Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 2).pdf/158

 The Reader will be mitaken, if he thinks Molly gave Square the Preference to her younger Lover: On the contrary, had he been confined to the Choice of one only, Tom Jones would, undoubtedly, have been, of the two, the victorious Peron. Nor was it olely the Conideration that two are better than one (tho’ this had its proper Weight) to which Mr. Square owed his Succes; the Abence of Jones during his Confinement was an unlucky Circumtance; and in that Interval, ome well choen Preents from the Philoopher o oftened and unguarded the Girl’s Heart, that a favourable Opportunity became irreitable, and Square triumphed over the poor Remains of Virtue which ubited in the Boom of Molly.

It was now about a Fortnight ince this Conquet, when Jones paid the above-mentioned Viit to his Mitres, at a time when he and Square were in Bed together. This was the true Reaon why the Mother denied her as we have een; for as the old Woman hared in the Profits ariing from the Iniquity of her Daughter, he encouraged and protected her in it to the utmot of her Power; but uch was the Envy and Hatred which the elder Siter