rrison with these sentiments, Gauntlet, in a
suspense between anger, shame, and concern, returned to the house of his
father-in-law, where he found his sister still violently agitated
from the news of Peregrine's death; the mystery of which he forthwith
unravelled, recounting at the same time the particulars of the
conversation which had happened at the inn, and describing the demeanour
of Pickle with some expressions of asperity, which were neither
agreeable to Emilia, nor approved by the gentle Sophy, who tenderly chid
him, for allowing Peregrine to depart in terms of misunderstanding.

CHAPTER LXXXVII.

Peregrine sets out for the Garrison, and meets with a Nymph of the Road,
whom he takes into Keeping, and metamorphoses into a fine Lady.

In the meantime, our hero jogged along in a profound reverie, which
was disturbed by a beggar-woman and her daughter, who solicited him
for alms, as he passed them on the road. The girl was about the age
of sixteen, and, notwithstanding the wretched equipage in which she
appeared, exhibited to his view a set of agreeable features, enlivened
with the complexion of health and cheerfulness. The resolution I have
already mentioned was still warm in his imagination; and he looked upon
this young mendicant as a very proper object for the performance of his
vow. He, therefore, entered into a conference with the mother, and for
a small sum of money purchased her property in the wench, who did not
require much courtship and entreaty, before she consented to accompany
him to any place that he should appoint for her habitation.

This contract being settled to his satisfaction, he ordered Pipes to
seat his acquisition behind him upon the crupper, and, alighting at the
first public-house which they found upon the road, he wrote a letter to
Hatchway, desiring him to receive this hedge inamorata, and direct her
to be cleaned and clothed in a decent manner, with all expedition, so
that she should be touchable upon his arrival, which, on that account,
he would defer for the space of one day. This billet, together with
the girl, he committed to the charge of Pipes, after having laid strong
injunctions upon him to abstain from all attempts upon her chastity,
and ordered him to make the best of his way to the garrison, while he
himself crossed the country to a market town, where he proposed to spend
the night.

Tom, thus cautioned, proceeded with his charge, and, being naturally
taciturn