The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling: Book 15, Chapter 5 Summary & Analysis

Sophia is alone at seven p.m. reading a sad book, when all of a sudden, the door opens, and in walks Lord Fellamar. Sophia says it’s an unexpected visit, but Lord Fellamar says she should have known from the passion in his eyes that he would come to see her. He becomes increasingly aggressive until finally he touches her arm, and she screams.

As it turns out, at that very moment, Mr. Western is also in the house, and at hearing Sophia scream, he rushes toward her at once. In this strange circumstance, Sophia is actually glad to hear her father’s stern voice shouting for her. Clearly drunk, Mr. Western bursts in on Sophia and Lord Fellamar, accompanied by Mr. Supple. Slurring his words, Mr. Western frightens Sophia, and Mr. Supple has to calm him down.

Lady Bellaston comes in to check on the commotion. Once Mr. Western has calmed a bit, he tells Sophia that if she is a good girl and marries Mr. Blifil, all will be forgiven. Lord Fellamar tries to introduce himself as a potential son-in-law, but Mr. Western says he’s really a “son of a b——”. An offended Lord Fellamar stomps off. Mr. Western takes Sophia and forces her to come with him, leaving behind Mrs. Honour, whom he sees as a traitor. Lady Bellaston probably could have stopped them, but she decides that she is glad to see Sophia go.