Summary
Chapter I
The word "critic" is Greek and denotes "Judgment." Most critics are slanderers
since they only find fault with the books and authors they read. There have,
however, been some fine critics—for instance, the ancient critics
Aristotle and Horace, or the French critics Dacier and Bossu. Critics need to
have mercy, and not condemn an entire work if they only find fault with one part
of it.
Chapter II
On the road to London, Sophia and Mrs. Honour meet up with another young
lady and her maid on horseback. They exchange compliments and civilities. As
daylight breaks, Sophia recognizes that the lady is her cousin Harriet, the
wife of Fitzpatrick. They eventually arrive at an inn, where Sophia can
barely muster the strength to dismount from her horse. The landlord attempts to
help her, but they both fall over backwards, to the amusement of all on-lookers.
This landlord convinces himself that Sophia and Harriet are "Rebel Ladies," and
that Sophia is in fact Jenny Cameron, whom the Whigs allege is the lover of the
Jacobite leader Bonnie Prince Charlie. The landlord does not support the
Jacobites, but when he hears that the rebels are making headway in London, he
decides to flatter Sophia and Harriet in the hopes that they will later reward
him. The landlady cannot believe that Sophia is a gentlewoman since she is
courteous to people of all classes.
Chapter III
Mrs. Fitzpatrick would be deemed beautiful if she were not with Sophia, who
looks more radiant now than ever before. Harriet has agreed to accompany Sophia
to London. The landlady has become a "staunch Jacobite" since Sophia, who she
also believes to be Jenny Cameron, has treated her with such deference. Sophia
and Harriet agree to relate their histories in turn.
Chapter IV
Mrs. Fitzpatrick reminisces about the days when she and Sophia lived at their
Aunt Western's house. She was "Miss Giddy" while Sophia was "Miss
Graveairs." She tells Sophia that she met her husband in Bath on a trip with
their aunt. Her husband, although he had no title, was the envy of all the men
because he was much admired by the ladies. He was one of the favorites of Mrs.
Western, with whom he shamelessly flirted. He flirted with Harriet too, however,
and eventually revealed that he was only feigning interest in her aunt in order
to win Harriet's love. Flattered, Harriet agreed to marry him, much to the fury
of Mrs. Western, who departed immediately from Bath. Harriet laments to Sophia
that she based her opinion of Mr. Fitzpatrick on the opinions of others.
Chapter V
Mrs. Fitzpatrick continues her story. Mr. Fitzpatrick wanted to return to his
native Ireland after the wedding, but she did not care to leave England. One day
she discovered a letter lying on the floor, from which she learned that her
husband had married her only for her money. When she confronted him, however, he
mollified her by means of caresses and protestations of love. In Ireland, she
grew more and more depressed, and her husband attempted to drag her down further
with snide remarks. She became pregnant by him—the man she "scorned,
hated, and detested."
Chapter VI
Distraught from her cousin's story, Sophia has lost her appetite. Harriet has
not. The landlady interrupts their conversation to impart some "good News." Mrs.
Honour suddenly bursts in, shouting "they are come, they are come!" Sophia
thinks Honour means her father. She is secretly relieved to discover that it is
the Jacobite rebels who have arrived.
