, who having been
alarmed by the smell of fire, had got up, rushed immediately to the
chamber where he knew these companions lodged, and Emily being saved by
her lover brought off Miss Sophy with the loss of his own shock-head of
hair, which was singed off in his retreat.

By this time the whole inn was alarmed; every lodger, as well as
servant, exerted himself, in order to stop the progress of this
calamity: and there being a well-replenished horse-pond in the yard, in
less than an hour the fire was totally extinguished, without having done
any other damage than that of consuming about two yards of the wooden
gallery.

All this time our young gentleman closely attended his fair charge, each
of whom had swooned with apprehension; but as their constitutions were
good, and their spirits not easily dissipated, when upon reflection
they found themselves and their company safe, and that the flames were
happily quenched, the tumult of their fears subsided, they put on their
clothes, recovered their good humour, and began to rally each other on
the trim in which they had been secured. Sophy observed that now
Mr. Pickle had an indisputable claim to her cousin's affection; and
therefore she ought to lay aside all affected reserve for the future,
and frankly avow the sentiments of her heart. Emily retorted the
argument, putting her in mind, that by the same claim Mr. Pipes was
entitled to the like return from her. Her friend admitted the force
of the conclusion, provided she could not find means of satisfying his
deliverer in another shape; and, turning, to the valet, who happened to
be present, asked if his heart was not otherwise engaged. Tom, who did
not conceive the meaning of the question, stood silent according to
custom; and the interrogation being repeated, answered, with a grin,
"Heart-whole as a biscuit, I'll assure you, mistress."--"What!" said
Emilia, "have you never been in love, Thomas?"--"Yes, forsooth," replied
the valet without hesitation, "sometimes of a morning."

Peregrine could not help laughing, and his mistress looked a little
disconcerted at this blunt repartee: while Sophy, slipping a purse
into his hand, told him there was something to purchase a periwig. Tom,
having consulted his master's eyes, refused the present, saying, "No,
thank ye as much as if I did;" and though she insisted upon his putting
it in his pocket, as a small testimony of her gratitude, he could not be
prevailed upon to avail himsel