Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 1).pdf/152

 One of the Maxims which the Devil, in a late Viit upon Earth, left to his Diciples, is, when once you are got up, to kick the Stool from under you. In plain Englih, when you have made your Fortune by the good Offices of a Friend, you are advied to dicard him as oon as you can.

Whether the Captain acted by this Maxim, I will not poitively determine; o far we may confidently ay, that his Actions may be fairly derived from this diabolical Principle; and indeed it is difficult to aign any other Motive to them: For no ooner was he poeed of Mis Bridget, and reconciled to Allworthy, than he began to hew a Coldnes to his Brother, which encreaed daily; till at length it grew into Rudenes, and became very viible to every one.

The Doctor remontrated to him privately concerning this Behaviour, but could obtain no other Satisfaction than the following plain Declaration: ‘If you dilike anything in my Brother’s Houe, Sir, you know you are at Liberty to quit it.’ This trange, cruel, and almot unaccountable Ingratitude in the Captain, abolutely broke the poor Doctor’s Heart: For Ingratitude