gage her Intereſt on the Behalf of his Friend the Game-keeper.
But before we proceed to this Buſineſs, a ſhort Recapitulation of ſome previous Matters may be neceſſary.
Though the different Tempers of Mr. Allworthy, and of Mr. Weſtern did not admit of a very intimate Correſpondence, yet they lived upon what is called a decent Footing together; by which Means the young People of both Families had been acquainted from their Infancy; and as they were all near of the ſame Age, had been frequent Play-mates together.
The Gaiety of Tom’s Temper ſuited better with Sophia, than the grave and ſober Diſpoſition of Maſter Blifil. And the Preference which ſhe gave the former of theſe, would often appear ſo plainly, that a Lad of a more paſſionate Turn than Maſter Blifil was, might have ſhewn ſome Diſpleaſure at it.
As he did not, however, outwardly expreſs any ſuch Diſguſt, it would be an ill Office in us to pay a Viſit to the inmoſt Receſſes of his Mind, as ſome ſcandalous People ſearch into the moſt ſecret Affairs oftheir
