Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 1).pdf/117

 duct will much better declare my Sentiments, than any Profeions I can now make. I beg leave to aure you, Sir, that I take your Advice much kinder, than your generous Offer with which you concluded it. For as you are pleaed to ay, Sir, it is an Intance of your Opinion of my Undertanding’—Here her Tears flowing apace, he topped a few Moments, and then proceeded thus, ‘Indeed, Sir, your Kindnes overcomes me; but I will endeavour to deerve this good Opinion; for if I have the Undertanding you are o kindly pleaed to allow me, uch Advice cannot be thrown away upon me. I thank you, Sir, heartily, for your intended Kindnes to my poor helples Child; he is innocent, and I hope will live to be grateful for all the Favours you hall hew him. But now, Sir, I mut on my Knees intreat you, not to perit in aking me to declare the Father of my Infant. I promie you faithfully, you hall one Day know; but I am under the mot olemn Ties and Engagements of Honour, as well as the mot religious Vows and Protetations, to conceal his Name at this Time. And I know you too well to think you would deire I hould acrifice either my Honour, or my Religion.’