Chapter VII
At Mrs. Miller's house, Mrs. Honour laments losing Sophia. Jones, thinking
that Sophia must have died, frantically begs Honour to tell him what has
happened. When Jones finally extracts the news that Western has locked up Sophia
and dismissed Honour, Tom is thankful that Sophia is alive. Honour chides Jones
for not having compassion for her misfortune, since she says that she has always
taken his part against Blifil. Honour is scared that Western will hurt Sophia.
She says she wishes Sophia had some of her courage—if her father withheld
her from the man she loved, she would tear out his eyes. Partridge runs into the
room to inform Jones that Lady Bellaston has arrived. Jones hides Honour behind
the bed. Lady Bellaston plops herself on the bed and scolds Jones for not
contacting her. Then she flirts with him. Lady Bellaston waits in surprise as
Jones stands awkwardly, not knowing what to do. A very drunk Nightingale
suddenly bursts into Tom's room, mistaking it for his own. Partridge manages to
lead Nightingale away. While Tom was occupied with Nightingale, Lady Bellaston
tried to hide herself behind the bed, coming face to face with Honour. The
ladies are horrified. Lady Bellaston implies that she will bribe Mrs. Honour,
after which Honour calms down. Lady Bellaston leaves, shunning Tom's attempts to
hold her hand. Honour is upset about Tom's infidelity to Sophia, but Tom "at
last found means to reconcile her."
Chapter VIII
Mrs. Miller gently scolds Tom for the upheaval in his room the previous night.
Nightingale and Nancy are married that day, with Tom acting as father to Nancy.
Before the wedding, Nightingale's uncle tries to intoxicate him and dissuade him
from marrying Nancy. News arrives during this meeting that Harriet, the daughter
of Nightingale's uncle, has run away with a neighboring clergyman. This destroys
his case with Nightingale.
Chapter IX
Tom receives three letters from Lady Bellaston summoning him immediately.
Nightingale enters the room while Tom is reading and reveals that he knows about
Tom's affair with Lady Bellaston. Tom asks for more details on the affairs of
Lady Bellaston, but the narrator refuses to repeat Nightingale's words for fear
of being accused of spreading scandals.
Nightingale's stories greatly reduce Tom's gratitude to Lady Bellaston and he
realizes that he has been in "commerce" with this lady rather than in "love."
Nightingale advises Jones that the easiest way for him to rid himself of Lady
Bellaston is by proposing marriage. Together they compose a letter of proposal,
to which Lady Bellaston replies that she is offended that Tom is so covetous of
her fortune. Tom responds that he is insulted by her suspicion and will return
her gifts to him. At the wedding dinner that night, Mrs. Miller devotes more
attention to Tom than to Nightingale and Nancy.
Chapter X
Mrs. Miller has received a letter from Allworthy informing her that he and
Blifil are coming immediately to London. He wishes to reserve the first and
second floors of her house. The truth is that when Allworthy started paying Mrs.
Miller an annuity of fifty pounds, it was on condition that he could occupy the
first floor of her house whenever he came to town. Mrs. Miller thus has to
comply with Allworthy's wishes, but she is distressed that Jones and Nightingale
have to leave. Jones says that he does not mind at all. Honour sends Jones a
letter saying that she is sure he will attain Sophia in the end, but she can no
longer be of service to him. Lady Bellaston has hired her.
Chapter XI
Mrs. Arabella Hunt, a friend of Mrs. Miller's, sends Tom a marriage proposal.
She is twenty-six and a little plump, but otherwise attractive. She has recently
been widowed by a turkey merchant who left her a rich woman. Tom is at first
excited by the prospect of having so much money, but—thinking of
Sophia—writes a courteous refusal.
