natural Infirmities of thoſe we love. The fineſt Compoſition of human Nature, as well as the fineſt China, may have a Flaw in it; and this, I am afraid, in either Caſe, is equally incurable; though, nevertheleſs, the Pattern may remain of the higheſt Value
Upon the whole then, Mr. Allworthy certainly ſaw ſome Imperfections in the Captain; but, as this was a very artful Man, and eternally upon his Guard before him, theſe appeared to him no more than Blemiſhes in a good Character; which his Goodneſs made him overlook, and his Wiſdom prevented him from diſcovering to the Captain himſelf. Very different would have been his Sentiments, had he diſcovered the whole; which, perhaps, would, in Time, have been the Caſe, had the Huſband and Wife long continued this Kind of Behaviour to each other; but this kind Fortune took effectual Means to prevent, by forcing the Captain to do that which rendered him again dear to his Wife, and reſtored all her Tenderneſs and Affection towards him.
CHAP.
