. It is sufficient to mention all of it that is any wise material
to this History. And this was a Promise that the Lady would endeavour to find
out Sophia, and in a few Days bring him to an Interview with her, on Condition
that he would then take his Leave of her. When this was thoroughly settled, and
a second Meeting in the Evening appointed at the same Place, they separated; the
Lady returned to her House, and Jones to his Lodgings.
 

                                  Chapter VIII

Containing a Scene of Distress, which will appear very extraordinary to most of
                                  our Readers.
 
Jones having refreshed himself with a few Hours Sleep, summoned Partridge to his
Presence; and delivering him a Bank Note of fifty Pounds, ordered him to go and
change it. Partridge received this with sparkling Eyes, though when he came to
reflect farther, it raised in him some Suspicions not very advantagious to the
Honour of his Master; to these the dreadful Idea he had of the Masquerade, the
Disguise in which his Master had gone out and returned, and his having been
abroad all Night, contributed. In plain Language, the only Way he could possibly
find to account for the Possession of this Note, was by Robbery; and, to confess
the Truth, the Reader, unless he should suspect it was owing to the Generosity
of Lady Bellaston, can hardly imagine any other.
    To clear therefore the Honour of Mr. Jones, and to do Justice to the
Liberality of the Lady, he had really received this Present from her, who,
though she did not give much in to the Hackney Charities of the Age, such as
building Hospitals etc., was not, however, entirely void of that Christian
Virtue; and conceived (very rightly I think) that a young Fellow of Merit,
without a Shilling in the World, was no improper Object of this Virtue.
    Mr. Jones and Mr. Nightingale had been invited to dine this Day with Mrs.
Miller. At the appointed Hour therefore the two young Gentlemen, with the two
Girls, attended in the Parlour, where they waited from three till almost five
before the good Woman appeared. She had been out of Town to visit a Relation, of
whom, at her Return, she gave the following Account.
    »I hope, Gentlemen, you will pardon my making you wait; I am sure if you
knew the Occasion. - I have been to see a Cousin of mine, about six Miles off,
who now lies in. - It should be a Warning to all Persons (says she, looking at
her Daughters) how
