The History of Tom Jones by Henry Fielding

Explore "The History of Tom Jones" by Henry Fielding on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.

Jenny returned home well pleased with the reception she had met with from Mr Allworthy, whose indulgence to her she industriously made public; partly perhaps as a sacrifice to her own pride, and partly from the more prudent motive of reconciling her neighbours to her, and silencing their clamours.

But though this latter view, if she indeed had it, may appear reasonable enough, yet the event did not answer her expectation; for when she was convened before the justice, and it was universally apprehended that the house of correction would have been her fate, though some of the young women cryed out "It was good enough for her," and diverted themselves with the thoughts of her beating hemp in a silk gown; yet there were many others who began to pity her condition: but when it was known in what manner Mr Allworthy had behaved, the tide turned against her. One said, "I'll assure you, madam hath had good luck. " A second cryed, "See what it is to be a favourite! " A third, "Ay, this comes of her learning. " Every person made some malicious comment or other on the occasion, and reflected on the partiality of the justice.

Reading navigation