The History of the Adventures of Joseph Andrews and his Friend, Mr. Abraham Abrams/Book IV, Chapter IV

CHAPTER IV.

_A short chapter, but very full of matter; particularly the arrival of

Mr Booby and his lady._

All that night, and the next day, the Lady Booby past with the utmost

anxiety; her mind was distracted and her soul tossed up and down by many

turbulent and opposite passions. She loved, hated, pitied, scorned,

admired, despised the same person by fits, which changed in a very short

interval. On Tuesday morning, which happened to be a holiday, she went

to church, where, to her surprize, Mr Adams published the banns again

with as audible a voice as before. It was lucky for her that, as there

was no sermon, she had an immediate opportunity of returning home to

vent her rage, which she could not have concealed from the congregation

five minutes; indeed, it was not then very numerous, the assembly

consisting of no more than Adams, his clerk, his wife, the lady, and one

of her servants. At her return she met Slipslop, who accosted her in

these words:--"O meam, what doth your ladyship think? To be sure, lawyer

Scout hath carried Joseph and Fanny both before the justice. All the

parish are in tears, and say they will certainly be hanged; for nobody

knows what it is for"--"I suppose they deserve it," says the lady.

"What! dost thou mention such wretches to me?"--"O dear madam," answered

Slipslop, "is it not a pity such a graceless young man should die a

virulent death? I hope the judge will take commensuration on his youth.

As for Fanny, I don't think it signifies much what becomes of her; and

if poor Joseph hath done anything, I could venture to swear she traduced

him to it: few men ever come to a fragrant punishment, but by those

nasty creatures, who are a scandal to our sect." The lady was no more

pleased at this news, after a moment's reflection, than Slipslop

herself; for, though she wished Fanny far enough, she did not desire the

removal of Joseph, especially with her. She was puzzled how to act or

what to say on this occasion, when a coach and six drove into the court,

and a servant acquainted her with the arrival of her nephew Booby and

his lady. She ordered them to be conducted into a drawing-room, whither

she presently repaired, having composed her countenance as well as she

could, and being a little satisfied that the wedding would by these

means be at least interrupted, and that she should have an opportunity

to execute any resolution she might take, for which she saw herself

provided with an excellent instrument in Scout.

The Lady Booby apprehended her servant had made a mistake when he

mentioned Mr Booby's lady; for she had never heard of his marriage: but

how great was her surprize when, at her entering the room, her nephew

presented his wife to her; saying, "Madam, this is that charming Pamela,

of whom I am convinced you have heard so much." The lady received her

with more civility than he expected; indeed with the utmost; for she was

perfectly polite, nor had any vice inconsistent with good-breeding. They

past some little time in ordinary discourse, when a servant came and

whispered Mr Booby, who presently told the ladies he must desert them a

little on some business of consequence; and, as their discourse during

his absence would afford little improvement or entertainment to the

reader, we will leave them for a while to attend Mr Booby.