Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 1).pdf/187

 Peron; but Mrs. Wilkins, whether he reented the Captain’s Behaviour, or whether his Cunning was beyond her, and he feared the Dicovery might dipleae him, never afterwards opened her Lips about the Matter.

I have thought it omewhat trange, upon Reflection, that the Houe-keeper never acquainted Mrs. Blifil with this News, as Women are more inclined to communicate all Pieces of Intelligence to their own Sex, than to ours. The only Way, as it appears to me, of olving this Difficulty, is, by imputing it to that Ditance which was now grown between the Lady and the Houe-keeper: Whether this aroe from a Jealouy in Mrs. Blifil, that Wilkins hewed too great a Repect to the Foundling; for while he was endeavouring to ruin the little Infant, in order to ingratiate herelf with the Captain, he was every Day more and more commending it before Allworthy, as his Fondnes for it every Day encreaed. This, notwithtanding all the Care he took at other Times to expres the direct contrary to Mrs. Blifil, perhaps offended that delicate Lady, who certainly now hated Mrs. Wilkins; and though he did not, or