In this condition he was found by his friend, who, seeing him withdraw
with such symptoms of disorder, followed him thither; and, when he
recovered the use of his faculties, pressed him to make use of a bed in
that house, rather than expose himself in the night air, by going home
to his own lodgings; but not being able to prevail upon him to accept
the offer, he wrapped him up in a cloak, and, conducting him to the
inn where he lodged, helped him to undress and go to bed, where he was
immediately seized with a violent fit of the ague. Godfrey behaved with
great tenderness, and would have actually borne him company all night,
notwithstanding the circumstances of his own situation, had not his
friend insisted upon his returning to the company, and making his
apology to his partner for his sudden departure. This was a step
absolutely necessary towards maintaining the quiet of the assembly,
which he found in great consternation, occasioned by his absence; for
some of the ladies, seeing the bridegroom follow the stranger in his
retreat, the meaning of which they did not comprehend, began to be
afraid of a quarrel. Emilia, upon pretence of that supposition, was so
much alarmed, that she could not stand, and was fain to have recourse to
a smelling-bottle.

The bride, who understood the whole mystery, was the only person that
acted with deliberation and composure; she imputed Emilia's disorder to
the right cause, which was no other than concern for the condition of
her lover, and assured the ladies there was nothing extraordinary in Mr.
Pickle's going off, he being subject to fainting fits, by which he was
often overtaken without any previous notice. The arrival of Gauntlet
confirmed the truth of this declaration. He made an apology to the
company in the name of his friend, who, he told them, was suddenly
taken ill; and they returned to their diversion of dancing, with this
variation: Emilia was so disordered and fatigued, that she begged to
be excused from continuing the exercise; and Peregrine's partner
being disengaged, was paired with the young officer, for whom she
was originally designed. Meanwhile, the bride withdrew into another
apartment with her sister, and expostulated with her upon her cruelty
to Mr. Pickle, assuring her, from Godfrey's information, that he had
undergone a severe fit on her account, which, in all likelihood
would have a dangerous effect upon his constitution. Though Emily was
inflexible in her answ