History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding
Chapter viii.
773 words | Chapter 199
The meeting between Jones and Sophia.
Jones departed instantly in quest of Sophia, whom he found just risen
from the ground, where her father had left her, with the tears
trickling from her eyes, and the blood running from her lips. He
presently ran to her, and with a voice full at once of tenderness and
terrour, cried, “O my Sophia, what means this dreadful sight?” She
looked softly at him for a moment before she spoke, and then said, “Mr
Jones, for Heaven's sake how came you here?--Leave me, I beseech you,
this moment.”--“Do not,” says he, “impose so harsh a command upon
me--my heart bleeds faster than those lips. O Sophia, how easily could
I drain my veins to preserve one drop of that dear blood.”--“I have
too many obligations to you already,” answered she, “for sure you
meant them such.” Here she looked at him tenderly almost a minute, and
then bursting into an agony, cried, “Oh, Mr Jones, why did you save my
life? my death would have been happier for us both.”--“Happier for us
both!” cried he. “Could racks or wheels kill me so painfully as
Sophia's--I cannot bear the dreadful sound. Do I live but for her?”
Both his voice and looks were full of inexpressible tenderness when he
spoke these words; and at the same time he laid gently hold on her
hand, which she did not withdraw from him; to say the truth, she
hardly knew what she did or suffered. A few moments now passed in
silence between these lovers, while his eyes were eagerly fixed on
Sophia, and hers declining towards the ground: at last she recovered
strength enough to desire him again to leave her, for that her certain
ruin would be the consequence of their being found together; adding,
“Oh, Mr Jones, you know not, you know not what hath passed this cruel
afternoon.”--“I know all, my Sophia,” answered he; “your cruel father
hath told me all, and he himself hath sent me hither to you.”--“My
father sent you to me!” replied she: “sure you dream.”--“Would to
Heaven,” cries he, “it was but a dream! Oh, Sophia, your father hath
sent me to you, to be an advocate for my odious rival, to solicit you
in his favour. I took any means to get access to you. O speak to me,
Sophia! comfort my bleeding heart. Sure no one ever loved, ever doated
like me. Do not unkindly withhold this dear, this soft, this gentle
hand--one moment, perhaps, tears you for ever from me--nothing less
than this cruel occasion could, I believe, have ever conquered the
respect and awe with which you have inspired me.” She stood a moment
silent, and covered with confusion; then lifting up her eyes gently
towards him, she cried, “What would Mr Jones have me say?”--“O do but
promise,” cries he, “that you never will give yourself to
Blifil.”--“Name not,” answered she, “the detested sound. Be assured I
never will give him what is in my power to withhold from him.”--“Now
then,” cries he, “while you are so perfectly kind, go a little
farther, and add that I may hope.”--“Alas!” says she, “Mr Jones,
whither will you drive me? What hope have I to bestow? You know my
father's intentions.”--“But I know,” answered he, “your compliance
with them cannot be compelled.”--“What,” says she, “must be the
dreadful consequence of my disobedience? My own ruin is my least
concern. I cannot bear the thoughts of being the cause of my father's
misery.”--“He is himself the cause,” cries Jones, “by exacting a power
over you which Nature hath not given him. Think on the misery which I
am to suffer if I am to lose you, and see on which side pity will turn
the balance.”--“Think of it!” replied she: “can you imagine I do not
feel the ruin which I must bring on you, should I comply with your
desire? It is that thought which gives me resolution to bid you fly
from me for ever, and avoid your own destruction.”--“I fear no
destruction,” cries he, “but the loss of Sophia. If you would save me
from the most bitter agonies, recall that cruel sentence. Indeed, I
can never part with you, indeed I cannot.”
The lovers now stood both silent and trembling, Sophia being unable to
withdraw her hand from Jones, and he almost as unable to hold it; when
the scene, which I believe some of my readers will think had lasted
long enough, was interrupted by one of so different a nature, that we
shall reserve the relation of it for a different chapter.
Chapters
1. Chapter 1
2. BOOK I -- CONTAINING AS MUCH OF THE BIRTH OF THE FOUNDLING AS IS
3. Chapter i -- The introduction to the work, or bill of fare to the
4. Chapter ii -- A short description of squire Allworthy, and a fuller
5. Chapter iii -- An odd accident which befel Mr Allworthy at his return
6. Chapter iv -- The reader's neck brought into danger by a description;
7. Chapter v -- Containing a few common matters, with a very uncommon
8. Chapter vi -- Mrs Deborah is introduced into the parish with a
9. Chapter vii -- Containing such grave matter, that the reader cannot
10. Chapter viii -- A dialogue between Mesdames Bridget and Deborah;
11. Chapter x -- The hospitality of Allworthy; with a short sketch of the
12. Chapter xi -- Containing many rules, and some examples, concerning
13. Chapter xii -- Containing what the reader may, perhaps, expect to find
14. Chapter xiii -- Which concludes the first book; with an instance of
15. BOOK II -- CONTAINING SCENES OF MATRIMONIAL FELICITY IN DIFFERENT
16. Chapter i -- Showing what kind of a history this is; what it is like,
17. Chapter ii -- Religious cautions against showing too much favour to
18. Chapter iii -- The description of a domestic government founded upon
19. Chapter iv -- Containing one of the most bloody battles, or rather
20. Chapter v -- Containing much matter to exercise the judgment and
21. Chapter vi -- The trial of Partridge, the schoolmaster, for
22. Chapter vii -- A short sketch of that felicity which prudent couples
23. Chapter viii -- A receipt to regain the lost affections of a wife,
24. Chapter ix -- A proof of the infallibility of the foregoing receipt,
25. BOOK III -- CONTAINING THE MOST MEMORABLE TRANSACTIONS WHICH PASSED IN
26. Chapter ii -- The heroe of this great history appears with very bad
27. Chapter iii -- The character of Mr Square the philosopher, and of Mr
28. Chapter iv.
29. Chapter v. -- The opinions of the divine and the philosopher
30. Chapter vi -- Containing a better reason still for the
31. Chapter vii -- In which the author himself makes his appearance on the
32. Chapter viii -- A childish incident, in which, however, is seen a
33. Chapter ix -- Containing an incident of a more heinous kind, with the
34. Chapter x -- In which Master Blifil and Jones appear in different
35. Chapter ii -- A short hint of what we can do in the sublime, and a
36. Chapter iii -- Wherein the history goes back to commemorate a trifling
37. Chapter iv -- Containing such very deep and grave matters, that some
38. Chapter vi -- An apology for the insensibility of Mr Jones to all the
39. Chapter viii -- A battle sung by the muse in the Homerican style, and
40. Chapter x -- A story told by Mr Supple, the curate. The penetration of
41. Chapter xi -- The narrow escape of Molly Seagrim, with some
42. Chapter xii -- Containing much clearer matters; but which flowed from
43. Chapter xiii -- A dreadful accident which befel Sophia. The gallant
44. Chapter xiv -- The arrival of a surgeon.--His operations, and a long
45. BOOK V -- CONTAINING A PORTION OF TIME SOMEWHAT LONGER THAN HALF A
46. Chapter i -- Of the SERIOUS in writing, and for what purpose it is
47. Chapter ii -- In which Mr Jones receives many friendly visits during
48. Chapter iii -- Which all who have no heart will think to contain much
49. Chapter iv -- A little chapter, in which is contained a little
50. Chapter vi -- By comparing which with the former, the reader may
51. Chapter ix -- Which, among other things, may serve as a comment on
52. Chapter x -- Showing the truth of many observations of Ovid, and of
53. Chapter xi -- In which a simile in Mr Pope's period of a mile
54. Chapter xii -- In which is seen a more moving spectacle than all the
55. Chapter ii -- The character of Mrs Western. Her great learning and
56. Chapter v -- In which is related what passed between Sophia and her
57. Chapter vi -- Containing a dialogue between Sophia and Mrs Honour,
58. Chapter vii -- A picture of formal courtship in miniature, as it
59. Chapter xi -- A short chapter; but which contains sufficient matter to
60. Chapter xiii -- The behaviour of Sophia on the present occasion; which
61. Chapter xiv -- A short chapter, containing a short dialogue between
62. Chapter ii -- Containing a conversation which Mr Jones had with
63. Chapter vii -- A strange resolution of Sophia, and a more strange
64. Chapter viii -- Containing scenes of altercation, of no very uncommon
65. Chapter ix -- The wise demeanour of Mr Western in the character of a
66. Chapter x -- Containing several matters, natural enough perhaps, but
67. Chapter xiii -- Containing the great address of the landlady, the
68. Chapter xiv -- A most dreadful chapter indeed; and which few readers
69. Chapter i -- A wonderful long chapter concerning the marvellous; being
70. Chapter iv -- In which is introduced one of the pleasantest barbers
71. Chapter vi -- In which more of the talents of Mr Benjamin will appear,
72. Chapter vii -- Containing better reasons than any which have yet
73. Chapter viii -- Jones arrives at Gloucester, and goes to the Bell; the
74. Chapter ix -- Containing several dialogues between Jones and
75. Chapter x -- In which our travellers meet with a very extraordinary
76. Chapter xi -- In which the Man of the Hill begins to relate his
77. Chapter xv -- A brief history of Europe; and a curious discourse
78. Chapter i -- Of those who lawfully may, and of those who may not,
79. Chapter ii -- Containing a very surprizing adventure indeed, which Mr
80. Chapter iii -- The arrival of Mr Jones with his lady at the inn; with
81. Chapter iv -- In which the arrival of a man of war puts a final end to
82. Chapter v -- An apology for all heroes who have good stomachs, with a
83. Chapter vi -- A friendly conversation in the kitchen, which had a very
84. Chapter vii -- Containing a fuller account of Mrs Waters, and by what
85. Chapter i -- Containing instructions very necessary to be perused by
86. Chapter ii -- Containing the arrival of an Irish gentleman, with very
87. Chapter iii -- A dialogue between the landlady and Susan the
88. Chapter iv -- Containing infallible nostrums for procuring universal
89. Chapter v -- Showing who the amiable lady, and her unamiable maid,
90. Chapter vi -- Containing, among other things, the ingenuity of
91. Chapter vii -- In which are concluded the adventures that happened at
92. Chapter ii -- The adventures which Sophia met with after her leaving
93. Chapter iii -- A very short chapter, in which however is a sun, a
94. Chapter vi -- In which the mistake of the landlord throws Sophia into
95. Chapter viii -- A dreadful alarm in the inn, with the arrival of an
96. Chapter ix -- The morning introduced in some pretty writing. A
97. Chapter x -- Containing a hint or two concerning virtue, and a few
98. Chapter i -- Showing what is to be deemed plagiarism in a modern
99. Chapter ii -- In which, though the squire doth not find his daughter,
100. Chapter iii -- The departure of Jones from Upton, with what passed
101. Chapter v -- Containing more adventures which Mr Jones and his
102. Chapter vi -- From which it may be inferred that the best things are
103. Chapter vii -- Containing a remark or two of our own and many more of
104. Chapter viii -- In which fortune seems to have been in a better humour
105. Chapter xi -- The disasters which befel Jones on his departure for
106. Chapter xii -- Relates that Mr Jones continued his journey, contrary
107. Chapter xiv -- What happened to Mr Jones in his journey from St
108. Chapter iii -- A project of Mrs Fitzpatrick, and her visit to Lady
109. Chapter v -- An adventure which happened to Mr Jones at his lodgings,
110. Chapter vi -- What arrived while the company were at breakfast, with
111. Chapter viii -- Containing a scene of distress, which will appear very
112. Chapter ix -- Which treats of matters of a very different kind from
113. Chapter x -- A chapter which, though short, may draw tears from some
114. Chapter i -- An essay to prove that an author will write the better
115. Chapter ii -- Containing letters and other matters which attend
116. Chapter iv -- Which we hope will be very attentively perused by young
117. Chapter vi -- Containing a scene which we doubt not will affect all
118. Chapter viii -- What passed between Jones and old Mr Nightingale; with
119. Chapter iv -- By which it will appear how dangerous an advocate a lady
120. Chapter v -- Containing some matters which may affect, and others
121. Chapter x -- Consisting partly of facts, and partly of observations
122. Chapter ii -- A whimsical adventure which befel the squire, with the
123. Chapter v -- In which Jones receives a letter from Sophia, and goes to
124. Chapter vii -- In which Mr Western pays a visit to his sister, in
125. Chapter iii -- The arrival of Mr Western, with some matters concerning
126. Chapter iii -- Allworthy visits old Nightingale; with a strange
127. Chapter xii -- Approaching still nearer to the end.
128. BOOK I.
129. Chapter i.
130. Chapter ii.
131. Chapter iii.
132. Chapter iv.
133. Chapter v.
134. Chapter vi.
135. Chapter vii.
136. Chapter viii.
137. Chapter ix.
138. Chapter x.
139. Chapter xi.
140. Chapter xii.
141. Chapter xiii.
142. BOOK II.
143. Chapter i.
144. Chapter ii.
145. Chapter iii.
146. Chapter iv.
147. Chapter v.
148. Chapter vi.
149. Chapter vii.
150. Chapter viii.
151. Chapter ix.
152. BOOK III.
153. Chapter i.
154. Chapter ii.
155. Chapter iii.
156. Chapter iv.
157. Chapter v.
158. Chapter vi.
159. Chapter vii.
160. Chapter viii.
161. Chapter ix.
162. Chapter x.
163. BOOK IV.
164. Chapter i.
165. Chapter ii.
166. Chapter iii.
167. Chapter iv.
168. Chapter v.
169. Chapter vi.
170. Chapter vii.
171. Chapter viii.
172. Chapter ix.
173. Chapter x.
174. Chapter xi.
175. Chapter xii.
176. Chapter xiii.
177. Chapter xiv.
178. BOOK V.
179. Chapter i.
180. Chapter ii.
181. Chapter iii.
182. Chapter iv.
183. Chapter v.
184. Chapter vi.
185. Chapter vii.
186. Chapter viii.
187. Chapter ix.
188. Chapter x.
189. Chapter xi.
190. Chapter xii.
191. BOOK VI.
192. Chapter i.
193. Chapter ii.
194. Chapter iii.
195. Chapter iv.
196. Chapter v.
197. Chapter vi.
198. Chapter vii.
199. Chapter viii.
200. Chapter ix.
201. Chapter x.
202. Chapter xi.
203. Chapter xii.
204. Chapter xiii.
205. Chapter xiv.
206. BOOK VII.
207. Chapter i.
208. Chapter ii.
209. Chapter iii.
210. Chapter iv.
211. Chapter v.
212. Chapter vi.
213. Chapter vii.
214. Chapter viii.
215. Chapter ix.
216. Chapter x.
217. Chapter xi.
218. Chapter xii.
219. Chapter xiii.
220. Chapter xiv.
221. Chapter xv.
222. BOOK VIII.
223. Chapter i.
224. Chapter ii.
225. Chapter iii.
226. Chapter iv.
227. Chapter v.
228. Chapter vi.
229. Chapter vii.
230. Chapter viii.
231. Chapter ix.
232. Chapter x.
233. Chapter xi.
234. 1657. My father was one of those whom they call gentlemen farmers. He
235. Chapter xii.
236. Chapter xiii.
237. Chapter xiv.
238. Chapter xv.
239. BOOK IX.
240. Chapter i.
241. Chapter ii.
242. Chapter iii.
243. Chapter iv.
244. Chapter v.
245. Chapter vi.
246. Chapter vii.
247. BOOK X.
248. Chapter i.
249. Chapter ii.
250. Chapter iii.
251. Chapter iv.
252. Chapter v.
253. Chapter vi.
254. Chapter vii.
255. Chapter viii.
256. Chapter ix.
257. BOOK XI.
258. Chapter i.
259. Chapter ii.
260. Chapter iii.
261. Chapter iv.
262. Chapter v.
263. Chapter vi.
264. Chapter vii.
265. Chapter viii.
266. Chapter ix.
267. Chapter x.
268. BOOK XII.
269. Chapter i.
270. Chapter ii.
271. Chapter iii.
272. Chapter iv.
273. Chapter v.
274. Chapter vi.
275. Chapter vii.
276. Chapter viii.
277. Chapter ix.
278. Chapter x.
279. Chapter xi.
280. Chapter xii.
281. Chapter xiii.
282. Chapter xiv.
283. BOOK XIII.
284. Chapter i.
285. Chapter ii.
286. Chapter iii.
287. Chapter iv.
288. Chapter v.
289. Chapter vi.
290. Chapter vii.
291. Chapter viii.
292. Chapter ix.
293. Chapter x.
294. Chapter xi.
295. Chapter xii.
296. BOOK XIV.
297. Chapter i.
298. Chapter ii.
299. Chapter iii.
300. introduction, began the following speech:--“I am very sorry, sir, to
301. Chapter iv.
302. Chapter v.
303. Chapter vi.
304. Chapter vii.
305. Chapter viii.
306. Chapter ix.
307. Chapter x.
308. BOOK XV.
309. Chapter i.
310. Chapter ii.
311. Chapter iii.
312. Chapter iv.
313. Chapter v.
314. Chapter vi.
315. Chapter vii.
316. Chapter viii.
317. Chapter ix.
318. Chapter x.
319. Chapter xi.
320. Chapter xii.
321. BOOK XVI.
322. Chapter i.
323. Chapter ii.
324. Chapter iii.
325. Chapter iv.
326. Chapter v.
327. Chapter vi.
328. Chapter vii.
329. Chapter viii.
330. Chapter ix.
331. Chapter x.
332. BOOK XVII.
333. Chapter i.
334. Chapter ii.
335. Chapter iii.
336. Chapter iv.
337. Chapter v.
338. Chapter vi.
339. Chapter vii.
340. Chapter viii.
341. Chapter ix.
342. BOOK XVIII.
343. Chapter i.
344. Chapter ii.
345. Chapter iii.
346. Chapter iv.
347. Chapter v.
348. Chapter vi.
349. Chapter vii.
350. Chapter viii.
351. Chapter ix.
352. Chapter x.
353. Chapter xi.
354. Chapter xii.
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