of this Hiſtory, had from their firſt Arrival at Mr. Allworthy’s Houſe, taken ſo great an Affection, the one to his Virtue, the other to his Religion, that they had meditated the cloſeſt Alliance with him.
For this Purpoſe they had caſt their Eyes on that fair Widow, whom, tho’ we have not for ſome Time made any Mention of her, the Reader, we truſt, hath not forgot. Mrs. Blifil was indeed the Object to which they both aſpired.
It may ſeem remarkable that of four Perſons whom we have commemorated at Mr. Allworthy’s Houſe, three of them ſhould fix their Inclinations on a Lady who was never greatly celebrated for her Beauty, and who was, moreover, now a little deſcended into the Vale of Years; but in reality Boſom Friends, and intimate Acquaintance, have a kind of natural Propenſity to particular Females at the Houſe of a Friend; viz. to his Grand-mother, Mother, Siſter, Daughter, Aunt, Niece and Couſin, when they are rich, and to his Wife, Siſter, Daughter, Niece, Couſin, Miſtreſs or Servant Maid, if they ſhould be handſome.
We
