Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 1).pdf/108

 Jenny was now ummoned to appear in Peron before Mrs. Deborah, putting on the Gravity of a Judge, with omewhat more than his Auterity, began an Oration with the Words ‘You audacious Strumpet,’ in which he proceeded rather to pas Sentence on the Prioner, than to accue her.

Tho’ Mrs. Deborah was fully atisfied of the Guilt of Jenny, from the Reaons above hewn, it is poible Mr. Allworthy might have required ome tronger Evidence to have convicted her; but he aved her Accuers any uch Trouble, by freely confeing the whole Fact with which he was charged.

This Confeion, tho’ delivered rather in Terms of Contrition, as it appeared, did not at all mollify Mrs. Deborah, who now pronounced a econd Judgment againt her, in more opprobrious Language than before; nor had it any better Succes with the Bye-tanders, who were now grown very numerous. Many of them cried out, ‘They thought what Madam’s Silk Gown would end in;’ others poke arcatically of her Learning. Not a ingle Female was