Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 1).pdf/269

 of this Hitory, had from their firt Arrival at Mr. Allworthy’s Houe, taken o great an Affection, the one to his Virtue, the other to his Religion, that they had meditated the cloet Alliance with him.

For this Purpoe they had cat their Eyes on that fair Widow, whom, tho’ we have not for ome Time made any Mention of her, the Reader, we trut, hath not forgot. Mrs. Blifil was indeed the Object to which they both apired.

It may eem remarkable that of four Perons whom we have commemorated at Mr. Allworthy’s Houe, three of them hould fix their Inclinations on a Lady who was never greatly celebrated for her Beauty, and who was, moreover, now a little decended into the Vale of Years; but in reality Boom Friends, and intimate Acquaintance, have a kind of natural Propenity to particular Females at the Houe of a Friend; viz. to his Grand-mother, Mother, Siter, Daughter, Aunt, Niece and Couin, when they are rich, and to his Wife, Siter, Daughter, Niece, Couin, Mitres or Servant Maid, if they hould be handome.