iting for his return,
and disposed to entertain him with a lecture upon temperance; to which
he paid very little attention, but ringing for Emilia's maid, desired to
know if her mistress was in bed. Being answered in the affirmative, he
sent her up-stairs to announce his arrival, undressed himself to a loose
gown and slippers, and, wishing the misanthrope good night, after having
desired to see him next day, followed in person to the delicious
scene, where he found her elegantly dished out, the fairest daughter of
chastity and love.

When he approached, she was overwhelmed with confusion, and hid her
lovely face from his transporting view. Mrs. Gauntlet, seeing his eyes
kindled at the occasion, kissed her charming sister, who, throwing her
snowy arms about her neck, would have detained her in the room, had
not Peregrine gently disengaged her confidante from her embrace,
and conducted her trembling to the door; which having bolted and
barricadoed, he profited by his good fortune, and his felicity was
perfect.

Next day he rose about noon, and found his three friends assembled, when
he learned that Jack had fallen in his own snare, and been obliged to
lie in the same tavern where he fell; a circumstance of which he was so
much ashamed, that Peregrine and his wife escaped many jokes, which he
would have certainly cracked, had he not lain under the imputation of
this disgrace. In half an hour after he came down, Mrs. Pickle appeared
with Sophy, blushing like Aurora or the goddess of health, and sending
forth emanations of beauty unparalleled. She was complimented upon her
change of situation by all present, and by none more warmly than by
old Crabtree, who declared himself so well satisfied with his friend's
fortune, as to be almost reconciled to that institution, against which
he had declaimed during the best part of his life.

An express was immediately despatched to Mrs. Gauntlet, with an account
of her daughter's marriage: a town-house was hired, and a handsome
equipage set up, in which the new-married pair appeared at all public
places, to the astonishment of our adventurer's fair-weather friends,
and the admiration of all the world: for, in point of figure, such
another couple was not to be found in the whole United Kingdom. Envy
despaired, and detraction was struck dumb, when our hero's new accession
of fortune was consigned to the celebration of public fame: Emilia
attracted the notice of all observers, from the