finances were consumed; and, as he could not stoop to ask an extraordinary supply, was too proud to borrow, and too haughty to run in debt with tradesmen, he devoted those periods of poverty to the prosecution of his studies, and shone forth again at the revolution of quarter-day. entered into conversation with the other; and, in order to favour his friend's gallantry, conducted her into the next apartment, on pretence of entertaining her with the sight of a remarkable piece of painting. Peregrine, laying hold of this opportunity of being alone with the object of his love, In one of these irruptions, he and some of assumed a most seducing tenderness of his companions went to Windsor, in order look, and, heaving a profound sigh, asked if to see the royal apartments in the castle, she had utterly discarded him from her rewhither they repaired in the afternoon; and, membrance. Reddening at this pathetic as Peregrine stood contemplating the picture question, which recalled the memory of the of Hercules and Omphale, one of his fellow-imagined slight he had put upon her, she anstudents whispered in his ear, "Zounds! swered, in great confusion, Sir, I believe Pickle, there are two fine girls." He turned I once had the pleasure of seeing you at a instantly about, and, in one of them recog-ball in Winchester." "Miss Emilia," said nised his almost forgotten Emilia: her ap- he, very gravely, "will you be so candid as to pearance acted upon his imagination like a tell me what misbehaviour of mine you are spark of fire that falls among gunpowder; pleased to punish, by restricting your rememthat passion which had lain dormant for the brance to that single occasion ?" "Mr space of two years flashed up in a moment, Pickle," she replied, in the same tone, "it is and he was seized with an universal trepi- neither my province nor inclination to judge dation. She perceived and partook of his your conduct; and therefore you misapply emotion; for their souls, like unisons, vi- your question, when you ask such an explabrated with the same impulse. However, nation of me." "At least," resumed our she called her pride and resentment to her lover, "give me the melancholy satisfaction aid, and found resolution enough to retire to know for what offence of mine you refusfrom such a dangerous scene. Alarmed at ed to take the least notice of that letter her retreat, he recollected all his assurance, which I had the honour to write from Winand, impelled by love, which he could no chester, by your own express permission." longer resist, followed her into the next "Your letter," said miss, with great vivacity, room, where, in the most disconcerted man- "neither required nor in my opinion deserved ner, he accosted her with " Your humble an answer; and, to be free with you, Mr Pickle, servant, Miss Gauntlet;" to which saluta- it was but a shallow artifice to rid yourself of tion she replied, with an affectation of indif- a correspondence you had deigned to solicit." ference, that did not, however, conceal her Peregrine, confounded at this repartee, reagitation, "Your servant, Sir;" and imme-plied, that, howsoever he might have failed diately extending her finger towards the pic-in point of elegance or discretion, he was ture of Duns Scotus, which is fixed over one sure he had not been deficient in expressions of the doors, asked her companion, in a gig. of respect and devotion for those charms gling tone, if she did not think he looked like which it was his pride to adore: "As for a conjuror? Peregrine, nettled into spirits the verses," said he, "I own they were unby this reception, answered for the other worthy of the theme, but I flattered myself lady,-"That it was an easy matter to be a that they would have merited your accepconjuror in those times, when the simplicity tance, though not your approbation, and beof the age assisted his divination; but, were ing considered not so much the proof of my he, or Merlin himself, to rise from the dead genius, as the genuine effusion of my love." now, when such deceit and dissimulation" Verses!" cried Emilia, with an air of asprevail, they would not be able to earn their tonishment, "what verses? I really don't bread by the profession." "O, Sir," (said she, understand you." The young gentleman was turning full upon him), " without doubt they thunderstruck at this exclamation, to which, would adopt new maxims; 'tis no disparage-after a long pause, he answered," I begin ment in this enlightened age for one to alter one's opinion." "No, sure, madam," (replied the youth with some precipitation,) "provided the change be for the better." "And, should it happen otherwise" (retorted the nymph, with a flirt of her fan), "inconstancy will never want countenance from the practice of mankind." "True, madam," (resumed our hero, fixing his eyes upon her), "examples of levity are every where to be met with." "O Lord, Sir," (cried Emilia, tossing her head,) "you'll scarce ever find a fop without it." By this time his companion, seeing him engaged with one of the ladies, to suspect, and heartily wish it may appear, that we have misunderstood each other from the beginning. Pray, Miss Gauntlet, did you not find a copy of verses inclosed in that unfortunate letter?" "Truly, Sir," said the lady, "I am not so much of a connoisseur, as to distinguish whether that facetious production, which you merrily style an unfortunate letter, was composed in verse or prose; but, methinks, the jest is a little too stale to be brought upon the carpet again." So saying, she tripped away to her companion, and left her lover in a most tumultuous suspense. He now perceived that her ne glect of his addresses, when he was at Winchester, must have been owing to some mystery which he could not comprehend: and she began to suspect, and to hope, that the letter she received was spurious, though she could not conceive how that could possibly happen, as it had been delivered to her by the hands of his own servant. However, she resolved to leave the task of unravelling the affair to him, who, she knew, would infallibly exert himself for his own, as well as her satisfaction. She was not deceived in her opinion: he went up to her again at the staircase, and, as they were unprovided with a male attendant, insisted upon squiring the ladies to their lodgings. Emilia saw his drift, which was no other than to know where she lived: and, though she approved of his contrivance, thought it was incumbent upon her, for the support of her own dignity, to decline the civility: she therefore thanked him for his polite offer, but would by no means consent to his giving himself such unnecessary trouble, especially as they had but a very little way to walk. He was not repulsed by this refusal, the nature of which he perfectly understood; nor was she sorry to see him persevere in his determination: he therefore accompanied them in their return, and made divers efforts to speak with Emilia in particular. But she had a spice of the coquette in her disposition, and, being determined to whet his impatience, artfully baffled all his endeavours, by keeping her companion continually engaged in the conversation, which turned upon the venerable appearance and imperial situation of the place. Thus tantalized, he lounged with them to the door of the house in which they lodged, when his mistress, perceiving by the countenance of her comrade that she was on the point of desiring him to walk in, checked her intention with a frown; then turning to Mr Pickle, dropped him a very formal curt'sey, seized the other young lady by the arm, and saying, "Come, cousin Sophy," vanished in a moment. CHAPTER XXIII. After sundry unsuccessful efforts, he finds means to come to an explanation with his mistress-and a reconciliation ensues. PEREGRINE, disconcerted at their sudden disappearance, stood for some minutes gaping in the street, before he could get the better of his surprise: and then deliberated with himself whether he should demand immediate admittance to his mistress, or choose some other method of application. Piqued at her abrupt behaviour, though pleased with her spirit, he set his invention to work, in order to contrive some means of seeing her; and, in a fit of musing, arrived at the inn, where he found his companions, whom he had left at the castle gate. They had already made inquiry about the ladies, in consequence of which he learned that Miss Sophy was the daughter of a gentleman in town, to whom his mistress was related; that an intimate friendship subsisted between the two young ladies; that Emilia had lived about a month with her cousin, and appeared at the last assembly, where she was universally admired; and that several young gentlemen of fortune had, since that time, teased her with addresses. Our hero's ambition was flattered, and his passion inflamed with this intelligence; and he swore within himself, that he would not quit the spot until he should have obtained an undisputed victory over all his rivals. That same evening he composed a most eloquent epistle, in which he earnestly entreated that she would favour him with an opportunity of vindicating his conduct; but she would neither receive his billet nor see his messenger. Baulked in this effort, he inclosed it in a new cover, directed by another hand, and ordered Pipes to ride next morning to London, on purpose to deliver it at the post-office, that, coming by such conveyance, she might have no suspicion of the author, and open it before she should be aware of the deceit. Three days he waited patiently for the effect of this stratagem, and, in the afternoon of the fourth, ventured to hazard a formal visit, in quality of an old acquaintance. But here too he failed in his attempt; she was indisposed, and could not see company. These obstacles served only to increase his eagerness; he still adhered to his former resolution; and his companions, understanding his determination, left him next day to his own inventions. Thus relinquished to his own ideas, he doubled his assiduity, and practised every method his imagination could suggest, in order to promote his plan. Pipes was stationed all day long within sight of her door, that he might be able to give his master an account of her motions; but she never went abroad, except to visit in the neighbourhood, and was always housed before Peregrine could be apprized of her appearance. He went to church with a view of attracting her notice, and humbled his deportment before her; but she was so mischievously devout as to look at nothing but her book, so that he was not favoured with one glance of regard. He frequented the coffee-house, and attempted to contract an acquaintance with Miss Sophy's father, who, he hoped, would invite him to his house; but this expectation was also defeated. That prudent gentleman looked upon him as one of those forward fortune-hunters who go about the country seeking whom they may devour, and warily discouraged all his advances. Chagrined by so many unsuccessful endeavours, he began to despair of accomplishing his aim: and, as the last suggestion of his art, paid off his lodging, took horse at noon, and departed, in all appearance, for the place from whence he had come. He rode, however, but a few miles, and, in the dusk of the evening, returned unseen, alighted at another inn, ordered Pipes to stay within doors, and keeping himself incognito, employed another person as a centinel upon Emilia. It was not long before he reaped the fruits of his ingenuity. Next day in the afternoon he was informed by his spy, that the two young ladies were gone to walk in the park, whither he followed them on the instant, fully determined to come to an explanation with his mistress, even in presence of her friend, who might possibly be prevailed upon to interest herself in his behalf. of good nature, and to whom her cousin had communicated the cause of her reserve, seeing the young gentleman so much affected with that disdain, which she knew to be feigned, laid hold on Emilia's sleeve, saying, with a smile,-" Not quite so fast, Emilia, I begin to perceive that this is a love quarrel, and therefore there may be hopes of a reconciliation; for I suppose both parties are open to conviction." "For my own part," cried Peregrine, with great eagerness, "I appeal to Miss Sophy's decision;-but why do I say appeal? Though I am conscious of having committed no offence, I am ready to submit to any penance, let it be ever so rigorous, that my fair enslaver herself shall impose, provided it will entitle me to her favour and forgiveness at last." Emily, well nigh overcome by this declaration, told him, that, as she taxed him with no guilt, she expected no atonement; and pressed her companion to return into town. But Sophy, who was too indulgent to her friend's real inclination to comply with her request, observed, that the gentleman seemed so reasonable in his concessions, she began to think her cousin was in the wrong, and felt herself disposed to act as umpire in the dispute. Overjoyed at this condescension, Mr Pickle thanked her in the most rapturous terms, and, in the transport of his expectation, kissed the hand of his kind mediatrix; a circumstance which had a remarkable effect on the countenance of Emilia, who did not seem to relish the warmth of his acknowledgment. When he saw them at such a distance that they could not return to town before he should have an opportunity of putting his resolution in practice, he mended his pace, and found means to appear before them so suddenly, that Emilia could not help expressing her surprise in a scream. Our lover, putting on a mien of humility and mortification, begged to know if her resentment was implacable; and asked why she had so cruelly refused to grant him the common privilege that every criminal enjoyed. "Dear Miss Sophy," said he, addressing himself to her companion, "give me leave to implore your intercession with your cousin; I am sure you have humanity enough to espouse my cause, did you but know the justice of it; and I flatter my- After many supplications on one hand, and self, that by your kind interposition, I may pressing remonstrances on the other, she be able to rectify that fatal misunderstanding yielded at length, and, turning to her lover, which hath made me wretched." "Sir," while her face was overspread with blushes, said Sophy, "you appear like a gentleman," Well, sir," said she, "supposing I were to and I doubt not but your behaviour has been always suitable to your appearance; but you must excuse me from undertaking any such office in behalf of a person whom I have not the honour to know." 66 Madam," answered Peregrine, "I hope Miss Emy will justify my pretensions to that character, notwithstanding the mystery of her displeasure, which, upon my honour, I cannot for my soul explain." "Lord! Mr Pickle," said Emilia, who had by this time recollected herself, "I never questioned your gallantry and taste, but I am resolved that you never shall have cause to exercise your talents at my expense; so that you tease yourself and me to no purpose; come, Sophy, let us walk home again." "Good God! madam," cried the lover, with great emotion, "why will you distract me with such indifference? stay, dear Emilia! I conjure you on my knees to stay and hear me: by all that is sacred, I was not to blame! you must have been imposed upon by some villain who envied my good fortune, and took some treacherous method to ruin my love." Miss Sophy, who possessed a large stock put the difference on that issue, how could you excuse the ridiculous letter which you sent to me from Winchester?" This expostulation introduced a discussion of the whole affair, in which all the circumstances were canvassed; and Emilia still affirmed, with great heat, that the letter must have been calculated to affront her; for she could not suppose the author was so weak as to design it for any other purpose. Peregrine, who still retained in his memory the substance of his unlucky epistle, as well as the verses which were inclosed, could recollect no particular expression which could have justly given the least umbrage; and therefore, in the agonies of perplexity, begged that the whole might be submitted to the judgment of Miss Sophy, and faithfully promised to stand to her award. In short, this proposal was, with seeming reluctance, embraced by Emilia, and an appointment made to meet next day in the same place, whither both parties were desired to come, provided with their credentials, according to which definitive sentence would be pronounced. Our lover having succeeded thus far, over- | that instant prevailed in the breasts of both. whelmed Sophy with acknowledgments on The judge, however, in a little time resumed account of her generous mediation, and, in her solemnity, and having read the remainthe course of their walk, which Emily was now ing part of this curious epistle, all three conin no hurry to conclude, whispered a great tinued staring at each other alternately for many tender protestations in the ear of his the space of half a minute, and then broke mistress, who nevertheless continued to act forth at the same instant into another parupon the reserve until her doubts should be oxysm of mirth. From this unanimous conmore fully resolved. vulsion, one would have thought that both parties were extremely well pleased with the joke; yet this was by no means the case. Mr Pickle having found means to amuse them in the fields till the twilight, was obliged to wish them a good even, after having obtained a solemn repetition of their promise to meet him at the appointed time and place; and then retreated to his apartment, where he spent the whole night in various conjectures on the subject of this letter, the gordian knot of which he could by no means untie. One while he imagined that some wag had played a trick upon his messenger, in consequence of which Emilia received a suppositious letter; but, upon farther reflection, he could not conceive the practicability of any such deceit. Then he began to doubt the sincerity of his mistress, who, perhaps, had only made that an handle for discarding him, at the request of some favoured rival; but his own integrity forbade him to harbour this mean suspicion; and therefore he was again involved in the labyrinth of perplexity. Emilia imagined, that, notwithstanding his affected surprise, her lover, in spite of himself, had renewed the laugh at her expense, and, in so doing, applauded his own unmannerly ridicule. This supposition could not fail of raising and reviving her indignation, while Peregrine highly resented the indignity with which he supposed himself treated, in her attempting to make him the dupe of such a gross and ludicrous artifice. This being the situation of their thoughts, their mirth was succeeded by a mutual gloominess of aspect; and the judge, addressing herself to Mr Pickle, asked if he had any thing to offer why sentence should not be pronounced. Madam," answered the culprit, "I am sorry to find myself so low in the opinion of your cousin, as to be thought capable of being deceived by such a shallow contrivance." "Nay, Sir," said Emilia, "the contrivance is your own; and I cannot help admiring your confidence in imputing it to me." Upon my honour, Miss Emily," resumed our hero, " 'you wrong my understanding as well as my love, in accusing me of having written such a silly, impertinent performance, the very ap 66 Next day he waited on the rack of impatience for the hour of five in the afternoon, which no sooner struck, than he ordered Pipes to attend him, in case there should be occasion for his evidence, and repaired to the place of rendezvous, where he had not tarried five minutes before the ladies appear-pearance and address of it is so unlike the ed. Mutual compliments being past, and letter which I did myself the honour to write, the attendant stationed at a convenient dis- that I dare say my man, even at this distance tance, Peregrine persuaded them to sit down of time, will remember the difference." So upon the grass; under the shade of a spread- saying he extended his voice, and beckoned ing oak, that they might be more at their to Pipes, who immediately drew near. His ease; while he stretched himself at their feet, mistress seemed to object to the evidence, by and desired that the paper on which his doom observing that, to be sure, Mr Pipes had his depended might be examined. It was ac- cue; when Peregrine begging she would spare cordingly put into the hands of his fair arbi- him the mortification of considering him in tress, who read it immediately with an audi- such a dishonourable light, desired his valet ble voice. The first two words of it were to examine the outside of the letter, and recolno sooner pronounced, than he started with lect if it was the same which he delivered to great emotion, and raised himself on his Miss Gauntlet about two years ago. Pipes hand and knee, in which posture he listened having taken a superficial view of it, pulled up to the rest of the sentence; then sprung upon his breeches, saying, "Mayhap it is, but we his feet in the utmost astonishment, and, have so many trips, and been in so many glowing with resentment at the same time, creeks and corners since that time, that I can't exclaimed, "Hell and the devil! what's all pretend to be certain; for I neither keep jourthat? sure you make a jest of me, madam." nal nor logbook of our proceedings." Emilia "Pray, sir," said Sophy, "give me the hear-commended him for his candour, at the same ing for a few moments, and then urge what you shall think proper in your own defence." Having thus cautioned him, she proceeded: but before she had finished one half of the performance, her gravity forsook her, and she was seized with a violent fit of laughter, in which neither of the lovers could help joining, notwithstanding the resentment which at time darting a sarcastic look at his master, as if she thought he had tampered with his servant's integrity in vain; and Peregrine began to rave and to curse his fate for having subjected him to such mean suspicion, attesting heaven and earth in the most earnest manner, that, far from having composed and conveyed that stupid production, he had never This seen it before, nor been privy to the least | ed, in expectation of his request. By this circumstance of the plan. connexion he would be entitled to visit her next day, and thus an avowed correspondence would of course commence. plan was actually put in execution, and attended with a circumstance which had well nigh produced some mischievous consequence, had not Peregrine's good fortune been superior to his discretion. Pipes, now, for the first time, perceived the mischief which he had occasioned, and, moved with the transports of his master, for whom he had a most inviolable attachment, frankly declared that he was ready to make oath that Mr Pickle had no hand in the letter which he delivered. All three were amazed at this confession, the meaning of which they could not comprehend. Peregrine, after some pause, leaped upon Pipes, and seizing him by the throat, exclaimed, in an ecstasy of rage, "Rascal! tell me this instant what became of the letter I entrusted to your care." 66 The patient valet, half strangled as he was, squirted a collection of tobaccojuice out of one corner of his mouth, and with great deliberation replied, Why,burnt it; you wouldn't have me give the young woman a thing that shook all in the wind in tatters, would you?" The ladies interposed in behalf of the distressed squire, from whom, by dint of questions, which he had neither art nor inclination to evade, they extorted an explanation of the whole affair. Such ridiculous simplicity and innocence of intention appeared in the composition of his expedient, that even the remembrance of all the chagrin which it had produced could not rouse their indignation, or enable them to resist a third eruption of laughter, which they forthwith underwent. CHAPTER XXIV. He achieves an adventure at the assembly, and quarrels with his governor. Ar the assembly were no fewer than three gentlemen of fortune, who rivalled our lover in his passion for Emilia, and who had severally begged the honour of dancing with her upon that occasion. She had excused herself to each, on pretence of a slight indisposition that she foresaw would detain her from the ball, and desired they would provide themselves with other partners. Obliged to admit her excuse, they accordingly followed her advice; and after they had engaged themselves beyond the power of retracting, had the mortification to see her there unclaimed. They in their turn made up to her, and expressed their surprise and concern at finding her in the assembly unprovided, after she had declined their invitation; but she told them that her cold had forsaken her since she had the pleasure of seeing them, and that she would rely upon accident for a partner. Just as she pronounced these words to the last of the three, Peregrine ad Pipes was dismissed with many menacing injunctions to beware of such conduct for the future; Emilia stood with a confusion of joy and tenderness in her countenance; Peregrine's eyes kindled into rapture, and when Miss Sophy pronounced the sentence of reconciliation, advanced to his mistress, say-vanced as an utter stranger, bowed with ing, "truth is mighty and will prevail;" then clasping her in his arms, very impudently ravished a kiss, which she had not power to refuse. Nay, such was the impulse of his joy, that he took the same freedom with the lips of Sophy, calling her his kind mediatrix and guardian angel, and behaved with such extravagance of transport as plainly evinced the fervour and sincerity of his love. great respect, told her he understood she was unengaged, and would think himself highly honoured in being accepted as her partner for the night; and he had the good fortune to succeed in his application. As they were by far the handsomest and best accomplished couple in the room, they could not fail of attracting the notice and admiration of the spectators which inflamed I shall not pretend to repeat the tender the jealousy of his three competitors, who protestations that were uttered on one side, immediately entered into a conspiracy against or describe the bewitching glances of appro- this gaudy stranger, whom, as their rival, bation with which they were received on the they resolved to affront in public. Pursuant other suffice it to say, that the endearing to the plan which they projected for this intimacy of their former connexion was in- purpose, the first country dance was no stantly renewed, and Sophy, who congratu- sooner concluded, than one of them, with his lated them upon the happy termination of partner, took place of Peregrine and his their quarrel, favoured with their mutual mistress, contrary to the regulation of the confidence. In consequence of this happy ball. Our lover, imputing his behaviour to pacification, they deliberated upon the means inadvertency, informed the gentleman of his of seeing each other often; and as he could mistake, and civilly desired he would rectify not, without some previous introduction, visit his error. The other told him, in an impeher openly at the house of her relation, they rious tone, that he wanted none of his adagreed to meet every afternoon in the park, vice, and bade him mind his own affairs. till the next assembly, at which he would Peregrine answered with some warmth, and solicit her as a partner, and she be unengag-insisted upon his right; a dispute com |