, when it argues
against our prevailing Passions. She was indeed well convinced that Sophia
possessed the first Place in Jones's Affections; and yet, haughty and amorous as
this Lady was, she submitted at last to bear the second Place; or to express it
more properly in a legal Phrase, was contented with the Possession of that of
which another Woman had the Reversion.
    It was at length agreed, that Jones should for the future visit at the
House: for that Sophia her Maid, and all the Servants would place these Visits
to the Account of Sophia; and that she herself would be considered as the Person
imposed upon.
    This Scheme was contrived by the Lady, and highly relished by Jones, who was
indeed glad to have a Prospect of seeing his Sophia at any Rate; and the Lady
herself was not a little pleased with the Imposition on Sophia, which Jones, she
thought, could not possibly discover to her for his own Sake.
    The next Day was appointed for the first Visit, and then, after proper
Ceremonials, the Lady Bellaston returned Home.
 

                                  Chapter III

                          Containing various Matters.
 
Jones was no sooner alone, than he eagerly broke open his Letter, and read as
follows.
 
        »Sir, it is impossible to express what I have suffered since you left
        this House; and as I have Reason to think you intend coming here again,
        I have sent Honour, though so late at Night, as she tells me she knows
        your Lodgings, to prevent you. I charge you, by all the Regard you have
        for me, not to think of visiting here; for it will certainly be
        discovered; nay, I almost doubt from some Things which have dropt from
        her Ladyship, that she is not already without some Suspicion. Something
        favourable perhaps may happen; we must wait with Patience; but I once
        more entreat you, if you have any Concern for my Ease, do not think of
        returning hither.«
 
This Letter administred the same Kind of Consolation to poor Jones, which Job
formerly received from his Friends. Besides disappointing all the Hopes which he
promised to himself from seeing Sophia, he was reduced to an unhappy Dilemma,
with Regard to Lady Bellaston; for there are some certain Engagements, which, as
he well knew, do very difficultly admit of any Excuse for the Failure; and to
go, after the strict Prohibition from Sophia, he was not to be forced by any
human Power. At length, after much Deliberation, which during that Night
supply'd the Place of Sleep, he determined to feign himself sick: For this
suggested itself
