Dinner was just ended when Mrs. Miller received a letter; but as
we have had letters enow in this chapter, we shall communicate its
contents in our next.
Chapter 10
Consisting partly of facts, and partly of observations upon them
The letter, then, which arrived at the end of the preceding
chapter was from Mr. Allworthy, and the purport of it was, his
intention to come immediately to town, with his nephew Blifil, and a
desire to be accommodated with his usual lodgings, which were the
first floor for himself, and the second for his nephew.
The chearfulness which had before displayed itself in the
countenance of the poor woman was a little clouded on his occasion.
This news did indeed a good deal disconcert her. To requite so
disinterested a match with her daughter, by presently turning her
new son-in-law out of doors, appeared to her very unjustifiable on the
one hand; and on the other, she could scarce bear the thoughts of
making any excuse to Mr. Allworthy, after all the obligations received
from him, for depriving him of lodgings which were indeed strictly his
due; for that gentleman, in conferring all his numberless benefits
on others, acted by a rule diametrically opposite to what is practised
by most generous people. He contrived, on all occasions, to hide his
beneficence, not only from the world, but even from the object of
it. He constantly used the words Lend and Pay, instead of Give; and by
every other method he could invent, always lessened with his tongue
the favours he conferred, while he was heaping them with both hands.
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