mination of their quarrel,
favoured with their mutual confidence. In consequence of this happy
pacification, they deliberated upon the means of seeing each other
often; and as he could not, without some previous introduction, visit
her openly at the house of her relation, they agreed to meet every
afternoon in the park till the next assembly, at which he would solicit
her as a partner, and she be unengaged, in expectation of his request.
By this connection he would be entitled to visit her next day, and
thus an avowed correspondence would of course commence. This plan was
actually put in execution, and attended with a circumstance which had
well-nigh produced some mischievous consequence, had not Peregrine's
good fortune been superior to his discretion.

CHAPTER XXIV.

He achieves an Adventure at the Assembly, and quarrels with his
Governor.

At the assembly, were no fewer than three gentlemen of fortune, who
rivalled our lover in his passion for Emilia, and who had severally
begged the honour of dancing with her upon this occasion. She had
excused herself to each, on pretence of a slight indisposition that she
foresaw would detain her from the ball, and desired they would provide
themselves with other partners. Obliged to admit her excuse, they
accordingly followed her advice; and after they had engaged themselves
beyond the power of retracting, had the mortification of seeing her
there unclaimed. They in their turn made up to her, and expressed their
surprise and concern at finding her in the assembly unprovided, after
she had declined their invitation; but she told them that her cold had
forsaken her since she had the pleasure of seeing them, and that she
would rely upon accident for a partner. Just as she pronounced these
words to the last of the three, Peregrine advanced as an utter stranger,
bowed with great respect, told her he understood she was unengaged, and
would think himself highly honoured in being accepted as her partner for
the night; and he had the good fortune to succeed in his application.

As they were by far the handsomest and best-accomplished couple in the
room, they could not fail of attracting the notice and admiration of the
spectators, which inflamed the jealousy of his three competitors, who
immediately entered into a conspiracy against this gaudy stranger, whom,
as their rival, they resolved to affront in public. Pursuant to the plan
which they projected for this purpose, the f