 thanked her Ladyship, for the Part which she was
pleased to take in the Affair, upon the Success of which his whole future
Happiness entirely depended. He said, he saw at present no Objection to the
pressing Scheme, and would consider of putting it in Execution. He then most
earnestly recommended to her Ladyship, to do him the Honour of immediately
mentioning his Proposals to the Family; to whom he said, he offered a Carte
Blanche, and would settle his Fortune in almost any manner they should require.
And after uttering many Extasies and Raptures concerning Sophia, he took his
leave and departed, but not before he had received the strongest Charge to
beware of Jones, and to lose no time in securing his Person where he should no
longer be in a Capacity of making any Attempts to the Ruin of the young Lady.
    The Moment Mrs. Western was arrived at her Lodgings, a Card was dispatched
with her Compliments to Lady Bellaston; who no sooner received it, than with the
Impatience of a Lover, she flew to her Cousin, rejoiced at this fair
Opportunity, which beyond her Hopes offered itself: for she was much better
pleased with the Prospect of making the Proposals to a Woman of Sense, and who
knew the World, than to a Gentleman whom she honoured with the Appellation of
Hottentot; though indeed from him she apprehended no Danger of a Refusal.
    The two Ladies being met, after very short previous Ceremonials, fell to
Business, which was indeed almost as soon concluded as begun; for Mrs. Western
no sooner heard the Name of Lord Fellamar than her Cheeks glowed with Pleasure,
but when she was acquainted with the Eagerness of his Passion, the Earnestness
of his Proposals, and the Generosity of his Offer, she declared her full
Satisfaction in the most explicit Terms.
    In the Progress of their Conversation their Discourse turned to Jones, and
both Cousins very pathetically lamented the unfortunate Attachment, which both
agreed, Sophia had to that young Fellow; and Mrs. Western entirely attributed it
to the Folly of her Brother's Management. She concluded however at last, with
declaring her Confidence in the good Understanding of her Niece, who though she
would not give up her Affection in Favour of Blifil, will, I doubt not, says
she, soon be prevailed upon to sacrifice a simple Inclination to the Addresses
of a fine Gentleman, who brings her both a Title and a large Estate: »For
indeed,« added she, »I must do Sophy the Justice to confess, this Blifil is but
a hideous kind of Fellow, as you know, Bellaston, all
