others, an accident happened which by contracting his view
to one object, detached him from those vain pursuits that would in time
have plunged him into an abyss of folly and contempt. Being one evening
at the ball which is always given to the ladies at the time of the
races, the person acted as master of the ceremonies, knowing how fond
Mr. Pickle was of every opportunity to display himself, came up, and
told him, that there was a fine young creature at the other end of the
room, who seemed to have a great inclination to dance a minuet, but
wanted a partner, the gentleman who attended her being in boots.

Peregrine's vanity being aroused at this intimation, he went up to
reconnoitre the young lady, and was struck with admiration at her
beauty. She seemed to be of his own age, was tall, though slender,
exquisitely shaped; her hair was auburn, and in such plenty, that the
barbarity of dress had not been able to prevent it from shading both
sides of her forehead, which was high and polished; the contour of her
face was oval; her nose very little raised into the aquiline form,
that contributed to the spirit and dignity of her aspect; her mouth was
small; her lips plump, juicy, and delicious, her teeth regular and white
as driven snow, her complexion incredibly delicate, and glowing with
health; and her full blue eyes beamed forth vivacity and love: her mien
was at the same time commanding and engaging, her address perfectly
genteel, and her whole appearance so captivating, that our young Adonis
looked, and was overcome.

He no sooner recollected himself from his astonishment, than he advanced
to her with a graceful air of respect, and begged she would do him the
honour to walk a minuet with him. She seemed particularly pleased with
his application, and very frankly complied with his request. This pair
was too remarkable to escape the particular notice of the company; Mr.
Pickle was well known by almost everybody in the room, but his partner
was altogether a new face and of consequence underwent the criticism
of all the ladies in the assembly. One whispered, "She has a good
complexion, but don't you think she is a little awry?" a second pitied
her for her masculine nose; a third observed, that she was awkward for
want of seeing company; a fourth distinguished something very bold in
her countenance; and, in short, there was not a beauty in her whole
composition which the glass of envy did not pervert into a blemish.

The m