But Fortune, who had other designs in her head, put
an immediate stop to any such proceeding, by introducing
an accident, which will be related in the next chapter.
A dreadful accident which befel Sophia. The gallant
behaviour of Jones, and the more dreadful consequence
of that behaviour to the young lady; with a short
digression in favour of the female sex.
Mr Western grew every day fonder and fonder of Sophia,
insomuch that his beloved dogs themselves almost gave
place to her in his affections; but as he could not
prevail on himself to abandon these, he contrived
very cunningly to enjoy their company, together with
that of his daughter, by insisting on her riding a
hunting with him.
Sophia, to whom her father’s word was a law,
readily complied with his desires, though she had
not the least delight in a sport, which was of too
rough and masculine a nature to suit with her disposition.
She had however another motive, beside her obedience,
to accompany the old gentleman in the chase; for by
her presence she hoped in some measure to restrain
his impetuosity, and to prevent him from so frequently
exposing his neck to the utmost hazard.
The strongest objection was that which would have
formerly been an inducement to her, namely, the frequent
meeting with young Jones, whom she had determined
to avoid; but as the end of the hunting season now
approached, she hoped, by a short absence with her
aunt, to reason herself entirely out of her unfortunate
passion; and had not any doubt of being able to meet
him in the field the subsequent season without the
least danger.
On the second day of her hunting, as she was returning
from the chase, and was arrived within a little distance
from Mr Western’s house, her horse, whose mettlesome
spirit required a better rider, fell suddenly to prancing
and capering in such a manner that she was in the most
imminent peril of falling. Tom Jones, who was
at a little distance behind, saw this, and immediately
galloped up to her assistance. As soon as he
came up, he leapt from his own horse, and caught hold
of hers by the bridle. The unruly beast presently
reared himself an end on his hind legs, and threw
his lovely burthen from his back, and Jones caught
her in his arms.
She was so affected with the fright, that she was
not immediately able to satisfy Jones, who was very
sollicitous to know whether she had received any hurt.
She soon after, however, recovered her spirits, assured
him she was safe, and thanked him for the care he had
taken of her. Jones answered, “If I have
preserved you, madam, I am sufficiently repaid; for
I promise you, I would have secured you from the least
harm at the expense of a much greater misfortune to
myself than I have suffered on this occasion.”
“What misfortune?” replied Sophia eagerly;
“I hope you have come to no mischief?”
