History of Tom Jones, a Foundling

by Henry Fielding

  Chapter vi.

  In which the history is obliged to look back.

  It is almost impossible for the best parent to observe an exactimpartiality to his children, even though no superior merit shouldbias his affection; but sure a parent can hardly be blamed, when thatsuperiority determines his preference.

  As I regard all the personages of this history in the light of mychildren; so I must confess the same inclination of partiality toSophia; and for that I hope the reader will allow me the same excuse,from the superiority of her character.

  This extraordinary tenderness which I have for my heroine neversuffers me to quit her any long time without the utmost reluctance. Icould now, therefore, return impatiently to enquire what hath happenedto this lovely creature since her departure from her father's, butthat I am obliged first to pay a short visit to Mr Blifil.

  Mr Western, in the first confusion into which his mind was cast uponthe sudden news he received of his daughter, and in the first hurry togo after her, had not once thought of sending any account of thediscovery to Blifil. He had not gone far, however, before herecollected himself, and accordingly stopt at the very first inn hecame to, and dispatched away a messenger to acquaint Blifil with hishaving found Sophia, and with his firm resolution to marry her to himimmediately, if he would come up after him to town.

  As the love which Blifil had for Sophia was of that violent kind,which nothing but the loss of her fortune, or some such accident,could lessen, his inclination to the match was not at all altered byher having run away, though he was obliged to lay this to his ownaccount. He very readily, therefore, embraced this offer. Indeed, henow proposed the gratification of a very strong passion besidesavarice, by marrying this young lady, and this was hatred; for heconcluded that matrimony afforded an equal opportunity of satisfyingeither hatred or love; and this opinion is very probably verified bymuch experience. To say the truth, if we are to judge by the ordinarybehaviour of married persons to each other, we shall perhaps be apt toconclude that the generality seek the indulgence of the former passiononly, in their union of everything but of hearts.

  There was one difficulty, however, in his way, and this arose from MrAllworthy. That good man, when he found by the departure of Sophia(for neither that, nor the cause of it, could be concealed from him),the great aversion which she had for his nephew, began to be seriouslyconcerned that he had been deceived into carrying matters so far. Heby no means concurred with the opinion of those parents, who think itas immaterial to consult the inclinations of their children in theaffair of marriage, as to solicit the good pleasure of their servantswhen they intend to take a journey; and who are by law, or decency atleast, withheld often from using absolute force. On the contrary, ashe esteemed the institution to be of the most sacred kind, he thoughtevery preparatory caution necessary to preserve it holy and inviolate;and very wisely concluded, that the surest way to effect this was bylaying the foundation in previous affection.

  Blifil indeed soon cured his uncle of all anger on the score ofdeceit, by many vows and protestations that he had been deceivedhimself, with which the many declarations of Western very welltallied; but now to persuade Allworthy to consent to the renewing hisaddresses was a matter of such apparent difficulty, that the veryappearance was sufficient to have deterred a less enterprizing genius;but this young gentleman so well knew his own talents, that nothingwithin the province of cunning seemed to him hard to be achieved.

  Here then he represented the violence of his own affection, and thehopes of subduing aversion in the lady by perseverance. He beggedthat, in an affair on which depended all his future repose, he mightat least be at liberty to try all fair means for success. Heavenforbid, he said, that he should ever think of prevailing by any otherthan the most gentle methods! "Besides, sir," said he, "if they fail,you may then (which will be surely time enough) deny your consent." Heurged the great and eager desire which Mr Western had for the match;and lastly, he made great use of the name of Jones, to whom he imputedall that had happened; and from whom, he said, to preserve so valuablea young lady was even an act of charity.

  All these arguments were well seconded by Thwackum, who dwelt a littlestronger on the authority of parents than Mr Blifil himself had done.He ascribed the measures which Mr Blifil was desirous to take toChristian motives; "and though," says he, "the good young gentlemanhath mentioned charity last, I am almost convinced it is his first andprincipal consideration."

  Square, possibly, had he been present, would have sung to the sametune, though in a different key, and would have discovered much moralfitness in the proceeding: but he was now gone to Bath for therecovery of his health.

  Allworthy, though not without reluctance, at last yielded to thedesires of his nephew. He said he would accompany him to London, wherehe might be at liberty to use every honest endeavour to gain the lady:"But I declare," said he, "I will never give my consent to anyabsolute force being put on her inclinations, nor shall you ever haveher, unless she can be brought freely to compliance."

  Thus did the affection of Allworthy for his nephew betray the superiorunderstanding to be triumphed over by the inferior; and thus is theprudence of the best of heads often defeated by the tenderness of thebest of hearts.

  Blifil, having obtained this unhoped-for acquiescence in his uncle,rested not till he carried his purpose into execution. And as noimmediate business required Mr Allworthy's presence in the country,and little preparation is necessary to men for a journey, they set outthe very next day, and arrived in town that evening, when Mr Jones, aswe have seen, was diverting himself with Partridge at the play.

  The morning after his arrival Mr Blifil waited on Mr Western, by whomhe was most kindly and graciously received, and from whom he had everypossible assurance (perhaps more than was possible) that he shouldvery shortly be as happy as Sophia could make him; nor would thesquire suffer the young gentleman to return to his uncle till he had,almost against his will, carried him to his sister.