pected to enjoy in France; and before he had
rode ten miles, his imagination was effectually amused. While he thus
prosecuted his travels by anticipation, and indulged himself in all
the insolence of hope, at the turning of a lane he was all of a sudden
overtaken by Emilia's brother on horseback, who told him he was riding
the same way, and should be glad of his company. This young gentleman,
whether prompted by personal pique, or actuated with zeal for the honour
of his family, had followed our hero, with the view of obliging him to
explain the nature of his attachment to his sister.

Peregrine returned his compliment with such disdainful civility as gave
him room to believe that he suspected his errand; and therefore, without
further preamble, he declared his business in these words: "Mr. Pickle,
you have carried on a correspondence with my sister for some time, and
I should be glad to know the nature of it." To this question our lover
replied, "Sir, I should be glad to know what title you have to demand
that satisfaction?"--"Sir," answered the other, "I demand it in the
capacity of a brother, jealous of his own honour, as well as of his
sister's reputation; and if your intentions are honourable, you will
not refuse it."--"Sir," said Peregrine, "I am not at present disposed to
appeal to your opinion for the rectitude of my intentions: and I think
you assume a little too much importance, in pretending to judge my
conduct."--"Sir," replied the soldier, "I pretend to judge the conduct
of every man who interferes with my concerns, and even to chastise
him, if I think he acts amiss."--"Chastise!" cried the youth, with
indignation in his looks, "sure you dare not apply that term to
me?"--"You are mistaken," said Godfrey; "I dare do anything that becomes
the character of a gentleman."--"Gentleman, God wot!" replied the other,
looking contemptuously at his equipage, which was none of the most
superb, "a very pretty gentleman, truly!"

The soldier's wrath was inflamed by this ironical repetition, the
contempt of which his conscious poverty made him feel; and he called his
antagonist presumptuous boy, insolent upstart, and with other epithets,
which Perry retorted with great bitterness. A formal challenge having
passed between them, they alighted at the first inn, and walked into
the next field, in order to decide their quarrel by the sword. Having
pitched upon the spot, helped to pull off each other's boots, and laid
aside th