masts of his
heart, and out with his rejoicing pendants; for as to Miss Emily, he
had clapped her helm aweather, the vessel wore, and now she was upon the
other tack, standing right into the harbour of his good-will. Peregrine,
who was not yet a connoisseur in the terms of his lacquey, commanded
him, upon pain of his displeasure, to be more explicit in his
intelligence; and by dint of divers questions, obtained a perfect
knowledge of the scheme which he had put in execution for his service.
This information perplexed him not a little; he would have chastised
his servant upon the spot for his temerity, had he not plainly perceived
that the fellow's intention was to promote his case and satisfaction;
and, on the other hand, he knew not how to acquit himself of the
suspicion which he saw Godfrey entertain of his being the projector of
the plan, without condescending to an explanation, which his present
disposition could not brook. After some pause, however, turning to Pipes
with a severe frown, "Rascal!" said he, "this is the second time I have
suffered in the opinion of that lady, by your ignorance and presumption;
if ever you intermeddle in my affairs for the future, without express
order and direction, by all that's sacred, I will put you to death
without mercy! Away, and let my horse be saddled this instant."

Pipes having withdrawn, in order to perform this piece of duty, our
young gentleman, addressing himself again to the soldier, and laying
his hand upon his breast, said, with a solemnity of regard, "Captain
Gauntlet, upon my honour, I am altogether innocent of that shallow
device which you impute to my invention; and I don't think you do
justice either to my intellect or honour, in supposing me capable of
such insolent absurdity. As for your sister, I have once in my life
affronted her in the madness and impetuosity of desire; but I have made
such acknowledgments, and offered such atonement, as few women of her
sphere would have refused; and before God I am determined to endure
every torment of disappointment and despair, rather than prostrate
myself again to the cruelty of her unjustifiable pride." So saying, he
stalked suddenly down-stairs, and took horse immediately, his spirits
being supported by resentment, which prompted him to vow within himself,
that he would seek consolation for the disdain of Emilia, in the
possession of the first willing wench he should meet upon the road.

While he set out for the ga