hat, had it been executed
according to their intention, the young gentleman's scheme of travelling
would have been effectually marred. But their machinations were
overheard by Miss Pickle, who was now in the seventeenth year of her
age, and, in spite of the prejudice of education, entertained in secret
a most sisterly affection for her brother Perry, though she had never
spoken to him, and was deterred by the precepts, vigilance and menaces
of her mother, from attempting any means of meeting him in private. She
was not, however, insensible to his praise, which was loudly sounded
forth in the neighbourhood; and never failed of going to church, and
every other place, where she thought she might have an opportunity of
seeing this amiable brother. With these sentiments it cannot be supposed
that she would hear the conspiracy without emotion. She was shocked at
the treacherous barbarity of Gam, and shuddered at the prospect of the
danger to which Peregrine would be exposed from their malice. She durst
not communicate this plot to her mother, because she was afraid that
lady's unaccountable aversion for her first-born would hinder her
from interposing in his behalf, and consequently render her a sort of
accomplice in the guilt of his assassins. She therefore resolved to warn
Peregrine of the conspiracy, on account of which she transmitted to
him in an affectionate letter, by means of a young gentleman in that
neighbourhood, who made his addresses to her at that time, and who, at
her request, offered his service to our hero, in defeating the projects
of his adversaries.

Peregrine was startled when he read the particulars of their scheme,
which was no other than an intention to sally upon him when he should
be altogether unprovided against such an attack, cut off his ears, and
otherwise mutilate him in such a manner that he should have no cause
to be vain of his person for the future. Incensed as he was against
the brutal disposition of his own father's son, he could not help
being moved at the integrity and tenderness of his sister, of whose
inclinations towards him he had been hitherto kept in ignorance. He
thanked the gentleman for his honourable dealing, and expressed a desire
of being better acquainted with his virtues; told him that now he was
cautioned, he hoped there would be no necessity for giving him any
further trouble, and wrote by him a letter of acknowledgment to his
sister, for whom he expressed the utmost love