 he never would think of confining her any more.
I thought this News would please you, and so I slipp'd out, though it was so
late, to inform you of it.« Mr. Jones assured George that it did greatly please
him; for though he should never more presume to lift his Eyes towards that
incomparable Creature, nothing could so much relieve his Misery as the
Satisfaction he should always have in hearing of her Welfare.
    The rest of the Conversation which passed at the Visit is not important
enough to be here related. The Reader will therefore forgive us this abrupt
breaking off, and be pleased to hear how this great good Will of the Squire
towards his Daughter was brought about.
    Mrs. Western, on her first Arrival at her Brother's Lodging, began to set
forth the great Honours and Advantages which would accrue to the Family by the
Match with Lord Fellamar, which her Niece had absolutely refused; in which
Refusal, when the Squire took the Part of his Daughter, she fell immediately
into the most violent Passion, and so irritated and provoked the Squire, that
neither his Patience nor his Prudence could bear it any longer; upon which there
ensued between them both so warm a Bout at Altercation, that perhaps the Regions
of Billingsgate never equalled it. In the Heat of this Scolding Mrs. Western
departed, and had consequently no Leisure to acquaint the Brother with the
Letter which Sophia received, which might have possibly produced ill Effects;
but to say Truth I believe it never once occurred to her Memory at this Time.
    When Mrs. Western was gone, Sophia, who had been hitherto silent, as well
indeed from Necessity as Inclination, began to return the Compliment which her
Father had made her, in taking her Part against her Aunt, by taking his likewise
against the Lady. This was the first Time of her so doing, and it was in the
highest Degree acceptable to the Squire. Again he remembred that Mr. Allworthy
had insisted on an entire Relinquishment of all violent Means; and indeed as he
made no doubt but that Jones would be hanged, he did not in the least question
succeeding with his Daughter by fair Means; he now therefore once more gave a
Loose to his natural Fondness for her, which had such an Effect on the dutiful,
grateful, tender and affectionate Heart of Sophia, that had her Honour given to
Jones, and something else perhaps in which he was concerned, been removed, I
much doubt whether she would not have sacrificed herself to a Man she did not
like, to have obliged her Father. She
