Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 1).pdf/214

 natural Infirmities of thoe we love. The finet Compoition of human Nature, as well as the finet China, may have a Flaw in it; and this, I am afraid, in either Cae, is equally incurable; though, nevertheles, the Pattern may remain of the highet Value

Upon the whole then, Mr. Allworthy certainly aw ome Imperfections in the Captain; but, as this was a very artful Man, and eternally upon his Guard before him, thee appeared to him no more than Blemihes in a good Character; which his Goodnes made him overlook, and his Widom prevented him from dicovering to the Captain himelf. Very different would have been his Sentiments, had he dicovered the whole; which, perhaps, would, in Time, have been the Cae, had the Huband and Wife long continued this Kind of Behaviour to each other; but this kind Fortune took effectual Means to prevent, by forcing the Captain to do that which rendered him again dear to his Wife, and retored all her Tendernes and Affection towards him.