Jones had been there as Mrs Honour had told her; he
had indeed spent two hours there that morning in melancholy
contemplation on his Sophia, and had gone out from
the garden at one door the moment she entered it at
another. So that those unlucky minutes which had
been spent in changing the ribbons, had prevented
the lovers from meeting at this time;—a
most unfortunate accident, from which my fair readers
will not fail to draw a very wholesome lesson.
And here I strictly forbid all male critics to intermeddle
with a circumstance which I have recounted only for
the sake of the ladies, and upon which they only are
at liberty to comment.
A picture of formal courtship in miniature, as it
always ought to be drawn, and a scene of a tenderer
kind painted at full length.
It was well remarked by one (and perhaps by more),
that misfortunes do not come single. This wise
maxim was now verified by Sophia, who was not only
disappointed of seeing the man she loved, but had the
vexation of being obliged to dress herself out, in
order to receive a visit from the man she hated.
That afternoon Mr Western, for the first time, acquainted
his daughter with his intention; telling her, he knew
very well that she had heard it before from her aunt.
Sophia looked very grave upon this, nor could she
prevent a few pearls from stealing into her eyes.
“Come, come,” says Western, “none
of your maidenish airs; I know all; I assure you sister
hath told me all.”
“Is it possible,” says Sophia, “that
my aunt can have betrayed me already?”—“Ay,
ay,” says Western; “betrayed you! ay.
Why, you betrayed yourself yesterday at dinner.
You showed your fancy very plainly, I think.
But you young girls never know what you would be at.
So you cry because I am going to marry you to the man
you are in love with! Your mother, I remember,
whimpered and whined just in the same manner; but
it was all over within twenty-four hours after we were
married: Mr Blifil is a brisk young man, and will
soon put an end to your squeamishness. Come,
chear up, chear up; I expect un every minute.”
Sophia was now convinced that her aunt had behaved
honourably to her: and she determined to go through
that disagreeable afternoon with as much resolution
as possible, and without giving the least suspicion
in the world to her father.
Mr Blifil soon arrived; and Mr Western soon after
withdrawing, left the young couple together.
Here a long silence of near a quarter of an hour ensued;
for the gentleman who was to begin the conversation
had all the unbecoming modesty which consists in bashfulness.
He often attempted to speak, and as often suppressed
his words just at the very point of utterance.
At last out they broke in a torrent of far-fetched
and high-strained compliments, which were answered
on her side by downcast looks, half bows, and civil
monosyllables. Blifil, from his inexperience in
the ways of women, and from his conceit of himself,
took this behaviour for a modest assent to his courtship;
and when, to shorten a scene which she could no longer
support, Sophia rose up and left the room, he imputed
that, too, merely to bashfulness, and comforted himself
that he should soon have enough of her company.
