licious armful, and, saluting Mrs. Gauntlet, asked pardon for his
neglect; observing that such rudeness was excusable, considering the
long and unhappy exile which he had suffered from the jewel of his
soul. Then turning to Emilia, "I am come, madam," said he, "to claim
the performance of your promise, which I can produce under your own
fair hand. You may, therefore, lay aside all superfluous ceremony and
shyness, and crown my happiness without further delay; for, upon my
soul! my thoughts are wound up to the last pitch of expectation, and
I shall certainly run distracted, if I am doomed to any term of
probation."

His mistress having by this time recollected herself, replied, with a
most exhilarating smile, "I ought to punish you for your obstinacy
with the mortification of a twelvemonth's trial; but it is dangerous to
tamper with an admirer of your disposition, and therefore, I think, I
must make sure of you while it is in my power."--"You are willing
then to take me for better, for worse, in presence of heaven and these
witnesses?" cried Peregrine kneeling, and applying her hand to his lips.
At this interrogation, her features softened into an amazing expression
of condescending love; and, while she darted a side glance that thrilled
to his marrow, and heaved a sigh more soft than Zephyr's balmy wing, her
answer was, "Why--ay--and heaven grant me patience to bear the humours
of such a yoke-fellow."--"And may the same powers," replied the youth,
"grant me life and opportunity to manifest the immensity of my
love. Meanwhile, I have eighty thousand pounds, which shall be laid
immediately in your lap."

So saying, he sealed the contract upon her lips, and explained the
mystery of his last words, which had begun to operate upon the wonder of
the two sisters. Sophy was agreeably surprised with the account of his
good fortune; nor was it, in all probability, unacceptable to the
lovely Emilia; though, from this information, she took an opportunity
to upbraid her admirer with the inflexibility of his pride, which,
she scrupled not to say, would have baffled all the suggestions of his
passion, had it not been gratified by this providential event.

Matters being thus happily matured, the lover begged that immediate
recourse might be had to the church, and his happiness ascertained
before night. But the bride objected with great vehemence to such
precipitation, being desirous of her mother's presence at the ceremony;
and she