refuse her helping hand to the great work of his conversion, and
promised to grant the interview he desired.

This agreeable piece of intelligence, which the Capuchin communicated to
Peregrine at his return, elevated his spirits to such a degree, that he
shone at supper with uncommon brilliance, in a thousand sallies of wit
and pleasantry, to the delight of all present, especially of his fair
Fleming, who seemed quite captivated by his person and behaviour. The
evening being thus spent to the satisfaction of all parties, the company
broke up, and retired to their several apartments, where our lover, to
his unspeakable mortification, learned that the two ladies were
obliged to be in the same room, all the other chambers of the inn being
pre-occupied. When he imparted this difficulty to the priest, that
charitable father, who was very fruitful in expedients, assured him
that his spiritual concerns should not be obstructed by such a slender
impediment; and accordingly availed himself of his prerogative, by going
into his daughter's chamber when she was almost undressed, and leading
her into his own, on pretence of administering salutary food for her
soul. Having brought the two votaries together, he prayed for success
to the operations of grace, and left them to their mutual meditations,
after having conjured them in the most solemn manner to let no impure
sentiments or temptations of the flesh interfere with the hallowed
design of their meeting.

The reverend intercessor being gone, and the door fastened on the
inside, the pseudo-convert, transported with his passion, threw himself
at his Amanda's feet; and begging she would spare him the tedious form
of addresses, which the nature of their interview would not permit him
to observe, began, with all the impetuosity of love, to make the most
of the occasion. But whether she was displeased by the intrepidity and
assurance of his behaviour, thinking herself entitled to more courtship
and respect; or was really better fortified with chastity than he or his
procurer had supposed her to be; certain it is, she expressed resentment
and surprise at his boldness and presumption, and upbraided him with
having imposed upon the charity of the friar. The young gentleman was
really as much astonished at this rebuff, as she pretended to be at his
declaration, and earnestly entreated her to consider how precious
the moments were, and for once sacrifice superfluous ceremony to the
happine