es by which she attempted
to account for this extraordinary fustian of style, she concluded that
it was the effect of mere levity, calculated to ridicule the passion he
had formerly professed. Irritated by this supposition, she resolved
to balk his triumph with affected indifference, and in the mean time
endeavoured to expel him from that place which he possessed within her
heart. And indeed such a victory over her inclinations might have been
obtained without great difficulty; for she enjoyed an easiness of temper
that could accommodate itself to the emergencies of her fate; and her
vivacity, by amusing her imagination, preserved herself from the keener
sensations of sorrow. Thus determined and disposed, she did not send
any sort of answer, or the least token of remembrance by Pipes, who
was suffered to depart with a general compliment from the mother, and
arrived at Winchester the next day.

Peregrine's eyes sparkled when he saw his messenger come in, and he
stretched out his hand in full confidence of receiving some particular
mark of his Emilia's affection; but how was he confounded, when he found
his hope so cruelly disappointed! In an instant his countenance fell.
He stood for some time silent and abashed, then thrice repeated the
interrogation of "What! not one word from Emilia?" and dubious of his
courier's discretion, inquired minutely into all the particulars of his
reception. He asked if he had seen the young lady, if she was in good
health, if he had found an opportunity of delivering his letter, and how
she looked, when he put it into her hand? Pipes answered, that he had
never seen her in better health or better spirits; that he had managed
matters so as not only to present the billet unperceived, but also to
ask her commands in private before he took his leave, when she told him
that the letter required no reply. This last circumstance he considered
as a manifest mark of disrespect, and gnawed his lips with resentment.
Upon further reflection, however, he supposed that she could not
conveniently write by the messenger, and would undoubtedly favour him by
the post. This consideration consoled him for the present, and he waited
impatiently for the fruits of his hope; but after he had seen eight
days elapse without reaping the satisfaction with which he had flattered
himself, his temper forsook him, he raved against the whole sex, and was
seized with a fit of sullen chagrin; but his pride in a little time cam