Blifil assured him he had no such guard; and then
proceeded to discourse so wisely and religiously on
love and marriage, that he would have stopt the mouth
of a parent much less devoutly inclined than was his
uncle. In the end, the good man was satisfied
that his nephew, far from having any objections to
Sophia, had that esteem for her, which in sober and
virtuous minds is the sure foundation of friendship
and love. And as he doubted not but the lover
would, in a little time, become altogether as agreeable
to his mistress, he foresaw great happiness arising
to all parties by so proper and desirable an union.
With Mr Blifil’s consent therefore he wrote the
next morning to Mr Western, acquainting him that his
nephew had very thankfully and gladly received the
proposal, and would be ready to wait on the young
lady, whenever she should be pleased to accept his
visit.
Western was much pleased with this letter, and immediately
returned an answer; in which, without having mentioned
a word to his daughter, he appointed that very afternoon
for opening the scene of courtship.
As soon as he had dispatched this messenger, he went
in quest of his sister, whom he found reading and
expounding the Gazette to parson Supple.
To this exposition he was obliged to attend near a
quarter of an hour, though with great violence to
his natural impetuosity, before he was suffered to
speak. At length, however, he found an opportunity
of acquainting the lady, that he had business of great
consequence to impart to her; to which she answered,
“Brother, I am entirely at your service.
Things look so well in the north, that I was never
in a better humour.”
The parson then withdrawing, Western acquainted her
with all which had passed, and desired her to communicate
the affair to Sophia, which she readily and chearfully
undertook; though perhaps her brother was a little
obliged to that agreeable northern aspect which had
so delighted her, that he heard no comment on his
proceedings; for they were certainly somewhat too
hasty and violent.
Chapter v.
In which is related what passed between Sophia and
her aunt.
Sophia was in her chamber, reading, when her aunt
came in. The moment she saw Mrs Western, she
shut the book with so much eagerness, that the good
lady could not forbear asking her, What book that was
which she seemed so much afraid of showing? “Upon
my word, madam,” answered Sophia, “it
is a book which I am neither ashamed nor afraid to
own I have read. It is the production of a young
lady of fashion, whose good understanding, I think,
doth honour to her sex, and whose good heart is an
honour to human nature.” Mrs Western then
took up the book, and immediately after threw it down,
saying—“Yes, the author is of a very
good family; but she is not much among people one knows.
I have never read it; for the best judges say, there
is not much in it.”—“I dare
