the
pleasure of seeing himself so well received in quality of a particular
acquaintance, that he flattered himself with the belief of his having
made some progress in her heart; and was confirmed in this conceited
notion by the assurances of her woman, whom, by liberal largesses, he
retained in his interest, because she found means to persuade him
that she was in the confidence of her lady. But, notwithstanding this
encouragement, and the sanguine suggestions of his own vanity, he
dreaded the thoughts of exposing himself to her ridicule and resentment
by a premature declaration and determined to postpone his addresses,
until he should be more certified of the probability of succeeding in
his attempt.

While he remained in this hesitation and suspense, he was one morning
very agreeably surprised with the appearance of his friend Crabtree,
who, by the permission of Pipes, to whom he was well known, entered his
chamber before he was awake, and, by a violent shake of the shoulder,
disengaged him from the arms of sleep. The first compliments having
mutually passed, Cadwallader gave him to understand, that he had arrived
in town overnight in the stage-coach from Bath, and entertained him with
such a ludicrous account of his fellow-travellers, that Peregrine, for
the first time since their parting, indulged himself in mirth, even to
the hazard of suffocation.

Crabtree, having rehearsed these adventures, in such a peculiarity of
manner as added infinite ridicule to every circumstance, and repeated
every scandalous report which had circulated at Bath, after Peregrine's
departure, was informed by the youth, that he harboured a design upon
the person of such a duchess, and in all appearance had no reason to
complain of his reception; but that he would not venture to declare
himself, until he should be more ascertained of her sentiments; and
therefore he begged leave to depend upon the intelligence of his friend
Cadwallader, who, he knew, was admitted to her parties.

The misanthrope, before he would promise his assistance, asked if his
prospect verged towards matrimony; and our adventurer, who guessed the
meaning of his question, replying in the negative, he undertook the
office of reconnoitring her inclination, protesting at the same time,
that he would never concern himself in any scheme that did not tend
to the disgrace and deception of all the sex. On these conditions he
espoused the interest of our hero; and a plan was i