he will surely be very ready to excuse the Repetition of what may
be called vulgar Abuse: Though, perhaps, it may be material to our History to
mention an Observation of Lady Bellaston, who took her Leave in a few Minutes
after him, and then said to Mrs. Fitzpatrick, at her Departure. »I am satisfied
on the Account of my Cousin, she can be in no Danger from this Fellow.«
    Our History shall follow the Example of Lady Bellaston, and take Leave of
the present Company, which was now reduced to two Persons; between whom, as
nothing passed, which in the least concerns us or our Reader, we shall not
suffer ourselves to be diverted by it from Matters which must seem of more
Consequence to all those who are at all interested in the Affairs of our Heroe.
 

                                   Chapter V

An Adventure which happened to Mr. Jones, at his Lodgings, with some Account of
 a young Gentleman who lodged there, and of the Mistress of the House, and her
                                 two Daughters.
 
The next Morning as early as it was decent, Jones attended at Mrs. Fitzpatrick's
Door, where he was answered
