“You say true, Deborah,” said Miss Bridget.
“If the girl had been one of those vain trollops,
of which we have too many in the parish, I should
have condemned my brother for his lenity towards her.
I saw two farmers’ daughters at church, the
other day, with bare necks. I protest they shocked
me. If wenches will hang out lures for fellows,
it is no matter what they suffer. I detest such
creatures; and it would be much better for them that
their faces had been seamed with the smallpox; but
I must confess, I never saw any of this wanton behaviour
in poor Jenny: some artful villain, I am convinced,
hath betrayed, nay perhaps forced her; and I pity
the poor wretch with all my heart.”
Mrs Deborah approved all these sentiments, and the
dialogue concluded with a general and bitter invective
against beauty, and with many compassionate considerations
for all honest plain girls who are deluded by the
wicked arts of deceitful men.
Containing matters which will surprize the reader.
Jenny returned home well pleased with the reception
she had met with from Mr Allworthy, whose indulgence
to her she industriously made public; partly perhaps
as a sacrifice to her own pride, and partly from the
more prudent motive of reconciling her neighbours to
her, and silencing their clamours.
But though this latter view, if she indeed had it,
may appear reasonable enough, yet the event did not
answer her expectation; for when she was convened
before the justice, and it was universally apprehended
that the house of correction would have been her fate,
though some of the young women cryed out “It
was good enough for her,” and diverted themselves
with the thoughts of her beating hemp in a silk gown;
yet there were many others who began to pity her condition:
but when it was known in what manner Mr Allworthy had
behaved, the tide turned against her. One said,
“I’ll assure you, madam hath had good
luck.” A second cryed, “See what it
is to be a favourite!” A third, “Ay, this
comes of her learning.” Every person made
some malicious comment or other on the occasion, and
reflected on the partiality of the justice.
The behaviour of these people may appear impolitic
and ungrateful to the reader, who considers the power
and benevolence of Mr Allworthy. But as to his
power, he never used it; and as to his benevolence,
he exerted so much, that he had thereby disobliged
all his neighbours; for it is a secret well known
to great men, that, by conferring an obligation, they
do not always procure a friend, but are certain of
creating many enemies.
Jenny was, however, by the care and goodness of Mr
Allworthy, soon removed out of the reach of reproach;
when malice being no longer able to vent its rage
on her, began to seek another object of its bitterness,
and this was no less than Mr Allworthy, himself; for
a whisper soon went abroad, that he himself was the
father of the foundling child.
