Perſon; but Mrs. Wilkins, whether ſhe reſented the Captain’s Behaviour, or whether his Cunning was beyond her, and ſhe feared the Diſcovery might diſpleaſe him, never afterwards opened her Lips about the Matter.
I have thought it ſomewhat ſtrange, upon Reflection, that the Houſe-keeper never acquainted Mrs. Blifil with this News, as Women are more inclined to communicate all Pieces of Intelligence to their own Sex, than to ours. The only Way, as it appears to me, of ſolving this Difficulty, is, by imputing it to that Diſtance which was now grown between the Lady and the Houſe-keeper: Whether this aroſe from a Jealouſy in Mrs. Blifil, that Wilkins ſhewed too great a Reſpect to the Foundling; for while ſhe was endeavouring to ruin the little Infant, in order to ingratiate herſelf with the Captain, ſhe was every Day more and more commending it before Allworthy, as his Fondneſs for it every Day encreaſed. This, notwithſtanding all the Care ſhe took at other Times to expreſs the direct contrary to Mrs. Blifil, perhaps offended that delicate Lady, who certainly now hated Mrs. Wilkins; and though ſhe did not, orpoſſibly
