to the Country. By her Converſation and Inſtructions, Sophia was perfectly well-bred, though perhaps ſhe wanted a little of that Eaſe in her Behaviour, which is to be acquired only by Habit, and living within what is called the polite Circle. But this, to ſay the Truth, is often too dearly purchaſed; and though it hath Charms ſo inexpreſſible, that the French, perhaps among other Qualities, mean to expreſs this, when they declare they know not what it is, yet its Abſence is well compenſated by Innocence; nor can good Senſe, and a natural Gentility ever ſtand in need of it.
CHAP. III.
Wherein the Hiſtory goes back to commemorate a trifling Incident that happened ſome Years ſince; but which, trifling as it was, had ſome future Conſequences.
The amiable Sophia was now in her eighteenth Year, when ſhe is introduced into this Hiſtory. Her Father, as hath been ſaid, was fonder of her than of any other human Creature. To her, therefore, Tom Jones applied, in order to en-gage
