Fielding, Henry (1707-1754)

The History of the Adventures of Joseph Andrews, And of his Friend Mr. Abraham Adams. Written in Imitation of The Manner of Cervantes, Author of Don Quixote. In Two Volumes

London

Printed for A. Millar

1742

"Lady Booby found good Reason to doubt whether she had so absolutely conquered her Passion, as she had flattered herself"

Mrs. Slipslop being summoned, attended her Mistress, who had now in her own Opinion totally subdued this Passion. Whilst she was dressing, she asked if that Fellow had been turned away according to her Orders. Slipslop answered, she had told her Ladyship so, (as indeed she had) --"And how did he behave?" replied the Lady. "Truly Madam," cries Slipslop, "in such a manner that infected every body who saw him. The poor Lad had but little Wages to receive: for he constantly allowed his Father and Mother half his Income; so that when your Ladyship's Livery was stript off, he had not wherewithal to buy a Coat, and must have gone naked, if one of the Footmen had notincommodated him with one; and whilst he was standing in his Shirt, (and to say truth, he was a lovely Figure) being told your Ladyship would not give him a Character, he sighed, and said he had done nothing willingly to offend; that for his part he should always give your Ladyship a good Character where-ever he went; and he pray'd God to bless you; for you was the best of Ladies, tho' his Enemies had set you against him: I wish you had not turned him away; for I believe you have not a faithfuller Servant in the House." --"How came you then," replied the Lady, "to advise me to turn him away?" "I, Madam," said Slipslop, "I am sure you will do me the Justice to say, I did all in my power to prevent it; but I saw your Ladyship was angry; and it is not the business of us upper Servants to hintorfear on those occasions." --"And was it not you, audacious Wretch," cried the Lady, "who made me angry? Was it not your Tittle-tattle, in which I believe you belyed the poor Fellow, which incensed me against him? He may thank you for all that hath happened; and so may I for the Loss of a good Servant, and one who probably had more Merit than all of you. Poor Fellow! I am charmed with his Goodness to his Parents. Why did not you tell me of that, but suffer me to dismiss so good a Creature without a Character? I see the Reason of your whole Behaviour now as well as your Complaint; you was jealous of the Wenches." "I jealous!" said Slipslop, "I assure you I look upon myself as his Betters; I am not Meat for a Footman I hope." These Words threw the Lady into a violent Passion, and she sent Slipslop from her Presence, who departed tossing her Nose and crying, "Marry come up! there are some People more jealous than I, I believe." Her Lady affected not to hear the Words, tho' in reality she did, and understood them too. Now ensued a second Conflict, so like the former, that it might savour of Repetition to relate it minutely. It may suffice to say, that Lady Booby found good Reason to doubt whether she had so absolutely conquered her Passion, as she had flattered herself; and in order to accomplish it quite, took a Resolution more common than wise, to retire immediately into the Country. The Reader hath long ago seen the Arrival of Mrs. Slipslop, whom no Pertness could make her Mistress resolve to part with; lately, that of Mr. Pounce her Fore-runners; and lastly, that of the Lady herself.
(pp. 174-7)

War::Conquest::Conquer Passion

Searching "conque" and "reason" in HDIS (Prose); found again searching "conque" and "passion"

Text from Henry Fielding, The History of the Adventures of Joseph Andrews, And of his Friend Mr. Abraham Adams. Written in Imitation of The Manner of Cervantes, Author of Don Quixote, 2 vols. (London: Printed for A. Millar, 1742). <Link to ECCO>

See also Henry Fielding, The History of the Adventures of Joseph Andrews and An Apology for the Life of Shamela Andrews, ed. Douglas Brooks-Davies. World Classics Edition (Oxford: Oxford UP, 1980).

01/25/2005