of the world, that without making any allowances for circumstances, it
censures all indiscriminately alike.

The time prefixed for Natura's remaining with his father being but
fourteen days, as they grew near expired, the family began to talk of
his going, and orders were given to bespeak a place for him in the
stage-coach: he had been extremely pleased with Eton, nor had he met
with any cause of disgust, either at the school or house where he was
boarded, yet did the thoughts of returning thither give him as much
disquiet as his young heart was capable of conceiving.--The parting
from Delia was terrible to him, and the nearer the cruel moment
approached, the more his anxiety increased.--She seemed also grieved
to lose so agreeable a companion, and would often tell him she wished
he was to stay as long as she did.

Though nothing could be more innocent than these declarations on both
sides, yet what she said had such an effect on Natura, that he
resolved to delay his return to Eton as long as possible; and that
passion which he already felt the symptoms of, though equally ignorant
of their nature or end, being always fertile in invention, put a
stratagem into his head, which he flattered himself would succeed for
a somewhat farther continuance of his present happiness.

The day before that prefixed for his going, he pretended a violent
pain in his head and stomach, and to give the greater credit to his
pretended indisposition, would eat nothing; and as it drew toward
evening, cried out he was very sick, and must go to bed.--His father,
who had the most tender affection for him, could not think of sending
him away in that condition.--He went in the morning to his bedside,
and finding him, as he imagined, a little feverish, presently ordered