Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 1).pdf/141

 of all which the Captain was o paionately fond, that he would mot probably have contracted Marriage with them, had he been obliged to have taken the Witch of Endor into the Bargain.

As Mr. Allworthy therefore had declared to the Doctor, that he never intended to take a econd Wife, as his Siter was his nearet Relation, and as the Doctor had fihed out that his Intentions were to make any Child of hers his Heir, which indeed the Law, without his Interpofition, would have done for him; the Doctor and his Brother thought it an Act of Benevolence to give Being to a human Creature, who would be o plentifully provided with the mot eential Means of Happines. The whole Thoughts therefore of both the Brothers, were how to engage the Affections of this amiable Lady.

But Fortune, who is a tender Parent, and often doth more for her favourite Offpring than either they deerve or wih, had been o indutrious for the Captain, that whilt he was laying Schemes to execute his Purpoe, the Lady conceived the ame Deires with himelf, and was on her Side contriving how to give the Captain proper Encou-