where the ceremony was performed without delay; and after
the husband had asserted his prerogative on her lips, the whole company
saluted her by the name of Mrs. Pickle.

I shall leave the sensible reader to judge what passed at this juncture
within the bosoms of the new-married couple: Peregrine's heart was fired
with inexpressible ardour and impatience; while the transports of the
bride were mingled with a dash of diffidence and apprehension. Gauntlet
saw it would be too much for both to bear their present tantalizing
situation till night, without some amusement to divert their thoughts;
and therefore proposed to pass part of the evening at the public
entertainments in Marylebone gardens, which were at that time frequented
by the best company in town. The scheme was relished by the discreet
Sophy, who saw the meaning of the proposal, and the bride submitted
to the persuasion of her sister; so that, after tea, two coaches were
called, and Peregrine was forcibly separated from his charmer during the
conveyance.

The new-married couple and their company having made shift to spend
the evening, and supped on a slight collation in one of the boxes,
Peregrine's patience was almost quite exhausted, and taking Godfrey
aside, he imparted his intention to withdraw in private from the sea-wit
of his friend Hatchway, who would otherwise retard his bliss with
unseasonable impediments, which, at present, he could not possibly bear.
Gauntlet, who sympathized with his impatience, undertook to intoxicate
the lieutenant with bumpers to the joy of the bride, and, in the
meantime, desired Sophy to retire with his sister, under the auspices of
Cadwallader, who promised to squire them home.

The ladies were accordingly conducted to the coach, and Jack proposed
to the captain, that, for the sake of the joke, the bridegroom should
be plied with liquor, in such a manner as would effectually disable him
from enjoying the fruits of his good-fortune for one night at least.
Gauntlet seemed to relish the scheme, and they prevailed upon Pickle to
accompany them to a certain tavern, on pretence of drinking a farewell
glass to a single life: there the bottle was circulated, till Hatchway's
brain began to suffer innovation. As he had secured our hero's hat and
sword, he felt no apprehension of an elopement, which, however, was
effected; and the youth hastened on the wings of love to the arms of his
enchanting bride. He found Crabtree in a parlour wa