Page:The history of Tom Jones (1749 Volume 2).pdf/86

 Eyes, and be comforted; for wherever he went, he would accompany her. Then turning to the Contable, who tood trembling with his Hat off, he deired him, in a very mild Voice, to return with him for a Moment only to his Father, (o he now called Allworthy) for he durt, he aid, be aured, that when he had alledged what he had to ay in her Favour, the Girl would be dicharged.

The Contable, who, I make no Doubt, would have urrendered his Prioner, had Tom demanded her, very readily conented to this Requet. So back they all went into Mr. Allworthy’s Hall; where Tom deired them to tay till his Return, and then went himelf in Puruit of the Good Man. As oon as he was found, Tom threw himelf at his Feet, and having begged a patient Hearing, confeed himelf to be the Father of the Child, of which Molly was then big. He entreated him to have Compaion on the poor Girl, and to conider, if there was any Guilt in the Cae, it lay principally at his Door.

‘If there is any Guilt in the Cae!’ anwered Allworthy warmly, ‘are you then o profligate and abandoned a Libertine,