Chapter iv.

Containing sundry curious matters.

As soon as Mr Allworthy returned home, he took Mr Blifil apart, and

after some preface, communicated to him the proposal which had been

made by Mr Western, and at the same time informed him how agreeable

this match would be to himself.

The charms of Sophia had not made the least impression on Blifil; not

that his heart was pre-engaged; neither was he totally insensible of

beauty, or had any aversion to women; but his appetites were by nature

so moderate, that he was able, by philosophy, or by study, or by some

other method, easily to subdue them: and as to that passion which we

have treated of in the first chapter of this book, he had not the

least tincture of it in his whole composition.

But though he was so entirely free from that mixed passion, of which

we there treated, and of which the virtues and beauty of Sophia formed

so notable an object; yet was he altogether as well furnished with

some other passions, that promised themselves very full gratification

in the young lady's fortune. Such were avarice and ambition, which

divided the dominion of his mind between them. He had more than once

considered the possession of this fortune as a very desirable thing,

and had entertained some distant views concerning it; but his own

youth, and that of the young lady, and indeed principally a reflection

that Mr Western might marry again, and have more children, had

restrained him from too hasty or eager a pursuit.

This last and most material objection was now in great measure

removed, as the proposal came from Mr Western himself. Blifil,

therefore, after a very short hesitation, answered Mr Allworthy, that

matrimony was a subject on which he had not yet thought; but that he

was so sensible of his friendly and fatherly care, that he should in

all things submit himself to his pleasure.

Allworthy was naturally a man of spirit, and his present gravity arose

from true wisdom and philosophy, not from any original phlegm in his

disposition; for he had possessed much fire in his youth, and had

married a beautiful woman for love. He was not therefore greatly

pleased with this cold answer of his nephew; nor could he help

launching forth into the praises of Sophia, and expressing some wonder

that the heart of a young man could be impregnable to the force of

such charms, unless it was guarded by some prior affection.

Blifil assured him he had no such guard; and then proceeded to

discourse so wisely and religiously on love and marriage, that he

would have stopt the mouth of a parent much less devoutly inclined

than was his uncle. In the end, the good man was satisfied that his

nephew, far from having any objections to Sophia, had that esteem for

her, which in sober and virtuous minds is the sure foundation of

friendship and love. And as he doubted not but the lover would, in a

little time, become altogether as agreeable to his mistress, he

foresaw great happiness arising to all parties by so proper and

desirable an union. With Mr Blifil's consent therefore he wrote the

next morning to Mr Western, acquainting him that his nephew had very

thankfully and gladly received the proposal, and would be ready to

wait on the young lady, whenever she should be pleased to accept his

visit.

Western was much pleased with this letter, and immediately returned an

answer; in which, without having mentioned a word to his daughter, he

appointed that very afternoon for opening the scene of courtship.

As soon as he had dispatched this messenger, he went in quest of his

sister, whom he found reading and expounding the _Gazette_ to parson

Supple. To this exposition he was obliged to attend near a quarter of

an hour, though with great violence to his natural impetuosity, before

he was suffered to speak. At length, however, he found an opportunity

of acquainting the lady, that he had business of great consequence to

impart to her; to which she answered, “Brother, I am entirely at your

service. Things look so well in the north, that I was never in a

better humour.”

The parson then withdrawing, Western acquainted her with all which had

passed, and desired her to communicate the affair to Sophia, which she

readily and chearfully undertook; though perhaps her brother was a

little obliged to that agreeable northern aspect which had so

delighted her, that he heard no comment on his proceedings; for they

were certainly somewhat too hasty and violent.