use with a heavy heart, being
attended to the gate by Hatchway, who did not choose to leave him alone;
and being admitted, found Emilia just risen, and, in his opinion, more
beautiful than ever.

Alarmed at his early visit, and the gloom that overspread his
countenance, she stood in silent expectation of hearing some melancholy
tidings; and it was not till after a considerable pause, that he
collected resolution enough to tell her he was come to take his
leave. Though she strove to conceal her sorrow, nature was not to be
suppressed: every feature of her countenance saddened in a moment; and
it was not without the utmost difficulty that she kept her lovely eyes
from overflowing. He saw the situation of her thoughts, and, in order to
alleviate her concern, assured her he should find means to see her
again in a very few weeks: meanwhile he communicated his reasons for
departing, in which she readily acquiesced; and having mutually consoled
each other, their transports of grief subsided: and before Mrs. Gauntlet
came downstairs, they were in a condition to behave with great decency
and resignation.

This good lady expressed her concern when she learned his resolution,
saying, she hoped his occasions and inclinations would permit him to
favour them with his agreeable company another time.

The lieutenant, who began to be uneasy at Peregrine's stay, knocked
at the door, and, being introduced by his friend, had the honour of
breakfasting with the ladies; on which occasion his heart received such
a rude shock from the charms of Emilia, that he afterwards made a merit
with his friend of having constrained himself so far, as to forbear
commencing his professed rival.

At length they bade adieu to their kind entertainers; and in less
than an hour setting out from the inn, arrived about two o'clock
in Winchester, where Mr. Jolter was overwhelmed with joy at their
appearance.

The nature of this adventure being unknown to all except those who could
be depended upon, everybody who inquired about the cause of Peregrine's
absence, was told that he had been with a relation in the country, and
the master condescended to overlook his indiscretion; so that Hatchway,
seeing everything settled to the satisfaction of his friend, returned to
the garrison, and gave the commodore an account of his expedition.

The old gentleman was very much startled when he heard there was a lady
in the case, and very emphatically observed, that a man h