of all which the Captain was ſo paſſionately fond, that he would moſt probably have contracted Marriage with them, had he been obliged to have taken the Witch of Endor into the Bargain.
As Mr. Allworthy therefore had declared to the Doctor, that he never intended to take a ſecond Wife, as his Siſter was his neareſt Relation, and as the Doctor had fiſhed out that his Intentions were to make any Child of hers his Heir, which indeed the Law, without his Interpofition, would have done for him; the Doctor and his Brother thought it an Act of Benevolence to give Being to a human Creature, who would be ſo plentifully provided with the moſt eſſential Means of Happineſs. The whole Thoughts therefore of both the Brothers, were how to engage the Affections of this amiable Lady.
But Fortune, who is a tender Parent, and often doth more for her favourite Offſpring than either they deſerve or wiſh, had been ſo induſtrious for the Captain, that whilſt he was laying Schemes to execute his Purpoſe, the Lady conceived the ſame Deſires with himſelf, and was on her Side contriving how to give the Captain proper Encou-ragement,
