tain the greater idea of the conquest she had made, and pay the more deference to his importance in the sequel of his addresses. That he might profit as much as possible by this situation, he went up and accosted every person in the pit, with whom he ever had the least communication, whispered and laughed with an affected air of familiarity, and even bowed at a distance to some of the nobility, on the slender foundation of having stood near them at court, or presented them with a pinch of rappee at White's chocolate house.

This ridiculous ostentation, though now practised with a view of promoting his design, was a weakness that, in some degree, infected the whole of his behaviour; for nothing gave him so much joy in conversation, as an opportunity of giving the company to understand how well he was with persons of distinguished rank and character; he would often, for example, observe, as it were occasionally, that the duke of G was one of the best-natured men in the world, and illustrate this assertion by some instance of his affability, in which he himself was concerned; then, by an abrupt transition, he would repeat some repartee of Lady T, and mentioned a certain bon mot of the Earl of C———————, which was uttered in his hearing.

Abundance of young men, in this manner, make free with the names, though they have never had access to the persons of the nobility; but this was not the case with Peregrine, who, in consideration of his appearance and supposed fortune, together with the advantage of his introduction, was by this time freely admitted to the tables of the great.

was far advanced; that supper would certainly be over before they could reach her uncle's house; and to propose, that he should wait upon her to some place; where they might be accommodated with a slight refreshment. She was offended at the freedom of this proposal, which, however, she treated as a joke, thanking him for his courteous offer, and assuring him, that when she should be disposed for a tavern treat, he alone should have the honour of bestowing it.

Her kinsman being engaged with company abroad, and her aunt retired to rest, he had the good fortune to enjoy a tete-a-tete with her during a whole hour, which he employed with such consummate skill, that her caution was almost overcome. He not only assailed her with the artillery of sighs, vows, prayers, and tears, but even pawned his honour in behalf of his love. He swore, with many imprecations, that although her heart was surrendered to him at discretion, there was a principle within him, which would never allow him to injure such innocence and beauty; and the transports of his passion had, upon this occasion, so far overshot his purpose, that, if she had demanded an explanation while he was thus agitated, he would have engaged himself to her wish by such ties as he could not break with any regard to his reputation. But from such expostulation she was deterred, partly by pride, and partly by the dread of finding herself mistaken in such an interesting conjecture. She therefore enjoyed the present flattering appearance of her fate, was prevailed upon to accept the jewels, which he purchased with part of his winning at Bath, and, with the most enchanting condescension, submitted to a warm embrace when he took his leave, after having obtained permission to visit her as often as his inclination and convenience would permit.

In his return with Emilia from the opera, though he still maintained the most scrupulous decorum in his behaviour, he plied her with the most passionate expressions of love, In his return to his own lodgings, he was squeezed her hand with great fervency, pro- buoyed up with his success to an extratested that his whole soul was engrossed by vagance of hope, already congratulated himher idea, and that he could not exist inde- self upon his triumph over Emilia's virtue, pendent of her favour. Pleased as she was and began to project future conquests among with his warm and pathetic addresses, to- the most dignified characters of the female gether with the respectful manner of his sex. But his attention was not at all dissimaking love, she yet had prudence and re-pated by these vain reflexions; he resolved solution sufficient to contain her tenderness, which was ready to run over; being fortified against his arts, by reflecting, that, if his aim was honourable, it was now his business to declare it. On this consideration, she refused to make any serious reply to his earnest expostulations, but affected to receive them as the undetermined effusions of gallantry and good breeding.

This fictitious gaiety and good humour, though it baffled his hope of extorting from her an acknowledgment of which he might have taken immediate advantage, nevertheless encouraged him to observe (as the chariot passed along the Strand) that the night

to concentrate the whole exertion of his soul upon the execution of his present plan, desisted, in the mean time, from all other schemes of pleasure, interest, and ambition, and took lodgings in the city, for the more commodious accomplishment of his purpose.

While our lover's imagination was thus agreeably regaled, his mistress did not enjoy her expectations without the intervention of doubts and anxiety. His silence touching the final aim of his addresses, was a mystery on which she was afraid of exercising her sagacity; and her uncle tormented her with inquiries into the circumstances of_Peregrine's professions and deportment. Rather

than give this relation the least cause of | prised of her intention. This billet, subsuspicion, which must have cut off all intercourse betwixt her and her admirer, she said every thing which she thought would satisfy his care and concern for her welfare; and, in consequence of such representation, she enjoyed, without reserve, the company of our adventurer, who prosecuted his plan with surprising eagerness and perseverance.

CHAPTER LXXVI.

He prevails upon Emilia to accompany him to a masquerade, makes a treacherous attempt upon her affection, and meets with a deserved repulse.

scribed your well-wisher and unknown humble servant, had the desired effect upon the careful matron, who, on the ball-day, feigned herself so extremely ill, that miss could not with any decency quit her mamma's apartment; and therefore sent her apology to Emilia in the afternoon, immediately after the arrival of Peregrine, who pretended to be very much afflicted with the disappointment, while his heart throbbed with a transport of joy.

About ten o'clock the lovers set out for the Haymarket, he being dressed in the habit of Pantaloon, and she in that of Columbine; and they had scarce entered the house when the music struck up, the curtain was withdrawn, and the whole scene displayed at once, to the admiration of Emilia, whose expectation was infinitely surpassed by this exhibition. Our gallant having conducted her through all the different apartments, and described the economy of the place, led her into the circle, and, in their turn, they danced several minuets; then going to the side-board, he prevailed upon her to eat some sweetmeats and drink a glass of champaign. After a second review of the company, they engaged in country-dances, at which exercise they continued, until our adventurer concluded that his partner's blood was sufficient

On this supposition, which was built upon her declaring that she was thirsty and fatigued, he persuaded her to take a little refreshment and repose; and, for that purpose, handed her down stairs into the eating-room, where, having seated her on the floor, he presented her with a glass of wine and water; and, as she complained of being faint,

SCARCE a night elapsed in which he did not conduct her to some public entertainment. When, by the dint of his insiduous carriage, he thought himself in full possession of her confidence and affection, he lay in wait for an opportunity; and hearing her observe, in conversation, that she had never been at a masquerade, begged leave to attend her to the next ball; at the same time extending his invitation to the young lady in whose company he had found her at the play, she being present when this subject of discourse was introduced. He had flattered himself, that this gentlewoman would decline the pro-ly warmed for the prosecution of his design. posal, as she was a person seemingly of a demure disposition, who had been born and bred in the city, where such diversions are looked upon as scenes of lewdness and debauchery. For once, however, he reckoned without his host; curiosity is as prevalent in the city as at the court end of the town; Emilia no sooner signified her assent to his proposal, than her friend, with an air of satis-enriched the draught with some drops of a faction, agreed to make one of the party; and he was obliged to thank her for that complaisance which laid him under infinite mortification. He set his genius at work to invent some scheme, for preventing her unseasonable intrusion. Had an opportunity offered, he would have acted as her physician, and administered a medicine that would have laid her under the necessity of staying at home; but his acquaintance with her being too slight to furnish him with the means of executing this expedient, he devised another, which was practised with all imaginable success. Understanding that her grandmother had left her a sum of money independent of her parents, he conveyed a letter to her mother, intimating, that her daughter, on pretence of going to the masquerade, intended to bestow herself in marriage to a certain person; and that in a few days she would be informed of the circumstances of the whole intrigue, provided she would keep this information secret, and contrive some excuse for detaining the young lady at home, without giving her cause to believe she was ap

certain elixir, which he recommended as a most excellent restorative, though it was no other than a stimulating tincture, which he had treacherously provided for the occasion. Having swallowed this potion, by which her spirits were manifestly exhilarated, she ate a slice of ham, with the wing of a cold pullet, and concluded the meal with a glass of Burgundy, which she drank at the earnest entreaty of her admirer. These extraordinary cordials, co-operating with the ferment of her blood, which was heated by violent motion, could not fail to affect the constitution of a delicate young creature, who was naturally sprightly and volatile. Her eyes began to sparkle with unusual fire and vivacity, a thousand brilliant sallies of wit escaped her, and every mask that accosted her underwent some smarting repartee.

Peregrine, overjoyed at the success of his administration, proposed that they should resume their places at the country-dances, with a view to promote and assist the efficacy of his elixir; and, when he thought her disposition was properly adapted for the theme,

began to ply her with all the elocution of | love. In order to elevate his own spirits to that pitch of resolution which his scheme required, he drank two whole bottles of Burgundy, which inflamed his passion to such a degree, that he found himself capable of undertaking and perpetrating any scheme for the gratification of his desire.

obstinately deaf to his entreaties, he assured her, that he would, in a few minutes, comply with her request; and, in the mean time, begged she would fortify herself against the cold with a cordial, which he poured out in her presence, and which (now that her suspicion was aroused) she refused to taste, notwithstanding all his importunities. He then Emilia, warmed by so many concurring fell on his knees before her, and the tears incentives, in favour of the man she loved, gushing from his eyes, swore that his passion abated considerably of her wonted reserve, was wound up to such a pitch of impatience, listened to his protestations with undissem- that he could no longer live upon the unsubbled pleasure, and, in the confidence of her stantial food of expectation; and that, if she satisfaction, even owned him absolute master would not vouchsafe to crown his happiness, of her affections. Ravished with this con- he would forthwith sacrifice himself to her fession, he now deemed himself on the brink disdain. Such an abrupt address, accompaof reaping the delicious fruits of his art and nied with all the symptoms of frantic agitaassiduity; and the morning being already tion, could not fail to perplex and affright pretty far advanced, assented with rapture to the gentle Emilia, who, after some recollecthe first proposal she made of retiring to her tion, replied with a resolute tone, that she lodgings. The blinds of the chariot being could not see what reason he had to compulled up, he took advantage of the favoura- plain of her reserve, which she was not at ble situation of her thoughts; and, on pre-liberty to lay entirely aside, until he should tence of being whimsical, in consequence of have vowed his intentions in form, and obthe wine he had swallowed, clasped her intained, the sanction of those whom it was her his arms, and imprinted a thousand kisses on her pouting lips, a freedom which she pardoned as the privilege of intoxication. While he thus indulged himself with impunity, the carriage halted, and Pipes opening the door, his master handed her into the passage, before she perceived that it was not her uncle's house at which they had alighted.

duty to obey. "Divine creature!" (cried he, seizing her hand, and pressing it to his lips), "It is from you alone I hope for that condescension which would overwhelm me with transports of celestial bliss. The sentiments of parents are sordid, silly, and confined: mean not then to subject my passion to such low restrictions as were calculated Alarmed at this discovery, she, with some for the purposes of common life. My love is confusion, desired to know his reason for too delicate and refined to wear those vulgar conducting her to a strange place at these fetters, which serve only to destroy the merit hours; but he made no reply, until he had of voluntary affection, and to upbraid a man led her into an apartment, then he gave her incessantly with the articles of compulsion, to understand, that, as her uncle's family under which he lies. My dear angel! spare must be disturbed by her going thither so me the mortification of being compelled to late in the night, and the streets near Tem-love you, and reign sole empress of my heart ple-bar were infested by a multitude of robbers and cut-throats, he had ordered his coachman to halt at this house, which was kept by a relation of his, a mighty good sort of a gentlewoman, who would be proud of an opportunity to accommodate a person for whom he was known to entertain such tenderness and esteem.

Emilia had too much penetration to be imposed upon by this plausible pretext; in spite of her partiality for Peregrine, which had never been inflamed to such a pitch of complacency before, she comprehended his whole plan in a twinkling. Though her blood boiled with indignation, she thanked him with an affected air of serenity for his kind concern, and expressed her obligation to his cousin; but, at the same time, insisted upon going home, lest her absence should terrify her uncle and aunt, who, she knew, would not retire to rest till her return.

and fortune. I will not affront you so much as to talk of settlements; my all is at your disposal. In this pocket-book are notes to the amount of two thousand pounds; do me the pleasure to accept of them; to-morrow I will lay ten thousand more in your lap. In a word, you shall be mistress of my whole estate, and I shall think myself happy in living dependent on your bounty!"

Heavens! what were the emotions of the virtuous, the sensible, the delicate, the tender Emilia's heart, when she heard this insolent declaration from the mouth of a man whom she had honoured with her affection and esteem! it was not simply horror, grief, or indignation, that she felt, in consequence of this unworthy treatment, but the united pangs of all together, which produced a sort of hysteric laugh, while she told him that she could not help admiring his generosity.

Deceived by this convulsion, and the iroHe urged her, with a thousand remon-nical compliment that attended it, the lover strances, to consult her own ease and safety, thought he had already made great progress promising to send Pipes into the city, for the in his operations, and that it was now his satisfaction of her relations; but, finding her business to storm the fort by a vigorous as

of passion overblown, and perceiving that the paroxysm seemed rather to increase, very prudently sent for a physician of his master's acquaintance, who, having considered the circumstances and symptoms of the disorder, directed that he should be plentifully blooded without loss of time, and prescribed a draught to compose the tumult of his spirits. These orders being punctually performed, he grew more calm and tractable, recovered his reflection so far as to be ashamed of the ecstasy he had undergone,

sault, that he might spare her the confusion | vinced the people of the house (a certain bagof yielding without resistance. Possessed nio) that he had actually lost his wits. Pipes, by this vain suggestion, he started up, and with great concern, adopted the same opifolding her in his arms, began to obey the nion; and, being assisted by the waiters, furious dictates of his unruly and ungenerous hindered him, by main force, from running desire. With an air of cool determination, out and pursuing the fair fugitive, whom, in she demanded a parley; and when, upon her his delirium, he alternately cursed and comrepeated request, he granted it, addressed mended, with horrid imprecations and lavish herself to him in these words, while her eyes applause. His faithful valet, having waited gleamed with all the dignity of the most aw-two whole hours, in hopes of seeing this gust ful resentment:-"Sir, I scorn to upbraid you with a repetition of your former vows and protestations, nor will I recapitulate the little arts you have practised to ensnare my heart; because, though, by dint of the most perfidious dissimulation, you have found means to deceive my opinion, your utmost efforts have never been able to lull the vigilance of my conduct, or to engage my affection beyond the power of discarding you without a tear, whenever my honour should demand such a sacrifice. Sir, you are unworthy of my concern or regret, and the sigh which now strug-suffered himself quietly to be undressed and gles from my breast, is the result of sorrow for my own want of discernment. As for your present attempt upon my chastity, I despise your power, as I detest your intention. Though, under the mask of the most delicate respect, you have decoyed me from the immediate protection of my friends, and contrived other impious stratagems to ruin my peace and reputation, I confide too much in my own innocence, and the authority of the law, to admit one thought of fear, much less to sink under the horror of this shocking situation, into which I have been seduced. Sir, your behaviour on this occasion is, in all respects, low and contemptible: for, ruffian as you are, you durst not harbour the thought of executing your execrable scheme, while you knew my brother was near enough to prevent or revenge the insult: so that you must not only be a treacherous villain, but also a most despicable coward." Having expressed herself in this manner, with a most majestic severity of aspect, she opened the door, and, walking down stairs with surprising resolution, committed herself to the care of a watchman, who accommodated her with a hackney chair, in which she was safely conveyed to her uncle's house.

put to bed, where the fatigue, occasioned by his exercise at the masquerade, co-operated with the present disposition of his spirits to lull him into a profound sleep, which greatly tended to the preservation of his intellects. Not that he found himself in a state of perfect tranquillity when he awaked about noon. The remembrance of what had passed overwhelmed him with mortification. Emilia's invectives still sounded in his ears; and, while he deeply resented her disdain, he could not help admiring her spirit, and his heart did homage to her charms.

CHAPTER LXXVII.

He endeavours to reconcile himself to his mistress, and expostulates with the uncle, who forbids him the house.

In this state of division, he went home to his own lodgings in a chair; and while he deliberated with himself whether he should relinquish the pursuit, and endeavour to banish her idea from his breast, or go immediately and humble himself before his exasperated mistress, and offer his hand as an atonement for his crime, his servant put into his hand a packet, which had been delivered by a ticket-porter at the door. He no sooner perceived that the superscription was in Emilia's hand-writing, than he guessed the nature of the contents; and opening the seal with disordered eagerness, found the jewels he had given to her, inclosed in a billet, couched in these words:

Meanwhile, the lover was so confounded and overawed by these cutting reproaches, and her animated behaviour, that all his resolution forsook him, and he found himself not only incapable of obstructing her retreat, but even of uttering one syllable to deprecate her wrath, or extenuate the guilt of his own conduct. The nature of his disappointment, and the keen remorse that seized him, when he reflected upon the dishonourable footing on “That I may have no cause to reproach which his character stood with Emilia, raised myself with having retained the least memosuch perturbation in his mind, that his silencerial of a wretch whom I equally despise and was succeeded by a violent fit of distraction, during which he raved like a bedlamite, and acted a thousand extravagancies, which con

abhor, I take this opportunity of restoring these ineffectual instruments of his infamous design upon the honour of EMILIA."

His chagrin was so much galled and inflamed at the bitterness of this contemptuous message, that he gnawed his fingers till the blood ran over his nails, and even wept with vexation. Sometimes he vowed revenge against her haughty virtue, and reviled himself for his precipitate declaration, before his scheme was brought to maturity; then he would consider her behaviour with reverence and regard, and bow before the irresistible power of her attractions. In short, his breast was torn by conflicting passions; love, shame, and remorse, contended with vanity, ambition, and revenge; and the superiority was still doubtful, when headstrong desire inter-ceived him with such coldness of civility, as posed, and decided in favour of an attempt towards a reconciliation with the offended 'fair.