S2 THE VICAR OF WAKEFIBLB,

«

^ a truth, he has not prepoflefled me in lus favour.
DifproportioDed firiendihips ever terminate in dif-
gttft: and I thought, notwithilanding all hiseafe,
Uiat he feemcd prefedly fenfible of the diftance be-
tween us. Let us keep to companions of our own
rank. There is no charader more contemptible
than a man that is a fortune-hunter ; and I can fee
no reafon why fortune-hunting women (bould not
be contemptible too. Thus, at befl» we ihall be
contemptible if his views are honourable : hut if
they be otherwife4 I fhould (hudder but to think of
that ! It is true, I have no appreheniions from the
condud of my children, but I think there are fome
from his character.'— -I would have proceeded, but
for the interruption of a Servant from the 'Squire,
who, with his compliments, fent us a fide of venifon,
and a promife to dine with 4xs fome days after. This
well-timed prefent pleaded more powerfully in his
favour than any thing I had to fay could obviate.
I therefore contmued uleut, fatisiied with juft havine
pointed out danger, and leaving it to their own di^
cretion to avoid it. That virtue which requires to be
ever guarded, is fcarce worth the centineL

CHAP. VI.
