as heartily rejoiced at the occasion.

CHAPTER CIV.

Peregrine holds a Consultation with his Friends, in consequence of
which he bids Adieu to the Fleet--He arrives at his Father's House, and
asserts his Right of Inheritance.

Nor did our hero keep the misanthrope in ignorance of this happy turn of
fortune. Pipes was despatched to the senior, with a message requesting
his immediate presence; and he accordingly appeared, in obedience to the
summons, growling with discontent for having been deprived of several
hours of his natural rest. His mouth was immediately stopped with the
letter, at which he "smiled horribly a ghastly grin;" and, after a
compliment of gratulation, they entered into close divan, about the
measures to be taken in consequence of this event.

There was no room for much debate. It was unanimously agreed that Pickle
should set out with all possible despatch for the garrison, to which
Gauntlet and Hatchway resolved to attend him. Pipes was accordingly
ordered to prepare a couple of post-chaises, while Godfrey went to
procure bail for his friend, and provide them with money for the expense
of the expedition; but not before he was desired by Peregrine to
conceal this piece of news from his sister, that our youth might have
an opportunity to surprise her in a more interesting manner, after he
should have settled his affairs.

All these previous steps being taken, in less than an hour our hero took
his leave of the Fleet, after he had left twenty guineas with the warden
for the relief of the poor prisoners, a great number of whom conveyed
him to the gate, pouring forth prayers for his long life and prosperity;
and he took the road to the garrison, in the most elevated transports of
joy, unallayed with the least mixture of grief at the death of a parent
whose paternal tenderness he had never known. His breast was absolutely
a stranger to that boasted storm, or instinct of affection, by which
the charities are supposed to subsist.

Of all the journeys he had ever made, this, sure, was the most
delightful. He felt all the ecstasy that must naturally be produced in a
young man of his imagination, from such a sudden transition in point of
circumstance, he found himself delivered from confinement and disgrace,
without being obliged to any person upon earth for his deliverance; he
had it now in his power to retort the contempt of the world in a manner
suited to his most sanguine wish; he was reconcil