History of Tom Jones, a Foundling

by Henry Fielding

  Chapter vii.

  Being the shortest chapter in this book.

  Her mother first perceived the alteration in the shape of Molly; andin order to hide it from her neighbours, she foolishly clothed her inthat sack which Sophia had sent her; though, indeed, that young ladyhad little apprehension that the poor woman would have been weakenough to let any of her daughters wear it in that form.

  Molly was charmed with the first opportunity she ever had of showingher beauty to advantage; for though she could very well bear tocontemplate herself in the glass, even when dressed in rags; andthough she had in that dress conquered the heart of Jones, and perhapsof some others; yet she thought the addition of finery would muchimprove her charms, and extend her conquests.

  Molly, therefore, having dressed herself out in this sack, with a newlaced cap, and some other ornaments which Tom had given her, repairsto church with her fan in her hand the very next Sunday. The great aredeceived if they imagine they have appropriated ambition and vanity tothemselves. These noble qualities flourish as notably in a countrychurch and churchyard as in the drawing-room, or in the closet.Schemes have indeed been laid in the vestry which would hardlydisgrace the conclave. Here is a ministry, and here is an opposition.Here are plots and circumventions, parties and factions, equal tothose which are to be found in courts.

  Nor are the women here less practised in the highest feminine artsthan their fair superiors in quality and fortune. Here are prudes andcoquettes. Here are dressing and ogling, falsehood, envy, malice,scandal; in short, everything which is common to the most splendidassembly, or politest circle. Let those of high life, therefore, nolonger despise the ignorance of their inferiors; nor the vulgar anylonger rail at the vices of their betters.

  Molly had seated herself some time before she was known by herneighbours. And then a whisper ran through the whole congregation,"Who is she?" but when she was discovered, such sneering, gigling,tittering, and laughing ensued among the women, that Mr Allworthy wasobliged to exert his authority to preserve any decency among them.