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We have remarked somewhere already, that it is possible for a man to convey a lie in the words of truth; this was the case at present; for Blifil had, in fact, told Dowling what he now related; but had not imposed upon him, nor indeed had imagined he was able so to do. In reality, the promises which Blifil had made to Dowling,, were the motives which had induced him to secrecy; and as he now very plainly saw Blifil would not be able to keep them, he thought proper now to make this confession, which the promises of forgiveness, joined to the threats, the voice, the looks of Allworthy, and the discoveries he had made before, extorted from him, who was besides taken unawares, and had no time to consider of evasions.

Allworthy appeared well satisfied with this relation, and having enjoined on Dowling strict silencé as to what had past, conducted that gentleman himself to the door, lest he should see Blifil, whỏ was returned to his chamber, where he exulted in the thoughts of this last deceit on his uncle, and little suspected what had since passed below stairs.

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As Allworthy was returning to his room, he met Mrs. Miller in the entry, who, with a face all pale and full of terror, said to him, 'O! Sir, I find this wicked woman hath been with you, and you know all; yet do not on this account abandon the poor young man. Consider, Sir, he was ignorant it was his own mother; and the discovery itself will most probably break his heart, without 'your unkindness.'

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Madam,' says Allworthy, I am under such an ' astonishment at what I have heard, that I am 'really unable to satisfy you; but come with me into my room. Indeed, Mrs. Miller, I have made surprising discoveries, and you shall soon I know them.'

The poor woman followed him trembling; and now Allworthy going up to Mrs. Waters, took her by the hand, and then turning to Mrs. Miller, said,

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What reward shall I bestow upon this gentlewoman, for the services she hath done me?-O! Mrs. Miller, you have a thousand times heard me 'call the young man to whom you are so faithful a friend, my son. Little did I then think he was ' indeed related to me at all.-Your friend, Madam, is my nephew; he is the brother of that wicked viper which I have so long nourished in my bosom.-She will herself tell you the whole story, and how the youth came to pass for her son. 'Indeed, Mrs. Miller, I am convinced that he hath been wronged, and that I have been abused; abused by one whom you too justly suspected of being a villain. He is, in truth, the worst of 'villains.'

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The joy which Mrs. Miller now felt, bereft her of the power of speech, and might perhaps have deprived her of her senses, if not of life, had not a friendly shower of tears come seasonably to her relief At length recovering so far from her transport as to be able to speak, she cried: And is my

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dear Mr. Jones then your nephew, Sir? and not 'the son of this lady? And are your eyes opened to him at last? And shall I live to see him as happy as he deserves? He certainly is my nephew,' says Allworthy, and I hope all the rest. And is this the dear good woman, the person,' cries she, to whom all this discovery is owing? She is indeed,' says Allworthy.Why then,' cried Mrs, Miller, upon her knees, may heaven shower down its choicest blessings upon her head, and for this one good action forgive her all her sins, be they never so many!'

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Mrs. Waters then informed them, that she believed Jones would very shortly be released; for that the surgeon was gone, in company with a nobleman, to the justice who committed him, in order to certify that Mr. Fitzpatrick was out of all manner of danger, and to procure his prisoner his liberty. Allworthy said, he should be glad to find his

nephew there at his return home; but that he was then obliged to go on some business of consequence. He then called to a servant to fetch him a chair, and presently left the two ladies together.

Mr. Blifil hearing the chair ordered, came down stairs to attend upon his uncle; for he never was deficient in such acts of duty. He asked his uncle if he was going out; which is a civil way of asking a man, whither he is going: to which the other making no answer, he again desired to know, when he would be pleased to return?-Allworthy made no answer to this neither, till he was just going into his chair, and then turning about, he said, Harkee, Sir, do you find out, before my return, the letter which your mother sent me on 'her deathbed.' Allworthy then departed, and left Blifil in a situation to be envied only by a man who is just going to be hanged.

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CHAP. IX.

A further Continuation.

ALLWORTHY took an opportunity whilst he was in the chair, of reading the letter from Jones to Sophia, whichi Western delivered him; and there were some expressions in it concerning himself, which drew tears from his eyes. At length he arrived at Mr. Western's, and was introduced to Sophia.

When the first ceremonies were past, and the gentleman and lady had taken their chairs, a silence of some minutes ensued; during which the latter, who had been prepared for the visit by her father, sat playing with her fan, and had every mark of confusion both in her countenance and behaviour. At length Allworthy, who was himself a little disconcerted, began thus: 'I am afraid, Miss Western, my family hath been the occasion of giving you

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some uneasiness; to which, I fear, I have inno'cently become more instrumental than I intended. 'Be assured, Madam, had I at first known how disagreeable the proposals had been, I should not have suffered you to have been so long perse'cuted. I hope, therefore, you will not think the design of this visit is to trouble you with any 'further solicitations of that kind, but entirely to relieve you from them.'

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'Sir,' said Sophia, with a little modest hesitation, this behaviour is most kind and generous, ' and such as I could expect only from Mr. All'worthy; but as you have been so kind to men'tion this matter, you will pardon me for saying, it hath, indeed, given me great uneasiness, and hath been the occasion of my suffering much cruel treatment from a father, who was, till that 'unhappy affair, the tenderest and fondest of all parents. I am convinced, Sir, you are too good ' and generous to resent my refusal of your nephew. 'Our inclinations are not in our own power; and whatever may be his merit, I cannot force them ' in his favour.' 'I assure you, most amiable young 'lady,' said Allworthy, I am capable of no such ' resentment, had the person been my own son, ' and had I entertained the highest esteem for him. For you say, truly, Madam, we cannot force our 'inclinations, much less can they be directed by another.' 'Oh! Sir,' answered Sophia, 'every word you speak proves you to deserve that good, that great, that benevolent character the whole world "allows you. I assure you, Sir, nothing less than the certain prospect of future misery could have 'made me resist the commands of my father.' 'I sincerely believe you, Madam,' replied Allworthy, and I heartily congratulate you on your prudent 'foresight, since by so justifiable a resistance you have avoided misery indeed!' 'You speak now, 'Mr. Allworthy,' cries she, with a delicacy which 'few men are capable of feeling; but surely, in

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escape.

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my opinion, to lead our lives with one to whom we are indifferent, must be a state of wretchedness -Perhaps that wretchedness would be even in'creased by a sense of the merits of an object to 'whom we cannot give our affections. If I had married Mr. Blifil-Pardon my interrupting you, Madam,' answered Allworthy, but I cannot bear the supposition.--Believe me, Miss Western, I rejoice from my heart, I rejoice in your I have discovered the wretch for whom you have suffered all this cruel violence from your father, to be a villain.' 'How, Sir!' cries Sophia, you must believe this surprises me. It hath surprised me, Madam,' answered Allworthy, and so it will the world---But I have acquainted you with the real truth.' 'Nothing but truth,' says Sophia, can, I am convinced, come from the lips of Mr. Allworthy. Yet, Sir, such sudden, such unexpected news Discovered, you saymay villany be ever so! You will soon enough hear the story," cries Allworthy;'at present let us not mention 'so detested a name.-I have another matter of a very serious nature to propose.-O! Miss Western, I know your vast worth, nor can I so easily part with the ambition of being allied to it.-I ' have a near relation, Madam, a young man whose character is, I am convinced, the very opposite 'to that of this wretch, and whose fortune I will 'make equal to what his was to have been. Could I, Madam, hope you would admit a visit from him? Sophia, after a minute's silence, answered, "I will deal with the utmost sincerity with Mr. Allworthy. His character, and the obligation I have just received from him, demand it. I have determined at present to listen to no such proposals, from any person. My only desire is to 'be restored to the affection of my father, and to be again the mistress of his family. This, Sir, I hope to owe to your good offices. Let me be

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