Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 2).pdf/83

 her with uch ardent Affection, that by gratifying her, he commonly conveyed the highet Gratification to himelf. She was really what he frequently called her, his little Darling; and he well deerved to be o: For he returned all his Affection in the mot ample Manner. She had preerved the mot inviolable Duty to him in all Things; and this her Love made not only eay, but o delightful, that when one of her Companions laughed at her for placing o much Merit in uch crupulous Obedience, as that young Lady called it, Sophia anwered, ‘You mitake me, Madam, if you think I value myelf upon this Account: For beides that I am barely dicharging my Duty, I am likewie pleaing myelf. I can truly ay, I have no Delight equal to that of contributing to my Father’s Happines; and if I value myelf, my Dear, it is on having this Power, and not on executing it.’

This was a Satisfaction, however, which poor Sophia was incapable of tating this Evening. She therefore not only deired to be excued from her Attendance at the Harpichord, but likewie begged that he would uffer her to abent herelf from Supper. To this Requet likewie the Squire